johndeerefarmer

I have been doing some research on putting a tuner on the ecoboost. Seems that since the 6.0 mess Ford has gotten smarter. Also seems that some have blown the eco in the Taurus SHO's. You can make up your own mind.

I found this on FTE in a closed thread about "can tuners be detected" "And is also why ALL of the new Ford turbocharged vehicle PCM's are now encrypted by Bosch"



From yellow bullet, a racing forum:

To: All Ford and Lincoln Mercury Dealerships
Subject: Aftermarket Modifications – Warranty Cancellation

BACKGROUND
Aftermarket companies (referred to as "tuners") attempt to increase an engine's torque and power output beyond the design limits which may cause powertrain failures. This is often accomplished by modifying the engine calibration (referred to as "chipping") but may also include modifications or adjustments to other components. Per the Warranty Guide that is provided to the customer and the Warranty & Policy Manual, failures resulting from modifications are not warranted by Ford Motor Company.

All powertrains are subject to warranty cancellation if a modification causes a failure. For the 3.5L EcoBoost technical service bulletin TSB 10-2-6 was published to enable your technicians to determine:

If a powertrain failure resulted from an unauthorized modification
If the engine, transmission, or entire powertrain warranty should be cancelled
Per the inspection process included in this TSB a Ford Motor Company inspector may assist with this analysis. When the inspection process clearly indicates that a failure was caused by an unauthorized modification/alteration the repair should not be completed under Warranty and, using the following process, the vehicle's remaining Engine, Transmission, or Powertrain warranty should be cancelled.

WARRANTY CANCELLATION PROCESS
To initiate a warranty cancellation on an affected vehicle, submit a warranty cancellation request form through FMCDealer.com. This on-line form can be accessed as follows:

FMCDealer.com
Select Parts & Service tab
Select Warranty Administration & Parts Return
Select Warranty Cancellation / Reinstatement Request Form
Complete and submit this form on-line.

Once the warranty is cancelled an OASIS message will advise all dealerships that the vehicle is no longer eligible for warranty coverage


Here is the TSB

Review Service Procedure
SERVICE PROCEDURE



Unauthorized calibration modifications may or may not be detectable using standard tools (Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS), Portable Diagnostic Software (PDS), NGS+ VCM). Changes can be made to the calibration and flashed to the PCM through the OBD port. Physical modifications to the hardware may or may not be present. If aftermarket power/torque-increasing modifications are suspected, care should be taken to record and store the following items: Permanent Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), Pending DTCs, Freeze Frame Data, Mode 6 and Mode 9 data. The data should be printed and attached to the repair order for later reference.
The DTCs, freeze frame data, Mode 6 and 9 data can be obtained by using the IDS, PDS or NGS+VCM under tool box selection. The Powertrain tab will provide the OBD Test Modes tab and Mode 6 and 9 data selection after the vehicle has been identified.


Attempting to increase the engine output via recalibrating the PCM may result in poor drivability, DTCs, or component failures. A partial list of calibration induced component failures is given below:

• Piston damage.
• Spark over-advanced (knock-induced damage).
• Insufficient enrichment.

Excessive Cylinder Pressure:

• Turbocharger damage.

Over-Speed:

• Catalyst damage.

Over-Temperature/Melting:

• Transmission, PTU, Torque converter damage.

Hardware Modifications:





The following list contains items that are frequently modified in an effort to increase the engines torque/power output. Modifying these items may, or may not improve the performance, but can lead to drivability issues, DTCs and possibly component failures:

• Air induction system (air box, low pressure and high pressure air ducts).

The system may be particularly susceptible to flexible air ducts between the air filter and the compressors. Restrictions on either side of the compressor can result in over-speeding the turbo (Figures 5-6).

• Wastegate actuator pre-tension.

The full load output of some turbocharged engines will increase if the wastegate spring pre-tension is increased. This is not the case with the EcoBoost engine. Adjusting the wastegate pre-tension out of the specified range can result in DTCs. A tamper evident paint dot has been applied to the wastegate actuator adjustment mechanism to make modifications more apparent.

• Throttle inlet and intake manifold pressure sensors.

These sensors and the associated wiring should be inspected to verify they have not been modified.

• Additional fuel injection devices.

The high pressure fuel system used for the EcoBoost engine will not support additional fuel flow beyond what the factory calibration requests. Inspect the engine for an additional aftermarket injector(s) located somewhere in the induction system to provided increased fuel flow.

• PCV system modifications.

If the PCV system is modified (vented to atmosphere being the most common modification) it can result in a condition where oil gets past the turbine seal even on an undamaged, fully functional turbocharger. Oil in the exhaust system may not be sufficient evidence to identify a failed turbo if the PCV system has been compromised.

• Compressor bypass modifications (a.k.a. blow-off valve, or anti-surge valve).

It is common to modify these components so they make more noise. If the aftermarket devices fail to seal properly when closed, elevated turbo speeds and compressor outlet temperatures will occur.

• Exhaust air path/system.

Removal of catalysts or mufflers/resonators to reduce exhaust backpressure may result in over-speeding the turbo(s).

• Thermostat modifications.

Blocking open the thermostat may reduce the coolant flow to the turbo chargers. Wastegate Tamper Evident Paint Dot





Figure 1 - Article 10-2-6

Review Engine Damage:


Piston Damage


Top ring delaminating and top ring land pitting caused by excessive spark advance.

Bob_Mac

Interesting read, bad news for the EB owners.

Jerry-rigged

wow, so no CAI's, no cat-backs, no tunes, nuthiing...

At least they didn't say anything about lifts and big tires...

Oh well, i never mod my truck much anyways. But I am guessing this will P!$$ off some folks...

Hope to order min this week...

EdCaffreyMS

Thanks for posting that JDF! The salesman I've been dealing with on my EB has pretty much been saying that just about anything you "mod" on the EB will void the warranty....and now you've show the proof. I'm going to copy that information and save it....maybe we should make that a standard reply when these guys start talking about how they are going to "mod" their new EB!

By the way....my Mrs. came home on Friday and said that our truck had been returned to the factory last Wed, and then released again on Thur. The last word I got was it's scheduled to show up at the dealership this coming week, but after that news, I'll be shocked if it does. What's the status of your new rig?

johndeerefarmer

I am sure not going to touch mine in anyway that would void the warranty. They are too expensive as it is, much less losing the warranty on it.


I was told delivery was supposed to be March 3-5th. I didn't get a call today from the dealership, so maybe it will be in next week

sled92

It's only bad news for those owners who planned to modify their EB's. I have no such plans. I learned my lesson on my last diesel truck! $$$$$!!!

EdCaffreyMS

DITTO! I find it surprising at how little research some folks are doing, and just jump right into one of these rigs with the express idea of "modding" everything about it.

The guy who does our "Bullhide" locally found out last year when he purchased a new diesel Ford and immediately "tuned" it. He wound up melting a piston to a head. Ford discovered/tracked the tuning in the PCM...and voided the entire power train warranty. He spent a lot of time and money on a law suit, but in the end it wound up costing him 8K to fix the truck, and lots more on the loosing law suit.
The way the service folks at the Ford dealership talk, I get the impression that it's not only the EB they are intent on folks not modding... I think it would be wise for ANYONE thinking of modding one of the 2011 trucks to ask first.
I'm gona go out on a limb here and predict that once a lot of 2011s get on the road, we are going to see all kinds of people coming to the forums and complaining about how Ford voided their warranty, and would not fix something a mod messed up. I can also see the complaints coming in that "Well! The dealership never told me doing XXXX would void my warranty!"
I think the post the JDF made should be made a "sticky"!!

Loki 5.0

True and as soon as they(Ford) digs into a computer or code issue and find evidence of a tuner the costs of the diagnostics to resolve the issue are now going to be off warranty.

AlaskaLariat

The EB is putting our more HP & TQ then any diesel engine did a decade ago, who needs to mod to get more power? It will be a kick *** motor right off the lot!! It will be nice to drive a quiet powerful gas engine, I love diesel but as soon as I drove the EB I have to have it I mean it has twins from the factory!! Cant wait.

I will admit I own a 05 Cummins, and as soon as Mama gets her new EB Lariat, I will be on a quest to but twins on my Cummins and other HP goodies, but it is out of warranty!

bigal1234

I don't know how anyone could think that they can modify anything on a vehicle and expect the manufacturer to pay for any side effect that the modification causes.
Al