zimmer0

iTrader: (1)

idk why ppl are so hesitant to name the tune that was being run on the truck that failed. Whether or not it was the tune that caused the failure, there's no doubt it played a part no matter how small. Letting other members know which tune was being ran can help others avoid these potential issues. Is this not what a forum is for? To let other enthusiasts know the do's and don'ts on their trucks.
Throwing a tuner under the bus or not, i'd like to know as well as many other potential members who are wanting to tune their trucks.

itguy08

Interesting. But wouldn't it be best for all parties to refrain from posting and commenting until an understanding of what happened is obtained? Posting sensationalized titles and pictures without an understanding of what happened helps nobody.

Also, wouldn't this best be placed in the 2011+ Engines forum?

ymeski56

Side notes:

This Thread was originally made as a post here first in another members Thread, but was deleted for lack of "specific" relevancy to the Thread Topic. It now returns as a Thread.

The Thread was also created word for word on another popular Forum, where he states in a subsequent post, "It may not be tune related even if all points to this so far so to already proclaim it for sure is not fair."

Thus far, SSI has not been named as the Tuner. Additionally, by Tuner Boost's admission, "To determine the actual cause of the engines catastrophic failure, until the engine it further inspection would be speculation".

Full disclosure regarding the recommendation by Jwank11 to visit that Tech section of F150ecotuning. It is SSI "owned & operated" where he functions as site administrator. So keep that in consideration regarding content.

Tuner Booster is a manufacturer of catch cans, although does not sell directly to the members here/ directing sales to the Vendors here who carry his product.

Also it should be known there is no love lost between Tuner Boosted as manufacture of that product & SSI the company, w/ litigation apparently soon pending between them.

On a final note, what is lacking here is the actual owner of the engine in question to corroborate or verify anything currently &/or yet to be presented.

ymeski56

Thanks for pointing that out. Did not notice it was poorly placed regarding section. Moving 2011+ Engines.

Viking1204

If you personally know of a tuner that has resulted in 5 or 6 blown engines why not tell everyone who it is? Whether that tuner caused this problem or not it doesn't matter, they've already had enough failures that people should know about it. As it stands I don't know if I'll ever tune my truck, too many stories of tuned trucks with failed engines on this forum alone.

SkiSmuggs

Every major tuner has had blown engines whether related to the tune or not. And the more engines tuned by a particular tuner, a roll of the dice would produce twice the engine failures of someone who tunes half the number.
I used to think the way you are, and was pissed that a tuner who had 3 engines blow while running that tune emphatically denied ever being responsible for a blown engine.
Now, having learned more and seeing that stock engines are blowing with no help from a tune and that bad piston casting, weak wrist pins, failed injectors and other quality control failures are involved, I have come to understand that being tuned may have little or nothing to do with the engine failure.
It takes a tear down by a good diagnostic technician to pin point the cause of failure. Folks with failed parts who were in fact tuned were told by diagnostic techs that the engine was a time bomb since it left the factory. Ford's record of warranted engine replacements tuned or not somewhat backs that up.
That said "racing breaks parts" is a well know saying in the racing business. I have no idea what a good NASCAR engine costs, but the best builders in the business make no guarantees and if you blow his engine, he will build you another if you pay him for it. Watch a few NASCAR races and you will see a lot of money go up in smoke.

Viking1204

SkiSmuggs thanks for the info. I think as long as I have my extended warranty I'll still refrain from a tune. I've seen more stories of tuned trucks blowing than I have stock trucks. I may never tune it if that trend continues.

SkiSmuggs

Tuning your truck is a personal decision. The poll from a few weeks ago showed that, of the folks who voted, twice as many of the blown engines were tuned. That could simply mean that more folks in an engine performance thread tune their engines vs the general public.
I have been tuned for 46,000 miles, but tend to avoid the radical tunes and don't beat on my truck. But there have been blown engines from normal driving as well. I think a sweet driving tow tune is probably a safer bet as they don't make as much power. I tried a 91 octane tow tune from a tuner whose 87/89 tow tunes seemed just slightly better than stock. The 91 tow tune could easily shred the rear tires and I never towed with it because I didn't think that much power was a good idea for towing.
For me 5 Star P/T or the new SSi tow tunes which are both great daily drivers are what I look for so I don't have to swap tunes every time I tow. And I run tunes in the winter that I can pull away on slick roads without spinning the tires.

Wiggum

just asking a simple honest question here ... but let's say you have an engine that's a "time bomb waiting to explode" ... but it's a pretty sturdy time bomb, and may or may not ever blow, if left at factory tuning. Wouldn't tuning it for higher performance, AND running your engine harder accelerate the wear, increase stresses, and possibly cause the engine to blow sooner rather than later, if not causing it completely (again, assuming that the flaws in the engine would have been "ok" at factory tune levels)?

I'm in NO WAY trashing tunes... but we all know, with anything mechanical, that the harder you run it, the more you require of it, the better it has to be built, and the tighter the operating tolerances have to be.

I can only guess that these engines, despite flaws and failures, are engineered to run at the tune they come with from the factory. And without tearing the engine down pre-tune to make sure everything is ready to take on the increased "responsibilities" of the tune-up, you're playing with fire?

I said it before, and am in no way disparaging anyone who does aftermarket tunes for performance ... but these are trucks, not race cars. I just can't wrap my head around the idea of getting a few more horses and/or worrying about my 1/4 mile time for one of these trucks. They have plenty of power already.

I hate to be the Debby Downer here ... but it all just seems crazy to me to take that risk for what I imagine are minimal gains.

mrpositraction

You have some good point Wiggum, and to your point yes, I think tuning would accelerate wear if your motor was already a "time bomb".

It is a personal choice to tune and risk your motor/warranty. Some of us think it is worth it