I've seen a ton of "blown motor" posts on several boards lately. It sounds like the problem is the plug getting blown out of the head. Is this the same cause in each case or are there different problems each time? It seems like if its the same problem, the tuners *hint hint* could come up with a preventative solution. I read something somewhere about a procedure that strengthens the plug sockets.

Suggestions ... ?

 

What melts pistons "besides NOS" is running TOO LEAN (chips fault, not Ford) or TOO MUCH TIMING (chips fault, Not Fords). This is exactly why these trucks respond so well to being chipped in the first place.

How else would we be gaining 30+ horsepower with just a chip??? Ford was conservative with the timing and fuel so the trucks would be reliable for the average daily driver customer.

Everybody around here wants 100% reliablilty, but then they want to turn around and race their truck and push the tune to the limit and then cuss Ford when the truck breaks.

I'm not saying I wouldn't be pissed if my truck blew up, and I'm not real big on Ford voiding warranties, but like it has been said a thousand times before.

you gotta pay to play

in racing, stuff breaks.

don't mod your truck if you cant afford the risk in the long run, because there obviously IS A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF RISK.

sorry, I'm not trying to preach or rant, but some folks just aren't in touch with reality.

later,
chris

 

First: Just a reminder that FORD at ALL levels reads these boards.

Second: What I want from Ford is fair treatment. They are the experts. Using the background and tools available do a prompt accurate diagnosis and use LOTS of common sense. Even John Force deserves good customer service.

When the intercooler goes out Sparkplugs and o2 Sensors should be part of the recall... Antifreeeze does BAD things to both.

If my engine has a sparkplug that FLYs out of the head and the SAME thing has happened to LOTS of other 5.4 motors modded and not then in my mind the problem is fundamentally Fords design ( either manufaturing or installation are both design issues ) and is not related to the mods if any.

If my drivers seat is falling apart from the inside and foam pieces are all over the carpet it has NOTHING to do with a chip or filter... The seat should last 3/36 before self destucting.

If a shock starts leaking there is no mod or type of normal driving that should make a shock leak in under 10,000 miles...

I would never ask Ford to help with my tire wear issues cause they are only related to the way I drive. I would never ask them to fix rock dings in paint cause they are only related to where and how I drive.

These are Fords flagship sports vehicles. They are marketed to hard driving enthusiasts.... Ford shouldnt be surprised if their marketing works...

Ok you get the point....

Doug

 

Good advice! When I go to pick my truck up after some warranty work is done (foglamps ) I tell the service writer to call the tech who did the work on my truck, to the service writer's desk. When he arrives I thank him for taking care of my truck and shake his hand, usually with me palmin a 20. He will remember me and my truck. With that said, if I ever have motor trouble I would surely pull thechipfilterandpully!!!!

 

I was all set to plop down my $ for my chipnfilter combo. I'm having second thoughts now.

I don't necessarily believe that these problems are being caused by the mods, but i really don't need my warranty voided in the event of problems. I've seen similar posts to this one coming up more and more lately, and with each time I think maybe it's just best to leave well enough alone (at least until the warranty expires, anyway!).

As far as removing all the mods before going to the dealer goes, this isn't always practical. If your motor implodes on I-whatever 200 miles from home, having it dragged back to your driveway first may not be an option.

I want to mod SO BAD, but now I'm scared. I guess that's what Ford wants.

 

I'll tell you what! I am getting REALLY tired of the mis-information being pushed around this board...

A lot of you are bringing pessimistic ASSUMPTIONS forth as fact. Those that don't know any better get cheated by Ford and you.

JD- The FACT that you own and use the mods listed by Ford as the cause is not enough for them to LEGALLY void your warranty under the Moss MAgnuson act. They MUST prove in a court of law that these parts CAUSED the failure. This is more expensive to Ford than just fixing the problem. However, you must make it look as if you intend to force their hand to get the appropriate action.

Keep in mind that Ford MAY successfully prove that the mods caused the problem, but they MUST do so in a court of law, to LEGALLY void your warranty. I do believe that there is a subsatntial pebalty to Ford if they fail to prove the parts caused the failure... I'm pretty sure they have to cover YOUR and THEIR court costs, and fees and the like... THere may even be a penalty... You should get a lawyer, he will know better if you have a case to present in court.

If you choose not to get a lawyer and go to court, that is YOUR decision, and Ford will LET you walk away from YOUR warranty.

Does anyone know if there are any blown motors that were not modded? The cross section of this board is NOT a good indicator... Most people (who have modded) have done so BECAUSE of information they learned from this board, so MOST people on this board will have modded their truck. MOST people who DON'T mod their truck aren't even on this board!!! So we won't get any good statistics from this board....

What difference does it make? Ford sold me a truck that is SUPPOSED to perform at a certain level. If I'm not allowed to floor it while I am driving, they should let me know that BEFORE they void my warranty, and BEFORE they sell me the truck! ESPECIALLY if I HAVEN'T modded it!!!!

No. Not true. Ford needs MORE. Read the Moss Magnusion Act. Ford MUST PROVE in a court of law.... yadda yadda....

Ever notice all the head shops in various states? You are PERMITTED (in most states) to own drug paraphelia.... You just CANNOT use drugs or the paraphenalia WITH drugs.

The courts cannot just punish you for USING drugs or possesion just because you own the paraphenalia. It IS cause for suspicion tho..., and you will be watched more often, and you WILL get caught more easily... But the paraphenelia is NOT enough evidence to prosecute use.

And MAYBE... just MAYBE... 17k was all she could give STOCK... and therefore FOrd is at fault, and he SHOULD be covered by warranty. If not, Ford must PROVE the mods did the damage.

Now.. if he had EXTREME mods.... EXTREME chip programming, EXTREME Pulley configuration, and/or EXTREME traction devices... then it MIGHT appear that the mods were at fault...

Do you naysayers realize how many MODDED NON- BLOWN Lightning motors are out there? More that are modded and NOT blown than there are that ARE blown. EXCELLENT argument... AGAINST Ford's SUPPOSITION that the mods caused the failure.

TRUE!!! Why even let Ford get tempted? I agree here... even though it's not always easy... Now... if Ford would play fair... I would leave mods on... (not that I have any)... as this would make the diagnosis of problems EASIER...

You have a much stronger argument than anyone else on this board.... I ALSO want to point out that the L IS a MODIFIED F150... and Ford warranties it... therefore, it would be difficult to tell the plain jane F150 owner that he can't use an aftermarket filter or other minor mods....?

Nope... not true... a K&N filter is permitted to use to increase the performance of the truck. The Moss Magnusson Act was SPECIFICALLY written and adopted to PERMIT owners to use parts other than the manufacturer, (especially oils, and filters and the like) to promote competition, and free trade.

100 hp? no... 10%? Well.... Ford SHOULD factor in typical engineering safety measures...

Ok... flame away!!!!

 

To those that say, "Good, I hope they void your warranty, you are raising the cost of my next vehicle..."

F that. You live in a very strange world if you think the individual consumer gets a leg up on Ford very often, if ever. I can guarantee that Ford has screwed more people out of warranty work that 100% deserve than us Lightning owners could ever dream of in our lifetime. I am sorry, but I have a REAL hard time feeling sorry for Ford here.

Think of all the people that bought Thunderbirds in the '80s. I am sure they warrantied all those cars, right?

Yea, I thought so.

 

It's boring reading but here ya go.... http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/...y/undermag.htm
:o

 

I hear a lot of internet lawyers throwing around the "Moss Magnussen Act", but is there any precedent where an owner got over on Ford after they modded their truck, blew it up, and Ford voided the warranty? I may be wrong, but somehow I don't think Ford is quaking in their boots at the mention of this scary consumer protection act.

 

hmmm.... Guess I'll take the OBVIOUS compliment... Deserved? Intended? Doesn't matter to me... !

I would bet that due to sheer numbers, over the course of the companies lifetime... yes... But I doubt you'll hear of it or find record of it easily.

No, the exec's probably aren't... but as soon as someone takes a case like this to that level, they WILL. Read the act. Ford has a LOT more to lose than the consumer does. But then again, Ford has a lot more reserve too.

I think a corporate lawyer will tell you that this act DOES have a major impact on Ford's decisions concerning warranty issues. But only when the lawyers get involved.

The execs don't know and don't care, until it gets down to brass tacks... Why would they? It's in their best interest to convince you to walk away from your rights, and they save LOTS of money.

I guess the BIG question is whether the piggyback style chip would be considered an aftermarket replacement part... and then again... I would suspect that a GOOD consumer lawyer would argue that it SHOULD be considered "aftermarket replacement programming", and therefore fits within the spirit of the act...

 

I don't understand how ford can void your warranty for chips and filters and such when there are ford dealers advertising and selling these same mods. If my engine blows I can tell you that I personally would retain a lawyer and point out to ford that the cost of litigation would be far more exspensive than a new motor. No idle threats here just true disclosher.

 

LD,

I wasn't pointing you out individually. I've just heard a lot of people using the Moss Magnussen Act as some sort inalienable right to modify their engines any way they want and villify Ford or any other manufacturer for not "standing by their product" later as if anything JDM, JL or PSP sells is Ford's product. I'm just not sure at this point how much of the Moss Magnussen Act has become urban legend.

OrlandoSVT,

My guess as to why some dealerships cover some mods are because they install it and maybe they don't push the limits of the tune as far as maybe JDM, JL or PSP do? I really have no idea, just a thought.

 

ILL_SVT-

I agree 100%!

 

Hey roach and some of you others who take the stance of "if you play you gotta pay" - go out and scratch the goo off the pcm chip port of your mod-less trucks if you believe ford is so fair and that the warranty system is so perfect. Then when your truck has probs come back and post that your warranty has been voided and that you are ok with it because the cost of your next truck will be lower since ford saved $$ on not paying your claim.

 

UM, OK