Cummins engine rebuild 400 turbo

[david1027]

I have a Cummins 400 Turbo, 2007 Itasca Ellipse purchased at 54K miles, serviced at Freightliner for the 60K miles factory service, serviced again at 67K, then again at 78K.A problem developed at 80K miles, it started burning oil, there was and is no smoke and no leaks. Tried to get it repaired, and was told by Cummins that it needed to be opened up for diagnostic testing. I have Cornerstone Ultimate Service Plan.The engine was opened and there was evidence of metal shavings in the oil and filters and they found debris in the rings.Cornerstone refuses to pay because lack of maintenance. Tangled and tousled and got them to agree for repairs.Now I get the estimate back from Cornerstone and they say they are only paying a little over $7K out of a $19K repair bill.Any help or advice on dealing with these Extended Warranty people would be appreciated. Thanks.

[WILDEBILL308]

Sorry for your problems. Did Cummins give any reason for the problem? Do you have your maintenance records? I would be talking to my attorney.
Bill

[jondrew55]

What kind of documentation do you have for the maintenance? What is the warranty company saying you should have had?

[Mr_D]

Well first off you don't, by law, have a "warranty", you have a service contract. Meaning the contract spells out what you must do to retain the policy. If you don't (breaking the contract) then they can deny the claim. You can be required to submit all service records to them, if you don't have them or they aren't up to their standards (not just the manufacturers standards) then they can and will deny the claim.
You might even be denied the right to sue the company for anything at all if they put in a binding arbitration clause.
As to dealing with the company on a disputed claim: read the contract and see what your rights are, they'll be in the papers in 6pt gray type!

[WILDEBILL308]

One more example why I don't believe in after market warranties.
Bill

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by WILDEBILL308

One more example why I don't believe in after market warranties.
Bill

That's part of the trouble, too many people think they are "warranties" and think everything is covered with out exceptions.
Not saying you don't understand the difference but lots of buyers don't!

[WILDEBILL308]

I do understand the difference. The warranty is a insurance policy with so many hidden disclaimers. I have seen to many people denied for what would seem to be a simple strait forward problem.
I self insure.
Bill

[BobGed]

Extended service contracts are very specific as to what they will or won't cover. In the case of an exclusionary policy, if it's not listed as being excluded, then it is covered.

So it really depends on what type of policy you have, and what they have declined to cover. You should get a detailed list of what was covered and what wasn't.

I just had my bathroom commode repaired, part of which unknown to me, was broken during the original build of the coach. My policy does not cover fasteners, so they covered everything on this repair except the new bolts.

[Smitty77]

Mr D gave a sound piece of advice. Read your warranty policy. When in doubt, get some input on what exactly it might mean! (Amazing how simple words, can be put together to mean actually almost nothing, and on purpose - confusing at best!)

Of course they will try to make it less if possible. Suspect 85% + of the people walk away... Especially for smaller claims... But, if you read it yourself, and feel you have done what was required - take it to the next level. Even if it's arbitration. If you go to arbitration, do so with a video recording of the session. A very powerful thing, being recorded - especially if attempting to spin things in a less then truthful (legal) way.

Best of luck to you on this, at that cost, it's probably worth getting some legal input.
Smitty

[dennis45]

Like Mr D says,,,, IMO, ANY AND ALL Extended Warranties are simply a glorified Time Payment Plan. Take the money you are paying these warranty people, put it in some type of investment, and finance your repairs from that account. How do you think these companies exist? It surely is not because they step up and pay for every problem without question. It's Bussines.

[cb1000rider]

Originally Posted by david1027

.A problem developed at 80K miles, it started burning oil, there was and is no smoke and no leaks. Tried to get it repaired, and was told by Cummins that it needed to be opened up for diagnostic testing. I have Cornerstone Ultimate Service Plan.The engine was opened and there was evidence of metal shavings in the oil and filters and they found debris in the rings.

What are your maintenance records?
What is the "source" of the shavings? Are they ferrous or non-ferrous?
One possibility is that the turbo went, chewed up the impeller and housing - and bingo you're shooting metal into the motor. If it was the turbo, I've had this happen on a non-diesel and the result was the same, some scarring on the cylinder which resulted in big oil consumption (no smoke). Motor needed a total rebuild.

[david1027]

Yes, I have all maintenance records. At first they said no to everything - not covered - now they are agreeing to $7000.00 out of $20,000.0 Cummins is supposed to go back after them.

[david1027]

Originally Posted by jondrew

What kind of documentation do you have for the maintenance? What is the warranty company saying you should have had?

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Well first off you don't, by law, have a "warranty", you have a service contract. Meaning the contract spells out what you must do to retain the policy. If you don't (breaking the contract) then they can deny the claim. You can be required to submit all service records to them, if you don't have them or they aren't up to their standards (not just the manufacturers standards) then they can and will deny the claim.
You might even be denied the right to sue the company for anything at all if they put in a binding arbitration clause.
As to dealing with the company on a disputed claim: read the contract and see what your rights are, they'll be in the papers in 6pt gray type!

Don't have the contract with me. Don't know if it's arbitration or lawsuit. Hopefully we'll get it settled without all that - but who knows.

[david1027]

Originally Posted by WILDEBILL308

One more example why I don't believe in after market warranties.
Bill

I'm not one to believe in after market warranties either. But when you're looking at $20,000.00 repair bill, it would be nice to get covered.