What is the final word on returning tune to stock tune?
Can we be confident that it does not leave detectable codes or a trail that can be used by Ford to void our warranty on motor/trans. ?

Can Diablo give us this assurance. If so, how complicated is it to return to the tune to stock? Can a rank amateur (like me) do this with ease? How long does it take?

In reading all the posts it has convinced me that this could be a way of gertting back what they took away from me on the Dec. Flash.

Hurry up, I need some answers, I am getting impatient.

04, 6.0, Super Duty, S.C., Short Bed

 

Hey Superduper..


I installed the Predator just a little while ago.. "SWEET" power/torque improvement (you'll love it) in just the 65 HP tune, but I wanted more MPG as well if possible.. My truck is in stock configuration.. I was also concerned "as you" about the warranty predicament that could result from this mod.. You WILL HEAR about trace codes ect. and the arguement the other way too.. So far, no one seems to be able to give a definite answer either way.. I had to ask my self,, would FORD "really" look!! if there was catastrophic event.. I'm not so sure that our dealer would.. I guess it would depend on all the other mods that may cause them to be suspect. (gauges, exhaust, intake ect.) if you go that way, although a EGT is a very good idea.. I called Motorhaven and asked the trace question myself, and they said to be sure, clear the memory (battery disconnect) "some say" let it sit overnight, and a stock tune before a visit to the dealer.. If I roasted my engine, I would see that the PCM was the "first to die", before a tow to the local Ford.. It is a risk to mod "any" vehicle while under warranty, but the dealerships also MAKE LOTS OF MONEY on warranty work.. They may not look that hard for the cause.. I'm not that concerned, and my truck has to go back for the Turbo moan/drone fix when it becomes available if it don't melt down first!!!

The "Dead" giveaway is not trace codes, but the huge grin that will appear when they ask you how it's been running for you!!!

GO for it!!! and be sure to dust you tracks..

 

Retune to stock, use the diagnostic mode to clear codes, no codes when done.

 

Oh... Forgot


The programmers are "very" easy to use, and only take "minutes" to return to stock, or tune for power increases.. Diablo does have a "usage disclaimer" in regards to possible damage to your vehicle using their product, and for warranty issues that may surface as well. These tuners/prorammers are for Offroad/Race applications as Diablo describes.. (Sure) They/Diablo do have a good life/warranty for their product.. Can't beat that, and they do have to cover themselves for the buyers who will abuse this great tool, or not use it as intended!!

 

Diablo replaced my friends ECM twice when their programmer fried each of them. so i guess they have good service.

 

Huh? How did it "fry" them? A programmer can reflash, but not physically burn it out. Contact me privately via the contact link on the front page with more info about him/his truck. I'm going to check into the circumstances of it with Diablo so I have more to go on.

Was it a 6.0? If not, was it a chip?

 

That's a new one on me too :-)

How many "HOT" programs have burned up your pc?

I would venture to say NONE !!!
there are some even saying that the predator is making coolant come out of their engine...

Let's make sure we get cause and effect within the same universe here

there is something ALREADY wrong that caused th problem... the predator just let you SEE it by increasing the need for sped from you !

Almost the same as
I beat the dog because my wife yelled at me !
so it's HER fault !

there may be a relationship there, but the problem is with ME not with my wife !

 

 

Thanks for the info., Hayapower. Question - When you asked MototrHaven about trace codes and they said to "clear the memory". Am I to understand that to mean, disconnecting the truck batteries as a sure way to clear the memory, and then connect Predator and return to stock tune before going to the dealer with my Cheshire grin.?

 

My last questions:
After retune to stock, then utilize another separate mode on the Predator tuner that clears the codes? Does using the "diagnostic mode" require any other special knowledge or instruction?

Thanx

 

These trucks have a KAM (keep alive memory) in the PCM (powertrain control module) that must be mantained with battery voltage.. The diagnostic mode of the Predator "OR" a battery disconnect will erase all the Trouble codes and the PCM will have to relearn its/your driving strategy.. The "scare" here is that Ford may have a hidden program that keeps track of exceeded parameters (speed/trottle/egt/engine temp ect.).. Your owners manual (Introduction/data recording) does make mension of recordable data as far as seatbelts/steering/throttle/speed ect. and a host of other possibilities, that Ford OR any other facility, or say LAW enforcement that could possibly view this info.. The thought behind a "long sleep" or battery disconnect for the system, is that you may miss something that would show up with a scan (trouble code).. When you select Clear Codes from the menu it will erase them all.. And it (The Predator) is very easy to use.. You just have to follow the "screen prompts" as given.. Personally ... I don't think there is a hidden program, no one has been able to prove there is, and I'm sure "by now" that someone would have revealed it if they could.. Especially a Ford tech that may use this site/forum.. It is a personal risk to run any mod, but like I said in my earlier post, I'm not sure that our dealer would look if one excisted...

Should you buy one, and get stuck using it, there are alot of very knowledgable owners/users here that could help..

 

So then it's okay if the dealership makes money and passes the cost on to FoMoCo and, in turn, FoMoCo passes on this cost to the poor saps (like me) buying their products? Can you say FRAUD? I say shame on you.

Gee, sure glad nobody at FoMoCo reads these forums....

 

If you roast your engine through your own fault you should assume responsibility for it. To do anything else wouldn't be right.

That being said, the problem is dealers will often just refuse warranty work when modifications have been made, even if the modification is completely unrelated and/or didn't cause the problem. This type of thing is illegal and protected against by Federal law but fighting Ford can be like fighting city hall.

 

Agreed. Exactly my argument here: Cutting intake fiberglass

 

Shame on me???? Shame on Ford..

If Ford/Navistar had built/designed a better more bullet proof truck and 6.0 engine "BEFORE" releasing it on it's costumers, then the need for warranty WOULD NOT be a problem for me OR you!!! And no more "bait and switch" and remove power with a "new" program, and/or have them run bad, smoke, and get poor mileage as a bonus with their UPDATES..

This truck has stranded me multipal times, and has "cost me" $ in lost time at work.. I lost "ONE" of the reasons that I bought the truck for, and that was the "quite" Idle.. Ford "JUST" removed it without disclosing their intension!!! NOT ONLY did I Lose power, but mileage as well.. ALL the things that Ford was happy to advertise, and hook me into a deal, are not all there anymore.. I bought a programmer to get not only my mileage back, but the power they stole too!!

The "ONLY" money that my truck has cost FOMOCO, is direclty related to their LACK OF QUALITY...

If were talking honesty here...How about having FORD deal up a heeping helping!!!!!!