Defective 1Z Flex Pipe: Who is Liable?

HI,

ich hab lange genug gezoegert, bis ich am 9.4.2003 mein Flexrohr (und dadurch bedingt auch den Kat hab neu machen lassen) - in ner org. VW workshop.

"Now, for the past few days, I've been experiencing a new (but familiar) humming sound at approximately 1050 and 2100 RPM (indicating standing waves, of course)."

Yesterday, on a private stage, I could hear (as I did before) a wonderful noise that disappeared when I lifted the exhaust system. Directly touching the flexible pipe made the noise disappear as well. A former VW employee confirmed my suspicion that the flexible pipe "is worn out."

Do I have a 24-month warranty on the material?

"How can I best get this approved by VW? Theoretically, they could say, "No, no, that drone noise doesn't come from the flex pipe, it's... something else entirely."

Soon, I'll be ready to get rid of the pipes and the AC unit and install the AHU (Air Handling Unit) instead.

PS: Of course, the pipe still looks nice on the outside .

m;

Hello,

Is that a rumbling sound, like the exhaust is loose and hitting something?
Prioritize during the tour?
We had the same problem with our A4... New brackets for the exhaust helped fix it... They probably just wear out over time.

Greetings.

Hi,

Okay, so if the flexible pipe is defective and you have the invoice, there usually aren't any problems with the warranty. So, go to Audi & VW and have them replace it.

Best regards, Christian.

Hi,

No, the erasers can't be it, because they are relatively new. I looked at them very carefully again yesterday.

Furthermore, the new/familiar noise suddenly appeared, perfectly coinciding with what would happen if a flexible pipe had suddenly burst.

Ja, ich hab die org. Invoice pending.
Am I covered by a 2-year warranty/guarantee/product liability for parts on my vaping device?

Or does it not matter to VW when the part fails (5 minutes after installation or 22 months later)?

m;

Hi Dieselmartin!

I had the exact same problem with the flexible pipe. It took me quite a while back then to figure out that the vibration noises at idle were coming from the defective flexible pipe.
came. I bought the flexible pipe separately at the time and welded it in. It took some work, but it was much more cost-effective.

Well, after 2 years, it suddenly started making that clacking noise again.

I believe that the "AHU" modification, specifically the addition of the two rubber supports in the area of the trouser leg, is truly necessary if you want to achieve lasting peace and quiet, literally.

I know: That probably doesn't help you much...

But: Misery loves company...

Regards,

JRoth

Am I covered by a 2-year warranty/guarantee/product liability for parts on my vaping device?

Or does it not matter to VW when the part fails (5 minutes after installation or 22 months later)?

m;

Hello,

You have a 24-month warranty on this part. Whether it breaks 5 minutes after installation or a day before the warranty expires, it is covered by the warranty and will be replaced free of charge.
'In the past (about a year ago), it was even the case that if you bought, for example, a head gasket, installed it yourself, and after about 5,000 km it started leaking again, VW & Audi would even replace it for free. I mean, you could take your car to the workshop, and they would repair it for free. Now it's different. Now, if you install it yourself, you get nothing, maybe just the part itself if you're lucky.'
I also think it's right to some extent, because if someone tinkers with something who has no idea what they're doing, and installs the cylinder head incorrectly, what can VW be responsible for? Now they've finally realized it, and they're no longer paying anything for repairs done by customers themselves.

Best regards, Christian.

Hello Martin,

Here's a summary regarding the warranty:

http://www.verbraucher-urteile.de/kauf/faqkaufcontent.html

Best regards,

Another question regarding the overall problem:

In 2003, I had an inspection done to ensure that the 12-month warranty on the used car remained valid.

Since then, I haven't needed to have the car inspected, because I can already refill the windshield washer fluid myself .

The inspection with flexible pipe replacement was carried out on April 9, 2003, at approximately 136,000 kilometers.

Now, the date is February 7, 2005, and the mileage is 184,000 km.

Can they refuse to cover the costs for the repair, simply because I didn't have the car inspected at a Volkswagen service center? Even though the inspection has nothing to do with the pipe and the defect that occurred a few days ago?

m

@ kapernaum

In the article you linked, it repeatedly mentions that the defect must have existed "at the time of delivery."

That's exactly what's NOT the case for me.

My flexible pipe lasted for 22 months, then it started to make a gurgling noise, just like the old one that I had removed in 2003 because of that same noise.

Do I now have any legal right to expect that the product (Flexrohr) will maintain its desired quality (i.e., not make a whistling noise) for 24 months?

m;

Hello Dieselmartin,

First, it's important to determine whether you have a warranty or if only the 2-year legal guarantee for parts and labor applies. This is usually indicated on the invoice.

In the case of a warranty claim, VW is responsible. However, in the case of a guarantee, you are. In the latter case, you have to prove that the defect existed since the beginning of the guarantee period, meaning that the part was faulty from the start.

It's best to visit the workshop (before the 2-year warranty expires!) and hear their opinion on the problem and what solution they propose.

Regards,
Marcus.

Hi,

If an official invoice for the part and its installation is available, and the entire thing breaks down within the warranty period, regardless of whether the inspection was performed or not, it will be replaced at no charge .

Best regards, Christian.

I still don't quite understand if there aren't too many terms and deadlines being confused here.

If Marcus is 100% correct, then the flexible pipe could break after 5 minutes, because it was installed flawlessly and handed over to me in perfect condition - something that VW, or whoever, can prove.

Then every single part of the car would be "less secure" than the IT stuff from MediaMarkt?!?!?

Because I'll get a new one, even if it "explodes" in my living room first!

Unless we define a defect as "the pipe doesn't last even 24 months" - but I only know that NOW!

I will definitely go to Volkswagen tomorrow and I will have all the necessary documents with me.

I bet they'll just say, "It's not broken, a drone always makes that noise."

Then I guess I'll have to drive around again and ask other unsuspecting workshops if they believe me that it's broken...

m;

@Dieselmartin

Of course, the part can break within 5 minutes, but then VW has to prove that it was okay when it was installed. If it breaks down after more than 6 months, you have to prove it, which you probably won't be able to do! => 'Warranty' is limited to 2 years!

'If you have an explicit warranty, VW must replace the part if it breaks within the warranty period, because a so-called durability guarantee is provided. 'Warranty' may be limited to one year, but 'guarantee' always applies in addition.'

haha!

Now things are getting interesting.

0800-VOLKSWAGEN says:

24-month WARRANTY on original parts - but not on wear and tear items.

And now I remember that, with VW, the exhaust system that wears out probably starts from the turbocharger onwards.
That means the flexible pipe and the catalytic converter would be considered wear-and-tear parts, which is completely unacceptable to me as a customer, given the prices of these components.

But tomorrow I will have more information to share.

m;

AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

The Flexrohr promotion in 2003 would have been even 100 euros cheaper if it included AHU parts!

SHIT
AHU: Flexible duct with cat. 511, bracket 11.

1Z: Flexible pipe 254, adapter 8, category 354, screw 3.

DOUBLE TROUBLE

m

Polo2004 wrote:

Hi, If an official invoice for the part and its installation is available, and the entire thing breaks down within the warranty period, regardless of whether the inspection was performed or not, it will be replaced at no charge . Best regards, Christian

.... However, since January 1, 2003, VW no longer offers a guarantee, but only a warranty, and that is a huge difference! In this case, Martin unfortunately has to prove that the damage existed from the beginning (except within the first 6 months). If the dealer (and only to the dealer can a warranty claim be made) doesn't want any trouble, he will be accommodating and handle the matter under the warranty.

By the way, almost all German car manufacturers do not offer a warranty, but only the legally required guarantee (with the exception of OPEL!).