Manufacturers warranty but can't tell if covered

wolfehouse

vansboy wrote: »

Diagnostic charges of this type and cost are regular these days. Even smaller garages are inclined to ask for a fee to 'just pop outside and have a look', which is fair enough, most would agree.

It sounds as though the fault is everything working a little harder, at same time.

See if you can replicate, or remove the noise, by running the engine, while stationary, then turn on lights, heater, air con, rear window, radio, and everything 'electric'.

You'll maybe find it is only there under load, which isn't a fault or anything to worry about, unless you really make the belt/alternator scream at you loudly.

VB

It's triggered by turning on the air conditioning, but then squeals/chirps quite loudly. Really irritating and I was hoping not a big deal.

Thing is if it wasn't under warranty I could go to an independent mechanic who might charge more reasonably. With warranty I seem tied in to the main dealers.

thescouselander

neilmcl wrote: »

Maybe you should read the what you're signing next time.

I already do and as I said there's nothing in there about charges. Every dealer I've had experience with has looked into even the smallest problem (such as rattles) with no mention of money at all. I guess the lesson here is dont buy a Nissan.

vansboy

wolfehouse wrote: »

It's triggered by turning on the air conditioning, but then squeals/chirps quite loudly. Really irritating and I was hoping not a big deal.

Thing is if it wasn't under warranty I could go to an independent mechanic who might charge more reasonably. With warranty I seem tied in to the main dealers.

Does sound like its NOT actually a fault. Maybe a chat with a salesman and a listen to another car in their stock. See what they say to that!

VB

Richard53

vansboy wrote: »

Does sound like its NOT actually a fault.

I would say a belt making an intermittent noise on a newish car is a fault, but not a serious one. It's not supposed to be noisy, to be fair, and it would irritate the hell out of me. It might just need tightening. I get an angry squeal from the Mazda on damp mornings when I turn the steering wheel. It's the PS belt that is slightly loose*. It goes away when the engine is warmed up. Trouble is, I am from the 'fan belt' era, and can't quite believe how tight some of these poly-V belts have to be.


*Slightly loose = not iron-bar tight.

bigjl

thescouselander wrote: »

I already do and as I said there's nothing in there about charges. Every dealer I've had experience with has looked into even the smallest problem (such as rattles) with no mention of money at all. I guess the lesson here is dont buy a Nissan.

What dealers have you had experience with?

We're these cars still under manufacturers warranty?

If you mention the fault when the car is in for a service they don't usually charge.

But I suspect the reason they charge is because so many idiots take used to take their car to a main dealer for diagnostics and then "decide" to take it elsewhere after they get a definitive and free diagnosis.

So now everybody has to pay for those that take the p&&& which is pretty much how everything in life turns out.

thescouselander

bigjl wrote: »

What dealers have you had experience with?

We're these cars still under manufacturers warranty?

If you mention the fault when the car is in for a service they don't usually charge.

But I suspect the reason they charge is because so many idiots take used to take their car to a main dealer for diagnostics and then "decide" to take it elsewhere after they get a definitive and free diagnosis.

So now everybody has to pay for those that take the p&&& which is pretty much how everything in life turns out.

Yes, all the cars in question were under manufacturers warantee with BMW, Audi and Mazda. All have been happy to sort any problem at any time free of charge.

That's the whole point of buying a new car under warranty isn't it? Its supposed to be a trouble free experience with any problems being sorted for you by the manufacturer/dealer.

neilmcl

thescouselander wrote: »

Yes, all the cars in question were under manufacturers warantee with BMW, Audi and Mazda. All have been happy to sort any problem at any time free of charge.

That's the whole point of buying a new car under warranty isn't it? Its supposed to be a trouble free experience with any problems being sorted for you by the manufacturer/dealer.

Only, if the fault is covered, which is the whole point of this thread!

I've experience of different dealerships for 2 of those manufacturers and without fail they tell you before any work is carried out that you'll be charged for any work done if a fault is not covered by the warranty. Sure, they're quite happy to book you in for a quick visual check but anything significant that isn't covered will be charged for.

thescouselander

I reckon I can see where this is going anyway. The dealer will probably say the drive belt has worn out and as a wear and tear item will not be covered under warranty and will therefore be a chargeable fix.

In reality a drive belt shouldn't be worn out by 20,000 miles and any reasonable dealer (that the customer is on good terms with) would probably sort of for nothing. I can't see this happening in the OP's current situation though which is why I suggested looking for a more co-operative one.

facade

Nissan have a manual belt tensioner, not an automatic one, and they chirp and squeal like the Devil himself.

They require some sort of unbelievably expensive tension gauge to get right, and on my Note was the subject of a service bulletin to use this gauge .

Take it to the trusted cheap garage to have it adjusted Nissan will never know.

I doubt if belt adjustment is covered by warranty anyway.