What's reasonable expectations on out of warranty repairs?

[Polarisjunky]

Warranty to me means it gets fixed without cost unless you have a deductible. I only assume that the warranty would fix items that break due to manufacturer defect or routine work. Tractors are made for work, they should be worked not abused. If you neglect it, it should be on you.

The previous statement is my view on warranty repairs, it in no way reflects anyone whom previously or will post in the future in regards to warranty issues.

Thanks PJ

 

[Hersheyfarm]

This is an 'out of warranty' repair.

 

[Hersheyfarm]

Still haven't done anything and haven't put too much time on it. But my tranny fluid is overfilled a little. I always run it at top line, but I have it about a 1/4" above line. I keep it in barn with with fel all the way up and filled the tranny like that. With fel up the cylinders are extended so that makes it read lower, with them in normal position it reads high on dipstick. Not a big deal. Question is there some kind of venting in the mid case? I seen a post somewhere else that said there was. I will take extra fluid out and see if that makes any changes.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I would not want to do business with a dealer like that. Sure, things don't always go right, and employees don't always do a good job. But there is no excuse for BS! The oil should be contained within the tractor. What's next? Maybe saying an oil leak is actually a good thing to keep the tractor from rusting.

 

[Hersheyfarm]

Yea. Another thing that's sucks about Kubota in some areas are they are not really, how to say this, implemented in a professional manner. They are usually a second brand sold at a dealership or the dealership is operated in an upgraded junk yard out of an old pole barn. Not really state of the art.

 

[adventure bob]

Sounds like Harley dealers in the 80s. I would say you have to communicate with them in a manner that is nearly legalistic, and then be prepared for the bill. "Replace the seals" has a much different legal implication than "fix the leak." Whats on the work order? In the former you were complicit in the outcome because you agreed to a course of action. In the later, the onus on the dealer to do just that, without dictating the how. Now you may end paying for him to replace any and everything reasonable to fix the leak. However, then you'd have some sort of recourse to it still leaking.

 

[Hersheyfarm]

Sounds like Harley dealers in the 80s. I would say you have to communicate with them in a manner that is nearly legalistic, and then be prepared for the bill. "Replace the seals" has a much different legal implication than "fix the leak." Whats on the work order? In the former you were complicit in the outcome because you agreed to a course of action. In the later, the onus on the dealer to do just that, without dictating the how. Now you may end paying for him to replace any and everything reasonable to fix the leak. However, then you'd have some sort of recourse to it still leaking.

ok. originally I bought parts from them so my mechanic neighbor could do repair. Talked to them about issue.. leaks from tranny weep, advised to replace both seals(propeller and main) wile opened. Neighbor didn't work out, asked if they could fix and got shot an estimate.not dealing with with work orders, service managers, or a corporate unit. just a dad, 2 sons and a couple of employees. basically 6 people including secretary. Not bad people.

 

[Fxfymn]

My $.02 as a boat mechanic that replaced a lot of seals over the years. If the shaft was grooved the tech should have noticed and either recommended a new shaft or found a repair kit that has a sleeve that fits over the shaft to cover the groove. A "bent" shaft would tear up the seal to the point of having a flood, not a leak, so I doubt that is the issue. We always put a 2 psi pressure test on every seal job we did and if there is so much labor involved in getting to the seal I would expect the shop to test the seal before they closed it back up. Yep, I know this involves sealing up vents, but it should be routine for any tech who does this work regularly.

And as for the original question: We stood behind our work and redid anything that was not done right to begin with unless we advised the owner that we could do "X" and maybe fix it or we could do "Y" at a much more significant cost to ensure the repair worked. Then it was on the customer to make the choice. If the shop told you they would do it, but there was a chance it would still leak a little it is on you; if they said, or implied, it would be fixed than it should be on their dime.

 

[adventure bob]

Hershey, If I understand correctly, neighbor was going to attempt fix and it didn't pan out. You took it to the dealer based on an estimate, and now you still have a leak?
What was the estimate for? "Fix the leak" or "Replace the seals?"
My point is that if you paid him to replace the seals and he did, but it didn't fix the leak you can reasonably expect to pay for rework. If you paid for him to fix the leak, you have a decent argument for him eating some of the cost for the rework. It has nothing to do with corporate or service managers. It has to do with what you agreed to with him and how far your willing to push it for consideration.

 

[ultrarunner]

When I see a firetruck parked with a pan of kitty litter under it and ask why it's there I usually get the "it's normal for diesels to leak oil" reason. When you say it's not normal you get the real reason, it's cheaper to add some occasionally than to fix the leak.

Had to chuckle because a lot of my very old equipment is total loss oiling...

The 1905 Oldsmobile has an open crankcase with an oiler dispensing drops of oil on the connecting rod which winds up on the ground...

Fast forward 25 years to the 1930's and my old Ford Equipment has a Flywheel Weep Hole with a large cotter pin loosely fitted so movement keeps the drain from the rear main open and free flowing...

Cars/Trucks that don't leak a drop are relatively new in my lifetime...