Warranty denied due to oil viscosity.

[4WD]

Originally Posted By: Danh
Originally Posted By: hallstevenson
My question is, short of the owner telling the dealership, how will they know what the viscosity is ? They are not going to test it and even if they did, I think the analysis labs will tell you their testing isn't 100% when it comes to determining viscosity.


If the dealer asks for oil change documentation (e.g. WalMart receipts), they will almost always show the purchased oil’s viscosity.

If the spec was 0w-20 and the receipts said 5w-30 would they make an issue of it? Probably not. Documentation can be faked or misused and may not be what was really put into the engine, so they may not view it as a reliable guide in the first place. More likely they’d see how clean the internals looked and if there were no signs of neglect, just move on.

On the other hand, if the dealer was under warranty claim pressure from the OEM they could decide to be jerks about it and make life difficult. The OEM might overrule the dealer or might not. And yes, the OEM supposedly would have to “prove” the wrong viscosity caused the engine damage. But they have lots more resources than we do.



I had a couple bouts of heartburn to see my new 5.3L on 0w20 … but thinking deeper it is 8 quart capacity, has an oil cooler, GM added piston jets (good bye slap), and I’m using a majority PAO for $25/jug that will find the 7k OLM limit to be a light snack … It will do fine and will think about it again after 60k on the clock …

 

[Bladecutter]

Originally Posted By: tomcat27
I have a friend who was denied warranty coverage on a leased Durango. It was sludged.
There was significant fuel dilution due to an poorly operating choke.


What year Durango doesn't have fuel injection, and has an actual, physical choke?
I'm really curious on that one.

BC.

 

[BrianF]

We will see... I just located a slight leak on the front main seal on my CTD. It will be under warranty. Now with the Ram they have two caveats in the warranty: Change the oil every 24,000km or 6 months, which ever comes first. Second, Use a 40 weight oil or one that meets CES 20086.

I don't rely on the time index and go solely on mileage (until I get a few UOA under its belt)and I use a 30 weight oil. Although, the 30 weight is on Cummins' 20086 approved list.

 

[ragtoplvr]

I know for a fact that Hyundai and General motors at least at some time in the past used oil with a dye in it, and or an unavailable oil filter, to determine if the oil was ever changed. The will in fact, deny warranty if never changed. They will also deny warranty if oil level is over 2 quarts low.

GM used to, maybe still does, have a oil sample kit, that would be sent in for engine/transmission failures. In the case of a transmission I used to have, there was a recall about coolers failing. If antifreeze was found in the sample, you got a free repair. If not, too bad so sad.

Rod

 

[Hall]

Originally Posted By: ragtoplvr
I know for a fact that Hyundai and General motors at least at some time in the past used oil with a dye in it, and or an unavailable oil filter, to determine if the oil was ever changed.


A fact ? Sounds pretty unrealistic.... You're suggesting that only dealers can do oil and filter changes and if not, warranties are thrown out ? That's not a "fact".

 

[Danh]

Originally Posted By: hallstevenson
Originally Posted By: ragtoplvr
I know for a fact that Hyundai and General motors at least at some time in the past used oil with a dye in it, and or an unavailable oil filter, to determine if the oil was ever changed.


A fact ? Sounds pretty unrealistic.... You're suggesting that only dealers can do oil and filter changes and if not, warranties are thrown out ? That's not a "fact".


My new Fords have come with oil filters that look to be Motorcraft but have little or no external markings, perhaps for this purpose. This isn’t saying only dealers can change oil (their filters would look like the ones we can buy), but does give the dealer reason to believe the oil was change at least once since it left the factory.

 

[Randy_R]

How did you score Idemitsu 0W20 for .20/quart? I just bought a CX-5.

 

[JLTD]

Originally Posted By: hpb
Warranty denial - never.
Engine failure - never.



This, and


Originally Posted By: benjy
your ambient temperature + how you drive should govern oil choice NOT one size fits all for EPA mileage test that in some conditions is a POOR choice!!!



This.

 

[RedOakRanch]

All the cars I've seen that spec 0w20 also say to use a higher viscosity oil in high speed/load situations so I dont worry about it too much.

 

[Artem]

Originally Posted By: Randy_R
How did you score Idemitsu 0W20 for .20/quart? I just bought a CX-5.


$0.75 a quart. It was on clearance a while back and I was able to grab like 10 gallons.

 

[maxdustington]

What about manuals that say "Use x viscosity if y viscosity is unavailable"?

For the receipt issues, you could always buy the correct viscosity and return it while keeping the receipt for warranty purposes.

 

[Johnny2Bad]

Never heard an instance personally.

 

[Rolla07]

Originally Posted By: JLTD
Originally Posted By: hpb
Warranty denial - never.
Engine failure - never.



This, and


Originally Posted By: benjy
your ambient temperature + how you drive should govern oil choice NOT one size fits all for EPA mileage test that in some conditions is a POOR choice!!!



This.


Really?! Your ambient temperature? You realize oil gets hotter than ambient temperature right? Love how this turned into a thick vs thin thread. Will let you know when I have any oil usage in my car or engine problems from 0w20. Dont hold your breath

 

[oldhp]

Here's a thought. Pennzoil Platinum 5W20 at 100c is 8.6 cSt. PP 5W30 at 100c is 9.8 cSt. But if the oil just a little cooler...PP 5W20 at 95c is 9.52 cSt. Not a true 5W30, but it's thicker than the rated 100c.

 

[AVB]

When I worked for the government we had a brand new F250 around a 2010 model for a service truck. When it came time for the first service I suggested they not use the same 15w40 that we used in everything. The next day the engine seized, the local Ford dealer replaced the engine under warranty, but I believe they drained out the 15w40 before sending it to the dealer. I can't say 100% that the 15w40 caused the failure because I didn't witness the oil change to know if the engine was properly refilled with oil. I did witness the truck being driven into the shop barely running until it stalled right behind my bay.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: hallstevenson
Originally Posted By: ragtoplvr
I know for a fact that Hyundai and General motors at least at some time in the past used oil with a dye in it, and or an unavailable oil filter, to determine if the oil was ever changed.


A fact ? Sounds pretty unrealistic.... You're suggesting that only dealers can do oil and filter changes and if not, warranties are thrown out ? That's not a "fact".

I think you're misreading his point. He's talking about never changing the factory fill. And do note that the GM and Ford factory filter is not the same as an AC Delco or Motorcraft off the shelf.

 

[dlundblad]

Originally Posted By: hpb
Warranty denial - never.
Engine failure - never.


*Highly unlikely.

 

[Shannow]

Originally Posted By: philipp10
Originally Posted By: Cujet
Interestingly, the use of heavier viscosity than 0W-water, in some trouble prone engines, results in longer engine life and therefore less chance of a warranty claim.


Is this a true statement? I remember reading, on this site in the Oil University section that the wear saved from cold starts with thin oil was greater than the wear saved from a heavier viscosity.


Yeah, he also said that an oil that started at 10Cst cold was best, and that maybe the best oil was "addized kerosene"...absolute garbage.

Google his medical articles (his ACTUAL profession), and see if you would send your car to that plastic surgeon.

 

[Hall]

Originally Posted By: Garak
I think you're misreading his point. He's talking about never changing the factory fill. And do note that the GM and Ford factory filter is not the same as an AC Delco or Motorcraft off the shelf.


Ahhh, that does make sense in that case.

 

[4WD]

Originally Posted By: Trav
The problem with the warranty is the receipts showing the viscosity shown in the owners manual. They will deny warranty for a lube related engine failure if you cant produce them.
No they are not doing a UOA or anything else if the oil looks fluid.


As a minimum … they can make the case … but it is hard to find empirical evidence on a lube oil site when a large portion of folks only safely come up a grade, choose a good oil ~ and before you know it the car is past warranty mileage anyway …

They gave me grief over “records” with my last trade in … then I whipped out my iPhone photo records and they got happy …
Funny part was the picture had M1 0w40 (And Fram Ultra) for a 5w30 spec’d ecoboost …