Doing labor myself, any warranty concerns?

Mr Nick · **Posted:** Thu May 21, 2009 8:27 pm

My KK has 26,000 miles on it, and the trans is starting to shift a bit gritty when hot, shifting 5th and 6th gears even sticks a bit sometimes. Jeep recommends changing manual trans fluid at 30,000. My dealer said they would charge about $90 for that service... something I can easily do myself.

When cold and for the first 10 minutes of a trip, it shifts fine. My thought it the fluid is toast and looses viscosity when it gets hot. Really sucks because I was planning on going to our cottage this weekend. :cry:

My only concern is this: What if I change the fluid myself, and it doesn't fix the problem. So now I bring it to Jeep for warranty work, and they see I just changed the fluid and try to blame me for doing something wrong and say the repair won't be covered under warranty.

I know I could fight something like this, Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and all that... but I don't want the hassle of that in the first place.

WWJD?

What Would a Jeeper Do?

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Thu May 21, 2009 8:55 pm

Change it yourself and never tell them that you did IF you have problems later on down the road. If it doesnt fix it right away then dont wait till its over 30k to take it in. Take it in before 30k so they cant say, "you didnt change it at 30k."

This is given you dont beat the drain plug with a hammer trying to get it off making it obvious that youve been under there.

Mr Nick · **Posted:** Thu May 21, 2009 8:59 pm

If I change the fluid myself and the problem doesn't go away, I'd bring it in right away. They would see the brand new fluid in there.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Thu May 21, 2009 9:20 pm

Make sure you use MFG suggested fluid and save receipts. (yeah I know, Duh) There is nothing they can say about new fluid being in the vehicle if it is correct for the app. Might even just buy the Mopar fluid and then they have record of it, etc. and once again, what can they say? Draining fluid and refilling Isn't going to raise any flags.

friggin sucks the paranoia factory warranties create. :roll:

hrogi · **Posted:** Thu May 21, 2009 11:03 pm

I would take it 1 step more.
Copy the UPC codes and save it all in a file.

Basicaly document everything on paper you can.
If it ever went to courty you will have a case...

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu May 21, 2009 11:13 pm

Just make sure you use the correct fluid and you will be fine.Using the wrong fluid is where they get you.I can't say for other dealerships but the one I worked at always had a oil analysis done on the fluid of any engine,trans,or t-case before any warranty work was done on those items to make sure the correct fluid was present.That stupid MF act is a joke and is easy to bypass,idiots commiting warranty fraud cost the vehicle company's big amounts of money each year and I'm glad they are getting very strict on warranty policies for neglect,abuse,and aftermarket modifications.

belvedere · **Posted:** Fri May 22, 2009 7:29 am

In this case, I'd certainly buy the Mopar fluid.

Mr Nick · **Posted:** Fri May 22, 2009 8:12 am

Thanks guys. I'm on the road for work today, and I'll be near a different dealer then I usually go to. I'm going to stop in there and confirm everything and if all is well... buy Mopar fluid and do it myself. Hopefully all it needs is a fluid change in the first place.

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri May 22, 2009 8:22 am

As long as you have proof of what you used and did it right there should never be a problem. One of the last things I think about when I do regular maintanance is the stupid warranty.

Albert · **Posted:** Fri May 22, 2009 10:54 am

Mr Nick wrote:

Thanks guys. I'm on the road for work today, and I'll be near a different dealer then I usually go to. I'm going to stop in there and confirm everything and if all is well... buy Mopar fluid and do it myself. Hopefully all it needs is a fluid change in the first place.

That is the best thing to do in this case if you are concerned about the warranty. Then you will have a receipt for the fluids from a Mopar Dealer with the right fluid and name and part # on it.

I do all my own routine stuff and I keep receipts . I also keep a log with date, mileage, and what I did mostly for my own benefit. That way I know what was done and when. But if I was called on it, I have a written record complete with my greasy fingerprints.....LOL...... I have more than one vehicle so I keep a seperate manilla folder on each. I guess I am old fashioned and don't put it on the computer.

Just my opinion.

Albert · **Posted:** Fri May 22, 2009 10:55 am

Mr Nick wrote:

Thanks guys. I'm on the road for work today, and I'll be near a different dealer then I usually go to. I'm going to stop in there and confirm everything and if all is well... buy Mopar fluid and do it myself. Hopefully all it needs is a fluid change in the first place.

That is the best thing to do in this case if you are concerned about the warranty. Then you will have a receipt for the fluids from a Mopar Dealer with the right fluid and name and part # on it.

I do all my own routine stuff and I keep receipts . I also keep a log with date, mileage, and what I did mostly for my own benefit. That way I know what was done and when. But if I was called on it, I have a written record complete with my greasy fingerprints.....LOL...... I have more than one vehicle so I keep a seperate manilla folder on each. I guess I am old fashioned and don't put it on the computer.

Just my opinion.

Albert · **Posted:** Fri May 22, 2009 10:56 am

sorry......duplicate post.

Albert · **Posted:** Fri May 22, 2009 11:01 am

Sorry.....having trouble with my posting finger today I guess.

Albert · **Posted:** Fri May 22, 2009 11:04 am

deleted......

hrogi · **Posted:** Fri May 22, 2009 11:14 am

Albert advice is golden even it is got posted a few times

LOL...

Keeping detailed records is what is needed. I lett folk photo copy the ticket you get when you buy parts. becuase some paper and ink they use fades after 60 days. it is done for a bad reason. to screw us...

Mr Nick · **Posted:** Fri May 22, 2009 11:06 pm

Changing the fluid fixed it, just got back from a 55 mile highway drive and it shifts just fine. Fluid coming out didn't look too bad, and I didn't notice any water pour out first that may have gotten in the case somehow...

Wasn't cheap though, Jeep charges $25 a quart for their manual trans fluid! Then had to buy a 12mm, 15mm, and 17mm hex set for the drain/fill plugs, along with a hand pump for the fluid. :roll:

Oh well a few more tools for my collection and I'm ready if I have to change it again in 25,000 miles...

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Sat May 23, 2009 11:55 am

Just keep in mind, there may not be a Jeep/Chrysler/Dodge soon so work on it yuourself. If the problem is still there, find an experienced Jeeper (works on them, not just drives them.....HA!) to help you out.

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Sat May 23, 2009 1:17 pm

Mr Nick wrote:

Changing the fluid fixed it, just got back from a 55 mile highway drive and it shifts just fine. Fluid coming out didn't look too bad, and I didn't notice any water pour out first that may have gotten in the case somehow...

Wasn't cheap though, Jeep charges $25 a quart for their manual trans fluid! Then had to buy a 12mm, 15mm, and 17mm hex set for the drain/fill plugs, along with a hand pump for the fluid. :roll:

Oh well a few more tools for my collection and I'm ready if I have to change it again in 25,000 miles...

25 isn't to bad. I think I paid 17.99 per quart when I did my dads trans. If you feel comfortable next time, buy something like RP @ 13.99 a quart or better yet, Amsoil is only 10.75 a quart.

Doing labor myself, any warranty concerns?

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