Originally Posted by PaVaSteeler
DODGE CHALLENGER OWNER HERE - and I come in peace.
I applaud the OP for his even-toned comments, even with the original post, given the circumstances. However, I feel in all honesty he is doing both himself and all other car enthusiasts around the country a great dis-service by publicly supporting GM's stand on this issue.
We, the readers, do not know all that went on behind the scenes, and thus can only go by what was originally posted as being all the facts.
On the basis of that, I believe the OP is surrendering far too easily; many of the comments recently posted before mine spell out low cost measures by which the OP can get his car back up and running while not surrendering the moral, ethical and legal high ground his case (as stated) indicates he has.
What bothers me the most, and seems to be lost in all the kerfluffle, is the fact that the dealership drove the car a mile despite it suffering from a lack of oil pressure. If the engine is truly jackpotted, suffering far more damage than simply a failed oil pump discovered upon attempts to start the car, then it is to the dealership that I think legal eyes should turn.
What is causing the "strange sound" they claim the engine is making? How exactly did the dealership rack up even 1/10th of a mile on the odometer without risking further damage to the engine, knowing that it was being brought in with a CEL indicating a failure of oil pressure?
And GM: the OP repeatedly states his support of what GM has written in its manual, that any modifications made to the car voids the warranty....but OP, it is exactly this kind of stance from a manufacturer that brought about the Mag/Moss act in the first place.....such a stance is unsupportable, and merely a dodge (pardon the pun) for the manufacturer to disavow any real culpability for defective parts they install.
I wish the OP good luck, but further wish he would reconsider his meek acceptance of GM's position. For what GM can successfully get away with, Dodge surely will try to mimic.
In the end, it is groups like SEMA that need to step in more aggressively to protect the car parts aftermarket. This, the foundation of what us enthusiasts rely upon in pursuing our passion for fast cars, is under attack on many fronts; for example, the automakers' position under the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) that we don't own our cars, that we're merely leasing the software.
At play here also is the Law of Unintended Consequences: The OP's capitulation to GM's position merely strengthens and embolden's the manufacturers to work in cahoots with the EPA, who may next start enforcing their interpretation of regulations, so they too will go after Catch Can owners, for "altering the emissions" of the cars....
...where does it stop?
When it comes to issues like this, Challenger owners and Camaro owners need to put aside their differences and speak as one voice. That's why I gladly signed the petition that was started, and then spread it around all the social media I'm on to garner support.
For in the end, if they come for GM owners, and I sit silent, one day they'll come for me.
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