BD Variable Vane Exhaust Brakes

Thank You ALL for your input , I have decided against adding it.. I value my warranty and do not have time on my side to sit and fight in the unlikely event of a failure . Thanks again to all.!!

The problem is that even though you aren't altering mechanically, a fault of the turbo-vane position can actually cause damage. The variable turbo in my Ram 4500 was sticking, and causing overboost. This quickly destroyed the Aisin transmission. It was slipping so bad at the 1-2 shift it felt like it was in both gears at the same time. The frustrating thing is we couldn't get the turbo cleaning covered under warranty, but once the transmission went out they of course covered that, but at that point willingly replaced the turbo too.

If for some very unlikely scenario your exhaust brake controller caused a similar situation (you never know.... have they tested it with all cell phones for interference?) that would be grounds for the affected part to not get warranty support, and I guarantee that BD's warranty does not cover consequential damage.

if it ain't stock it can void the warranty and at the least cause you a lot of grief. The dealer can let the truck sit and sit until you can prove your part didn't cause the problem.

dealers and manufacturers have time on their side; do you?

the law prohibits voiding of a total warranty, however if the device that was installed caused the failure that failure would not be under warranty. So the AC failure would not be caused by a exhaust brake and would be covered, a blown head gsk. might be denied. The aftermarket sales people play word games when they say this will not void your warranty it is the spin doctors talking.

I took my Ram to the dealer several times and they never even mentioned the EB.
I doubt they even knew what one was.

I do not have that kind of money sitting around to dump into a newer vehicle. I was hoping for some first hand experience on the matter and got some...

Lets see, all three manufacturers have acknowledged the need for exhaust brakes and included them OEM now! But if you install one yourself you violate the warranty.

Go ask your Ford dealer what you should do before hand? Maybe it is time to get rid of the 6.4 before it bites you away!

Chris

What a dealer "tells" you is not gospel. They can tell you anything. Common sense can tell you a lot though. This BD system is all electronic and will tie into your turbo controls, transmission controls, and cruise control. You will be hard pressed to get anything covered under warranty even remotely related to those areas. The upside is if you hide the install well enough you may have a chance.

The Magnuson Moss Warranty Act (Federal Law 15 USC 2301) disallows warranty denials on items not affected by add on components. As an example, if you had a problem with the vehicle brakes, then they could not deny a warranty claim stating the engine exhaust brake. However, if you had a bent exhaust valve in the engine, and the exhaust brake put pressure in the engine causing a bent valve, then they could deny a warranty claim for that component.

So the question really boils down to is the engine and other components related to exhaust brake operation designed to accommodate the stresses of an exhaust brake? Are you prepared to prove the exhaust brake in no way caused any potential engine and related component failure? Do you have the resources to pay for the potential very expensive repairs if warranty claims are denied? Do you have the resources to fight a manufacturer to prove them wrong?

Aka the breeze wrote:
OK.... I ordered the BD Variable Vane Exhaust Brake the other day! When I asked them if using their product would or could void my mfg warranty.. first they said no way would it affect the warranty in any way... I tried to do some more looking around with no luck..

I called them back and got a tech.. he told me the following--
"To be safe, I would have a "hypothetical" conversation with a service manager. From what I understand a dealer can flag your Vin# and a restriction is placed on the vehicles warranty and will follow it no-matter what dealership you go to; I just want you to know everything I do- but it sounds like they should be able to help you out if you are a good-customer for them."

I am not really sure I want to have that conversation with my service rep.?? any first hand knowledge out here ?

I installed a banks speedbrake on my 2009 chevy, about a year after I bought the truck. I was worried about the same thing as you, but decided to install the speedbrake anyway. I needed to take the truck in a couple times for warranty work, so the first time, I removed the speedbrake (a big job). The second time, I decided the hell with it, that I would take it in to Chevy and see what happened with the speedbrake installed. The problem was an AC issue...Chevy fixed my AC, and never said anything about my speedbrake. Though I never pointed the speedbrake out to the service manager or tech.

I think you need to be ready to void the warranty in any area that your EB affects, IF something was to break in those mechanical or electrical components. In other words, you might have to pony up and pay for any repairs caused by the EB, IF there are any. It is a chance you will have to take.