Hey guys, new here. I'm looking for the most cost effective unit to run diagnostics on a 6.0. specifically I want to be able to run injector buzz tests and cylinder/injector contribution tests. My understanding is that AE doesn't do the contribution test very accurately, and I can't justify $1500+ for IDS. I would consider an IDS clone if I could count on it actually working. Are there any handheld units or tablet based platforms able to do a full range of testing? I don't believe I will need to do any programming, although I wouldn't mind recalibrating the DTE range if I do switch to a titan tank.

Any advice will be appreciated.

 

Forscan Or forscan lite for cell phone. You will need obd11 Bluetooth or Wi-Fi for Apple. Forscan for Windows is free. For cellphone about app is $4.99. Bluetooth adapter around 25$ on Amazon. Diagnostics and code reading are the best for these trucks.

 

Forscan is great, so is Torquepro, they just don't do cyl contribution tests. This is key to injector troubleshooting.

 

Forscan full version for Windows will do a contribution test. I have not done it myself personally on my truck. But you can go to the forscan Forum and sure that they can Enlighten you on how to go about doing it. Not sure forscan Lite will do this. But it's something to look into

 

https://forscan.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=935

Now I'm guessing you need to do like I did an join there forum and request a temp licence for full. Pro version for windows. They give it to me and I have to this day.
That will give you access to pro and dealership trouble shooting and reprogramming abilities.

 

Cyl Contribution / power balance scores:

AE = Garbage
Forscan = Russian Garbage
Snap On = "ok"
Autel = less than "ok"
IDS = excellent

 

What about the Encore? If I could pick up a used one for cheap locally I would.

 

Encore, now owned by Bosch who do quite a bit on the Ford IDS, is "ok" --- I don't recommend used as this world is moving pretty quickly and you'll get left behind fast...........I've found that the OEM tools (I own/license Ford, GM, Toyota, Honda, etc) are vastly superior to the aftermarket "me toos".......................it's not even close.

 

At this point, I think I'm just gonna buy a Bluetooth obd scanner and if I suspect an injector I will just load up the parts Cannon and blast away until it is fixed. I can't justify 2 grand for a scan tool, when I can replace all 8 injectors for 2 grand. The contribution test is pretty much the only thing I can't do with other methods.

 

Here's a good thread to review on FTE...............very useful info:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-question.html

 

Haha that sums it up

 

You left this out.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ids-clone.html