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Warranty issue with Volvo Penta IPS

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by JustinMet, Sep 6, 2024.

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  1. JustinMet, Sep 6, 2024
    #1
    JustinMet

    JustinMet New Member

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    Hello,

    We have a 52 feet boat (2020, 550 hours) with 2 Volvo IPS (D6)Each year, we are doing what is required in terms of maintenance. We never hit anything.

    We got an issue this summer when suddenly, without reason, one motor stop working. In fact, it was the IPS itself, and the transmission. I am almost zero in mechanics, but from my dealership, which is very credible, IPS and transmission were to be changed completely. It was probably possible to repair instead of changing, but it would put the reparation more at risk. To me, it was under warranty. After 4 years, the boat still has the extended warranty on major components. It was clear tom me that IPS and transmission were part of that.

    I got a recent answer from Volvo saying that the problem was due to a "pinion nut coming loose", and that this was not part of the major components. After discussion with my dealer, they propose to pay like 30%.

    This does not make sense at all in my view. So I am curious :
    - Does Volvo answer makes any sense?
    - Does Volvo usually pay only for pieces and not labor?
    - Does anyone encounter similar issue with Volvo and is suing them make sense?

    Many thanks for your help. I have pictures if it helps..

    Justin
  2. Pascal, Sep 6, 2024
    #2
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Is it a Volvo extended warranty or third party? What does the contract say about labor ?
  3. JustinMet, Sep 6, 2024
    #3
    JustinMet

    JustinMet New Member

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    It is a original Volvo extended warranty that was bought initially with the boat.
    From documentation I got, they are suppose to pay for the labor.
  4. JustinMet, Sep 6, 2024
    #4
    JustinMet

    JustinMet New Member

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    From the documentation, here is what's covered. As I said, I don't know much about mechanics so this looks Chinese to me.

    In your view, is the Pinion nut coming loose that then broke the IPS and the transmission should be part of any item on this list?

    Thanks again for helping me. We are talking about big dollars here....

    Here is the list from their document :

    MAJOR COMPONENTS

    As outlined, the Limited Warranty Period may be longer for certain components in the Product, herein referred to as “Major Components”. The following components, listed by category, constitute Major Components under this Warranty.

    Major Engine Components under this warranty are the following:
    • Cylinders block (casting and machining)
    • Cylinder head (casting and machining)
    • Crankshaft (forging and machining)
    • Timing gears and Camshaft (forging/casting and machining)
    • Flywheel housing (casting and machining)
    • Connecting rod (forging and machining)

    Major Components IPS/DPI
    • Gear housing
    • Bearing carrier/ box
    • Servo Unit Steering (SUS) including steering gearbox (n/a for DPI)
    • Drive shaft - (less U-joint)

    Major Components Volvo branded transmissions
    • Shaft
    • Transmission housing
  5. MBee, Sep 7, 2024
    #5
    MBee

    MBee New Member

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    It’s likely the warranty language is on their side and the damage is not covered. Find some fluffy marketing piece they used to sell the extended warranty that says things like “piece of mind, etc”. Find someone up the chain and plead your case about investing in an extended warranty, etc. You will be negotiating for Volvo to provide goodwill.
  6. Capt Ralph, Sep 8, 2024
    #6
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    What exactly did the claim from the shop to VP say?
    Your going to need a copy to answer this.

    Has a VP rep visited the shop yet?
  7. JustinMet, Sep 8, 2024
    #7
    JustinMet

    JustinMet New Member

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    Thanks. I asked for it but I don't have it yet.
    I don't understand how, if an IPS is considered a major components, and from my understanding a pinion nut is part of the IPS, that they can justify this is not under warranty. This makes no sense. Also, it seems clear that the pinion effect had a ripple effect on transmission and IPS, so it has to be under warranty (of major components).
    That makes no sense in my view but again I am not an expert. If anyone can explain me where is the pinion nut exactly in a Volvo system it would probably help me understand better. At this point, I understand it is part of the IPS.
    Thanks again for your help.
  8. JustinMet, Sep 8, 2024
    #8
    JustinMet

    JustinMet New Member

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    They have not visited, it seems like they based their answers on pictures they got and explanations filed directly in the Volvo warranty computer system.
  9. Capt Ralph, Sep 8, 2024
    #9
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    The pinion gear is key/splined on each end of the vertical shaft. Like a pinion gear in an old car differential.
    A nut holds this pinion gear in place.
    These nuts are rather heavy duty, fine threaded, torqued down tight, have thread lockers of some kind to hold them in place.

    When the pinion gear is abused, the retaining nut has a lot of pressure on it and sometimes fails, then the whole gear geometry goes crooked and instant grenade (Boom).

    VP's first attitude is warranty does not cover abuse OR COLLISIONS.

    Because it is man made, mass produced and anything can fail at any time without warning, an in depth autopsy has to be preformed.
    Topics just for starters; Oil lab report, No propeller damage, No propeller shaft damage, No fast idle gear switching, Any damage on other components ??

    So the shop has not shown & explained the failure yet?
    Then ask VPNA for an on site appointment.
    Also, Notify your insurance agent. You may end up filling a claim but first, You want him also (or his surveyor) at the meet with VPNA.


    .
  10. JustinMet, Sep 8, 2024
    #10
    JustinMet

    JustinMet New Member

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    Many thanks, here are some pictures.
    No propeller damage.
    Lots of metal debris in the oil
    Transmission and IPS to be changed but I don't have much details at this stage.

    I will have more for sure. In relation to insurance, as there was no incident at all, I don't see how this would be covered?
    You can make sure I will push and ask for a meeting on site with relevant persons. I was told my dealer has the diffent broken pieces on site.

    Thanks again, This is very helpful. I will try to get answers to your questions.

    Attached Files:

  11. Capt Ralph, Sep 8, 2024
    #11
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Yep, As I described (Boom).
    Good luck on all.

    Hopefully, with your pictures, other members here can open up about their IPS failures.
    Your not the first to have VP IPS warranty issues.

    I have not been a later VP product owner, so my expertise (theory) has just reached its end.

    My last VP was in the 80s. Luved the DP stern drive back then.
    Even blew up a 290/DP but was not a warranty issue. Owner/operator mal-fucktion.
    Last edited: Sep 8, 2024
  12. JustinMet, Sep 8, 2024
    #12
    JustinMet

    JustinMet New Member

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    Thanks. So from your experience, as there was no abuse, nor collision, would this should be under warranty?
    So you know, the boat had like 550 hours when it broke.
    It is a 2020, but always maintain with highest standards.

    Thanks.
  13. Pascal, Sep 8, 2024
    #13
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    This is a failure that should covered under warranty. Looks like the bolt sheared, in the absence of accident damage it is a material failure.
    JustinMet and Capt Ralph like this.
  14. MBee, Sep 8, 2024
    #14
    MBee

    MBee New Member

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    We would all love for it to be covered. This is a 2020 boat where the 2 year "everything covered" warranty is in the rear view mirror and the only items covered are "listed major components." If the originating failure (pinion nut?) isn't a covered major component, I don't think the warranty applies.

    You would be looking for "goodwill coverage" from Volvo. Sounds like they made an opening offer of 30% goodwill. I bet you can negotiate something better - but I'm not sure using "it's covered" as your argument would be the best path forward.

    Showing "loyalty to the brand", buying all VP OEM parts, using VP certified dealers exclusively, performing all scheduled service and more, etc. might help your argument.
  15. DOCKMASTER, Sep 9, 2024
    #15
    DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    So basically Volvo is saying the major component warranty is worthless and not worth the paper it is written on. If a pod is not considered a major component then what is? I understand their argument that the pinion nut within the pod is not a major component but under this premise what would ever be a major component? Every major item is an assembly of smaller parts and components. So is an engine not covered because only a bearing failed? What if the generator cooks because only a water pump impeller caused the issue? So do you only get coverage on the pod if the whole housing fails then? Is an engine only covered if the block fails?
  16. JustinMet, Sep 9, 2024
    #16
    JustinMet

    JustinMet New Member

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    Thanks. You resumed very well exactly what I think. It is hardly debatable in my view...
    Let's see...
  17. MBee, Sep 9, 2024
    #17
    MBee

    MBee New Member

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    I think the value of many "extended" warranties are more marketing fluff than substantial warranties. If you care about and. count on your coverage - read your insurance policies and warranties. There is often a vast expanse between "what I expected" and what the contract states.

    FWIW, I was third owner of a 2017 IPS boat from 2020-2022. Volvo and their dealer were very good to deal with. They took care of some things that weren't covered and they never asked - they just diagnosed, did it and told me it was covered.
  18. SeaEric, Sep 9, 2024
    #18
    SeaEric

    SeaEric YF Historian

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    Some yacht policies offer coverage for "latent defect". It may be worth a call to your agent.
  19. Pascal, Sep 9, 2024
    #19
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    The last time I bought a new boat, a 40 footer back in 99, the dealer obviously pushed an extended warranty. I only had to read the list of exclusions to realize it was a scam.