Is FORD gonna squawk when they see my EDGE fuel management chip? - Diesel Forum

doccrow · 07-02-2009, 09:05 AM

Howdy Folks:

I installed an EDGE fuel-management chip to my 2005 F250 6.0 last year. I haven't taken the truck into the Ford dealership for anything, as I do most of my own maintenance service.

But now I've got an issue (HPOP) that will require me taking the truck in for an expensive warranty issue.

My question: Is the dealership gonna make a big deal out of the fact that I installed this aftermarket chip-set? The cynic is me says they may try to blame my motor problems on the EDGE chip. I know it did not.

In fact, the EDGE chip set, with it's gauge-package, includes a warning beeper if your exhaust manifold temperature skyrockets. This has helped me out many times and alerted me to back off the pedal. I <think> I have avoided burning up the turbo because of this gadget. (Never did get the milage improvement the salesguy promised. That was a pipe-dream.)

A strange thing happens now and then: the turbo just chooses not to spool up and boost. Then the temp SOARS and you lose power. The truck acts sluggish. Then the chipset sounds-off. If you back off the pedal, feather it, get back in it, the turbo usually will kick in, boost applies, and the temp drops. This does not happen often, but it does happen repeatedly.

I just wondered if Ford voided the warranty of folks when they showed up with a Banks, a Bully Dog, Edge etc.

I don't wanna yank this device when I know it's doing me some good.

Can anyone share their experiences on this?

Much obliged.

doccrow

69cj · 07-02-2009, 09:18 AM

Depends on the dealer but if Ford has a field rep review your claim you can bet your warranty will be history.

Ljutic SS · 07-02-2009, 10:35 AM

Read your owners manual about installing aftermarket performance products. Your truck could be branded so that no dealer would do warranty work on it. Do you blame the the auto makers for this?

Minnesota · 07-02-2009, 12:48 PM

All tuners and chips should be required to have a warning in large letters on the package that states that "installing this part will most likely void any factory warrantees on vehicle..." Sort of like the writing on the side of a pack of cigarettes.

I can't believe that people still don't know this.

Gofasterdammit · 07-02-2009, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minnesota

All tuners and chips should be required to have a warning in large letters on the package that states that "installing this part will most likely void any factory warrantees on vehicle..." Sort of like the writing on the side of a pack of cigarettes.

I can't believe that people still don't know this.

Then they wouldn't sell any programers. If a customer saw that, they would probably wait until the truck is out of warranty and by that point they probably won't have the truck or if they do they realize how much diesel repairs out of warranty cost.

Minnesota · 07-02-2009, 02:24 PM

For most of the people who sell them, that would be fine with me. They could go back to being hot dog vendors or whatever they did before they started selling junk. I make an exception to this statement for DP tuners and maybe someone else out there.

EBX · 07-02-2009, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minnesota

For most of the people who sell them, that would be fine with me. They could go back to being hot dog vendors or whatever they did before they started selling junk. I make an exception to this statement for DP tuners and maybe someone else out there.

My X is stock so I don't know much about the chip stuff. Can you just take the tuner out and reprogram the truck back to stock?

Last I looked, to replace the HPOP was just under $3K.

On a side note. Why do you think it is the HPOP?

It sounds more like your turbo unison ring is sticking.

If the HPOP goes, I think you are pretty much stranded.

How many miles on your truck?

cthehentz06 · 07-02-2009, 07:26 PM

I read this in my 6.0 owners guide supplement,

Page 2, Your vehicles powertrain control system can detect and store information about vehicel modifications that increase horsepower and torque output. This information cannot be erased and will stay in the systems memory even if the modification is removed. The information can be retrieved by ford motor company and service and repair facilities when servicing your vehicle. This information "MAY" by used to determine if repairs will be covered be warranty.

Now my truck is a 07' so not sure if the older model years read the same way.

Ljutic SS · 07-02-2009, 10:13 PM

If Ford wanted to make an issue of a suspected chip user the PCM would be pulled and sent out for analysis. This has happened to owners of Dodge and Chevy/GMC trucks who posted this on their forums.

Gofasterdammit · 07-03-2009, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ljutic SS

If Ford wanted to make an issue of a suspected chip user the PCM would be pulled and sent out for analysis. This has happened to owners of Dodge and Chevy/GMC trucks who posted this on their forums.

Actually when a technician hooks up the IDS to the truck and there is a live wi-fi connection (almost all shops have them now), all of the data is sent to Ford automatically. They know what DTC's are present, all the freeze frame data for those DTC's, and the "other half" of data that dealerships cannot access. Engineering admitted this but will not go into detail.

doccrow · 07-03-2009, 07:01 AM

Thank you all for your thoughts on this matter. It's ironic that the EDGE chip-set I have actually helps me drive the truck more prudently. I can read the digital gauges and tell instantly when the EGT is ramping up. The EDGE gauge-pack chirps when EGT hits 1100 degrees. It can train you to drive with the temp down to 800-900. The factory gauges don't give you such good readings. I have never noticed a performance improvement, gas milage improvement, or any improvement for that matter. But the gauge-pack kicks butt. Worth the money? Only if it helps me keep the turbo within acceptable heat ranges.

I put the EDGE chip-set on before I took a trip out to New Mexico to pick up a heavy trailer. I haven't used the truck to hot-rod. But there is no way to prove that, huh?

I suspect HPOP because of the advice I've recieved up here on this diesel forum, and the quick-study I've had to do recently.

syptoms:

2005 6.0: Would not start. First time. Left me stranded. Shut motor off hot. Came back. Tried to start hot. Sputters & fails to run. Over and over we tried this. Then when the motor cooled down, it started.

I called FORD to make appointment. The manager said he's just gonna put fuel filters on the truck and release it. I can do that myself. So I will .

When I start the motor cold, the oil pressure gauge shows no pressure for a longer time than it used to, when the motor starts to run. But when she's running, there is decent pressure.

I've driven the truck for the last couple days and NOT had the same symptom. She is starting hot or cold. I bought the filters, they are not in yet. I don't think it's a fuel filter problem, but they are getting swapped anyways.

I don't believe the EDGE chip-set has created the fail-to-start problem, as I've read from other folks that their trucks had the same problems and they did NOT install aftermarket chipsets. If I understand correctly, it's the HPOP seals and STC fittings that fail. Campingtom and others have had this repaired on their truck.

Also, what about that symptom of noting the turbo just decides to NOT boost and the truck immediately goes into overheat on the EGT? The EDGE chip-set saves my ass everytime that happens, because it chirps, I glance at the gauge, note the higher temp, back off the pedal, feather it some, and back on comes the turbo boost. Anyone else note that ever happening to them?

EBX: I have 47K on this 2005. This is the first thing that has ever gone wrong on the motor.

doccrow

Gofasterdammit · 07-03-2009, 10:10 AM

Fuel filters are not going to fix a high pressure oil leak. It's either a STC fitting or a port plug o-ring that split. Find another dealer.

doccrow · 07-04-2009, 07:20 AM

Agreed GoFaster. Agreed.

I'm gear-head enough to know that myself. <grinning> The dealership I was <dealing> with, is the one that I've purchased two new vehicles over the last several years. I expected better service advice. The service manager looked up my <account?> by my phone number and noted that I do not bring my vehicles into them for regular maintenance. I do the oil changes myself. OK, I did not do fuel filter changes in 45K. Nevertheless, I do not believe I have a fuel filter problem either.

After reading all the posts I can find on this subject, and noting multiple folks pop-up with these same problems, I am coming to the same conclusion: HPOP & STC fittings

If I pull the EDGE chip off, FORD techs can still tell I had a fuel management toy installed, because there's that nice little hole in the exhaust manifold before the turbo. Anyone with a brain can figure that out. Sure, I could install a pyro-meter and run it back to my cab with a gauge. But why lie? If FORD tech toys can read my motor's life history (how hard I revved it and ran it), then they will know this motor has NEVER been bullied or run hard.

But I am coming to the conclusion that the FORD dealerships will say "no" to warranty work on the HPOP or STC, even though the EDGE chip had nothing to do with those pieces of equipment. Do you all see it any other way?

Wish I had you as my diesel tech GoFaster.

peace guys,

doccrow

bismic · 07-04-2009, 08:21 AM

With what you said about EGT's soaring and the turbo not boosting, you most likely have stuck vanes in the turbo also. You should probably pull it and clean it.

Hopefully you bought OEM fuel filters.

How many miles on your truck? Is it 45k and never changed the fuel filters? If so, you are really risking a big bill on injectors. Change fuel filters every 10k.

FMTRVT · 07-04-2009, 09:28 AM

For arguments sake, while your saying the chip had nothing to do with the STC, how do you know the chip did not increase the HPOP pressure leading to failure.

But those fitting have been a source of many problems and it's probably the fitting and nothing to do with the chip.

You also mentioned low oil pressure during startup. It also could be your main oil pressure regulator at the front cover sticking.