Warranty clutch/issue - Would this covered under warranty?

[jay_NW]

Hi everyone,

This is regarding 430 Scuderia that had clutch/gearbox issue ( Rev by itself when in neutral)
Main dealer picked up the car last week and got back to me with the following message. Can you please let me know if this should be covered under warranty. Had the car serviced in August 2013 @12,264 miles the clutch wear was 18% - the car has now done 12,803 miles and the clutch wear was 64%. Done under 600 miles after the service.

From the dealer :

We have found some fibrous debris (clutch fiction material) trapped between the clutch release bearing and bearing support that has been hindering its operation. There are also high spots/excessive taper on the flywheel and would strongly recommend their replacements (see attached photos):

ú Gearbox R&R - £1,360.80
ú Clutch assembly - £1,762.98
ú Flywheel - £1,050.06
ú Release bearing - £659.50
ú Spigot bearing - £25.50
ú Total £4,858.84

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. The clutch is not covered by the warranty as it is classed as a wear and tear item. The clutch wear reading was 66% worn.

The last service in August 2013 @12,264 miles the clutch wear was 18% - the car has now done 12,803 miles and the clutch wear was 64%.

The most likely cause is driver influence.

None of the components are covered by the Power Warranty.

Yes the total price includes a new clutch, flywheel, release bearing, spigot bearing and labour.

I’ll await your call.

............................................

I am not sure whether this should be covered under warrenty and how can this be driver influence.

Can you shed some lights on this issue please.

Thank you for reading.

[70proof]

Ouch.... More likely failure leading to excess wear.... Unless the service department did donuts after the reading..

[johnnyreggae]

Almost certainly a new clutch will not be covered by warranty - no manufacturer does

How you got from 18 % to 66 % so quickly is the question - and yes it is possible for the clutch to be fully worn at that %age as its a calculated not measured figure

Have there been launch starts ?

What was the PIS in August (this is an unlikely cause as the initial wear was not accelerated but you never know)

[jay_NW]

Most part of the 600 miles is done on motorway, no launches.

I believe some other issues caused clutch worn as when you put the car into neutral you can smell the clutch burring as well as car tend to pull away, you have to stamp your foot on the brake even when the car was on neutral.

[rosino]

To me sounds parts failure led to premature wear of the clutch. And you have a very strong case as you had serviced the car and covered only 600 miles since. They can surely check logs and verify no launches too.. realistically it can only be due to failure of components.

I would strongly suggest to push back and ask Ferrari to cover it under warranty. I had my DSG box fail leading to wear of the clutch plates in one of my cars.. and it's being covered by VW warranty.

They should really cover this. Don't give up and start writing letters...

[jay_NW]

rosino said:

To me sounds parts failure led to premature wear of the clutch. And you have a very strong case as you had serviced the car and covered only 600 miles since. They can surely check logs and verify no launches too.. realistically it can only be due to failure of components.

I would strongly suggest to push back and ask Ferrari to cover it under warranty. I had my DSG box fail leading to wear of the clutch plates in one of my cars.. and it's being covered by VW warranty.

They should really cover this. Don't give up and start writing letters...

Thank you for the reply Rosino.

That is exactly what I think happend, parts failure led to clutch wear.

[ZeusF]

rosino said:

To me sounds parts failure led to premature wear of the clutch. And you have a very strong case as you had serviced the car and covered only 600 miles since. They can surely check logs and verify no launches too.. realistically it can only be due to failure of components.

I would strongly suggest to push back and ask Ferrari to cover it under warranty. I had my DSG box fail leading to wear of the clutch plates in one of my cars.. and it's being covered by VW warranty.

They should really cover this. Don't give up and start writing letters...

I agree with this.
You have been sent a standard letter/wording to pass the buck and your warranty should cover failure of parts but not replacement due to wear and tear.
The fact they have confirmed that a piece broke off causing damage is your method of claim, that and the fact you have had it fully serviced.

I would push it back to them.

[johnnyreggae]

ZeusF said:

I would push it back to them.

You may have to argue about contributory since you suggest you drove on aware of a problem

[ninja_eli]

rosino said:

To me sounds parts failure led to premature wear of the clutch. And you have a very strong case as you had serviced the car and covered only 600 miles since. They can surely check logs and verify no launches too.. realistically it can only be due to failure of components.

I would strongly suggest to push back and ask Ferrari to cover it under warranty. I had my DSG box fail leading to wear of the clutch plates in one of my cars.. and it's being covered by VW warranty.

They should really cover this. Don't give up and start writing letters...

My car (430 spider) had the same problem, for 2 years, and they couldn't resolve it. Came back in the end saying the clutch was worn. Had it independently inspected and the clutch was not worn. Had a LOT of grief with Ferrari. Had to involve solicitors.

In the end, Ferrari paid for the parts, the authorised dealer paid for the parts, but I rejected the car anyway as I had enough of it, and on the basis that I had given them 6 or 7 chances to resolve it, I didn't want it back. Dealer bought the car back from me at the best trade buy price I could get + 3k.

I'll have a look through my correspondence with Ferrari and the issues the car was having and PM you.

Don't let them fob you off. As the poster I quote has said, it is highly unlikely to be just normal clutch wear. A component (may not even the clutch!) has failed and caused the consequential sequence of events.

[JMP86]

Sounds like a very straight forward case of failure causing excess wear, I'd try contacting Ferrari UK if you have no luck with the dealer,

[Cerbieherts]

If the car was moving on its own then the clutch was dragging. This is usually caused by a sticking release bearing or the clutch not being set up properly. This is usually shown by looking in the parameters using an SD3. If rpm is evident with the car is not in gear it is dragging. Ask for a full printout of the SD3 parameters, feel free to email it to me and I can take a look at them if you like.

[348jeff]

Might be worth having a chat with these people who specialize in Ferrari clutches

www.maddogclutches.co.uk

[JPOnstwedder]

Had a very similar experience with a 430 F1 earlier this year. Bought it last year from a main dealer, with only 30% clutch wear at 20k miles. 4k miles later, no track use, no launches, just normal driving and a full clutch replacement for close to £5k. Not covered under the warranty. Ridiculous to have a manufacturer claim a useful clutch life of less than 25k miles is 'normal wear and tear' for a car. Seriously, I love the car but I am VERY disappointed with Ferrari. Once, but most likely never again.

[Russell996]

JPOnstwedder said:

Had a very similar experience with a 430 F1 earlier this year. Bought it last year from a main dealer, with only 30% clutch wear at 20k miles. 4k miles later, no track use, no launches, just normal driving and a full clutch replacement for close to £5k. Not covered under the warranty. Ridiculous to have a manufacturer claim a useful clutch life of less than 25k miles is 'normal wear and tear' for a car. Seriously, I love the car but I am VERY disappointed with Ferrari. Once, but most likely never again.

Seriously?
24k miles from an F1 clutch (20k miles driven by someone else in an unknown fashion) and you would never consider another Ferrari because they call it wear and tear rather than replace it for free?

Edited by Russell996 on Sunday 20th April 17:47

[Ingenere]

Assuming you are in the UK, I would make a stink to Ferrari UK.

I have Ferrari dealers in the US try this kind of stuff (as well as far too many stunts to talk about here).

For me a registered letter in English and Italian to Montezemolo and the the same to FNA has gotten things resolved.

[JPOnstwedder]

Russell996 said:

Seriously?
24k miles from an F1 clutch (20k miles driven by someone else in an unknown fashion) and you would never consider another Ferrari because they call it wear and tear rather than replace it for free?

Edited by Russell996 on Sunday 20th April 17:47

Yes - because of the warranty. If I'd realised they didn't cover the most likely part to give problems, why would I pay the extra money to buy from a dealer?

[Nmj]

JPOnstwedder said:

Yes - because of the warranty. If I'd realised they didn't cover the most likely part to give problems, why would I pay the extra money to buy from a dealer?

Really !!! 25k on a clutch and you expected it replaced under warranty !!! get a life mate

[awg454]

Nmj said:

Really !!! 25k on a clutch and you expected it replaced under warranty !!! get a life mate

I would have expected it to be covered it was bought at 20000 miles with ferrari reporting 30% wear then just 4000 miles later it has worn the other 70% well at least thats how i have read it!

[Russell996]

JPOnstwedder said:

Yes - because of the warranty. If I'd realised they didn't cover the most likely part to give problems, why would I pay the extra money to buy from a dealer?

I understand but I'm not aware you will find a warranty from any manufacturer to cover wear and tear items - the warranty covers many things including the main items such as engine, gearbox and drivetrain. A new clutch will come with 12 months warranty.

[Nmj]

awg454 said:

I would have expected it to be covered it was bought at 20000 miles with ferrari reporting 30% wear then just 4000 miles later it has worn the other 70% well at least thats how i have read it!

One cannot state categorically how the last 4k miles have been driven , says no launch,track days etc but may have slipped it in traffic,on hills etc etc , also the 30% readout is not a perfect definitive , clutch read outs can show a lowish reading but other factors do not always show in that
One cannot expect any warranty or even the supplying dealer to cough up for a replacement clutch , am sure the OP would not if it was his business either