Sucker

[dablik]

Well chaps enough was enough with me old mk1 so she was replaced with a 6 month old bike, now a year old. In August i last rode her on the 21st only to find a week later after the fuel tank had expanded and pressed into the side tank pannier rails causing damaging and the lower T was touching the tank due to expansion, ended up having to vent it everyday at the fuel cap, eventually after a few weeks i had RE assist collect the bike and deliver to my local dealer under a warranty issue, so the short story is a refusal on a warranty claim, took 3 weeks to lift the tank and take some cursory photo's showing a slightly kinked hose and a photo of a slightly kinked hose at the throttle body (all evap related).. they understand my frustration and it's just unlucky that this has happened to me    So been doing the back and forth dance for 6-7 weeks now and the last email states they cant authenticate the origin of the photo's i sent them, why they did'nt have the dealer take the same photo's of the damage is beyond me ?!  they also state that as a "goodwill gesture" they would offer  50% of the repair, well really, 50% of what ? it does'nt state if the repair includes parts and labour just 50% of repair so yet more emails, not that i've a mind to follow up on this as i suspect it would be way cheaper to repair myself and fook the warranty as it's a bit useless anyhow, new tank is £400, so turns out me new bike is probably gonna cost an arm and a leg. I'll be replying to the latest email with a suggestion yet again to send the bike to the original dealer who sold and serviced for the 1st 300 miles as the current dealer thinks they are at fault for replacing everything and kinking the hoses, even though the bike ran for 2300 miles flawlessly without all the know issues of stalling and difficult starting since that service....my thoughts are that the dealer just cant be arsed as they did'nt sell or service the bike, i'm defo getting the run around.

 

Would love to just go to court with them but, thats's a whole bunch of my time and around my work schedule would be a nightmare.

 

Any ideas from anbody had similar issues, emails have all been polite up to now but i'm ready to let rip..

[dapleb]

Fffffffff.



Fffffforget warranty go after the bassads as not fit for porpoise. Something like a boatermike should last longer than a few months!!!! Although it will take some time I think citizens advice will be worth an ask.



I'm annoyed so ewe must be mighty miffed.

[dablik]

Aye daps, i can use my consumer legal rights up to 6 years, i really dont need the hassle of going down that route just yet, need to reply to their email soon and will have to think about how i address it, i'm hovering as i dont even trust them to repair under warranty.. i'll probably end up taking the bike back and sorting myself or else i'm going to truly lose my rag with them and go storming down wiv me bother boots on..

[Catteeclan]

Has the pressure deformed the tank at all? If not I think I'd touch up and sort the vents myself.

If it has would they supply a replacement tank for you to fit yourself?



I too think it should be sorted under warranty but sometimes you just don't need the hassle.

[dablik]

Hi Dave, yep the tank is deformed, the marks on the side of the tank in the photo are where it expanded into the side rails (which i've undone for the photo) more worryingly it had expanded forwards as well so when you turned the steering full lock the lower fork T hit the tank right on the welded seam.

 

Under warranty law uk, because the bike is older than 6 months i would need to prove that it happened through no fault of my own, and Consumer law for used vehicles would have me go right back to the seller which is ultimatley unfair as the bike ran fine for 2300 miles since purchase, 1st service at 300 miles and purchased with 400 miles on the clock.

 

Importer has offered 50% on parts to repair but only if i use the dealer to do the work, so in effect not cost effective to me, i'll ask if they will give 50% on the parts and i will repair myself ? 2 month wait for the parts though. cant see any other way without a load of time and hassle to be honest...

 

What i would like to know is....if this was a carb'd bike with a gravity/mechanical pump i could plug the fuel hole where the fuel cap is with a bung and a hole in it to vent the tank but can i do the same with an injected bike ? i think i should be able to but not sure, just need to get it home eventually, approx 12 miles or just stop evey couple of miles and open the cap !?

 

PS The tank still holds fuel (5 litres) so not leaking but i assume it's compramised and would'nt be comfortable to use long term, the tank has retracted somewhat but still..

This post was last modified: 23-10-2022, 04:43 PM by dablik.

[LAURENCEAUX]

If expansion happens because any venting is being prevented, then you'll have to show it's a fault happening since delivery and therefore the original supplier should resolve that under warranty as they unboxed and setup the bike and made it not fit for purpose at that time (because of the slightly kinked hose?), but, if you suspect the problem was created by anyone other than the original supplier, you will have to prove that and pursue that party yourself.

 

The RE warranty on new bikes will not be honoured if RE suspect user interference or misuse caused the problem, howsoever caused; then you would have to hope any goodwill gesture doesn't cost too much.

 

Petrol is sold at 15c on a UK forecourt and will expand a lot as it enters a hot fuel tank, which will pressurise and expand the tank if not allowed to vent the expanding fuel. This is why you should never brim any  tank, but always leave at least an inch of air above the fuel which can be compressed safely to offset fuel expansion.

 

I would unkink the vent pipe(s), never brim the tank and leave the tank as it is, if it is not split and leaking. A bit of paint will prevent rusting.

 

I would not anticipate any warranty work as the warranty it there to help sell the bike, not to actually address issues after that sale. (I am very cynical as you can tell).

 

The bike has it's first war wound now.

[Catteeclan]

Hi Dave, yep the tank is deformed, the marks on the side of the tank in the photo are where it expanded into the side rails (which i've undone for the photo) more worryingly it had expanded forwards as well so when you turned the steering full lock the lower fork T hit the tank right on the welded seam.

 

Under warranty law uk, because the bike is older than 6 months i would need to prove that it happened through no fault of my own, and Consumer law for used vehicles would have me go right back to the seller which is ultimatley unfair as the bike ran fine for 2300 miles since purchase, 1st service at 300 miles and purchased with 400 miles on the clock.

 

Importer has offered 50% on parts to repair but only if i use the dealer to do the work, so in effect not cost effective to me, i'll ask if they will give 50% on the parts and i will repair myself ? 2 month wait for the parts though. cant see any other way without a load of time and hassle to be honest...

 

What i would like to know is....if this was a carb'd bike with a gravity/mechanical pump i could plug the fuel hole where the fuel cap is with a bung and a hole in it to vent the tank but can i do the same with an injected bike ? i think i should be able to but not sure, just need to get it home eventually, approx 12 miles or just stop evey couple of miles and open the cap !?

 

PS The tank still holds fuel (5 litres) so not leaking but i assume it's compramised and would'nt be comfortable to use long term, the tank has retracted somewhat but still..

I'd carry on using if it's not leaking. Sort those vent pipes and have a road test for a few miles, stop and release the fuel cap to see/listern if it's building pressure.

[Snowbird]

I'd put a bit of edging trim where the forks hit the tank and sort the kinked hose and carry on riding while looking for a tank from a breakers in the right colour, the warranty is unlikely to come up trumps in full.

Are you sure the tank hasn't moved on it's mounts as I would expect the panels to give a bit but not the weld seam to move much if at all.

You don't have much luck with bikes do you.

[leehenty]

Cliff you seem to be afflicted by the bike gremlins Attach a gremlin bell to prevent further issues.

[dablik]

If expansion happens because any venting is being prevented, then you'll have to show it's a fault happening since delivery and therefore the original supplier should resolve that under warranty as they unboxed and setup the bike and made it not fit for purpose at that time (because of the slightly kinked hose?), but, if you suspect the problem was created by anyone other than the original supplier, you will have to prove that and pursue that party yourself.

 

The RE warranty on new bikes will not be honoured if RE suspect user interference or misuse caused the problem, howsoever caused; then you would have to hope any goodwill gesture doesn't cost too much.


 

Petrol is sold at 15c on a UK forecourt and will expand a lot as it enters a hot fuel tank, which will pressurise and expand the tank if not allowed to vent the expanding fuel. This is why you should never brim any  tank, but always leave at least an inch of air above the fuel which can be compressed safely to offset fuel expansion.

 

I would unkink the vent pipe(s), never brim the tank and leave the tank as it is, if it is not split and leaking. A bit of paint will prevent rusting.

 

I would not anticipate any warranty work as the warranty it there to help sell the bike, not to actually address issues after that sale. (I am very cynical as you can tell).

 

The bike has it's first war wound now.

 

 Laurence, much of this i'm already aware of but thank you, the sentence i've highlighted in Red is certainly the reason for a refusal as they state in the last email that they cannot authenticate the origin of Photo's i supplied or the explanation, basically after 6 months on the Warranty i would be required to prove beyond doubt that i was not at fault. 



Cheers chaps, one and all, i have been offered as a "goodwill gesture" 50% on the cost of replacement parts, however this was if i have the repair done at the dealers, i wont do this, had a mistrust of this dealer for many a year now, if they agree to offer the 50% and let me repair at home that's the way i will go, otherwise i'll do as suggested and bide my time for a tank from another source... 

 

Edit... currently a 2 month wait for the parts 

 

Lee spin that gremlin bell up on the lathe would you  :good:

 

How unlucky can a chap be !?

This post was last modified: 24-10-2022, 09:13 AM by dablik.

[alanfavell]

Fix it yourself Cliff. Be all the better for knowing it's been done properly :good:

[Pedro]

With the power of social media now it could be worth plastering the problem and treatment you've got from dealers on as many platforms as you can. Even bike mags would be interested and once it gets the attention of the right people at Royal Enfield, it might just work. Might. Emails to Royal Enfields customer services, publicity dept etc might just annoy them enough to try and hush hush the whole saga. That's how BMW and Ducati deal with known faults and it keeps the bike selling.

This post was last modified: 27-10-2022, 11:18 AM by Pedro.

[dablik]

Fix it yourself Cliff. Be all the better for knowing it's been done properly :good:

Shall do Al, got 50% "goodwill gesture" against a new tank and bits to fix it, the 50% was originally only to have the repair done at the dealers, fook that, so i've managed it anyway, repair at home.

[dablik]

With the power of social media now it could be worth plastering the problem and treatment you've got from dealers on as many platforms as you can. Even bike mags would be interested and once it gets the attention of the right people at Royal Enfield, it might just work. Might. Emails to Royal Enfields customer services, publicity dept etc might just annoy them enough to try and hush hush the whole saga. That's how BMW and Ducati deal with known faults and it keeps the bike selling.

 

Your right Mark, but it's not a road i can be arsed going down at all, the bike is a year old now so what they are inferring but not saying is "user interferance" if it was up to 6 months old i reckon it would of been sorted, i could of course use my consumer legal rights but doing so just sends me back to the bloke i bought it from and not the original dealer who sold and did the 1st service which woul'dnt be fair as bike has been perfect until this happened out the blue without any warning. It's the very reason i did'nt particulary want a bike with a warranty but murphy lives in my house. 

 

Interesting to note a bloke in Italy with this bike had his sorted under warranty on a 2 year older bike  :dunno:

 

Gonna collect on Saturday.

[Snowbird]

How much is the bits gonna cost you after the 50% off? Gotta admit I'm surprised it did 2000+ miles with a blocked breather without giving fuel starvation problems.


Can you ride it home with the filler open or does the key have to stay in it when open?

[dablik]

How much is the bits gonna cost you after the 50% off? Gotta admit I'm surprised it did 2000+ miles with a blocked breather without giving fuel starvation problems.



Can you ride it home with the filler open or does the key have to stay in it when open?

 

Around £150 Dave which is a better option then the used one on ebay at £180 and offers. 

 

Yea i know funny is'nt it no sign of a blocked breather, no stalling, difficulty starting etc ran just fine, i got shafted but i just dont have the patience to carry on with it all, i'm more likely to go down to the dealer with a big hammer so need to let it go.

 

Key needs to be in the cap, i can could take the spare or wip the cap off and gaffa tape over with a hole in or just stop every couple of miles and vent ?

[dapleb]

Sorry dabbers that is poo





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[Robodene]

I always write to the CEO of the topmost organisation (here the importer?). Can sometimes bring results. The dealer is taking advantage of you and it is a poor reflection on the organisation. In recent years I have written to Calor gas when they could not supply gas, to the Highways Agency who sent drivers to Gloucester instead of London, and recently to Boots who could not supply my specs. Worth a try?

[dablik]

I always write to the CEO of the topmost organisation (here the importer?). Can sometimes bring results. The dealer is taking advantage of you and it is a poor reflection on the organisation. In recent years I have written to Calor gas when they could not supply gas, to the Highways Agency who sent drivers to Gloucester instead of London, and recently to Boots who could not supply my specs. Worth a try?

 

All corrospondence has been through the importer, i know the dealer only had a cursory glance at the bike and the dealership belongs to the importer, we both know i'm being bent over but really, it has to be finished with now because i'm just slamming my head against a brick wall and i dont need the stress or aggravation, i can get quite explosive when people piss me off like this, so time to walk away even if it is at my cost, dont want to end up in jail.

[Catteeclan]

 

All corrospondence has been through the importer, i know the dealer only had a cursory glance at the bike and the dealership belongs to the importer, we both know i'm being bent over but really, it has to be finished with now because i'm just slamming my head against a brick wall and i dont need the stress or aggravation, i can get quite explosive when people piss me off like this, so time to walk away even if it is at my cost, dont want to end up in jail.

Remind me not to spill your pint