| Author | Message | ||
     Login |
I hope this post is acceptable in this forum....I recenetly purchased a XB9SX just shy of two months ago. Four days ago, it was running like crap, felt like there was no power, fan kicked on immediately, and overall it sounded pretty bad. One day later, it wouldn't start so I called up the dealership (who I dislike as it is - only one close by though) and they picked it up...just spoke to them and the service manager is telling me that the plugs were merely fouled out. So, I'm like okay....sounds like there is more to it (in my opinion, but I'm no service tech)...but then he goes on to tell me that this is not covered by the warranty. I just shelled out $9500 not more then two months ago and now they want to charge for for replacing the plugs??? He's says that it's my fault because I "ripped on the throttle" before the bike was warmed up enough....now keep in mind...I always warm the bike up (especially now at 30 degrees) and two, the bike wouldn't start....there was no throttle to "rip!" I could be wrong, but is this actually the case when it comes to warranty work...or is this BS? Don't get me wrong, I love the bike, but I'm not made of money....$100 to replace two plugs....come on. Sorry to go on and on, just frustrated...any suggestion/comments would be appreciated...thanks P.S. I know I should have asked here first when I had the problem...I certainly will in the future. | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
$100 to change plugs? im in the wrong line of work | ||
| Darthane |
First of all, get a service manual and be prepared to do your own work. If you're not, then quite frankly there's nothing you can do other than shell out the money (and it adds up, fast). Replacing the plugs is a tad more involved on the XB series bikes than it was on the older tubers, and they would probably charge an hour's worth of labor plus parts - depending on their labor rate, $100 may not be that far off. If you're even remotely mechanically inclined and have a standard socket set, though, you can get it done yourself. Finally, fouled plugs can be and usually is caused by what the tech mentioned. Two months of poor riding habits could lead to that (not saying you caused it necessarily, just letting you know), and it's not unreasonable of them to tell you that fouled plugs are not covered by the warranty, since most of the time it IS caused by the owner. If your TPS and/or idle are way outta whack, then it could probably foul the plugs, but I would expect the bike would have run like crap the entire time you've owned it. | ||
| Cataract2 |
Ow, there's a case of DIY. Way to much to replace 2 plugs. (Message edited by cataract2 on November 16, 2004) | ||
| Login |
I appreciate your response....bike just got back a week and a half ago (from 1k mile service)....with TPS reset....havn't run it much since it got back. I certainly will be doing the work myself in the future...at least the plugs anyway. | ||
| Ted |
I guess its mostly labour, but why not just clean the plugs, shouldnt be necessary to replace em. | ||
| Buelliedan |
I take it you bought the bike from a different dealer than the one you took it to? | ||
| Scooterroid |
I would be leary of any technician that comes to the conclusion that you are causing the plugs to foul without performing any other diagnostic tests or checks on the bike. What would be the basis for his opinion? Fouled plugs? That's basically all he would know. Steve-O | ||
| Aldaytona |
Have seen a few spark plugs fouled out by new XB owners over the last couple of years and even though it is not usually a warranty issue it has been our policy to just replace them at no charge to OUR customers. Replacing them for free for someone who did not purchase their XB from us, hmmmmmmmm. Might just make a new friend and maybe a new future customer. Now that's a novel concept. | ||
| Scooterroid |
Heard you guys have a nice Buell section over there in Daytona, Aldaytona. Friend of mine was over there this past weekend. Also, I had to get a new rear tire for my XB9R during Biketoberfest a few weeks ago while I was in Daytona. You guys ROCK. In and out in an hour. Thanks for the great service! Steve-O | ||
| Login |
Yes....I did purchase the bike from the same dealer....I have had problems with their service dept. before...had a 1k mile service done on my Blast and the bike came back with no oil....they said just drive it back in...I said then you'll be paying to replace the engine?!? I know it's my own fault for going back to them, like I said, they are the only ones close by and I thought it would have meant something having purchased the bike from them. Well, at least I learned something....I wish there was a way to let Buell know what is going on, not that they would necessarily do something, but you never know. The dealer is Motown Harley - Taylor Michigan....for what it's worth. Thanks again for your responses. | ||
| Daves |
Might surprise you, who sees this. Dave | ||
| Darthane |
Ahhhhhahahahahaa! Motown! Christ, that's just down Telegraph from me (and where I bought my Blast, as well). Man, I wish you'd have popped in here before then, I could have told you in spades to stay the hell away from them. Where do you live, Login? I'm at Telegraph and Van Born. Swing by sometime! | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
Call Buell Customer service. BTW the fouled plugs can also happen when a new owner who is used to a carbed bike jumps on a fuel injected bike. At start up you don't need to feed it any throttle. At idle, try and resist the habit of blipping the throttle at a light or as you take off from a light. This also can foul the plugs. | ||
| Jpl9sx |
Did the $100 include picking up the bike ? | ||
| Aldaytona |
Scooterroid, Thanks for the compliment. We try. We really want and appreciate your business. Please stop in and say hello next time you're in town. Al | ||
| Login |
Darthane - on Grosse Ile....just picked up the bike a few minutes ago...made a stink with the service manager, he said this time they'll cover it, but never again. Had an interesting talk with the cashier though...she said that quite often after having a service checkup along with a TPS reset, they get many bikes that "have a hard time starting" due to "fouled out plugs." Talked to the technician himself and he said that they had problems with this bike on the floor...people kept playing with the throttle...come to think of it, the plugs were never changed or checked. I just thought that this was interesting. I certainly won't be going there in the future. I will be in contact Darthane. Thanks. | ||
| Darthane |
Login - next time you need anything Buell-related, give Tony Barchock at American H-D in Ann Arbor a call. It's a little farther for you to go, but he's a true-blue Bueller. (734) 747-8008 ...and if you ever need a hand with the bike, look me up. I've got a garage full of tools and I'm not afraid to use 'em!  (Message edited by darthane on November 16, 2004) | ||
| Login |
Will definitely give him a call...and...might take you up on you offer as well...thanks. | ||
| Johnk3 |
I had a similiar thing happen to me with Sheldon's Harley in mass. Bike was a demo when I bought. got the factory warranty and the xtended as well. 3 months later the plug blows out of the head. Factory blames the dealer for cross threading the plug, dealer says I'm on my own. Cost to me was over $1000 to get a new head installed. As the owner of a bike sold as new, why should I have to pay for that? The factory was of no help, the dealer sucks because they won't stand behind their work and I am out $1000. I was hoping that the factory could pressure the dealer into standing behind the work they perform but I haven't had any luck. | ||
| Kaveman |
Man, all this talk of crappy service at the dealer is just galvanizing me to do ALL my own work. I hope that if something really big goes up in smoke, that I'll still will be able to use the warranty... But then again, I'm afraid of what I might get back! Another $.02 Kaveman | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
Factory blames the dealer Then John you might try going through Buell Customer Service again and explaining that you chose to pay for it out of pocket to get the bike back running but you feel that the warrenty should have covered it and that you are due reimbursement. If the factory will back you, there is a valid case for small claims against the dealer. | ||
| Aldaytona |
"WARRANTY" Simply put (NO lawyers please) covers a factory defect or a defect in materials or workmanship. Stripped spark plug threads would not be a warranty issue (it is possible theoretically I guess but I haven't seen it). | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
Correct a defect that can be traced back to the dealership is also a warrenty issue. If the factory is saying that the dealer stripped the threads then that is a dealer defect. If it were not for the factory saying it was the dealers fault, and yes I have heard of dealers stripping the threads on demo bikes when they put fresh plugs in it before they deliver it to the buying customer. One of the things on the purchase sheet for what was done as prep on the XB9 I had bought that had been a demo was the install of brand new plugs. | ||
| Blake |
Sounds to me like there is something wrong with the state of tune of that bike. A new bike should not foul its plugs, especially an EFI bike. | ||
| Gonen60 |
Document everything on your end! And then call Buell Customer service, and do the same with them. Fouled plugs=Nightmare...I bought My first street Harley in 1988 (sportster 3995.00)The CV carb was junk and I fouled plugs every other time trying to get it started. Nightmare. Dealer actually stood behind Me, and replaced carb until they got it right. call Buell customer service, and start your relationship now. Also go to the dealers General Manager, or Owner if you have to. Let them know You mean business, and will not stand for any bullcrap...Good Luck! | ||
| Login |
I will certainly take your advise on documentation and contacting Buell. Thanks again. | ||
| Court |
>>>there is a valid case for small claims against the dealer. But you will, forever, be saddled with having to explain to folks that you congested the legal system over a spark plug. Call Buell Customer Service and keep me posted...sounds like a solvable problem. Court - "ask first; shoot second" | ||
| Signguyxb12 |
JohnK3, i talked to the service manager at sheldon's tonight....call them and ask for Jay Hawley...i just trying to help alittle mike | ||
| Norcal_blast |
" 3 months later the plug blows out of the head. Factory blames the dealer for cross threading the plug, dealer says I'm on my own. Cost to me was over $1000 to get a new head installed. " Did they give any reason why they didn't just put a heli-coil in? Maybe I'm just cheap but before I dropped $1K on a new head I'd have given it a shot. | ||
| Johnk3 |
head has to come off the bike for the helicoil. If I go that far, I am going to do it right and replace the casting. |
