Coil pack covered under warranty?

[Swordsmith]

I'm past my "bumper to bumper", wondering if the coil pack is covered under the 100K mile warranty.

A few weeks ago, I replaced my spark plugs with copper ones as part of an experiment. They seemed to do fine while running gasoline, but when I filled up with E85, I started getting serious stumble up above 4000 rpm when WOT. I was also getting some misfires, principally in cylinder one. I swapped back to the OEM plugs, and that fixed the stumble problem, but I'm still getting some misfires, again principally in cylinder one.

I didn't have the diagnostic tools earlier to see this problem, so I can't say if I had it before messing with the plugs. So I figure on the small chance there's a problem with just one of each of the two sets of plugs, there is then a 25% chance I've randomly put the "bad" plug of each set into the same slot. So to be sure, I just swapped 1 2 3 4 to 4 1 2 3. I'll check that later today, if cylinder 2 is now the problem, then I'll know it was a plug.

If that's ruled out, then the next most likely culprit is the coil pack. So I'm wondering if that's covered, or if I should just order one now, instead of waiting the two weeks it will probably take to get an appointment at my stealership.

Also, any other ideas as to what the issue could be would be interesting to hear.

 

[SouthFLSonic]

This was the best I could find on a Buick forum and looks like they wouldn't replace them under powertrain warranty. Still doesn't mean that they wont cover it, guess it depends on your Stealership as you so eloquently put it.



As posted by GM regarding the Buick power-train warranty (5year/100000 mile) the injectors, coil packs, and other sensors are not covered! Mainly just mechanical items.

Covered for 5 years/100,000 miles

Buick will warrant each 2007 through 2011 model year Buick passenger car, light duty truck or van for 5 years or 100,000 miles/160,000 kms. with no deductible, whichever comes first, from the original in-service date of the vehicle, for warrantable repairs which are required as a result of defects due to material and/or workmanship to the Powertrain components as listed below:2

Engine

Cylinder head, block, timing gears, timing chain, timing cover, oil pump/oil pump housing, OHC carriers, valve covers, oil pan, seals, gaskets, turbocharger, supercharger and all internal lubricated parts as well as manifolds, flywheel, water pump, harmonic balancer and engine mount. Timing belts are covered until the first scheduled maintenance interval.

Transmission/Transaxle/ Transfer Case

Case, all internal lubricated parts, torque converter, transfer case, transmission/transaxle mounts, seals, and gaskets.

Drive Systems

Final drive housing, all internal lubricated parts, axle shafts and bearings, constant velocity joints, axle housing, propeller shafts, universal joints, wheel bearings, locking hubs, front differential actuator, supports, front and rear hub bearings, seals and gaskets.

 

[Swordsmith]

Looks like no. And I'm still getting misfires on cylinder 1, with the plug that was in cylinder 4. So new coil pack it is. At least they are easy to replace!

 

[SouthFLSonic]

Looks like no. And I'm still getting misfires on cylinder 1, with the plug that was in cylinder 4. So new coil pack it is. At least they are easy to replace!

Who knows, might be worth a call or stop by next time you're in the area to talk to a Service Manager if you know the guy he may be feeling the holiday season and hook ya up.

Either way hope you get it fixed and running 100% again soon.

 

[Scot]

Your ignition coils, injectors and other emissions-related sensors (O2, MAP, etc...) are covered by a separate emissions warranty.

Don't buy a new coil pack.

 

[Swordsmith]

If there's something wrong with the coil pack, I figure it's probably my own fault, I've had it in and out a number of times, and since I've ended up with the same OEM plugs as I started with, all entirely unnecessary. For $150, I can own up to my own mistakes.

I did see a "limited lifetime warranty" which looked like it would cover this part, but here's the caveat... only if the work is performed by a certified chevy tech. So I'd have to gamble, if the problem is deemed manufacturer's fault, then the part and the work would all be covered, but if it isn't, I'd pay for the part Plus the tech's time!

 

[SouthFLSonic]

Your ignition coils, injectors and other emissions-related sensors (O2, MAP, etc...) are covered by a separate emissions warranty.

Don't buy a new coil pack.

It's covered but only under original 3/36,000 and I think he is over that is why he asked about the 5/100,000 powetrain coverage.

This is from the Chevy site about emissions warranty.

Emission Control Systems

Defects and performance for car and light-duty truck emission control systems are covered for the first 2 years or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first. From the first 2 years or 24,000 miles to 3 years or 36,000 miles defects in material or workmanship continue to be covered under the New Vehicle Limited Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty coverage. Specified major components are covered for the first 8 years or 80,000 miles, whichever comes first. Defects and performance for heavy duty truck emission control systems including those found in 6.6L Duramax® Diesel Engines are covered for the first 5 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first.
- Refer to your Warranty and Owner Assistance Information booklet for California emission control system warranty details.

 

[Scot]

Sure seems like a misfire caused by a faulty coil pack would be covered under the emissions warranty, but I don't have my booklet here with me.

I'm curious as to why you think your failure is your fault - running different plugs shouldn't kill your coil pack.

 

[River_Rat]

From what I can tell, the coil pack is covered under the federal emissions control warranty, but as SouthFLSonic pointed out that coverage runs only 2yr/24k (except for certain components such as the catalytic converter and PCM, which are covered for 8yr/80k). Again, from what I can tell, only those parts that have a double asterisk are covered under the 8yr/80k warranty.

http://www.chevrolet.com/content/da.../Warranty/02-pdfs/2k14chev_lim_wm2ndprint.pdf

 

[sx sonic]

Pretty silly the coil pack wouldn't be covered under the emission warranty..

Who knows why they have that 80k warranty? I do, so major component failures that have a substantial impact on emissions will be covered for free......... And why would they think that is smart, because people are WAY more likely to get it fixed when they don't have to spend an a$$ ton of money...... And that means less pollution.


Now I have a hunch that a misfire increases emissions, maybe HC and CO! As well as washing the cylinder bore of oil and degrading catalyst life. Logically the coil pack would be covered under the extended emission warranty.


Call up the dealer and see what they say, if they won't cover it, buy a new one.
Aside from breaking the plug boots, coil pack, or connector you won't cause the coil pack to fail.

 

[severous01]

my question to anyone with any warranty issues and i would suggest you ask the dealer this same question...

will the check engine light come on without this part being replaced under warranty?
if the answer is yes then it should be covered under the powertrain warranty. however this is not the case, but it's a great argumentative statement to start the argument with. plugs, wires, and stuff like that are considered wearable items and usually arent covered. but this engine has a 100k mile warranty, and if you order an 'engine' from gm it will come with plugs/wires/coils. so, it should be covered.