Quote "No expert but I think that some of us are real picky"
I don't think so.
I think there are two sides to the majority of complaints. The software flash and the hardware issue.
I think that if you test drove a truck that had not been reflashed you had a great truck that was quieter, quick and minimally smoked. After the flash people noticed the change. People higher altitudes noticed an even larger change. People who test drove and bought trucks that were already flashed did not know the truck was more powerful, quieter, or smoked less so they were happy with their purchase. Many of them are happy and if they get the latest flash bonus, more power. From their perspective, the truck is great, but those who knew what is was like before are more ready to complain. They know what the engine sounded like before pilot injection was disabled by the flash.
Now for hardware issue. It is assumed by some that pilot injection caused the injectors to fail prematurely, the software (actually this really called firmware I think) caused this hardware problem, which blows up motors if unchecked. Some peoples engines survived longer which is inconsistant. Some had newer flashes and or injectors so they had no problems.
So is it bad? Yes, because ford has had problem after problem and reflash after bad reflash. I think people are scared that thier engine will blow up because of injector failier, maybe just after warranty. Reliablilty and longevity is one reason to pay $5000 more but Ford has cast doubt because of these software problems and the injector problems which seem to be tied.
Ford may have fixed the injector problem, but at the expense removing the pilot injection. Some people don't care about the noise. Some people do, me being one of them. I don't think that is being picky. The Chevy is fairly quiet. and the Ford should have been as well. Now after I purchase it they are going to make it noisier. I take issue to this and this is one of the reasons I complain. So to say people are picky may have to do more with the expectiation set at the time you test drove the truck than with the reflash problems. If Ford would have reflashed the truck and gave it more power or reflashed it and stated, to gain more power the reflash also creates a little more smoke and noise and a little lower fuel mileage. This problably would have made the reflash issues easier to swallow but to take away power, increase objectional smoke and increase noise and reduce fuel milage doesn't sit well many people. I am one of them.
The hardware issues like the transmission leak can be fixed but because dealerships did not follow proceedure they sometimes caused more problems than they fixed. Hardware problems have only exasterbated the image that these trucks have problems. Sure they can be fixed but after your truck has been in the shop for a long time for flashes or other issue then you have to deal with a hardware issue, it makes people mad.
Originally posted by cdtruckn This engine has only 2 problems mechanically, 1 has been revised (bad injectors) the 2nd is the rear main seal leak that is still a mystery for engineers. the other mechanical failures (turbos,engine seizers) can be blamed on fuel in the oil from the injectors. Navstar designed the 6.0 engine for ford, ford designed the electronics and program for this engine, Now my truck ran perfect with the original calibration, the big problem is that ford must not had some of the (real world) problems in testing (ropping idle, smoking on startup) both of these are fuel injector related problems. the reason i know this is that Iv had both of these problems with my big rig truck when I over fuel it to get more HP, we call it loping, ford panic with these trucks and tryed to fix it with programing change. In my opinion the engine is just fine, thy need to work on the programing now that the injectors are fixed. just my 2 cent's Worth.
CD when you say they fixed the injectors are you refering to the fact they overrode the pi or the creation of the c95s that have now replaced all of your c94s. Thanks
Ford disabled pilot injection because of the roping idle problem, my truck never did that and never smoked. I under stand your frustration because I'm frustrated also, I call ford once a week about MPG and PI the advantage I have is that Ivied owned diesels for a very long time and injectors are always an issue with fuel in the oil and electrolysis, (DCA level in the coolant to prevent electrolysis) I always check the oil level every time I fuel up. this is a must for any engine to catch any problem before it destroys the engine. given time ford will figure it out. and as soon as i get my hands on a may calibration I will recalibrate my own truck.
If it has tits or wheels your gona have problems with it
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2004 F350 Lariat 6.0 PSD Crew/C 4X4 DRW (sold) To Make Room for a 2007 3500 Silverado CC DRW Duramax
