[forzasteve]

Does the installation of this controller void the Alfa Romeo Warranty?

In the US, there is a Federal statute know as the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act enacted in 1975. In accordance with that act, a manufacturer cannot void a warranty because the consumer installs an aftermarket part unless they can demonstrate that the installation of that part causes damage to another part that is covered under warranty. For example, they cannot deny warranty to the turbo charger because you installed an upgraded radio ... unless they can demonstrate how the upgraded radio damaged the turbo. This is, of course, a ridiculous example, but prior to the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act, manufacturers were known to threaten consumers exactly that unless they purchased parts from the dealer or manufacturer.

So, bottom line, if you install the Forza controller on your car, the manufacturer cannot void your car's warranty. But, should something on your car break and require warranty service, the manufacturer (or the car dealer) might try to deny coverage if they were to deem that the installation of the controller was the cause for the failure. I cannot think of anything that might break due to the exhaust controller.


All of this said, it would not be beyond the realm of possibility that a dealer may try this tactic. So, my advise if you have doubt about the moral caliber of your car dealer, and you have reason for warranty repair and believe that the dealer might discover the exhaust controller ... then remove the controller prior to bringing it in for service. Once removed, there will not be any evidence that it was ever installed.

Regards,

Steve

 

[BGorilla]

Does the installation of this controller void the Alfa Romeo Warranty?

FWIW my dealership found it to be so safe that they installed it for me themselves.

 

[forzasteve]

FWIW my dealership found it to be so safe that they installed it for me themselves.

That has generally been the reaction that I am aware of.



Steve

 

[JerryNY]

I think the only issues a dealer could reasonably argue the controller damaged is possibly the exhaust valve solenoid failing itself or if something got shorted out during install. They can’t blame it on much else realistically...

 

[Avnyc11]

That has generally been the reaction that I am aware of.



Steve

Wish i could say the same. My two local dealers told me no

 

[tmireles333]

In the US, there is a Federal statute know as the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act enacted in 1975. In accordance with that act, a manufacturer cannot void a warranty because the consumer installs an aftermarket part unless they can demonstrate that the installation of that part causes damage to another part that is covered under warranty. For example, they cannot deny warranty to the turbo charger because you installed an upgraded radio ... unless they can demonstrate how the upgraded radio damaged the turbo. This is, of course, a ridiculous example, but prior to the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act, manufacturers were known to threaten consumers exactly that unless they purchased parts from the dealer or manufacturer.

So, bottom line, if you install the Forza controller on your car, the manufacturer cannot void your car's warranty. But, should something on your car break and require warranty service, the manufacturer (or the car dealer) might try to deny coverage if they were to deem that the installation of the controller was the cause for the failure. I cannot think of anything that might break due to the exhaust controller.


All of this said, it would not be beyond the realm of possibility that a dealer may try this tactic. So, my advise if you have doubt about the moral caliber of your car dealer, and you have reason for warranty repair and believe that the dealer might discover the exhaust controller ... then remove the controller prior to bringing it in for service. Once removed, there will not be any evidence that it was ever installed.

Regards,

Steve

The reason I ask is that prior to this module being installed the vehicle had been taken to the dealer for Engine Misfires on two separate occasions. This last occasion (#3), the Dealer is looking at replacing the engine. I just want to make sure they or AR won't come back trying to say it was the Exhaust Bypass module.

 

[Hoooper]

The reason I ask is that prior to this module being installed the vehicle had been taken to the dealer for Engine Misfires on two separate occasions. This last occasion (#3), the Dealer is looking at replacing the engine. I just want to make sure they or AR won't come back trying to say it was the Exhaust Bypass module.

You getting misfire codes?

 

[tmireles333]

You getting misfire codes?

yes....

2/21/2018: case number 33537***
Alfa Romeo of Ontario RO: 1053*
ETCS light illuminated after remote starting the vehicle, followed by the Check Engine Light.
P0300: Random Misfire Detected

Dealer replaceed the following:
3 Fuel Injectors
6 Fuel Injector Seals
2 Spark Plugs
1 Fuel Injector Tube
1 Manifold Gasket
1 Fuel Vapor Valve


4/23/2018: Case Number 33957***
Alfa Romeo of Ontario RO: 1085*
P0300: Random Misfire Detected
P01CA: (no description displayed)
P01C8: (no description displayed)
P0306: Cylinder 6 Misfire Detected
P0304: Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected
P008A: Low Pressure Fuel System Pressure - Too Low
P0087: Fuel Rail/System Pressure - Too Low
P00C6: (no description displayed)
P0302: Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected
P0303: Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected
P0305: Cylinder 5 Misfire Detected

Dealer replaceed the following:
Fuel Pump
Fuel Level Unit


7/09/2018: Case Number 34701***
Alfa Romeo of Ontario RO: 1085*
P0300: Random Misfire Detected
P0301: Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected
P0304: Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected

Dealer replacing the following:
2.9L Engine

 

[BGorilla]

yes....

2/21/2018: case number 33537***
Alfa Romeo of Ontario RO: 1053*
ETCS light illuminated after remote starting the vehicle, followed by the Check Engine Light.
P0300: Random Misfire Detected

Dealer replaceed the following:
3 Fuel Injectors
6 Fuel Injector Seals
2 Spark Plugs
1 Fuel Injector Tube
1 Manifold Gasket
1 Fuel Vapor Valve


4/23/2018: Case Number 33957***
Alfa Romeo of Ontario RO: 1085*
P0300: Random Misfire Detected
P01CA: (no description displayed)
P01C8: (no description displayed)
P0306: Cylinder 6 Misfire Detected
P0304: Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected
P008A: Low Pressure Fuel System Pressure - Too Low
P0087: Fuel Rail/System Pressure - Too Low
P00C6: (no description displayed)
P0302: Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected
P0303: Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected
P0305: Cylinder 5 Misfire Detected

Dealer replaceed the following:
Fuel Pump
Fuel Level Unit


7/09/2018: Case Number 34701***
Alfa Romeo of Ontario RO: 1085*
P0300: Random Misfire Detected
P0301: Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected
P0304: Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected

Dealer replacing the following:
2.9L Engine

Sounds like you need a new service department more than anything.

 

[tmireles333]

Sounds like you need a new service department more than anything.

Was offered either a buyback or replacement vehicle by AR, so I would guess it is not exclusively the dealer, but the vehicle's production date.

 

[MINIME]

I have a June 2017 Build date but only 1700 miles. No mods no track hoping that I don’t see the same result. How many miles and also what are you pursuing replacement or buyback?

 

[BGorilla]

Was offered either a buyback or replacement vehicle by AR, so I would guess it is not exclusively the dealer, but the vehicle's production date.

Do you think something happened in June 2017 specifically? Mine was built in April 2017 and I've abused it for 10k miles, including tracking it, and I haven't had a single issue. I've just seen too many instances of incompetent AR service departments misdiagnosing these cars, and just wrenching around replacing random parts until they give up and go for a buyback. And in a few cases here on the forum, a new service departments has taken a look, quickly fixed the issue, and then the car has been fine. Off the top of my head, I think @MDriver was one of them.

 

[MDriver]

Do you think something happened in June 2017 specifically? Mine was built in April 2017 and I've abused it for 10k miles, including tracking it, and I haven't had a single issue. I've just seen too many instances of incompetent AR service departments misdiagnosing these cars, and just wrenching around replacing random parts until they give up and go for a buyback. And in a few cases here on the forum, a new service departments has taken a look, quickly fixed the issue, and then the car has been fine. Off the top of my head, I think @MDriver was one of them.

Yup...mine was, for lack of a better word, a launch car. part of the 1st batch that arrived in the USA in 2016. I had an issue from the start that rendered the car in limp mode...selling dealer could not effect repair..buy-back was started....brought the car to a dedicated Alfa/Maserati/Ferrari dealer...car was diagnosed & fixed in 24 hours:grin2: ZERO issues since, just turned over 10k.
been singing the "choose your dealer wisely song" since then:wink2:

 

[tmireles333]

I have a June 2017 Build date but only 1700 miles. No mods no track hoping that I don’t see the same result. How many miles and also what are you pursuing replacement or buyback?

I have 16K miles on her, but the issues started at 4K miles.

 

[tmireles333]

Do you think something happened in June 2017 specifically? Mine was built in April 2017 and I've abused it for 10k miles, including tracking it, and I haven't had a single issue. I've just seen too many instances of incompetent AR service departments misdiagnosing these cars, and just wrenching around replacing random parts until they give up and go for a buyback. And in a few cases here on the forum, a new service departments has taken a look, quickly fixed the issue, and then the car has been fine. Off the top of my head, I think @MDriver was one of them.

Based on the buybacks reported on this site, the vehicles with build dates prior to Sep-Nov have higher probability of issues that would invoke a buyback from AR. I have not seen many issues being reported for the 2018s.

 

[MINIME]

So for the buyback do they put you back whole or if you go for replacement find you a comparable car with 0-4000 miles or a 2019? Not sure how they do that. Should be interesting.

 

[MINIME]

The reason I ask is that prior to this module being installed the vehicle had been taken to the dealer for Engine Misfires on two separate occasions. This last occasion (#3), the Dealer is looking at replacing the engine. I just want to make sure they or AR won't come back trying to say it was the Exhaust Bypass module.

This is the reason my husband does not want to perform any mods until our warranty has run out or a couple years down the road with no issues. We do not have the mechanical knowledge to be able to argue that the mod had nothing to do with the failure of the system. If Alfa engineers wanted to call it I would need to hire an expert on my end to prove they are wrong and the QV sound could be better in the other modes but we will continue to use D's RPMs and R went we want the growl.


The worse words I can hear: (It shouldn't, It could, there is a chance) no there are no certainty in life but I don't need to ask for more uncertainty. I think the mods are cool but with seeing some stuff on the forum I don't want to have to make an argument. Not worth voiding my warranty and like I said. We are not experts so we will use the car as designed mechanically.

 

[MDriver]

So for the buyback do they put you back whole or if you go for replacement find you a comparable car with 0-4000 miles or a 2019? Not sure how they do that. Should be interesting.

in my case as the car had under 500 miles when this all happened I was getting a check for the full purchase price & sales tax. They could not get me another RC/Blk QV as there were none in country at the time and I didn't want to order one and wait.

 

[AeromotivTechnik]

The stock Quad muffler has two pipes routed into the can; the vacuum-assist only opens the outboard pipes in Race mode. The Stradale system is a legitimate straight pipe set-up in Race mode.

 

[AMGHunter]

Looks like a great product. Thanks for being here. I'm going to order the E3.

Although I make and sell the Forza controller for the Alfa, I always recommend that owners try the method of plugging the vacuum lines to see if that easy mod suits your purpose. If you are happy with the valves open all the time and would never anticipate reverting back, then that is a good way to go. Only get the controller if you want to toggle back and forth.

Steve