warranty/VW Customer Care

Hi all,

Our '02 Jetta Wagon has had a clutch failure - specifically, the clutch
won't disengage completely. My first guess was clutch master/slave
cylinder, but my dealer says they check out fine and that there are no
leaks. They say that it's a mechanical failure in the clutch mechanism
(throwout bearing, pressure plate, etc.).

The car has 47,xxx miles on it. The '02 came with a 50,000 mile "bumper to
bumper" warranty. The dealer says that VW considers a clutch a wear item
and that it is not covered under warranty. I can understand a worn out
clutch falling under the "wear item" heading, but not a mechanical
failure. IOW, the clutch is "broken" and not "worn."

VW Customer Care is closed today, but I'll be calling them on Monday
morning. Anyone have any tips for dealing with them on this?

The dealer wants $85 now for the diagnosis, and $550 to take it apart and
see what's going on. The cost for the clutch kit from VW is $930! In
speaking with the service writer at the dealer, he says that there is some
likelyhood that VW might be willing to help out some (maybe warranty the
parts, but not the labor), but that they will insist on having the dealer
take it apart first. $550 is a bunch of money to risk on a "maybe" when I
could just replace the clutch myself for whatever the cost of an
aftermarket clutch is.

Any thoughts?

thanks,
Craig

Craig Faison wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Our '02 Jetta Wagon has had a clutch failure - specifically, the
> clutch won't disengage completely. My first guess was clutch
> master/slave cylinder, but my dealer says they check out fine and
> that there are no leaks. They say that it's a mechanical failure in
> the clutch mechanism (throwout bearing, pressure plate, etc.).
>
> The car has 47,xxx miles on it. The '02 came with a 50,000 mile
> "bumper to bumper" warranty. The dealer says that VW considers a
> clutch a wear item and that it is not covered under warranty. I can
> understand a worn out clutch falling under the "wear item" heading,
> but not a mechanical failure. IOW, the clutch is "broken" and not
> "worn."
>
> VW Customer Care is closed today, but I'll be calling them on Monday
> morning. Anyone have any tips for dealing with them on this?
>
> The dealer wants $85 now for the diagnosis, and $550 to take it apart
> and see what's going on. The cost for the clutch kit from VW is $930!
> In speaking with the service writer at the dealer, he says that there
> is some likelyhood that VW might be willing to help out some (maybe
> warranty the parts, but not the labor), but that they will insist on
> having the dealer take it apart first. $550 is a bunch of money to
> risk on a "maybe" when I could just replace the clutch myself for
> whatever the cost of an aftermarket clutch is.
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> thanks,
> Craig


I would take a close look at that bumper to bumper warranty. Exactly
what does it say? Generally things like clutches and brakes are considered
wear and they are not included.

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit

On Sat, 12 Nov 2005, Joseph Meehan wrote:

> I would take a close look at that bumper to bumper warranty. Exactly
> what does it say? Generally things like clutches and brakes are considered
> wear and they are not included.

I would, but it's in the car, which is at the dealer 50 miles away.

I understand that a worn clutch would not be covered. This is not a worn
clutch. This is a broken part in a car with less than 50k that's been
driven by my wife to haul a kid around. It hasn't seen any hard use at
all.

I also failed to mention that I took it to the dealer with ~15k on it
because of a throwout bearing noise. The dealer, of course, couldn't hear
anything out of the ordinary. I had forgotten about that 'til now, I'll
have to point it out to the service advisor and/or VW Customer Care.

But you're right, and I'm sure VW won't do a thing about it.

Craig

May be under warranty, but the dealer is correct in that the trans must be
removed first to check the clutch. I just did one last week on a Jetta with
30,000+ miles and VW paid for the clutch. If the clutch disc friction
material shows "NO" abnormal wear and the failure was the clutch plate or
other related part, then VW may very well pay for the repair. The one I had
the clutch pressure plate was cracked. VW Customer Care, will not do
anything unless the cars apart and the cause is determined!


"Craig Faison" > wrote in message
...
> Hi all,
>
> Our '02 Jetta Wagon has had a clutch failure - specifically, the clutch
> won't disengage completely. My first guess was clutch master/slave
> cylinder, but my dealer says they check out fine and that there are no
> leaks. They say that it's a mechanical failure in the clutch mechanism
> (throwout bearing, pressure plate, etc.).
>
> The car has 47,xxx miles on it. The '02 came with a 50,000 mile "bumper to
> bumper" warranty. The dealer says that VW considers a clutch a wear item
> and that it is not covered under warranty. I can understand a worn out
> clutch falling under the "wear item" heading, but not a mechanical
> failure. IOW, the clutch is "broken" and not "worn."
>
> VW Customer Care is closed today, but I'll be calling them on Monday
> morning. Anyone have any tips for dealing with them on this?
>
> The dealer wants $85 now for the diagnosis, and $550 to take it apart and
> see what's going on. The cost for the clutch kit from VW is $930! In
> speaking with the service writer at the dealer, he says that there is some
> likelyhood that VW might be willing to help out some (maybe warranty the
> parts, but not the labor), but that they will insist on having the dealer
> take it apart first. $550 is a bunch of money to risk on a "maybe" when I
> could just replace the clutch myself for whatever the cost of an
> aftermarket clutch is.
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> thanks,
> Craig
>

"Craig Faison" > wrote in message
...
> Hi all,
>
> Our '02 Jetta Wagon has had a clutch failure - specifically, the clutch
> won't disengage completely. My first guess was clutch master/slave
> cylinder, but my dealer says they check out fine and that there are no
> leaks. They say that it's a mechanical failure in the clutch mechanism
> (throwout bearing, pressure plate, etc.).
>
> The car has 47,xxx miles on it. The '02 came with a 50,000 mile "bumper to
> bumper" warranty. The dealer says that VW considers a clutch a wear item
> and that it is not covered under warranty. I can understand a worn out
> clutch falling under the "wear item" heading, but not a mechanical
> failure. IOW, the clutch is "broken" and not "worn."
>
> VW Customer Care is closed today, but I'll be calling them on Monday
> morning. Anyone have any tips for dealing with them on this?
>
> The dealer wants $85 now for the diagnosis, and $550 to take it apart and
> see what's going on. The cost for the clutch kit from VW is $930! In
> speaking with the service writer at the dealer, he says that there is some
> likelyhood that VW might be willing to help out some (maybe warranty the
> parts, but not the labor), but that they will insist on having the dealer
> take it apart first. $550 is a bunch of money to risk on a "maybe" when I
> could just replace the clutch myself for whatever the cost of an
> aftermarket clutch is.
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> thanks,
> Craig


Clutch at less than 50K miles? I'd get a second opinion, preferably from an
independent mechanic (you do have one, don't you?). Then you can approach
your local dealer and VWOA if it is a serious failure.

The slave cylinder went in my 95 GLX at 26K miles. Not an uncommon problem.
Intermittent, never leaked fluid, seems to have leaked as to let air in when
it sat overnight. Stealer said "Needs a new clutch. $1200. Out of
warranty." I said: "Clutches don't fail at that low a mileage. Don't do
any work, I'm coming to get the car." 15 minutes later I get a call back
"It's just the slave cylinder, we will cover under warranty."

At any rate, even if it is the clutch, you may want to go afterrmarket as an
upgrade, for what the labor will cost to replace.

With VWOA, there are a few buzzwords that might help:

1. "Original owner"
2. "Properly maintained"
3. "Maintained per VW's schedule"
4. "Maintained by dealer"
5. "This is my [second, third, fourth] VW"

Good luck, let us know how it gets resolved

In article >,
Craig Faison > wrote:
>On Sat, 12 Nov 2005, Joseph Meehan wrote:
>
>> I would take a close look at that bumper to bumper warranty. Exactly
>> what does it say? Generally things like clutches and brakes are considered
>> wear and they are not included.
>
>I would, but it's in the car, which is at the dealer 50 miles away.
>
>I understand that a worn clutch would not be covered. This is not a worn
>clutch. This is a broken part in a car with less than 50k that's been
>driven by my wife to haul a kid around. It hasn't seen any hard use at
>all.

Say no more. I was going to ask if you had any stupid people drive this
car, but now I won't. Women are really rough on clutches, say no more.


>I also failed to mention that I took it to the dealer with ~15k on it
>because of a throwout bearing noise. The dealer, of course, couldn't hear
>anything out of the ordinary. I had forgotten about that 'til now, I'll
>have to point it out to the service advisor and/or VW Customer Care.

I think you should fail to mention that your wife drive this car.

>But you're right, and I'm sure VW won't do a thing about it.

They have had lots of experience with people that just don't know how to
drive a manual transmission. :-)



--
Jeeps and dubs and everything's nice...

In article >,
C_S > wrote:
>
>"Craig Faison" > wrote in message
...
>> Hi all,
>>
>> Our '02 Jetta Wagon has had a clutch failure - specifically, the clutch
>> won't disengage completely. My first guess was clutch master/slave
>> cylinder, but my dealer says they check out fine and that there are no
>> leaks. They say that it's a mechanical failure in the clutch mechanism
>> (throwout bearing, pressure plate, etc.).
>>
>> The car has 47,xxx miles on it. The '02 came with a 50,000 mile "bumper to
>> bumper" warranty. The dealer says that VW considers a clutch a wear item
>> and that it is not covered under warranty. I can understand a worn out
>> clutch falling under the "wear item" heading, but not a mechanical
>> failure. IOW, the clutch is "broken" and not "worn."
>>
>> VW Customer Care is closed today, but I'll be calling them on Monday
>> morning. Anyone have any tips for dealing with them on this?
>>
>> The dealer wants $85 now for the diagnosis, and $550 to take it apart and
>> see what's going on. The cost for the clutch kit from VW is $930! In
>> speaking with the service writer at the dealer, he says that there is some
>> likelyhood that VW might be willing to help out some (maybe warranty the
>> parts, but not the labor), but that they will insist on having the dealer
>> take it apart first. $550 is a bunch of money to risk on a "maybe" when I
>> could just replace the clutch myself for whatever the cost of an
>> aftermarket clutch is.
>>
>> Any thoughts?
>>
>> thanks,
>> Craig
>
>
>Clutch at less than 50K miles? I'd get a second opinion, preferably from an
>independent mechanic (you do have one, don't you?). Then you can approach
>your local dealer and VWOA if it is a serious failure.
>
>The slave cylinder went in my 95 GLX at 26K miles. Not an uncommon problem.
>Intermittent, never leaked fluid, seems to have leaked as to let air in when
>it sat overnight. Stealer said "Needs a new clutch. $1200. Out of
>warranty." I said: "Clutches don't fail at that low a mileage. Don't do
>any work, I'm coming to get the car." 15 minutes later I get a call back
>"It's just the slave cylinder, we will cover under warranty."
>
>At any rate, even if it is the clutch, you may want to go afterrmarket as an
>upgrade, for what the labor will cost to replace.
>
>With VWOA, there are a few buzzwords that might help:
>
>1. "Original owner"
>2. "Properly maintained"
>3. "Maintained per VW's schedule"
>4. "Maintained by dealer"
>5. "This is my [second, third, fourth] VW"
>
>Good luck, let us know how it gets resolved

Yea, just don't mention the four letter word, "Wife"...


--
Jeeps and dubs and everything's nice...

On 12 Nov 2005, Peter Parker wrote:

> Say no more. I was going to ask if you had any stupid people drive this
> car, but now I won't. Women are really rough on clutches, say no more.

So you're calling my wife stupid?

I'm not even going to bother saying what I should say, but I will say that
my wife can properly drive a manual transmission.

Craig

On Sat, 12 Nov 2005, Lost In Space/Woodchuck wrote:

> May be under warranty, but the dealer is correct in that the trans must be
> removed first to check the clutch. I just did one last week on a Jetta with
> 30,000+ miles and VW paid for the clutch. If the clutch disc friction
> material shows "NO" abnormal wear and the failure was the clutch plate or
> other related part, then VW may very well pay for the repair. The one I had
> the clutch pressure plate was cracked. VW Customer Care, will not do
> anything unless the cars apart and the cause is determined!

Good to hear that they paid in this case.

My concern is that I'm out $550 in labor plus the cost of a clutch if VW
decides not to pay for mine. I can do it myself for the cost of the clutch
and a few hours of cussing practice.

The dealer insists that they have properly diagnosed it as not being a
master or slave cylinder... does VW have any specific diagnostic to prove
this, or am I hanging on a tech's (hopefully) educated guess here?

thanks,
Craig

On Sat, 12 Nov 2005, C_S wrote:

> The slave cylinder went in my 95 GLX at 26K miles. Not an uncommon problem.
> Intermittent, never leaked fluid, seems to have leaked as to let air in when
> it sat overnight. Stealer said "Needs a new clutch. $1200. Out of
> warranty." I said: "Clutches don't fail at that low a mileage. Don't do
> any work, I'm coming to get the car." 15 minutes later I get a call back
> "It's just the slave cylinder, we will cover under warranty."

My thoughts/concerns exactly. I questioned how the dealer was able to
determine that it was not a master/slave cylinder issue and was told that
they have equipment to test whether the system is creating and holding
pressure. I've never seen such a tool, but it seems like it would be a
simple setup, so I'm not suprised to hear that it exists. I'm hoping
Woodchuck replies to my question on that, as I'd like to hear from a VW
tech whether such a tool and diagnostic protocol exists...

> At any rate, even if it is the clutch, you may want to go afterrmarket as an
> upgrade, for what the labor will cost to replace.

No question about that! $930 for a clutch kit... that's just funny.

I'm just not sure if I'm willing to take the $550 risk as to whether VW
will pick up the cost or not.

> With VWOA, there are a few buzzwords that might help:
>
> 1. "Original owner"
> 2. "Properly maintained"
> 3. "Maintained per VW's schedule"
> 4. "Maintained by dealer"
> 5. "This is my [second, third, fourth] VW"

All true, though I'm ready to add "last" to statement #5. ;-)

> Good luck, let us know how it gets resolved

Will do, thanks.

Craig