OPC, Service and Extended Warranty

[mark.pearson]

I would be grateful for members views given my recent experience with OPC and 981S undergoing service. The car is 2013, 44k mileage, full OPC service and warranty history with receipts and stamped service booklet

During a recent service the OPC highlighted a couple of issues - 1 the brake calliper bleed nipples could not be removed so required 3rd party extraction 2 the coil packs were "corroded" and needed to be replaced. Both of these were assessed as outside the scope of the extended warranty due to "outside influences". Total estimated cost approx £1500 on top of the service cost of £1900

Both of these components are not listed in the "exhaustive" list of wear and tear exclusions in the warranty. The words corrode or corroded are not in the warranty either

Following discussions with Porsche UK in Reading it appears that I am stuck with the OPC, as to move the car to an independent will invalidate the warranty. Porsche UK are acting as an intermediary in good faith, however the OPC are appalling in their attitude and imprecise descriptions of the faults

 

[gdavison]

Have a read of this thread - similar "corroded" issues

Level sensors - not covered by warranty

2017 Cayenne 4.2 S. Just been quoted £2k to replace 4 air suspension level sensors which have suffered corrosion and seized. Porsche won't cover under extended warranty claiming it's wear and tear but I can't find any specific note re this in policy exclusions. Anyone with experience?

www.porscheclubgb.com

 

[BrianJ]

Under similar circumstances I emailed my Service Advisor, pointed out the dictionary definition of "exhaustive" and asked them to justify in writing to me why they were going outside the terms of the contract. They soon apologised for their mistake.

 

[Chappelle]

An OEM coil pack is £40. 15mins labour to fit? Another £50. Times 2, under £200. In my experience they crack not corrode. So could be argued they are a wear and tear item but not huge cost. Calliper nipples sounds more like a warranty issue.

I understand having a warranty on your car and I have a Porsche extended warranty on my Macan (and get the excellent OPC in Edinburgh to maintain the car) but equally I paid under £700 for a major service at 44k miles on my Boxster with an Indy

Regardless of the outcome you might want to think about using a good Indy.

Good luck with your battle

 

[ianthow]

I would be grateful for members views given my recent experience with OPC and 981S undergoing service. The car is 2013, 44k mileage, full OPC service and warranty history with receipts and stamped service booklet

During a recent service the OPC highlighted a couple of issues - 1 the brake calliper bleed nipples could not be removed so required 3rd party extraction 2 the coil packs were "corroded" and needed to be replaced. Both of these were assessed as outside the scope of the extended warranty due to "outside influences". Total estimated cost approx £1500 on top of the service cost of £1900

Both of these components are not listed in the "exhaustive" list of wear and tear exclusions in the warranty. The words corrode or corroded are not in the warranty either

Following discussions with Porsche UK in Reading it appears that I am stuck with the OPC, as to move the car to an independent will invalidate the warranty. Porsche UK are acting as an intermediary in good faith, however the OPC are appalling in their attitude and imprecise descriptions of the faults

As Brian suggests, question this in writing to the dealer principal and to Porsche Cars GB. As you say, the warranty does not specifically exclude these items. Give them time to respond then consider raising a case with the Motor Ombudsman, https://www.themotorombudsman.org/

Seized bleed nipples, due to galvanic corrosion between alloy and steel, have been a known problem for years. Preventive action is simple. From the very first brake fluid change, the OPC should remove the nipples, clean and smear threads with ceramic grease before refitting. Even better, replace with stainless steel nipples (about £5 each). I did this on my 987 10 years ago after breaking a nipple. No further problems.
Regarding coil packs, the only 'corrosion' fault I can imagine is with the electrical contacts. Coil packs typically fail early due to poor cooling air flow in the engine bay.
Neither of these are wear and tear cases so fight for a warranty repair. The problem is that the OPC has to make the claim to the insurer and few want to take the time to fight the case on your behalf. Persistence will pay off.

 

[malarcy]

Are the coil packs faulty ? Yes they may have issues and in an ideal world a pre-emptive replacement may save an outage but, if they aren’t actually causing an issue then I am not surprised they aren’t a warranty claim right now.

I know of folks who have had coil packs that were faulty and causing misfires reolaced under extended warranty.

If warranty wasn’t involved would this have been an “advisory” item rather than a “fault found fix now”

 

[Robin M]

I have just been told the reason my lane departure warning no longer works and the Assistance menu item is greyed out is that my windscreen camera needs to be reset up It’s apparently not covered by warranty and costs £730 Can’t see how it’s moved as I can’t get to it. However I did have the OPC fit a new windscreen. Maybe that’s the cause. Will be writing to Porsche GB on this as I can’t understand how it’s now out of operating specification through no fault of mine Fortunately I don’t use the Labe Departure warning so can live with it if I have to but for all you people with more modern cars with self steering types of Lane departure warnings emergency braking etc etc be warned. If it all stops working Warrenty won’t cover getting it fixed if the OPC decides it’s an adjustment issue.

 

[Robin M]

Have a read of this thread - similar "corroded" issues

Level sensors - not covered by warranty

2017 Cayenne 4.2 S. Just been quoted £2k to replace 4 air suspension level sensors which have suffered corrosion and seized. Porsche won't cover under extended warranty claiming it's wear and tear but I can't find any specific note re this in policy exclusions. Anyone with experience?

www.porscheclubgb.com

My level sensor that failed was changed under warranty.

 

[Scrounger]

OPC should have reset and tested the camera when the widescreen was replaced. I’d be getting them to do it stating it should have been done when the screen was replaced.

Dan.

 

[Robin M]

OPC should have reset and tested the camera when the widescreen was replaced. I’d be getting them to do it stating it should have been done when the screen was replaced.

Dan.

Exactly what I am about to do Dan. Thanks!

 

[mark.pearson]

An update. The OPC has been immoveable on various issues wrt the service, in essence getting parts off the vehicle to allow the service to continue. I have had to instruct additional works or instruct not to undertake items, at the advice of Porsche Reading HQ, otherwise the car would be stuck in limbo. These relate to the coil packs, brake calliper bleed nipples, pulleys and tensioners. The car was advised as being ready to pick up on 27th May but HQ are involved and it is still in the garage, a total of 5 weeks. At this point, I have no idea of the final cost, the brake fluid not changed and to be honest not entirely happy

 

[JohnCRS]

Mark. Let's just say that some OPC's are better than others when it comes to warranty repairs. The extended warranty is an insurance policy so Porsche have to successfully claim in order to have payment cleared. Some will push, others may not.

Brake nipples: these should be lubricated every time the brake fluid is changed (every two years) If that has not been done then they can corrode. Generally they subcontract the extraction and replacement of the brake nipple when a mechanic breaks one off. Is that what has happened in your case? There are lots of bolts and other fittings on these cars that deteriorate with age and I am afraid that this is not likely to be accepted under the warranty.

Coil packs: the general consensus to leave well alone if they are working OK. They do crack and potentially will fail with water ingress. but that is your choice / risk and should have no bearing on the continuation of the warranty.

Pulley's and tensioners: only mentioned in your last post. The belts are a service item and need to be changed (every 4 years I think) The last change should be documented in your service record. I can't see why the pulleys and tensioners would need changing, especially at 44,000 miles, unless the car was standing and the engine nor run for a prolonged period. The reason for this needs some explanation.

It is in the nature of the extended warranty that it is there for the big things that may go wrong. Turbo's, gearboxes, waterpipes, electronic failures etc. etc. are covered and, if they do fail, would otherwise cost considerable sums. The flip side is that to maintain the warranty you are inextricably linked to the OPC network for all work, service schedules and only Porsche parts. Some OPC's are well versed in using the extended warranty as a big stick to do service work that may not be required.

Two considerations: you can try a different OPC, they do differ. Otherwise you could decide to move into the independent network and forgo the warranty. I made the choice that, with a 10 year old car, the cost of maintaining the warranty outweighed the benefits and that as age and mileage increased there was more that would not not be covered by the warranty due to wear and tear.