Frosty exchange on a hot summer's day...Holden

[Little Red VZ Go-Kart]

So, the Little Red VZ Go-Kart was dropped off for its first routine service under an (onerous) 5-year warranty. Like everything I do, I glanced over just what it is they would be checking.
However, one thing has recently been discovered that I added to their "checklist": the PCV tube on the inlet manifold. The exchange with the Techie went thus:

Me The PCV tube is cracked and not securing properly (I had taped it up with high-temp dialectric tape)
Techie Let's look...
Me Given that it's wonky, don't you reckon it should be replaced no charge under Warranty?
Techie Oh, no. We'd have to bill you for that part.
Me Pardon!?
Techie <*stares point-blank*> We've have to charge you $146 for a new PCV tube...
Me <*Stunned mullet expression*> Wh—!? You're kidding me!?
Techie Sorry, no I'm not. It's not covered by warranty.
Me <*stunned, again*> Leave it while I do some research and move onto the rest of it.

With pressing appointments and no car I was forced to abrubtly halt the dialogue and move on.

The crux of this matter is how a tiny piece of rubber tube — WTF! — can cost $146. How is that so? It doesn't even have a chrome Holden insignia on it. Am I packsaddled to replacing this tube at cost, or is there another way e.g. with a piece of fuel-grade hose?

As things stand, I was not happy to be told that despite obvious lack of serviceability, this part does not come under warranty (nor do brake shoes or tyres... both of which by dint of exclusion that have been told to stay away from). How common is it for Holden to seemingly wiggle around expenses like this, or exclude what I have been told now is a fairly common problem (cracked PCV tube)? God forbid if a tiny stainless steel clamp should break, probably $250 to replace <*grumble*>

Any suggestions on the course of action I should take. I will collect the car at 2pm today and will inspect the tube again with a view to pursuing its replacement, somehow.
__________________________________________________ ____________________

EDIT: Resolved.
Issue fixed very satisfactorily after escalation to Service Manager.

[airstyle]

How did you resolve it? I know the reason why they charge so much is because it's not just the rubber tube you see, they have to sell you the whole piping system which extends under the manifold and around to the back cam cover.

Did you manage to get it included under warranty?

[2DIE]

I wonder what else isn't under warranty, ask them to show you where it says "the PVC tube is not under warranty"

I see you got it sorted out though, that's good.

[Little Red VZ Go-Kart]

Yes, praise be, it's resolved happily.
I'll tell you what else isn't under warranty:
Brake shoes, brake rotors, windscreen, mirrors (except electrics), tyres, fuel tank cap and PCV tube, exhaust (rear). All the big and expensive bits though are looked at e.g. cat convertor, O2 sensors, engine internals (pistons, rings, other stuff I've never heard of, much less seen...), so happy with that.

The PCV tube was replaced amicably "as a gesture of goodwill given the age from delivery of the vehicle" (took delivery on 25 August), arguing that I had observed a worsening crack in it which I had taped up on advice. I am much appreciative of the replacement given that I am ill-prepared, at this stage, for unexpected high costs on out-of-warranty items, but especially why this item was not included in the warranty (it is included in my sister's Astra CDXi...).

The other surprise was after the Service Manager (to whom I escalated proceedings after getting nowhere with the testy Reception people) read my log of the repeated ingress of petrol fumes when coasting at speed. Apparently Holden identified a problem with a specific fuel tank cap and dropped the design for what appears to me a simpler design. It's not related to the failing PCV tube and nothing up front that "is leaking and about to explode". Phew—!.

Nevertheless, the Service Manger replaced the fuel tank cap free of charge also and I trundled off a happy customer, but not before getting my blood up.

<sigh> a bloody trying day in my books. But all's well that ends well. Time for a sherry and a feet-up!

[Benboy]

Like all extended warranties for motor vehicles, you do need to read ALL of the fine print before signing on the dotted line. There are different levels of cover. Mine is with an Ins. Company and gives me identical cover to that of the Holden factory warranty. Obviously yours doesn't cover everything. Sorry to have to say to you...perhaps you should have asked a few more questions before signing up.

[Little Red VZ Go-Kart]

Interesting.
Just back in studio from coffee with best friend (Vehicle Risk Assessor/Vero-GIO). Interesting subject, but no surprises. He said if insurance companies covered everything with car warranties (where provided: not all do) "we'd be bloody broke in no time!". Perishables are one thing that cannot be realistically claimed under warranty or insurance, "though people try it, like [you]"!: LOL!
Brake shoes and drive belts are among perishables. The Holden Warranty is actually underwritten of course.

Factually, a PCV manifold tube (I love the blue colour!) is in the same category of perishables as drive belts, windscreen wiper blades, globes, tyres and even door handles — all subject to normal wear and tear through use.

[airstyle]

Blue? Mine's black. And yeah that sucks how it's a wear & tear item. Technically it shouldn't be, as it's an absolutely crucial system IN the engine and they are supposed to last at least as long as the timing belt/chain interval. A mate bought an 06 VZ in 07 and it that hose was already cracked and leaking. Assuming we are talking about the same hose of course (blue???!!) then it's pretty obvious there's a design flaw in either the material used or the routing (getting way too hot).

[soop]

The reason its $150 is because they wont sell you the little tube by its self, you have to by a whole new PVC system. Me and Dad had the same issue. Went and spent $20 on some plastic fittings and vacuum hose. Did the same job.

Holden are rip of merchants.

[airstyle]

The reason its $150 is because they wont sell you the little tube by its self, you have to by a whole new PVC system. Me and Dad had the same issue. Went and spent $20 on some plastic fittings and vacuum hose. Did the same job.

Holden are rip of merchants.

Do you remember the size of the hose / fittings off the top of your head? How far down the piping did you replace?

Cheers

[soop]

We used 3/8 fuel line and a 20c plastic fitting. I think the whole lot cost about $6 to be honest.
If you get about a meter of hose it'll be closer to $10-15 and do the whole lot. If I were to do it again I would just install a catch can at the same time.

[DLFHUB666]

We used 3/8 fuel line and a 20c plastic fitting. I think the whole lot cost about $6 to be honest.
If you get about a meter of hose it'll be closer to $10-15 and do the whole lot. If I were to do it again I would just install a catch can at the same time.

Thats what i did when my pcv hose split $80 for a catch can off ebay,An it looks good to.

[Sabbath']

Wow...just wow. You're complaining because something that isnt covered under your warranty, wasnt changed under warranty. You bought a used car, so it's over three years old, has done over 100,000km. Things wear out. Especially in hot engine environments after years of continual use. You buy an old car, expect a few things to be wrong with it and to start degregation with age. It's written right there in the warranty booklet what things are and are not in the warranty, it's almost as rediculous as saying "My brake pads wore out, i want warranty"

Let me guess, you forked out the extra cash for the warranty and that's what's got your knickers in a twist. When i bought my car i found the extended warranty booklet in the glovebox. The amount of things it DIDNT cover was more than what it did. And for the price the other guy paid for it ($1800) wasnt worth the paper it was written on.

[impulsive]

Wow...just wow. You're complaining because something that isnt covered under your warranty, wasnt changed under warranty. You bought a used car, so it's over three years old, has done over 100,000km. Things wear out. Especially in hot engine environments after years of continual use. You buy an old car, expect a few things to be wrong with it and to start degregation with age. It's written right there in the warranty booklet what things are and are not in the warranty, it's almost as rediculous as saying "My brake pads wore out, i want warranty"

Let me guess, you forked out the extra cash for the warranty and that's what's got your knickers in a twist. When i bought my car i found the extended warranty booklet in the glovebox. The amount of things it DIDNT cover was more than what it did. And for the price the other guy paid for it ($1800) wasnt worth the paper it was written on.

Wow, "Negative Camber Club" All the way... your angry.. relax...

I believe they are discussing why the PCV pipe is not covered under warranty when it should be.. we can understand why Brakes, widscreen wipers and the rest arent.. but a PCV pipe that should be, isnt. Nothing nice to say, say nothing at all.

i believe its part of the 'way' holden finance themselves, shit that could be made to last, clearly isnt, thus, creating revenue for holden when unsuspecting people go in for a service..

[wortus]

If you buy a car second hand in Victoria does it also come with the standard 3 month warranty like NSW?
When I bough tmy VY second hand this warranty covered the brake rotors because the car has to be roadworhty and they were warped and undersized on my car so I got a set of 4 replaced. The brake pads also have to last the life of this warranty.
Also when I bought my VN about 12 years ago it had the 3 month warranty and the spare tyre had a damaged sidewall so I took it back and got a new one, he just took the wheel out of another car but it was a brand spanking new rim and tyre never been on a car before.
Normal wear and tear is not covered unless you spot if first and they agree to fix it and its written down and signed on the documents. As far as things like that small bit of hose I'd check with your local consumer affairs however in my experience a lot of what is covered is up to the dealer to determine what is wear and tear and consumer affairs can do SFA.

[Calaber]

Spot on, Wortus. I think a lot of guys confuse "warranty" with "roadworthiness" when they buy a used car. That little rubber hose is a known weak spot on the Alloytech, but it doesn't affect the car's roadworthiness. It's subjected to extremes of heat from the day the car first starts and the real issue here is the fact that it's not available as a reasonably priced part, or made of a more durable material.

As you point out, NSW requires dealers to offer a statutory warranty on vehicles less than a certain age and/or a certain mileage. I haven't a clue what the Victorian regs state, but that's where the OP resides. If that hose had been noticed at the time of purchase, it would have been reasonable for the purchaser to request its replacement prior to taking delivery of the car, but if it splits within a short period after purchase, it really constitutes fair wear and tear and shouldn't be covered by the warranty. The fact that the OP was able to have it replaced under warranty is a credit to the dealer.

[Little Red VZ Go-Kart]

Wow...just wow. You're complaining because something that isnt covered under your warranty, wasnt changed under warranty. You bought a used car, so it's over three years old, has done over 100,000km. Things wear out. Especially in hot engine environments after years of continual use. You buy an old car, expect a few things to be wrong with it and to start degregation with age. It's written right there in the warranty booklet what things are and are not in the warranty, it's almost as rediculous as saying "My brake pads wore out, i want warranty"

Let me guess, you forked out the extra cash for the warranty and that's what's got your knickers in a twist. When i bought my car i found the extended warranty booklet in the glovebox. The amount of things it DIDNT cover was more than what it did. And for the price the other guy paid for it ($1800) wasnt worth the paper it was written on.

Sorry mate, but you're very wrong on all counts. Quite wrong (too much negative camber I think...)
Work it out.

And pay for a warranty? Are you sure? No such payment on anything.
On a car which has done nowhere near 100,000km?
Please research your statements before launching to the fray.
The warranty we have has now (4pm 9/12) been considerably extended. At no charge.

[airstyle]

I'm really curious now, you said your hose was blue, would you mind taking a photo of the replacement hose?

Cheers