my experience with Hyperpac

[sewerzuk]

I’ve seen quite a few posts here asking about experience with different programmers so I thought I’d throw in what I know. I’ve owned and run a Hyperpac on my truck (2005 F-350 powerstroke, all stock except for the hyperpac) now for a little over a year; for anybody thinking about buying one read this first:

I asked the shop foreman at my dealership about installing the Hyperpac. He told me that he would make every effort to support my truck under warranty even with a programmer installed. He did warn me that sometimes warranty claims are reviewed by a Ford rep, and if I brought my truck in for service with evidence of a programmer that the rep would likely void the warranty.

Before I purchased the Hyperpac, I called Hypertech and asked them 3 questions:

• How does the hyperpac affect my truck while towing?
• Will this void my truck’s warranty?
• If I bring my truck back to the dealership for service and return it to stock, is there any way for the dealership to tell that this was installed?

Here were the answers I received:

• The hyperpac will not damage your engine; you can tow up to the maximum GCWR of your truck at any power level without damage.
• No. The dealerships are not allowed to void your warranty with this product.
• There is absolutely no way to tell that this product was ever installed. If you return to stock, it leaves no trace whatsoever.

Here was my experience:

The day I received the hyperpac, I installed it on my truck. When I tried to change the power level, I got an error message. I called Hypertech and was told that I had to ship the unit to them to be updated to work with my truck’s fuel calibration. This was frustrating because I had to pay for shipping to send a product back to Hypertech before I even got to use it…and had to wait for a couple of weeks before I got it back. I did ignore this inconvenience as I was excited to try this programmer out.
When I got the Hyperpac back in the mail, I installed it (I used the highest power setting, stage 3). It was great! However, I decided in the interest of fuel mileage and wear and tear on my truck, to leave it in stage 1 (the lowest power setting) after the first day. I never again ran it on stage 3. My truck is all stock except for the Hyperpac. I use it daily to drive to work, and pull an 8000lb trailer about 20 miles each week.
After about 10,000 miles, my truck began the dreaded puking coolant and after taking it into the dealership I discovered that I had a blown head gasket. The dealership installed new head gaskets, and I got the truck back after 8 days. The dealership told me that they had installed updated head bolts and gaskets in my truck and that I shouldn’t have this problem again.
After another 15,000 miles my truck began puking coolant again. I returned the truck to stock again. Before I took it into the dealership, I called Hypertech again to make sure that there hadn’t been any changes in the ability of the dealership to detect the programmer; again I was told there was no way to detect it. I drove it for a little over a month completely stock until I had time to take it in for service. Again, I had blown head gaskets. This time, I got a call from the dealership after a day; they said that the computer had showed a reprogram recently and told me that this was evidence that I had been running a chip in my truck. Fortunately, they still honored the warranty, but told me that if I brought the truck in again with the same things showing in the computer that my warranty would be void.
Since that time, I’ve done a little bit of research:

• Ford 6.0 powerstrokes have notoriously weak head gaskets…I think we all know this. But from what I’ve been able to find, starting in 2005 they put better TTY head bolts and head gaskets in. They seem to hold up well in stock engines. Mine didn’t hold up with even a minor power adder.
• After speaking with 2 other manufacturers of programmers for my truck, I have determined that EVERY programmer for the Ford 6.0L is detectable in some way. The Hyperpac leaves behind something that is similar to what a dead battery would show; I can’t tell you all of the details but the mechanics at the Ford dealership aren’t dumb. They know that a recent reprogram or reset combined with head gasket failure equals a programmer. Fortunately my dealership was gracious enough to honor the warranty anyway.
• Ford CAN and WILL void your warranty if you bring it in for service with evidence of a programmer being installed.
• I called Hypertech back and explained my situation. I was very polite and cordial throughout the entire conversation. The supervisor I spoke with was arrogant and indifferent. He told me that Ford was not allowed to void my warranty and I should just go ahead and run the programmer. He told me that there was no way the dealership could have discovered that the Hyperpac was installed and that “they are just bluffing.” He also told me that the Hyperpac had absolutely nothing to do with blown head gaskets and that my truck would have blown them anyway. I told him that I would like the programmer unlocked so that I could sell it (I have no intention of ignoring my dealership’s warning and walking on their good will). Even though this was the only thing I asked for, he told me that I had to pay for shipping both ways and it would be $250 to unlock it. When I told him that I would relate my experience here, he said “go right ahead, I don’t care.”

Now, I’m stuck with an $800 box that is useless to me…I can’t run it on my truck unless I want to blow my head gaskets again, and I can’t sell it since it is married to my truck. All in all a bad experience for me…never should have bought the Hyperpac in the first place.

[milo55]

Sorry for your problems, But thanks for the information. Maybe your pain can help some of the rest of us. Lucky for you that your dealer was mod friendly and willing to help out.

[racer06]

Yes thank you for your story. deff somthing to keep in mind for other out there looking at programmers.

[ljr869]

I can tell Hypertech sucks just by looking at their website. And I would never buy a programmer from a company that doesn't specialize in diesel. Not to mention that deplorable attitude toward customer service.

[FionaThe02PSD]

Why do you need to unlock it? Doesn't it unlock when the program is changed back to stock?

[n00b420]

This sucks, i just bought mine today. I was told that hypertech would not hurt anything even on the highest of settings.. so i have it on stage 3 pulling a 38' cargo trailer 10-15k lbs

Maybe its luck of the draw?

[Darnell@hypertech]

Originally Posted by n00b420

This sucks, i just bought mine today. I was told that hypertech would not hurt anything even on the highest of settings.. so i have it on stage 3 pulling a 38' cargo trailer 10-15k lbs

Maybe its luck of the draw?

As the OP said stock 6.0s are notorious for blowing head gaskets. This isn't something that can be blamed on the programmer. Also as the OP said the dealership didn't void his warranty even thought he took it in twice for blown head gaskets and they knew he had a programmer on it. Threating to void a warrenty and accutally voiding one are two diffrent things. And as far as the programmer being detecable, the soft code thrown after programming goes away after a couple drive cycles and is the same code that you see on a vehicle after the battery has been disconnected. As a matter of fact if you go scan new fords on the dealership floor I'd be willing to bet that you'll find the same code.

I understand that he is upset, but I think he is directing his frustration at the wrong people.

If only trucks with Hypertech tuning were blowing head gaskets then I could see how someone could see this as Hypertech's problem. But the truth of the matter is the 6.0 has be rittled with problems.

[Darnell@hypertech]

Originally Posted by ljr869

I can tell Hypertech sucks just by looking at their website. And I would never buy a programmer from a company that doesn't specialize in diesel. Not to mention that deplorable attitude toward customer service.

What suggestions do you have for the website? Also any comments in regards to customer service would be appreciated.

[sewerzuk]

Originally Posted by FionaThe02PSD

Why do you need to unlock it? Doesn't it unlock when the program is changed back to stock?

Nope. When you plug the hyperpac in for the first time, it "marries" itself to your truck. Even if you return the truck to stock, the hyperpac will not work on any other computer unless it is sent back to Hyperpac to be reset. They charge $250 for this service, plus shipping both ways.

[sewerzuk]

Originally Posted by Darnell

As the OP said stock 6.0s are notorious for blowing head gaskets. This isn't something that can be blamed on the programmer. Also as the OP said the dealership didn't void his warranty even thought he took it in twice for blown head gaskets and they knew he had a programmer on it. Threating to void a warrenty and accutally voiding one are two diffrent things. And as far as the programmer being detecable, the soft code thrown after programming goes away after a couple drive cycles and is the same code that you see on a vehicle after the battery has been disconnected. As a matter of fact if you go scan new fords on the dealership floor I'd be willing to bet that you'll find the same code.

I understand that he is upset, but I think he is directing his frustration at the wrong people.

If only trucks with Hypertech tuning were blowing head gaskets then I could see how someone could see this as Hypertech's problem. But the truth of the matter is the 6.0 has be rittled with problems.

My dealer has been upfront and honest with me from day one. I in no way felt like they "threatened" me with voiding my warranty. They simply stated that they haven't seen recurring blown head gaskets after changing them with the updated gasket and bolts. The fact that I blew my head gaskets a 2nd time while running the Hyperpac was sufficient evidence that the programmer was causing the problem. I happen to agree with them.

The "soft code" you mention IS evidence that a programmer was installed...and I wasn't told about it when I called before buying the Hyperpac. That is why I felt that I was being given misinformation. The code may be set for other reasons, but as I stated in my original post, the mechanics at the Ford dealership aren't dumb. And I find it difficult to lie when I'm asked a straight question. Hyperpac should be telling their customers that this code is set, ESPECIALLY when they ask.

Where would you suggest I constructively direct my frustration? I'm not happy with the failures of the truck, but my dealership has been working to correct them. If Hyperpac had been as helpful then perhaps I would not have started this thread. After all, I did call to try to resolve this before posting this.

Darnell, do you work for Hyperpac? If so, feel free to PM me to discuss this. I was under the impression from the last person that I spoke to that Hyperpac wanted nothing to do with my problems.

[4P- 99 350]

Iboughtthe Hyperpac for my '99 F350 & had a good experience up until recently. I came across a great deal on a '03 so I bought it & eventually sold my '99. I got the unit because of the engine monitoring feature (simple install w/ 5 guages in one compact unit). I was lead to believe that it would transfer like other programmers. Also an article written in DIESELPOWER magazine August 2006 (Vol. 2, No. 6) pp.127- they write that "You can change the settings if you ever get a diffrent truck". A bit misleading in my opinion, I'm sure DIESELPOWER mag got their info from Hypertech.
I called customer service & asked about my dilemma. I was told the unit should be considered like an exhaust or intake, etc... Well actually I pulled the exhaust off my '99 & installed most of it on my '03 (not a lot of diffrence past the down pipe). I to was directed to a "super" although no one was rude they were in-different. I'm gonna pay the $250+ to get it unlocked, But I will not recommend/endorse Hypertech . Every other manf. Of programmers can be recycled, Hypertech wants to stick ya with an extra charge. Hope it is worth it.