WARRANTY QUESTION OPINION /POLL

[luckycrank]

IF A SPARK PLUG GOES BAD INSIDE OF 60 MILES AND AT 4 MONTHS OF YOUR ATV'S 6 MONTH FACTORY WARRANTY. WHO SHOULD PAY THE BILL? THE FACTORY OR THE CUSTOMER? IT IS A FUEL INJECTED FOUR STROKE.

[Macgyver55]

They will more than likely say its a wear item and not covered.

That said, if they won't cover it, I'd like to hear their explanation of if they truly believe this is a "normal" situation or not. In my experience, aside from running short periods and never warming it up, unless the plug was defective it should easily last thousands of miles. Especially on a new machine where the injection system should be working properly, the compression good and the valve seals new. With 60 miles, one would like to assume they are all in good working order. A decent dealer, that cares about its reputation would replace the plug without hesitation whether its covered or not.

[luckycrank]

It was warming up when it quit never showed any sign of malfunction prior to stalling and not restarting . I am more concerned that it may happen again or it was just a band-aid for a bigger problem. and just started running again . and with out a cause they had nothing to bill to warranty and figured it gets them out of hot water. I dont want it to return when its -20 deg. and on a frozen slab of water. seems odd to me

[pinkfloyd4ever]

yes, from a PR standpoint dealer should at least replace the plug with the offer of 'if it happens again bring it in and we'll give it a thorough once over'

[jmd1]

I would concur that the dealer, especially if you purchased it from them, should fix the issue. And then, for your trouble make sure that they are willing to repair if the issue were to happen again. i would get that part in writing as computer failures are notoriously known to occur while you did not have the issue.

[Dave S]

For future reference, you'll want to get this documented at the dealership that the plug failed early on. If there's anything else that goes wrong and is directly related to this, you'll have more to stand on when it comes time for a warranty repair.

Keep all receipts for parts and service as well.

[luckycrank]

when I dropped it off to the dealer the same dealer in which I purchased it from in late febuary 2012. I explained what happened as he wrote it down word for word. He then he proceeded to tell me that if for any reason its not warranty( I stopped him midsentance and said how in the world could it not be short of fuel contamination) he carried on with his explanation and said he would call me prior to makeing any repairs out side of warranty.? its not a question of money, the repair bills is minor its more about bussiness ethics & customer relationships is what kills me.

I explained to the gentleman ,as an Auto mechanic for a major brand in southern minnesota I understand not every thing is warranty there are times to step in and "good will" a repair from time to time .

And I felt this was one of those times , he explained for what you bought it for I can't. Im calling the factory claims dept tomorrow

what kills me is I got a qoute from a respected dealer within 35 miles of my home town. and gave them the option to match it after originally being qouted a much higher price. am i out of line ?

[luckycrank]

For future reference, you'll want to get this documented at the dealership that the plug failed early on. If there's anything else that goes wrong and is directly related to this, you'll have more to stand on when it comes time for a warranty repair.

Keep all receipts for parts and service as well.

absolutley!

[luckycrank]

I almost wish I could make them buy it back and go with another brand / dealer

[Rippinlip]

Pat,

I feel you are right on the head with this one.

Sometimes there is just "the right thing to do" and it sounds like its not gettin done.....

For me, I have very seldom ever had to deal with warranty issues, sounds like a blessing.

As far as the plug goes, I have over 2500 miles on mine and I just pulled it the other day and it still looked great.

I along with you think there might be other issues.

Too bad if its the dealer I am thinking of.

If its who I think I know they are going through some changes, but right is right.

Good luck, listen to LEP's advice and document everything too.

[harvey lee]

If I were the dealer, no question I would have taken care of this. Small potatoes compared to an unhappy customer.

[rundrave]

I don't want to point any fingers here, or accuse you of any wrong doing. Here is my take on this. You said it was happening while you are letting it sit and idle?

Or are you starting it, letting it idle then shutting it off again? The efi models start in a rich mode that doesn't shut off till engine warms up and computer shuts it off. When you start it cold, let it run for a minute or two then go ride it till its warm, don't let it sit and idle long or idle a little then shut it off.

Also these new EFI machines don't like any throttle prior to starting and they will easily foul a plug if they got to much gas. I know its common nature to "give it a little gas" to get it to start. You can't do that with these EFI machines as they will flood very easily. They take a little bit longer to start compared to a carb'ed quad, but they should always start.

I know your frustrated, but time is money, and yes the dealer should probably honor this, but in between all the running to and from place to place. Go to an autoparts store, spend a few dollars (will be significantly cheaper than the stealership) buy a new plug and move on.

[luckycrank]

Point is something is wrong with the machine or a defective spark plug is to blame. If it is considered normal wear I guess I should buy a six pack of plugs in order to save money. I will likely have to pay and I am prepared to do so. but it is not right I love the stealership comment! :grin I have a call into arctic cat and I am waiting for a response before proceeding

[luckycrank]

I talked with the claims rep about my situation.

I guess I am S.O.L it is normal wear item ,spark plugs can go at any time

He had seen them go bad with 2 miles on a machine. I told him if it happens again they can buy It back from me be cause clearly it was/is defective. he told me to drive it as much as possible before the warranty

expires. and I said what for it has no warranty on it anyway. I than said I chose the dealer and arctic cat Brand, because both where local city and state bussiness. and that was my first and last arctic cat product.

great customer service you know I will get the word out about my experiance at there "STEALERSHIP" funny part is I will looking for a plow and winch before winter and they lost that sale.all for a 5 dollar spark plug.

[Whoaru99]

I almost wish I could make them buy it back and go with another brand / dealer

Sounds like you got a heck of a good price on it. Maybe you should sell it for at or near what you paid on this good deal if you're ticked off about it and buy something else.

Frankly, there's not that much to a spark plug. What do you suppose might be defective about it?

[luckycrank]

my concern is in 6o miles ill be out of luck again if so its not the plug something to do with ignition or fuel system as far as selling it has crossed my mind

[luckycrank]

picked up the wheeler from dealer tonight I had told the manager during a breif phone call that I wanted the old one back and during the ride home i can smell raw fuel for about 3 miles after doing a quick inspection the new spark plug is finger loose ! i guess not suprised

[bottomdweller]

I guess if your that unhappy trade it in on a diff model.

Why keep getting your blood pressure worked up over a spark plug, lifes too short.

Run the snot out of it or get rid of it.

[Red Miller]

Frankly, there's not that much to a spark plug. What do you suppose might be defective about it?

Thats the question that came to my mind. What exactly can fail in a spark plug short of physically breaking it. Its just an electrode and an insulator. Getting them wet with fuel doesnt bother them. A hunk of dirt shorting the electrode will render it inoperable but can usually be cleaned off. Very strange. Its possible that the plug was defective but highly unlikely. A new plug and another 60 miles should tell the story. Right?

[luckycrank]

Right!

It does smell like it is running rich however, but it does seem to idle smoother than before .. I kept the old plug , and will likely pull the new one in another 60 miles just to compare it at that time i will photo it , with the old one. in the event there is a problem I have some sort of leg to stand on .

Once the ditch restrictions are off aug 1st I will it ride to work daily to put as many miles on it before the warranty expires the 18th of August

But after this incident im not sure warranty means what it implies

[Red Miller]

A plug from a properly operating 4 stroke motor should have a light whitish golden brown appearance on the electrodes. Most Hayes manuals for just about anything on wheels has a chart that has some symtpoms for appearance of plugs after being run for awhile. Might be worth a look. what did yours look like?

[luckycrank]

full of

black carbon

[Red Miller]

That doesn't look too horrible. I am in the house now and the shop manuals are out in the shop, but it seems like its running rich at first glance. Could be worse like rings but I will check the books first thing in the AM.

[trapperdirk]

Just replace the plug and don't sweat it till you go through a few plugs in a short period . It's likely just how you have been riding or letting it idle . I'll almost bet if you cleaned that plug up a bit it will likely fire your machine right up and run smooth . Plug can be bad or even just some moisture in the wire . Fire it up in the dark and see if your getting spark through the cable anywhere . Use dielectic grease in the spark plug cap to keep moisture out .

TD

[luckycrank]

just an update !

31 hours later , 121 miles plug number 2 fouled.

evan after following Articats advice not to start it ,run for a few seconds and shut it down. which is what the said it was the cause before.

I have to move it to pull my boat out of the garage. and had been pushing it out since last issue with th plug. and still fouled curious to see what the explaination is now