Warranty is only as good as the company standing behind it. Here is what you actually get with a Yuchai generator warranty, what is covered, what is not, and how to make sure your claim gets approved — not denied.

I have seen warranty claims go smoothly — parts shipped within 48 hours, technician on-site within a week, problem solved at zero cost to the client. I have also seen claims drag on for months, get denied on technicalities, and leave the generator owner footing a bill they thought was covered.

The difference is almost never about the warranty terms themselves. It is about documentation, proper maintenance records, and working with a supplier who actually supports the warranty process. This guide will help you be in the first group.

Tesla Power Standard Warranty

12 Months

or 1,500 Running Hours

(whichever comes first)

Applies to all Yuchai-powered generator sets supplied by Tesla Power, from 16 kW to 1,000 kW. Covers defects in materials and workmanship.

The “whichever comes first” clause is important and standard across the industry. A standby generator that runs 200 hours per year gets 12 months of coverage. A prime power unit running 18 hours a day reaches 1,500 hours in approximately 83 days — about 3 months. This is why diesel generator warranty terms must be factored into your total cost of ownership calculations.

What Is Covered

Covered Under Warranty

• Engine manufacturing defects — internal components that fail due to defective materials or assembly errors. This includes crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, valves, cylinder liners, bearings, and gaskets.
• Alternator manufacturing defects — stator winding failures, bearing defects, and insulation faults that occur under normal operating conditions.
• Controller defects — Deep Sea Electronics controller failures that are not caused by external electrical faults, lightning damage, or unauthorized modifications.
• Cooling system defects — radiator leaks, water pump failures, and thermostat malfunctions that are not caused by improper coolant use or physical damage.
• Fuel system defects — injection pump and injector manufacturing defects. Note: this does not cover damage from contaminated fuel.
• Vibration-related issues — abnormal vibration or noise caused by manufacturing defects in the engine or generator assembly.

What Is NOT Covered

NOT Covered Under Warranty

• Consumables and wear items — oil, filters, belts, hoses, coolant, fuses, and light bulbs are maintenance items, not warranty items.
• Damaged caused by improper maintenance — failure to follow the maintenance schedule, using incorrect oil or coolant, or skipping required services.
• Fuel contamination damage — water, debris, or microbial growth in the fuel system. This is the single most common cause of denied warranty claims.
• Overloading — engine or alternator damage caused by operating above the rated capacity.
• Improper installation — damage caused by incorrect electrical connections, inadequate foundation, or poor ventilation.
• Environmental damage — flood, fire, lightning, corrosion from salt air, or damage from foreign objects.
• Unauthorized modifications — any changes to the engine, alternator, controller, or fuel system not approved by Tesla Power.
• Using non-genuine parts — damage caused by counterfeit or substandard replacement parts.
• Normal wear and tear — components that wear out through normal use over time (brake pads on a car analogy).
• Operating outside specified conditions — exceeding rated ambient temperature, altitude, or duty cycle limits without proper derating.

Extended Warranty Options

For clients who want longer coverage — particularly for prime power applications where the standard 1,500-hour warranty expires within months — Tesla Power offers extended warranty programs:

Extended Warranty
Coverage Period
Running Hours
Typical Cost

Extended 1
24 months from commissioning
3,000 hours
5-8% of generator price

Extended 2
36 months from commissioning
5,000 hours
8-12% of generator price

Comprehensive
24 months + parts only to 8,000 hrs
8,000 hours
10-15% of generator price

Should you buy extended warranty? For prime power applications (continuous daily operation), extended warranty is almost always worth the investment. A major component failure like an injector pump or turbocharger between 1,500 and 3,000 hours would cost $3,000-8,000 to repair. The extended warranty that covers this period costs a fraction of that amount. For standby applications with low annual hours, the standard warranty is usually sufficient.

How to Make a Successful Warranty Claim

The claims process is straightforward if you follow these steps. Most denied claims result from missing documentation — not from the claim itself being invalid.

Warranty Claim Process

1. Document the problem immediately. Take photos, record the error code from the controller, note the running hours and conditions when the failure occurred. The more documentation you have, the smoother the claim process.
2. Contact Tesla Power service department. Report the issue with your generator serial number, installation date, and running hours. Describe the symptoms and provide your documentation.
3. Tesla Power assesses the claim. Our service team will review the symptoms, maintenance records, and operating conditions. We may request additional information or send a technician for on-site diagnosis.
4. Diagnosis and verification. If the issue is covered under warranty, we will arrange for repair or replacement parts. If the diagnosis is unclear, the failed component may need to be inspected by our technical team.
5. Repair execution. Covered repairs are performed at no cost for parts and labor (within the service region). Travel costs for remote site visits may apply depending on your service contract.
6. Claim closure. After repair, the claim is documented and closed. The repaired or replaced component receives its own warranty period (typically 6 months or 1,000 hours).

The Most Important Thing: Maintenance Records

I cannot stress this enough: your warranty is only as strong as your maintenance records.

When a component fails, the first question the warranty assessor asks is: “Was this generator maintained according to the manufacturer’s schedule?”

If you can produce a maintenance log showing every 250-hour and 500-hour service was completed on time with genuine parts, your claim will almost certainly be approved. If you cannot — or if there are gaps in your records — you are giving the assessor a reason to deny the claim.

Best practices for warranty protection:

• Keep a written log of every maintenance activity with date, running hours, parts used, and technician name
• Save all receipts for genuine parts and oil
• Record controller readings at each service (oil pressure, coolant temperature, load)
• Take photos of oil samples and filter conditions at each service
• Have maintenance performed by qualified technicians — preferably Tesla Power authorized service personnel
• Never skip a scheduled service — even if the generator is running fine

Tesla Power maintenance contracts provide automatic warranty protection. When we perform your scheduled maintenance, we document everything and maintain records on your behalf. If a warranty claim arises, the documentation is already in place. This alone is worth the cost of the maintenance contract for many clients.

Warranty for Different Components

The warranty covers the complete generator set, but different components have different characteristics:

Component
Warranty Coverage
Common Failure Mode

Yuchai engine block
Full warranty
Very rare — manufacturing defects in block casting

Fuel injectors
Full warranty (if not fuel-contamination related)
Moderate — manufacturing defects in nozzle or spray pattern

Injection pump
Full warranty (if not fuel-contamination related)
Low — manufacturing defects are uncommon

Turbocharger
Full warranty
Moderate — bearing seal failures in first 500 hours

Alternator
Full warranty (Stamford/Leroy-Somer own warranty also applies)
Low — premium alternators are very reliable

Controller
Full warranty (excludes lightning/surge damage)
Low — DSE controllers are highly reliable

Cooling system
Full warranty (excludes improper coolant use)
Moderate — water pump seal failures

Battery
6 months pro-rated
Common — batteries are consumable items

Canopy/paint
12 months
Rare — cosmetic issues only

Tesla Power Warranty Advantage

What makes the Tesla Power warranty different from buying from a random online supplier:

• We are the integrator and the warranty administrator. No finger-pointing between engine manufacturer, alternator supplier, and controller vendor. One company, one point of contact, one responsibility.
• We stock genuine Yuchai parts. When a warranty claim is approved, we have the parts in stock — no waiting for imports.
• Regional service teams. Factory-trained technicians available in Africa and Asia for on-site warranty service.
• Maintenance contracts. Optional service agreements that include all scheduled maintenance, ensuring your warranty protection stays intact.
• Transparent terms. Our warranty terms are clearly stated in writing before purchase. No hidden exclusions or ambiguous language.

Product range: 16 kW to 1,000 kW Yuchai-powered generators. All models covered under standard warranty terms.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the standard warranty on a Yuchai diesel generator?

The standard warranty from Tesla Power is 12 months or 1,500 running hours, whichever comes first. This covers all components of the generator set — engine, alternator, controller, cooling system, and canopy — against manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship. Extended warranty options are available for up to 36 months or 8,000 hours for clients who require additional coverage.

Does the warranty cover parts and labor?

Yes. The Tesla Power standard warranty covers both replacement parts and labor for warranted repairs. This includes the cost of genuine replacement components and the technician’s time to diagnose and install them. Travel costs for on-site service visits may apply depending on your location and whether you have a service contract. Within our primary service regions (East Africa, West Africa, Southeast Asia), most warranty service visits are covered at no additional cost.

Can I maintain the generator myself and keep the warranty?

Yes, basic maintenance (oil changes, filter replacements, fluid checks) can be performed by competent on-site personnel without voiding the warranty — provided it is done according to the Yuchai maintenance schedule using genuine parts. However, more complex services (valve adjustment, injector inspection, major overhaul) should be performed by qualified diesel technicians. The critical requirement is documenting all maintenance activities in a logbook with dates, hours, parts used, and the name of the person who performed the work.

What happens if my generator warranty claim is denied?

If a claim is denied, Tesla Power will provide a detailed explanation of the denial reason. Common denial reasons include: lack of maintenance records, damage from contaminated fuel, operating outside rated conditions, or using non-genuine parts. If you believe the denial is incorrect, you can request a review with additional documentation. We aim for fair resolution of all warranty matters and will work with you to find an equitable solution even in complex cases.

Does the alternator have a separate warranty?

Yes. While the Tesla Power warranty covers the complete generator set including the alternator, the alternator manufacturer (Stamford or Leroy-Somer) also provides their own warranty directly. Stamford newage alternators typically carry a 24-month warranty from the date of manufacture. If an alternator issue arises after the Tesla Power warranty expires but within the alternator manufacturer’s warranty period, we can facilitate the claim process with the alternator manufacturer on your behalf.

About the Author: This warranty guide reflects the actual warranty terms and claims processes of Tesla Power. The recommendations for warranty protection are based on field experience with warranty claims across multiple markets. For specific warranty questions or to request a warranty certificate, contact Tesla Power.