Cobb Stage 1 - any concern with warranty

[FordTechOne]

FordTechOne . Out of curiosity what are the steps a dealer has to do in the event of a catastrophic failure and truck is towed in . Do they hook up to diagnostics? Search for modifications? I Assume the Tech has to find root cause of failure first.

All of the above. Visual inspection, connect the scan tool, check DTCs, pull Mode 9 data (checking for a tune), and teardown and determine root cause. In cases where modifications/tunes are suspected, the dealer may ask that their Field Engineer be involved, since they don't want to be on the hook for a non-warrantable repair.

 

[Don N]

All of the above. Visual inspection, connect the scan tool, check DTCs, pull Mode 9 data (checking for a tune), and teardown and determine root cause. In cases where modifications/tunes are suspected, the dealer may ask that their Field Engineer be involved, since they don't want to be on the hook for a non-warrantable repair.

If there is an engine related warranty issue, how big of a deal would a dealer make about the key cycles resetting back to 0 or something like that when reflashing back to stock from a tune? It seems like that's usually the main thing people mention in regards to warranty and aftermarket tunes.

 

[FordTechOne]

If there is an engine related warranty issue, how big of a deal would a dealer make about the key cycles resetting back to 0 or something like that when reflashing back to stock from a tune? It seems like that's usually the main thing people mention in regards to warranty and aftermarket tunes.

It’s definitely a red flag, as it indicates that the PCM has been recalibrated. If an engineer gets call to the dealer to inspect, they’ll be able to see the non-factory calibration.

 

[Don N]

It’s definitely a red flag, as it indicates that the PCM has been recalibrated. If an engineer gets call to the dealer to inspect, they’ll be able to see the non-factory calibration.

Thanks for the info. So it's not even that they can see the key count reset or whatever it is, but they can tell that the PCM had been tuned/changed at some point? I guess there's not much getting around that then. However, I also assume that if an engineer is getting called out and checking the PCM, it'd probably only really happen if dealing with a bigger ticket item such as having to replace an entire engine, etc?

 

[FordTechOne]

Thanks for the info. So it's not even that they can see the key count reset or whatever it is, but they can tell that the PCM had been tuned/changed at some point? I guess there's not much getting around that then. However, I also assume that if an engineer is getting called out and checking the PCM, it'd probably only really happen if dealing with a bigger ticket item such as having to replace an entire engine, etc?

From my experience, yes.

 

[RaptorWhoSaysNI]

This has been gone over many times on this forum, and yet there still seems to be a lot of misinformation.

First, the dealer/Ford does not need to prove that a failure was 100% caused by the tune. If the failure that occurred can be attributed to the tune, it’s not warrantable. Ford can only warranty the factory calibration; they have no idea what an aftermarket tuner went in and modified. Ford, nor any other OE, is in the business of reverse engineering and testing your modification to prove how it caused the issue.

Second, removing the tune leaves an electronic trail. Mode 9 records that information and it will be obvious that the vehicle had an aftermarket calibration installed. PCM capabilities have also advanced to the point where the PCM hardware can detect the aftermarket calibration and in some cases will set a DTC against it.

Plenty of people on this forum are running brand name tunes and issues seem to be rare. But the bottom line is that it’s important to be informed of the consequences should a failure occur.

Roush does offer a 3yr/36k mile warranty with their tunes. Also, Ford Performance tunes basically rollup under the Factory warranty even though they are technically a third party tuner. My dealership is a Ford Performance Center and will install a tune, either from FP or Roush.

 

[Keith88]

This has been gone over many times on this forum, and yet there still seems to be a lot of misinformation.

First, the dealer/Ford does not need to prove that a failure was 100% caused by the tune. If the failure that occurred can be attributed to the tune, it’s not warrantable. Ford can only warranty the factory calibration; they have no idea what an aftermarket tuner went in and modified. Ford, nor any other OE, is in the business of reverse engineering and testing your modification to prove how it caused the issue.

Second, removing the tune leaves an electronic trail. Mode 9 records that information and it will be obvious that the vehicle had an aftermarket calibration installed. PCM capabilities have also advanced to the point where the PCM hardware can detect the aftermarket calibration and in some cases will set a DTC against it.

Plenty of people on this forum are running brand name tunes and issues seem to be rare. But the bottom line is that it’s important to be informed of the consequences should a failure occur.

Exactly. Fricken spot on.

 

[Keith88]

on a side note... not bashing anyone here but... only 30hp n 30trq gain for over $1000... dang

 

[1BAD454SSv2]

on a side note... not bashing anyone here but... only 30hp n 30trq gain for over $1000... dang

A bit more hp than that.

 

[Old-Raptor-guy]

If warranty is important to you then don't give them any reason to deny a claim.

For example.

Truck (gmc) came into my shop with a transmission problem and an aftermarket warranty.

They sent out and inspector to look things over.

The claim was denied.

Why you ask, well because his contract stated that tire could not be any larger than 3" over stock diameter. his (no shit) where 3 1/8" over stock