Level sensors - not covered by warranty

[Ziggycol]

2017 Cayenne 4.2 S. Just been quoted £2k to replace 4 air suspension level sensors which have suffered corrosion and seized. Porsche won't cover under extended warranty claiming it's wear and tear but I can't find any specific note re this in policy exclusions.
Anyone with experience?

 

[Greenman986S]

How can they wear out if they are seized

 

[BrianJ]

In the contract p5 there is an “exhaustive list” (their words) of things that aren’t covered due to wear and tear. I had an OPC tell me that a rattling control arm wasn’t covered due to wear and tear. I sent the Service Assistant an email with the Oxford Dictionary definition of “exhaustive” and asked him to reply in writing why they were breaking the contract because control arms are not on the “exhaustive list” and hence are covered. Resulted in an immediate call back apologising for their mistake and agreeing that they are covered. That document is a contract (assuming you have a signed version relating to your car) so I always ask people to write down their reasoning so I can use it in evidence if needed (and I tell them that too).

 

[Ziggycol]

In the contract p5 there is an “exhaustive list” (their words) of things that aren’t covered due to wear and tear. I had an OPC tell me that a rattling control arm wasn’t covered due to wear and tear. I sent the Service Assistant an email with the Oxford Dictionary definition of “exhaustive” and asked him to reply in writing why they were breaking the contract because control arms are not on the “exhaustive list” and hence are covered. Resulted in an immediate call back apologising for their mistake and agreeing that they are covered. That document is a contract (assuming you have a signed version relating to your car) so I always ask people to write down their reasoning so I can use it in evidence if needed (and I tell them that too).

I've seen the same and submitted a complaint direct to Porsche (as OPC won't play ball) expressing exactly that sentiment highlighting that "exhaustive" means “comprehensive in scope, thorough and complete”. The dealer tried to justify based on the page 4 point 2h) "external factors or events outside our control" which could according to them include corrosion (although not mentioned!). As though corrosion can be considered in the same light as war, riot, fire, invasion, civil unrest, revolution, terrorism, vandalism, etc. They're having a laugh! I wait with baited breath for a response.

 

[paulus]

On the Macan forums there are recent comments suggesting PASM height sensor failures are sometimes accepted as warranty & sometimes rejected - suggesting the OPCs are doing what they feel they can "get away with"

 

[Ziggycol]

On the Macan forums there are recent comments suggesting PASM height sensor failures are sometimes accepted as warranty & sometimes rejected - suggesting the OPCs are doing what they feel they can "get away with"

Mmmm . . . Would be even more annoying if some OPCs are accepting and others not. My OPC (Leeds) is categorically claiming its a Porsche decision and not down to themselves.

 

[ianthow]

Not surprised that these are excluded but £2K is an excessive ask for the work. The same basic level sensing components are used across Volkswagen products. The ball and socket joints in the linkage use steel balls which rust and eventually seize inside the plastic sockets. Common problems are seized/broken linkages or water getting into the sensor electrics. OE equivalents are available from specialists and motor factors. The price of replacement units vary greatly. For decent OE equivalents, try https://www.design911shop.com/p/fro...-porsche-958-cayenne-95834107500-95834107600/ and https://www.design911shop.com/p/rea...with-linkage-porsche-958-cayenne-95833107700/. These are not rocket science to replace, DIY or local garage depending on your enthusiasm for getting under the car.

 

[Ziggycol]

Not surprised that these are excluded but £2K is an excessive ask for the work. The same basic level sensing components are used across Volkswagen products. The ball and socket joints in the linkage use steel balls which rust and eventually seize inside the plastic sockets. Common problems are seized/broken linkages or water getting into the sensor electrics. OE equivalents are available from specialists and motor factors. The price of replacement units vary greatly. For decent OE equivalents, try https://www.design911shop.com/p/fro...-porsche-958-cayenne-95834107500-95834107600/ and https://www.design911shop.com/p/rea...with-linkage-porsche-958-cayenne-95833107700/. These are not rocket science to replace, DIY or local garage depending on your enthusiasm for getting under the car.

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Thanks for that. Why oh why are OEM parts so expensive? You can even get an aftermarket repair kit that just replaces the corrosion vulnerable linkages! Issue as always is maintaining warranty integrity. Don't want to give any reason for declining claims!
I'm really a bit p***ed off with the OEM. Their inspection report claimed, and I quote, "All 4 level sensors seized req replacement". Surely if seized, use of the air suspension raising/lowering would result in some sort of fault but nothing displaying and suspension rising/falling as commanded - anyone know how a seized sensor manifests itself? Visually the sensor linkages are showing a bit of corrosion but as far as I can tell are still intact and working - I've given them a spray of protective lubricant to help out. I'm still waiting to hear from Porsche re my complaint to them re warranty claim. In the meantime booked in again with the OPC as they have offered to "try and free up" the sensors for £200. Not sure how necessary that is now - I'm confused!?

 

[ianthow]

An intermittent sensor sticking will generate a fault log but the car will still try to level up. Freeing up sticking joints may help, but will not clear the fault log. You need to clear the fault code(s) and hope the fault stays away. I suspect that a quality code tool will be able to clear these codes, should not need to hook up to PIWIS. I use Foxwell NT650.