ryan k

I just completed my deckplate mod, and while I was doing it, I started wondering if this would void the rest of my warranty? Currenty I have about 7,000 miles left on the 5 year / 60,000 warranty and was hoping not to void it.

Has anyone had any problems with the deckplate mod at the dealership??

Thanks,

Ryan

HBoss

I'm past warranty myself, but I assume that cutting a 4" hole in your airbox and putting silicon glue and a deck plate on it would void certain warranties you might have had.

I'm sure they will continue to honor drivetrain, etc. warranties. But I just think they would refuse to honor warranty service that could be related to air intake for your vehicle.

Al

A+

rule of thumb is if a mod causes the problem then they won't honor the warranty.other wise if u have a problem that doesn't involve the mod w/ ur still good

ChitRod

if you have a problem borrow a stock air box from someone then take it to the dealer.

rimpainter.com

I agree. Besides the deckplate mod is pretty subtle. Now if you had a SC and your tranny went out under warranty, then you might have to do some bickering.

Bob_98SR5

Ryan,

If you don't plan on or ever expect to go into deep water and you are concerned about your warranty, do the elbow mod. The dealer won't know you did it and it'll give you the same benefit as the deckplate (in terms of air induction).

Bob

rimpainter.com

Good point, however it wont give you that harmonious "roar."

(Which might be part of your point also)

I find that most Toyota Techs like it.

Bob_98SR5

96:

I've done both the elbow (on my past 99) and the deckplate (on my current 98). While the growl/roar is not as loud on the elbow, you do notice that the roar is much louder than stock. I'd say its a half-step lower in sound than the deckplate.

Bob

rimpainter.com

I agree. I tried it both ways too (when I put my deckplate in during dusty conditions, the elbow is still off)

Speaking of elbow removal, I keep a cheap painters sponge in my 4Runner, and wedge it in the elbow during off-roading. That, in conjunction with the deck plate in, seems to provide pretty good protection from dirt and dust. Just an idea.

WATRD

I will throw this out there since no one mentioned it...

The Magnuson Moss Warranty Act prohibits manufacturers from denying warranty coverage for a variety of reasons, one of which is aftermarket parts. In the event that an aftermarket part is installed, it is up to Toyota to PROVE that the part caused or contributed to a failure. So, it's likely that your deckplate would void the warranty on the airbox itself, but beyond that you are pretty well covered. If you suddenly have transmission troubles, it is unlikely that could be connected, nor could most other problems you might have.

Here is an interpretation of the act in relation to vehicles;

http://www.granatellimotorsports.com/magnusonmoss.htm

rimpainter.com

To be the devils advocate here...

I'll be Toyota and role play:

"Sir, your deckplate has increased the HP to your engine by at least 5, we have independent dyno charts to prove it. This causes undo stress on transmission internals, which is why your transmission has failed. Your transmission was designed to be used with the stock HP rating of the engine. We cannot cover your transmission failure under warranty. Sorry, you lose."

How would you respond?

WATRD

hahhahaha Are you being facetious? If not, then as follows;

a. Demonstrate that variations of 5 HP or more are normal and can occur for a variety of reasons, including octane changes, tune ups and normal repair work. It's a bit tougher for me, but on a normally aspirated engine, since they offer a bolt on accessory that increases horsepower to 265 in their parts department, a change of 5 HP is insignificant to the transmission.

b. Request mediation from corporate Toyota

c. Go to a different dealer

d. That what I keep the attorney on retainer for

rimpainter.com

I dont think you need an attorney retainer. That was a pretty good answer.

How about this one:

"...ok the deckplate is no big deal, but let me ask, have you followed the recommended trans fluid change interval? No? Well, we are sorry then sir, after 50K miles, we cannot justify replacing your transmission under the powertrain warranty. We do however, have free coffee in the lounge if you are interested."

WATRD

That's a tough one. Transmissions, like engines, require reqular fluid dumps.

I can see protesting if you were off by a thousand miles here and there, but if you have completely neglected it, then I would have trouble arguing that it should be covered. I would go so far as to say that neglecting to change out the fluid regularly is "abuse" and should not be covered by a manufacturers warantee.

Just the same, it's easy enough to have an independant lab perform analysis on the lubricant and tell you if indeed that might have been the cause of a failure. If the lab comes back and says the fluid is trashed, then it was preventable, but if they say the juice is still within normally established specifications, it could be argued that the fluid was not a factor in the failure.

rimpainter.com

Ok, I'll stop now. Those were really good answers. I like the oil analysis idea!