I know this has been discussed plenty but spare me the hate. I finally got a dealer to find time to perform the cam phaser programming which obviously didn't work because the noise was there before and I'm pretty sure the programming is a preventative thing. Anyway, they won't go any further claiming I've voided my warranty by tuning the truck. I get that, however, this is a very widespread and known issue that I doubt they could easily prove was caused by me tuning the truck, right? It's not like a threw a piston. Is it worth fighting over? Are there higher than 1% odds I can get them to replace the cam phasers?

 

Unless they can prove that the tune was the cause, they are SOL. That's what 'Magnuson/Moss' is for. My guess is they're just blowing you off. Go back and have your letter for this issue in hand. If they still refuse, complain to Ford corporate and find another dealer.

 

I just picked up my truck and asked if he could explain why he couldn't continue since the issue is so widespread how can it be proven to have been a result of tuning and he just started getting really loud and aggressive so I just left. But my paperwork does say that the pcm flash didn't work and I'll require new phasers but that they refused that due to aftermarket modification so at least it's in writing I guess. I'll continue this with someone else when I'm not going to get yelled at lol

 

Ugh, this tired old trope. Here's how you think Magnuson-Moss works:
You - "Dealer, I expect you to repair my phasers even though I'm tuned."
Dealer - "No, you made an aftermarket mod, it's your baby now."
You - **PRESENT MAGNUSON-MOSS WARRANTY ACT**
Dealer - "OMGWTFBBQ you're totally correct let me get on that right meow!!!!!"

Here's how it really works:
You - "Dealer, I expect you to repair my phasers even though I'm tuned."
Dealer - "No, you made an aftermarket mod, it's your baby now."
You - **PRESENT MAGNUSON-MOSS WARRANTY ACT**
Dealer - "Your modification invalidated the warranty, as laid out in the Warranty Guide."
You - "But but but federal law!"
Dealer - "Screw you."
You - **CALL FORD CORPORATE**
Ford - "Your modification invalidated the warranty, as laid out in the Warranty Guide. Sue us."
You - **SHOCKED FACE**

Then you go sue Ford, who almost certainly can spend more money on quality attorneys in a day than you can spend in your lifetime. And you lose.

For the OP - you play, you pay. Unfortunately, they've now documented the aftermarket mod, you may be screwed. How did they know you were tuned? You should have removed anything obvious and flashed the truck back to stock... it's unlikely they would dig into it in the detail required to determine the truck had been tuned if the repair was for a well-known problem. While I'm not a fan of hiding things and making Ford (and, by extension, every Ford customer) pay for damage caused by ludicrous tuning, obviously the phasers are a Ford issue and have been for years. Your only way out of this problem is through another dealer (try to find one that does a lot of "performance" stuff - they tend to be more flexible) and by being nice. I would feign ignorance unless the dealer brings it up... if so, you hope you can talk your way through it.

 

I was surprised they asked if it was tuned, honestly. I did flash it back to stock but I know the pcm records every time it's flashed so I imagine when they did the software tsb, they just saw a count. I didn't want to lie so when he asked outright, I had to say yes lol. At the end of the day, it is (allegedly) a neusance issue so it's not the worst thing in the world I guess, it's just crazy to me that they're blaming the tune despite being such a widespread, years long issue. I am going to try with another dealer - there's one a little more mod friendly, it just takes months to get an appointment with them and I have to deploy in January. But anyway, that's neither here nor there. Thank you both for the advice, we'll see where I get

 

My dealer tried to do the cam phaser recall while my truck was in for other service and noticed my tune. He was cool about it and told me to take it off and bring it back in. Easy Peasy.

 

This is NOT what Magnuson-Moss is for. Magnuson-Moss is for when a non-Motorcraft oil or air filter is on an engine that grenades and they try to deny the warranty. They then have to prove it was the fault of the aftermarket filter. You flash your PCM and all bets are off.

 

I was not going to further comment on this but...The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act states that a dealer must prove that aftermarket equipment caused the need for repairs before it can deny warranty coverage. However, if the reason for a parts failure is unclear, a dealer will usually charge you to diagnose the vehicle.

This is a direct quote from the law passed in 1974 I believe and hasn't changed as far as I know. Whether you may have a different point of view of this is totally on you, my understanding of it is obviously different.

 

A tune is a vehicle modification, not an aftermarket part. It's not a point of view.

 

A tune can be a part of an aftermarket part that upgrades performance. Your logic would suggest that just having an aftermarket tune is cause for voiding a warranty, you could never 'mod' your vehicle with aftermarket parts. You couldn't upgrade the cams or the heads or even upgrade the cold air. These require or suggest a tune is necessary. Unless, of course, you have another way to do these 'mods' without a an aftermarket tune?

On that note, OP, just find another dealer and avoid those that have a differing point of view you don't agree with.