I can tell you first hand from working at dealerships that their response is their first attempt at making you go away and determining if you are serious. You have to be willing to pay for the repair yourself either way. They want to see if you will commit to the repair by having it diagnosed, torn down and a solution itemized. If you are committed to going that far and have specific numbers in parts and labor, then contact them with specifics you stand a much better chance of getting the manufacturer to participate.
There is never any guarantee's, but you stand a much better chance of getting them to help.