Just had the first 10,000Km service – I was told not to use a power washer

[Once Bitten]

A bit of a ramble , so here goes 

 

So I took my Suzuki Carry to the dealership I originally purchased it from for its 1st  10,000kn service .

 

Cost for the oil filter + oil  ( no charge for the labor  ) total 1,750 Baht 

 

The service department receptionist came to me as I sat waiting in the service lounge area and said that there would be an extra charge of 590 Baht to replace a clutch fork rubber boot cover . I then went over to my vehicle which was up in the air on a hydraulic lift , to see what this problem was. The service engineer then pointed to an opening on the  the engines clutch assembly area ( Screen shot below ) .

 

 

 

Inside the clutch assembly opening was a flexible rubber boot that should cover the outside access area ( Red arrow in screen shot  ) but in fact the cover was now deep inside the clutch assembly area. 

 

I pulled the rubber boot out by hand ( Screen shot below ) .

 

 

 

The rubber exterior boot should look like this ( Screen shot below  ) 

 

 

and this is how the damaged clutch fork rubber boot cover looked when I pulled it out 

 

 

 

So then thinking back to when I purchased the vehicle , when I asked the original sales assistant about the warranty and what it covered , she said in the first year '' Everything “' , so when I now reminded the service department receptionist that I had been told in the first year the warranty would cover '' Everything '' why am I being asked to pay 590 Baht to replace this  clutch fork rubber boot cover ? 

 

The answer came back that this particular part was not covered under the vehicles warranty as its considered a consumable part , I was then shown in the vehicles warranty book , a small one line passage about the consumable parts ( in Thai ) . And yes I had not gone through the warranty description things by each item with the original sales assistant , as she had confirmed that in the first year '' Every thing '' would covered under the three year warranty period. 

 

On hearing my comment about the original sales assistant and how she had said that '' Every thing''  is under warranty during the vehicles first year , the service department receptionist then said , are you sure that our sales assistant said to you that '' Every thing ''  is covered under warranty during the first year , my answer was yes. 

 

The original sales assistant was sent for and she confirmed that she had in fact told me and my Thai wife that '' Every thing '' is under warranty during the first year of the vehicles  life . She apologized and offered to pay ½ the cost of the new clutch fork rubber boot cover. Now I know its normal with some warranty's that things like tiers are not covered , but what I would call engine / clutch / parts should be included in at least the first year of warranty period. 

 

On hearing the original sales assistant admitting her mistake, the service department receptionist asked if we had been taking the vehicle to any car wash shops to have the vehicle cleaned , I said yes we take it to our local car wash shop , the service department receptionist then said , was a power washer used to clean the vehicle , I said yes to remove all the mud and dirt under the vehicle . 

 

The service department receptionist then said , it was our fault that this rubber rubber boot cover had been damaged , due to a pressure power washer being used to wash under the vehicle , and we should approach the local car cleaning shop for compensation . So I then said to the service department receptionist , if that's the case and no power pressure washer should be used in case it damages a consumable part , please show me where in the vehicle owners manual the page it says …. Do not use a pressure power washer machine on the vehicle due to possible damage of consumable parts .  
 

The the service department receptionist , just smiled and walked off . 

 

 

We ended up paying 50% of the clutch fork rubber boot cover cost .

 

Its no so much the cost of the clutch fork rubber boot cover . It was the fact that the original sales assistant had admitted her mistake , yet we were still being asked to pay for a part that in my  opinion should be covered in the warranty , and to top it all then we were told that it was our fault for taking the vehicle to our local car wash shop, and letting them use a power washer to clean under the vehicle.

 

The other thing just looking at the damaged clutch fork rubber boot cover , I can not really see how that sort of damaged could be done by a water pressure washer , but then again how did the clutch fork rubber boot cover end up looking like it does ? , and surely Suzuki knows that a product like the Suzuki Carry truck will be cleaned by people using water power washers , so why fit a clutch fork rubber boot cover that can not stand power washing ? 

 

Rant over 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[VocalNeal]

The best way to maintain a good relationship with the dealer is not to argue over 300 Baht. The fact they found it and showed it to you would have been good enough for me. They could have just left it like that for another year. 

 

tell the car wash guys not to aim the washer there in future?

[johng]

I often point out miss priced items on supermarket shelves often the employees agree it miss priced only once did I get it for the miss priced value even after specifically saying this is the price right ? Yes that is the price, get to the till/checkout "computer says no" TiT

[observer90210]

I had similar issues with a karscher power washer on my car on washing the tyres...it set off the low pressure warning on tyres, despite that the tyres had enough pressure...the issue solved itself after driving on a slope. Same for my scooter, a powerwasher loosened a part near the brakes....the point here is to excise high caution with these power washers that get stronger and smaller.

 

I make it a point to keep a safe distance on using them and never use them for long. Nothing like a normal hose sprinkler  and a good carwash glove mitt for washing the car, IMHO...

 

Why not write a letter to the Suzuki world headquarters ? It may help ?? If they are a slightest bit smart, they may consider worthwhile assuming the cost of THB 300,-- and not getting a bad reputation or loosing customers ?

Edited May 10, 2018 by observer90210

[transam]

A pressure washer can cause your ploblem, it is down to you chum...

[sirmud63]

24 minutes ago, transam said:

A pressure washer can cause your ploblem, it is down to you chum...

wrong , its not the washer , its the loose nut behind the wheel . 

[Once Bitten]

24 minutes ago, transam said:

A pressure washer can cause your ploblem, it is down to you chum...

I agree may be the pressure washer did cause this problem ,( but not sure )  but no one at the dealership when purchasing the vehicle ever said do not use a pressure washer , and nothing is shown in the owners manual that warns owners not to use a pressure washer . I think there must be a high numbers of forum members here who have their vehicles pressure washed without giving it a second thought .

 After the original sales assistant admitted that she did say  '' everything '' is under warranty during the first year, that should have been enough . The service department manager should have said , look be very careful if you use a power washer as it could damage this part , then the service manager should have said , no charge for the new clutch fork rubber boot cover , just for good customer relations , but no they continued  to push us for payment 

[stevenl]

Accept it and move on.

[johng]

The service department manager should have said , look be very careful if you use a power washer as it could damage this part , then the service manager should have said , no charge for the new clutch fork rubber boot cover , just for good customer relations , but no they continued  to push us for payment 

Yes they should but again TiT you really are mostly on your own...when having work done on anything you have to watch them like a hawk..it helps to do your homework first so you know what they should and shouldn't be doing...but yes its difficult to catch everything.

Probably they deducted the free half of your rubber boot from the sales girls salary.

[Once Bitten]

15 minutes ago, johng said:

 

 

Yes they should but again TiT you really are mostly on your own...when having work done on anything you have to watch them like a hawk..it helps to do your homework first so you know what they should and shouldn't be doing...but yes its difficult to catch everything.

Probably they deducted the free half of your rubber boot from the sales girls salary.

 

This TiT curse can certainly be frustrating , I was quite surprised when the sales assistant actually admitted in front of the assembled staff that she had made a mistake 

 

 

Some may thinks its best not to stand your ground when confronted with some thing that is obviously incorrect or wrong , or just smile and pay the requested amount , as not to cause a fuss or embarrass people , or even accept the situation and move on like a good little boy 

 

 

 

 

[worgeordie]

" filter + oil  ( no charge for the labor  ) total 1,750 Baht" I think they overcharged

you for the oil and filter, just couple hours ago ,had oil change,oil filter and diesel

filter changed at A.C.T. total cost 1.080 Thb, that was for Isuzu truck.

regards worgeordie

[wgdanson]

5 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

" filter + oil  ( no charge for the labor  ) total 1,750 Baht" I think they overcharged

you for the oil and filter, just couple hours ago ,had oil change,oil filter and diesel

filter changed at A.C.T. total cost 1.080 Thb, that was for Isuzu truck.

regards worgeordie

Suzuki oil is more expensive than A C T stuff. Don't ask about Toyota oil !  

[Once Bitten]

6 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

" filter + oil  ( no charge for the labor  ) total 1,750 Baht" I think they overcharged

you for the oil and filter, just couple hours ago ,had oil change,oil filter and diesel

filter changed at A.C.T. total cost 1.080 Thb, that was for Isuzu truck.

regards worgeordie

 

Yes I thought the cost was on the high side , but the dealer has you by the short and curlies , if you don't have the service done at an official Suzuki dealership ( and in the province  I live all Suzuki dealerships are owned by the same person ) then the vehicles warranty will not be  honored , so for the next three years if I want to keep the warranty active I have to pay  what they demand for any servicing cost 

 

 

 

[xylophone]

38 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Accept it and move on.

Agree...…….not worth arguing over a few hundred baht IMO, and anyway I've found that it is a "swings and roundabouts" game in many instances.

 

My Suzuki dealer called my Swift in for an unscheduled service, where they replaced the whole rack and pinion steering assembly free of charge, and when I asked why,  they said that some of the rubber boots on the cars were prone to splitting. 

 

I looked at my one that they took off and it was perfect (after 3 yrs), but changed just in case they said!!

 

Great service from a great dealer on a great little car, so I won't sweat the small stuff!

[thailand49]

Just been through the language things recently. Found out just because they can speak some English doesn't mean they understand or comprehend the words easy to say?  Got a email indicating to me copy and then in conversation original?  I said what do you want?  copy and when I gave her copy she ask where is original? 

Based on the conversation right or wrong for the amount I feel the conversation never should have lead to the car wash. Should have just acknowledge the mistake and covered it. These parts as shown are design and place in the location knowing full will it might be attacked by a pressure washer, mud etc.. and are design to last, the picture you show of the part the rubber seem to have broken down defective for a vehicle for the first service?  I have a rubber flap covering my air filter on my bike been pressure washed like a million times yet it is still intact and looks new after it is washed.

[malt25]

16 hours ago, Once Bitten said:

I agree may be the pressure washer did cause this problem ,( but not sure )  but no one at the dealership when purchasing the vehicle ever said do not use a pressure washer , and nothing is shown in the owners manual that warns owners not to use a pressure washer . I think there must be a high numbers of forum members here who have their vehicles pressure washed without giving it a second thought .

 After the original sales assistant admitted that she did say  '' everything '' is under warranty during the first year, that should have been enough . The service department manager should have said , look be very careful if you use a power washer as it could damage this part , then the service manager should have said , no charge for the new clutch fork rubber boot cover , just for good customer relations , but no they continued  to push us for payment 

Sorry, I can't say I have a lot of sympathy for you. But I agree unfortunate. No sales person is responsible for alerting to everything you shouldn't do. While pressure washers are great for some cleaning jobs, they can be disastrous if not treated with some caution. For example, door seal, rubbers aren't designed to seal against a direct blast from a pressure washer. Most will seal ok, but not guaranteed. 

The clutch fork boot is a perfect example of what NOT top aim a pressure washer nozzle at. Main function of the boot is to reduce ingress of sand, dirt & mud. A little water is no real concern.

Would have been good PR for dealer not to charge for the boot. Bottom line is it's the car wash shop who is responsible for the damage.... but best of luck getting them to accept responsibility.

[8OA8]

16 hours ago, Once Bitten said:

I agree may be the pressure washer did cause this problem ,( but not sure )  but no one at the dealership when purchasing the vehicle ever said do not use a pressure washer , and nothing is shown in the owners manual that warns owners not to use a pressure washer . I think there must be a high numbers of forum members here who have their vehicles pressure washed without giving it a second thought .

 After the original sales assistant admitted that she did say  '' everything '' is under warranty during the first year, that should have been enough . The service department manager should have said , look be very careful if you use a power washer as it could damage this part , then the service manager should have said , no charge for the new clutch fork rubber boot cover , just for good customer relations , but no they continued  to push us for payment 

I'm sure no one at the dealership ever mentioned not to use a grit blaster to remove dead flies from the windscreen either, nor not to use a blowtorch for cleaning the wheels.

[transam]

6 minutes ago, malt25 said:

Sorry, I can't say I have a lot of sympathy for you. But I agree unfortunate. No sales person is responsible for alerting to everything you shouldn't do. While pressure washers are great for some cleaning jobs, they can be disastrous if not treated with some caution. For example, door seal, rubbers aren't designed to seal against a direct blast from a pressure washer. Most will seal ok, but not guaranteed. 

The clutch fork boot is a perfect example of what NOT top aim a pressure washer nozzle at. Main function of the boot is to reduce ingress of sand, dirt & mud. A little water is no real concern.

Would have been good PR for dealer not to charge for the boot. Bottom line is it's the car wash shop who is responsible for the damage.... but best of luck getting them to accept responsibility.

A few years back there was a thread here regarding pressure washers, I was lambasted for saying don't use them on paint etc.

The gaiters used on clutch forks are usually very thin flimsy things, can push some in with your finger. Once it is pushed inside it may end up being shredded by the mechanical s going on whilst driving. It is there to stop muck or water getting to the clutch assembly, for sure the OP's has taken a big hit from the washer...

[sfokevin]

I had a similar interaction to the OP with a hotel owner in Korat about the over pressured bum sprayer in our bathroom... 

[transam]

3 minutes ago, sfokevin said:

I had a similar interaction to the OP with a hotel owner in Korat about the over pressured bum sprayer in our bathroom... 

Did you have to pay for the loo walls to be re-painted....? 

[KKr]

16 hours ago, wgdanson said:

Suzuki oil is more expensive than A C T stuff. Don't ask about Toyota oil !  

try to service a subaru in Thailand: outrageous.
(and then they wonder why the sales are slow) 
but it is a strong car and a good ride.

[malt25]

17 minutes ago, sfokevin said:

I had a similar interaction to the OP with a hotel owner in Korat about the over pressured bum sprayer in our bathroom... 

Might be a remedy for piles ?  I didn't say a good remedy.....

[woofwoof]

Be grateful the women is an honorable person. I never have my car or motorcycle power washed your asking for trouble , it can also short the electric ,depending on the amount of pressure used can ruin brake lines ,fuel line etc. A standard pressure from a garden hose is more than enough.

[KKr]

33 minutes ago, transam said:

The gaiters used on clutch forks are usually very thin flimsy things, can push some in with your finger. 

strange that such flimsy parts are used, as I understand, on the outside underbody of the car where it can be hit by a branch, a stone, whatever lies on the street or in the rough. 
surely a solid cover would not break the producer's bank?

[BEVUP]

16 hours ago, worgeordie said:

" filter + oil  ( no charge for the labor  ) total 1,750 Baht" I think they overcharged

you for the oil and filter, just couple hours ago ,had oil change,oil filter and diesel

filter changed at A.C.T. total cost 1.080 Thb, that was for Isuzu truck.

regards worgeordie

1080 for the Isuzu truck sounds good

That's vvhat I paid for a 1.5 ltr petrol engine at Toyota ( vvith a 10 % discount )

[phetpeter]

I agree , Contact Suzuki. The responded very quickly, when we had a problem with the Bonnet as the are not dipped painted but sprayed. The contacted the dealer within 24hrs to sort it correctly, with a deep polish and if that didn't work, change the bonnet...it worked. We had sent them photos. The seem to be good if a problem occurs. I would be certain they would like to know about the problem and must be aware as they had a spare at the service center. You should get credit for that!

[phetpeter]

Our cars get the the free labour services at the garage purchased, so normally the first year, then it off to Castrol service centres, it doesn't effect the warranty. But always the first year, as with MG went in for the first service and they remapped all the electronics, EPU etc 3 different things and the MGGS is running much much better!

[transam]

46 minutes ago, KKr said:

strange that such flimsy parts are used, as I understand, on the outside underbody of the car where it can be hit by a branch, a stone, whatever lies on the street or in the rough. 
surely a solid cover would not break the producer's bank?

Every ride I have worked on they are much the same. The clutch fork and gaiter are up in the trans tunnel, in general away from trouble...

[natway09]

This rant is over 4 beers ?????

Nothing to do with TIT, it is a consumable part as are tyres  get over it

[transam]

A weeee story regarding pressure washers. I bought and fitted a chip to boost HP/TQ on the Vigo diesel that was advertised as having a water proof module, took  the ride to a car wash to have the engine bay pressure washed. When they finished it would not start. Hmmmm

 

Luckily a "bridge" was supplied with the chip in case it needed a service or failed, my first thought was to fit the bridge. It started, got home and took the module apart, yep, water inside...Dried it out, re-fitted it and it started. Little while later it failed, permanently..I reckon the water stuffed it, all due to a pressure wash...