Spectra Premium Tank Crack

[mike23109]

About 18 months ago I bought a Spectra Premium gas tank (with internal fuel pump) for my 1970 Chevelle. Once I received it I swapped out the fuel pump for a more powerful Walbro unit. All is well until I started smelling a lot of gasoline. I inspected my tank this weekend and noticed it was leaking where the filler neck meets the tank. I pulled it out last night (of course the tank was full) and noticed a crack about 1 1/2" long.

I called Spectra Premium and learned the tank was in warranty. I only wanted the tank replaced, not the pump. I was told I had to send everything back. I told them I upgraded the pump. That's when I learned that by changing the pump I voided the warranty and was out of luck.

Has anyone else experienced the cracking problem? The cost to repair is only $125 but it's the principle of the thing. Doesn't anyone stand behind their products anymore. How does swapping out a pump effect a manufacturing defect??????

[Fluid Power]

I understand your frustration. However, is it fair for the manufacturer to warranty something that was modified? While I agree that it is probably a manufacturing defect, how is the manufacturer supposed to know that it did not get damaged during modification? Show me any manufacturer in any industry that will allow you to take apart their product, modify it, and warranty it when it breaks. It just doesn't happen.

Good luck getting it fixed and make sure you leave the room when the dude goes to weld it up!

Darren

[rwhite692]

Why on earth would you mention that you swapped out the pump?

Anyway...You could just put the original supplied pump back in, try calling them up again in a few days, chances are you will be speaking to a different person....don't mention the (irrelevant) swapping of the pump, and things will go fine with getting it replaced under warranty.

If you still find yourself stuck you should be able to find a local shop that can properly purge out the tank and weld it up for you.

[ProTouring442]

Show me any manufacturer in any industry that will allow you to take apart their product, modify it, and warranty it when it breaks. It just doesn't happen.

Chevrolet
Buick
Cadillac
GMC
Ford
Mercury
Lincoln
Toyota
Lexus
Nissan
Infinity
Honda
Acura
Mercedes
BMW
Ferrari
Alfa Romeo
Etc
Etc
Etc

In all of the above cases, a modification has to be the proven cause of a malfunction for the manufacturer to deny a warranty claim. I do not see how installing a fuel pump into a fuel tank voids the warranty. That's about like saying that installing new batteries into your camera voids its warranty. The tank and the fuel pump are not one unit.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

[ArisESQ]

Chevrolet
Buick
Cadillac
GMC
Ford
Mercury
Lincoln
Toyota
Lexus
Nissan
Infinity
Honda
Acura
Mercedes
BMW
Ferrari
Alfa Romeo
Etc
Etc
Etc

In all of the above cases, a modification has to be the proven cause of a malfunction for the manufacturer to deny a warranty claim. I do not see how installing a fuel pump into a fuel tank voids the warranty. That's about like saying that installing new batteries into your camera voids its warranty. The tank and the fuel pump are not one unit.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

Chevy refused to cover the warranty on my vette for anything related to the fuel system when they learned that I had changed the fuel pump and filter myself.
- I should also clarify; I replaced the stock C5 pump with a C6 Z06 pump, which is a nearly identical version with higher output.

Late C5 Z06 have an in tank fuel filter as a result of evaporative emissions requirements. The models one year older had an external filter which was easily changed.

In any case, it really pissed me off.

I'm not disagreeing with you, but most manufacturers do everything they can to weasel out of liability.

[CreepinDeth]

I understand your frustration. However, is it fair for the manufacturer to warranty something that was modified? While I agree that it is probably a manufacturing defect, how is the manufacturer supposed to know that it did not get damaged during modification? Show me any manufacturer in any industry that will allow you to take apart their product, modify it, and warranty it when it breaks. It just doesn't happen.

I totally agree with this,

HOWEVER.......in this case scenario, the internal pump has nothing to do with a weld around a filler neck.
I'd pursue the issue and put the original in tank pump back in or take it out.

Either way, the pump has nothing to do with welds around a totally different section.
If they pull the "Modification" BS way out of honoring their warranty,
I'd file a complaint against the company with the Chamber of Commerce and Attorney General of that area.
The BBB is worthless.

[Fluid Power]

Really Bill?

Throw a set of headers and a new exhaust on any of those vehicles and then go to the dealership for an engine warranty claim. They wouldn't fix my truck under warranty for that reason.


I understand the pump has no effect on the welding of the tank. My point was, the manufacturer has to draw the line somewhere.

I agree Creepin, just trying to make a point. Get it purged and welded and be done with it.

Darren

[Vegas69]

Let's not turn this site into a bitchfest like so many. If I had a dime for every $100 bill that got ate up building this car because of someone or some company. Well, I'd be a little better off. They should've fixed it but life goes on. :D

[skatinjay27]

Let's not turn this site into a bitchfest like so many. If I had a dime for every $100 bill that got ate up building this car because of someone or some company. Well, I'd be a little better off. They should've fixed it but life goes on. :D
LOL you damn pric*:D

[Fluid Power]

Let's not turn this site into a bitchfest like so many. If I had a dime for every $100 bill that got ate up building this car because of someone or some company. Well, I'd be a little better off. They should've fixed it but life goes on. :D

I'm done. :cool:

Darren

[mike23109]

I just wanted to let everyone what ended up happening with this. I ended up getting the filler neck rewelded to the tank. Great repair, problem fixed.

I then gathered my documentation, photos of damage/repair, receipts, etc. and wrote a letter to the warranty department (with a cc to the CEO). I explained the situation and outlined my position about the pump being unrelated to a bad weld.

Yesterday I spoke to Spectra Premium's National Director of Sales. We discussed my letter and the problems with the tank. He was a stand-up guy and said that the pump does not effect the integrity of the weld. They offered to reimburse me for the cost of my repair.

I guess the lesson learned is to be persist. Document what you have done, and what you want. And most important, be honest about what you have done.

[buickfunnycar.com]

Good for you for sticking to your guns and having the documentation to prove your point.

Hopefully now,Spectra will investigate and improve their product based on your experience...in the end,that's what it's all about.:yes:

[Moose]

Yesterday I spoke to Spectra Premium's National Director of Sales. We discussed my letter and the problems with the tank. He was a stand-up guy and said that the pump does not effect the integrity of the weld. They offered to reimburse me for the cost of my repair.


cool glad it worked out for you!:thumbsup:

[Fluid Power]

Same here. Glad it worked out!

Darren

[waynieZ]

Maybe he checked and found that others had the same problem. Atleast they came through for you.

[CamaroAJ]

Throw a set of headers and a new exhaust on any of those vehicles and then go to the dealership for an engine warranty claim. They wouldn't fix my truck under warranty for that reason.

that is the dealers call, should have called someone over the dealers head like the people that made it. we had a C6Z in the shop when i worked at a chevy dealer and it had cold air intake and headers and i replaced the engine under warranty. i also paid the $300 core charge for that LS7 :thumbsup:

[DRJDVM's '69]

I'm glad it all worked out....

My words of wisdom for anybody that runs into a situation like this....

When I run into stuff like this, I've learned to be cool, be nice and courteous and friendly on the phone and just move "up the chain" as needed. If they guy on the call cant resolve it, ask nicely to speak with a manager, say "thanks for all your help and I undertand you're doing your job, and I appreciate your time, thank you"....and wait to speak to the next guy up the food chain. ALot of the time the first guy on the phone has no authority to stray from the "company policy" on stuff and risks his job if he steps over that boundry. He's just doing what the generic company manual says to do.

When I speak to the next guy I let them know, that I am fully aware that stuff happens, no company is prefect and all I expect is for the compnay to step up and take care of the issue. I'm not pissed.... I have no intention of going onto websites and flaming their products or company... I just want to get it resolved.

As soon as you start acting like a jerk and threatening or screaming at the guy on the phone its all over.....wont get you anywhere in 99% of the cases.

As for the warranty...... I keep my mouth shut if I've "tinkered with it alittle"......especially if the issue has nothing to do with the stuff I've done. Its irrelevant and some companies will find the smallest thing to duck the issue

Glad it worked out....good job Spectra

[Bow Tie 67]

One word: Ricks :thumbsup: