by "gmctavish needs more space" (gmctavish)
Published 03/11/2017 at 20:39
by "gmctavish needs more space" (gmctavish)
Published 03/11/2017 at 20:39
Tags: what do
STARS: 0
My mechanic has been recommending that I use one or more of their various additives and conditioners, since they have this “pre-owned vehicle protection”, and an “engine assurance” thing, where some of the parts are covered under warranty. To a certain amount. Like if I buy their oil additive, and a lubricated part of my engine fails, I’m covered up to $6000 or something. Same with their brake fluid, then all my hydraulic brake components are warrantied. I trust my mechanic, and he claims to use a lot of them in his own cars, even though he’s ineligible for the warranties due to being a distributor I guess. Still, it sounds like it’s too good to be true, and it would make servicing even more expensive. What’s also worth noting is that the one thing EJ25s are really known for is head gasket failure, and gaskets aren’t covered, so I’m on my own when that inevitably happens.
Anyways, have any of you used these warranties? Is there fine print that shafts you or something? It seems gimmicky to me, I’m reluctant enough to be paying for service now that I don’t have space to do it myself, plus I figure I should take really good care of this car since it’s in such good shape. So yeah, Alpine for your time.
"jimz" (jimz)
03/11/2017 at 20:44, STARS: 4
fluid additives are a minefield of bullshit. nobody has ever adequately explained why motor oil and transmission fluid is so bad that you need to grab some flashy-labeled additive off of the shelf at O’Reilly and dump it in there. If a “warranty” stipulates you have to use specific additives to be “protected,” you can assume money has changed hands and the “warranty” company is being paid to push the additive company’s products.
then there are shitty additives like Lucas which actually destroy things like the anti-foaming additives in motor oils and gear oils:
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
these additive hucksters prey on the average car owners’ ignorance. your engine and transmission was designed to work with the grade and spec of lubricants it lists in the owners manual. These are engineered fluids. don’t fuck with them.
and sure as hell don’t fuck with a “warranty” that says you have to use a specific brand of additive.
"Tohru" (tohrurokuno)
03/11/2017 at 20:47, STARS: 2
If it sounds too good to be true, it is.
It’s a gimmick, don’t waste your money.
"OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars" (jakeauern)
03/11/2017 at 20:50, STARS: 2
They’re great. We use them a lot.
"jimz" (jimz)
03/11/2017 at 20:51, STARS: 0
they’re the ultimate example of a tiger-repelling rock.
"Birddog" (maintmgt)
03/11/2017 at 21:00, STARS: 2
I’m with Jim and Tohru here.
If you actually need an additive, and it works, all you’re doing is putting a bandage on the wound. Take Crusty’s 4r70w for instance. I have to use an additive to keep it from shuddering. The trans needs a rebuild but the additive (and frequent fluid changes) helps keep it alive.
Those warranty claims seem outrageous. I’d dig deeper.
"gmctavish needs more space" (gmctavish)
03/11/2017 at 21:05, STARS: 1
Yeah, I put some stop-slip thing in my Blazer, which made a surprisingly big difference. That didn’t change the fact that it needed new seals, though.
Yeah I’ve been looking for reviews and such, but I don’t like the idea of adding things to fluids that the car wasn’t designed for.
"gmctavish needs more space" (gmctavish)
03/11/2017 at 21:08, STARS: 0
Wow I knew Lucas wasn’t good, but that is awful. And yeah, that’s the feeling I was getting about the whole thing, I guess I was hoping to hear different since I trust my mechanic. But this recommendation makes me skeptical of future recommendations.
"gmctavish needs more space" (gmctavish)
03/11/2017 at 21:09, STARS: 0
Have you had customers use the warranty or protection plan?
"Birddog" (maintmgt)
03/11/2017 at 21:13, STARS: 1
Sometimes they work as advertised.
I’m pretty sure Fords AOD, AODE, A4LD and 4R (and others!) transmission are keeping the folks that make Lubegard red in business.
"OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars" (jakeauern)
03/11/2017 at 21:17, STARS: 1
Some may have but I’m not sure. We’ve actually desludged engines with some of the products. This is something that we’ve seen works pretty well and a lot of these other peoples saying no are wrong. I swear one person in particular literally just likes to crap on everything *cough cough*
"jimz" (jimz)
03/11/2017 at 21:26, STARS: 0
since I’m that person you’re *cough cough* ing about, what do you drive?
"OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars" (jakeauern)
03/11/2017 at 21:32, STARS: 0
Lexus LS400, 306,000 miles. Gets an oil change and a MOA every 3500 miles.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
03/11/2017 at 22:10, STARS: 2
I’ve used a ton of them and stand behind them. I’m not one to back additives generally. But consider this, many BG products actually meet Mercedes-Benz standards. I’ve seen their oil flush kit stop oil consumption and ticking/knocking noises. I’ve personally bore-scoped cylinders before and after their fuel injection service and seen an obvious decrease in carbon deposits. I’ve seen engines misfire due to extremely heavy carbon build up get fixed by doing their fuel injection kit. I’ve seen it fix low compression (caused by carbon on valves). Sometimes I recommend the stuff when costly teardown is the only other option, and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.
Granted, all of the above problems were caused by carbon (on the rings, in oil galleys, etc). I wouldn’t trust the stuff to solve an actual wear issue however. But it can prevent costly disassembly and conventional cleaning methods.
"gmctavish needs more space" (gmctavish)
03/11/2017 at 22:12, STARS: 1
Okay that is all very good to know, thanks!
"Seat Safety Switch" (seat-safety-switch)
03/11/2017 at 22:39, STARS: 1
BG FrigiFresh is the real deal for cleaning out smelly car air conditioners. I don’t know about any of their other stuff.
"Khalbali" (khalbali2)
03/12/2017 at 00:43, STARS: 1
We use their products a lot in my shop, I haven’t had a ton of experience with the warranty so I dunno if there’s any fine print to be wary of, but the foreman and advisors like them on their own cars and we don’t get them for free. I’ve used the epr and moa on my NC and will be using their fluid for a brake flush when I can find time, can’t say I noticed a huge difference but with the carbon buildup on modern engines I do feel better using it, and my cars mileage is too high to qualify for the warranties as far as I know.
"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
03/12/2017 at 00:53, STARS: 0
Listen to your mechanic (and AMGTech and ToyotaGuy.) Their products are great.
"gmctavish needs more space" (gmctavish)
03/12/2017 at 03:24, STARS: 0
What about the warranty aspect? I’m pretty skeptical of that especially
"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
03/12/2017 at 10:40, STARS: 1
I don’t personally know of a car that has came through the shop then needed to use the warranty. Our BG rep explained them to us at a product demonstration but I’m fuzzy on the details and don’t wanna give you false info.
"hike" (hike15)
03/12/2017 at 11:15, STARS: 1
Most places sell BG because they are paid a good chunk of change for selling it and the advisors are spiffed. The factory guys typically despise it and no new car recommends using it. The only thing that really could be good is the brake fluid flush, since many new cars do recommend one every 2 years now.
"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
03/13/2017 at 15:01, STARS: 1
We carry them at my dealership. Everything but the EPR (engine preformance restoration) stuff seems to do its job great. I just don’t care for stuff that says it will restore performance and such since it is usually snake oil or may mask a real issue. Everything else is top quality and works great (EPR maybe too, but this is just my personal thought on it).
I can’t remember have to do any warranty stuff, but I am sure they would hold up their end. Really good company.
"briannutter1" (briannutter1)
03/13/2017 at 19:22, STARS: 1
Bg is good stuff.