Improved transmission pan - does this affect my Ford Protect PremiumCARE Basic Care extended service plan?

[Danzona]

I had my mechanic upgrade my transmission pan to a Mishimoto extra-capacity pan on my 2020 Ranger back in early summer. No leaks, fluid level perfect, great performance so far, and have towed with it once since then.

Now, that said, recently I noticed some hesitation when the truck shifts between gears 3 and 4 (sort of a "straining" or "stressing" feeling - not a clunk). It seems to be slightly delaying the shift and happens intermittenly, usually after warming up a bit. So, I want to take it in and have the transmission looked at while I still have some time left on the the service plan.

Does anyone know if the new pan voids that service plan? From what I remember, since it does not affect the truck mechanically or change any major component in the drivetrain, it should not affect the coverage, but I was wondering if anyone here has any experience with this.

Thanks in advance!

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[Superspirit]

It's been posted that any aftermarket pan voids the warranty. However nobody has ever posted any documentation to verify it.

 

[TJC]

I had my mechanic upgrade my transmission pan to a Mishimoto extra-capacity pan on my 2020 Ranger back in early summer. No leaks, fluid level perfect, great performance so far, and have towed with it once since then.

Now, that said, recently I noticed some hesitation when the truck shifts between gears 3 and 4 (sort of a "straining" or "stressing" feeling - not a clunk). It seems to be slightly delaying the shift and happens intermittenly, usually after warming up a bit. So, I want to take it in and have the transmission looked at while I still have some time left on the the service plan.

Does anyone know if the new pan voids that service plan? From what I remember, since it does not affect the truck mechanically or change any major component in the drivetrain, it should not affect the coverage, but I was wondering if anyone here has any experience with this.

Thanks in advance!

Recheck your fluid level. Easier to do with the FitzStick.

 

[Grumpaw]

I went thru this scenario with my dealer, and basically it depends on how the repair is written up.
Basically, they can state that it being an extended pan, how much xtra fluid did you add, did it bring it up to normal operating level, how do you know it isn't over-filled or under-filled, ect.
There are a number of factors a dealer/Ford can use to deny warranty work when dealing with an aftermarket part that adds or deletes critical fluids.
My dealer basically said Ford would not authorize warranty work when an oversized pan with xtra fluid was present, so I kept stock as I had extended warranty.

 

[dozxab]

I was wondering about this too. I bought a deep pan, filter and Fitzstick but I may wait until June when my 3/36 warranty is up to do the install.

 

[TJC]

I think it is a 5yr/50K DrIve Train Warranty

 

[AzScorpion]

I think it is a 5yr/50K DrIve Train Warranty

it's 5/60,000

 

[TJC]

Old age! Both are better than 3/36!

 

[06Warrior]

I would put the original pan back on before bringing it to the dealer.

 

[Superspirit]

The 5/60 is why my ppe deep pan and sunnax zip kit. Are still in the garage and not on the truck. 30mo or 25k to go.

 

[Joeiconic]

If your transmission fails and you’ve modified your transmission, well good luck.

 

[Danzona]

I called the extended service plan info number and had them verify that this would not be a problem. I was told that the extra capacity pan would not affect the service plan, as it was not a change to the mechanical operation of the vehicle, nor was it a major cosmetic change that altered the vehicle's operational characteristics.

From what I can tell this shouldn't be a problem. I've checked the fluid level with my Fitzstick several times since it was installed, and the fluid level is good - so is the color, and I am having no other issues with the transmission.

 

[maxbottomtime]

I called the extended service plan info number and had them verify that this would not be a problem. I was told that the extra capacity pan would not affect the service plan, as it was not a change to the mechanical operation of the vehicle, nor was it a major cosmetic change that altered the vehicle's operational characteristics.

From what I can tell this shouldn't be a problem. I've checked the fluid level with my Fitzstick several times since it was installed, and the fluid level is good - so is the color, and I am having no other issues with the transmission.

Someone who has the job of selling the warranty is not who you will be arguing with when it's sitting at the shop, unfortunately. I would restore to stock in the event of failure.

One other thing to consider, the extra capacity, dipstick, etc. may extend reliability. I'd rather have the factory config fail and be replaced than have the aftermarket, modified improved setup barely outlive the warranty.

 

[Danzona]

Someone who has the job of selling the warranty is not who you will be arguing with when it's sitting at the shop, unfortunately. I would restore to stock in the event of failure.

One other thing to consider, the extra capacity, dipstick, etc. may extend reliability. I'd rather have the factory config fail and be replaced than have the aftermarket, modified improved setup barely outlive the warranty.

I'll have to let you know what I find out when I call back to the dealer service department number and re-confirm - I understand your point, but the old pan is gone, it was kept by my mechanic when I had the swap done earlier this year. Not to mention the additional cost I'd be paying to have that swap performed, which would exceed the cost of my deductible.

 

[maxbottomtime]

I'll have to let you know what I find out when I call back to the dealer service department number and re-confirm - I understand your point, but the old pan is gone, it was kept by my mechanic when I had the swap done earlier this year. Not to mention the additional cost I'd be paying to have that swap performed, which would exceed the cost of my deductible.

Ultimately it's not a ford dealer service department that makes that call - they can say what they have seen or would expect, but it's the warranty department that will decide. Anything a dealer offers will be anecdotal, unless they will guarantee coverage in writing (spoiler: they won't).

The comparison you should be making is not deductible vs cost of putting a pan back on, but cost of putting a pan back on vs having to pay for a new transmission yourself.

Unfortunately that's why I held off, and my transmission just went so glad I did.

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