MXD

I asked my service writer if I would be 100% SOL if I got caught with a major warranty claim and a tuner. In short, he said absolutely. BUT, he did say that was only if I got caught and the dealership isn't out to "catch" me. He said as long as I flash it back to stock and there is no reason for Ford to come and inspect my vehicle themselves, the techs at the dealer would not go digging through the PCM just to get the claim denied. Even if they know it's been tuned they have no reason to road block a customer. They get paid regardless. He also stressed that there was a gray area. If whatever mod I did obviously led to the failure then it might be a different discussion but in general he basically said it would probably be fine.

I realize this isn't the final word but I wanted to at least share it so that some would see the reality. The only thing I can say is that if you have a good relationship with your dealer, ask them.

The final thing he said was that if I was so worried, just buy a new PCM, tune that one and leave the stock one alone. If anything major goes wrong, put the stock one back in. He wasn't 100% sure but he thought that would be undetectable.

chris_bryan_89

I think that is probably how the majority of dealers look at it, although it doesn't hurt to check. Thanks for sharing

Watt-maker

My experience is that it depends on the tech, the service writer, who you know, and ultimately the dealer. It seems like some dealers and everyone there is out to get you. Some dealers are cool about stuff like that. Usually those that are cool about it are gearheads themselves too. When I take my stuff to the dealer I never mention a word about any mods I may have done unless I truely believe that is the cause of my problems (maybe twice in the last 15 years). Really though, I hate going to the dealer for anything so that is like a last resort.

sluggo1

Issue is this. These days if there is a major warranty issue such as tranny, etc Ford will send an independent person to the dealer to inspect. The old days of your neighbor being the service manager and taking care of you are gone. Again this is only with major warranty work. So then they might dig into computer a little more. Listen I have a Livernois tune and love it. It is a risk I am willing to take for the performance. Best bet is be honest and up front with your dealer

Robob

The new ecoboost PCM does have some new parameters to catch people messing with tuners. Specifically if the boost has been adjusted over the stock they will know by how much "overboost" you have.
Also a smart service tech can tell by the PCM reflash date that is stored if you have flashed the PCM, they may not know what you flashed but they know it was done technically speaking

crash_ice

One of My best Friend Work as tech as a Ford Dealer here in Montreal.
I ask him if i tune my EB if they can see the tune after putting back stock if i have major problem on the truck.He answer to me .(there is no way we can see if the truck are tune
after putting back to stock whit a tuner) even whit there tools .He said to me ,(all the tech or mechanical man have alerady tune there truck or ford cars.He said to me don t worry about that and tune your truck and enjoy the power of your EB truck.That made me smile

kent johnson

My service manager told me to go for it. Said he had 1 and loved it. Just said turn it back to stock to bring it in. A tech told me the same. Said they replaced a motor under warranty without their ford rep coming in. Didnt say what motor, or if it was even a truck.

13Harleyfan

As a warranty administrator I don't look for reasons to deny warranty claims, we get paid for the repairs, it helps with customer retention and the dealership gets points that go toward new vehicle purchase allowance.
If the dealer isn't taking care of the customer-they go somewhere else and believe it or not they complain on forums.

crash_ice

yep and my friend tell me, he never see a broken engine or trans because a tune are install.

Ssls6

I would keep in mind that major repairs often cause a company man to get involved. Then it can go outside of the dealers control.