I may very well end up pulling the plug on the Banks tuner and speedloader this weekend. (SNIP) i may as well just remove the entire system. It doesn't matter at this point. Ford has not responded to my certified letter stating the VA lemon law and are past their alotted time by VA law. The lawyer states that I will get back every payment made and every penny spent on accessories. I will have to pay the Ford mileage penalty from the time I picked up the truck until the first time I took the truck to the dealer for problems. No big deal. This will not be a buy-back since when it goes to court Ford is obligated to refund my payments, down payment and pay off the loan. I can then start over. I guess I need to start thinking about what I will buy this time. I'm not sure it will be a Ford. And I will definitely NOT buy a Gale BAnks product.

 

Thanks on the oil info- that’s comforting. Does the intercooler ever “fill up” with oil? I would imagine that since the intake and outlet tubes are 12 inches from the bottom, there must be some amount that collects down in the bottom. My truck is in the shop now for miscellaneous items- fan clutch, reflash, tow-haul shifting problems, and I’m having them check to make sure the amount of oil in the intake is not excessive. That first Dealer is going to get a nice letter explaining why I prefer to drive 30 miles and do business with Dealer #2, when Dealer #1 is 1 mile from my house.

As far as the warranty goes, I ‘m with you- I was told by the local Ford rep that only the items replaced with non-Ford were “void”- that’s why I was so uipset with dealer #1. The only exception is for the fuel box- if they see it is installed, they will do their best to deny any related problems- blown turbo, melted pistons, etc.

As for the banks… well… I think I will widen up the hole in the dash where the switch was and install an oil pressure gauge, ammeter, or voltmeter. Looks like there is enough room for it. What I’m trying to say, is that I won’t be permanently installing the Banks again. I’ll put it in long enough to get it to the dyno for a comparison with the SCMT, then decide if I want to keep it. Right now, I really don’t want the thing in my truck- especially since the SCMT worked so well.

 

I'm switching from banks to an edge. What do you guys think a six gun, speed loader, and egt gauge are worth as they are six months old. I paid like 950 for it new

 

I contacted my Gale Banks distributor today and spoke to the owner directly instead of relying on Gale Banks' customer service in CA. I told him i thought it was extremely poor customer service to not spend the five minutes to disconnect the Banks speedloader and tuner for me considering the amount of $ I had spent at his place of business. He agreed and will disconnect it for me tomorrow. One small hurdle crossed and my lawyer is happy that I didn't have to do it myself.

I had to get a ride to work today because the truck just sat in the driveway and surged, sputtered, shook and smoked like a locomotive. I just turned the key off and left the thing sit with the doors unlocked so maybe someone will steal (SNIP)...if they have nuts enough to drive it.

I called the Ford North American Customer Relations Center...again.

Should I buy another Ford when all this is over??????

 

I have read this entire thread and i'm confused about your situation(i also have some Banks stuff on my 04).
You state that you want to remove the Banks items so that you can prove to the dealer that its not the Banks items causing your problems.
Yet, you are saying that all you want to do is unplug the 6-gun.
Don't you think the presence of the red powdercoated high ram, bigger boost tubes and intercooler are enough ammunition for the dealer or rep to still point the finger at you and the Banks gear?
Am i missing something?

I was actually going to finally buy a tuner/module for X-mas and all this info is swaying me far away from the 6-gun and anything Banks.

Keep us updated please. Especially since the Banks ford rep (Tomas) kept telling me how solid their warranty is and how if Ford would't fix stuff that they would. Hardy-har-har...........

 

loonatic,

I didn't install the intercooler and related items. All I have on my truck is the tuner, speedloader and monster exhaust. Banks claims a larger intercooler is not needed on '04 6.0 trucks unless you plan to haul bulldozers up and down the Rockys every day.

Also, let me say that I was perfectly happy with the Gale Banks products themselves, but the customer support is horrible. I thought they would help me out with the problem we all know is Ford's, but they turned their back on me. All I wanted was for their installing distributor to disconnect the product I bought from them and they installed (I'm a busy guy) since my lawyer said it was best for me to not touch the install (no saying I installed or disconnected it wrong). They would not give me anything...not even 5 minutes to do the disconnect. And LOL getting them on the phone and then returning your calls. They said if I wanted to remove the tuner they would check it, but it was a waste of time because they have no problem. The fact is that told me the same things they are telling you until I spent serious $$$. Then it was "so sorry"! I can't imagine what would happen if my Transmission or driveline had a problem for some reason due to some error of theirs. It is obvious they would just shrug their shoulders.

Get a diablo prdator, edge or superchips that you can plug in and have increased pereformance, erase codes, unplug and throw it on the workbench in your garage when it's time to take it to the dealer for one of the many problems you are likely to have with a 6.0!

I'll keep you posted.

 

Why even install that stuff until after your bumper to bumper is up? I handle diesel claims everyday, and Ill be the first to turn you away. Why? Because its not original. So there is no proof that the problem is not related. And when a warranty claim is denied, guess who eats that repair...the dealership. Thus you have learned. alll the toys are great to have, when you pay the repair.

 

I'll tel you what, ramsey; if you could fix the damn truck , I'd pay you but you can't-- that's why you handle claims. It's about honesty. you turn away claims with full knowledge that the poor (SNIP) with the problem is getting screwed? And another thing, In my state it is on the manufacturer (Ford) to prove the add-on caused the problem not the other way around. And you would think someone with the reputation of Gale Banks would back up their product when Ford doesn't take responsibility for a well documented problem. Why you think the supporters of this website provide such products? Because they are fun and they serve a purpose. That's why!

I learned my lesson...don't buy a POS 6.0 diesel because jerks who process claims want to try and save a multi-billion dollar company a few hundred bucks, look for some excuse to not take responsibility for their problems and (SNIP) poor customer who worked his (SNIP) off for the down payment on your (supoposed to be) dependable product!

 

Most of the issues as MY04Beast stated were pre-existing issues. I too had a pre-existing issue on mine and waited 8 months to put the module in while the "engineers" or maybe I should call them idiotears because all they do is listen and don't address the issue with what little knowledge they have. The only reason I finally installed an aftermarket product is because weasels like you cannot figure out what is wrong with the truck to begin with and people like me figure maybe another companies computer chip will fix what Ford can't figure out. Banks did increase my fuel mileage and idle issues so I am not mad at them. Sorry if this is too harsh Tim and fellow Ford owners, this post has me a little fired up.

 

Not to bust Ramseys ***** too much but i sincerely believe that any and all 6.0 FMC claim adjusters should have to own and drive a 6.0 personally.
Wouldn't that be interesting ?

You think we would all be getting the same song and dance about issues we are having?

 

Geez Louise,
I am truly glad I bought a 2003 in September of last year! I got a reflash in July and installed my Superchip 1704, that was delivered to my door from my friends at MotorHaven...thank you very much!! I plugged it in, followed the prompts and in 10 minutes, YeeHaaaaaaa!!!
I returned the program to stock (a 7 minute deal), and took the truck in for the 18,000 oil & fuel filter swaps, then put the tune back in again(another 7 minutes).
That's it! Nothing to see or disconnect, reset the codes and now at about 23,000 miles and no problems!
Oh, my overall mpg is now 15.86 (actual computations) and has continues to slowly climb. I paid $401 delivered to my door, and I see there is now a pretty deep discount available from MotorHaven on their tuners.
This seems like a win/win to me.
John Russell

 

You shouldn't have installed performance products on a motor that was having "pre-existing issues" or while under warranty. Thats comparable to supercharging a motor that needs a rebuild - nothing good will come of it.

If you want to go play, than pay for it yourself. Ford and International's products were not designed to run w/ 500 HP and 800 TQ due to aftermarket advanced timing, agressive fuel curves, and increased boost. All they have to do is explain this and you will be hung out to dry.

Personally I will make sure there are no problems with mine and that all potential bugs have been worked out before I consider using an aftermarket product on my truck. My rig isn't even broken in with 4500 miles on it (fuel mileage just keeps getting better, running smoother)

No aftermarket products = no warranty problems!

You painted yourself into this corner.

 

[QUOTE=Customz]You shouldn't have installed performance products on a motor that was having "pre-existing issues" or while under warranty. Thats comparable to supercharging a motor that needs a rebuild - nothing good will come of it.

If you want to go play, than pay for it yourself. Ford and International's products were not designed to run w/ 500 HP and 800 TQ due to aftermarket advanced timing, agressive fuel curves, and increased boost. All they have to do is explain this and you will be hung out to dry.

Personally I will make sure there are no problems with mine and that all potential bugs have been worked out before I consider using an aftermarket product on my truck. My rig isn't even broken in with 4500 miles on it (fuel mileage just keeps getting better, running smoother)

No aftermarket products = no warranty problems!
You painted yourself into this corner.[/QUOTE


I guess some of us have confidence in American ingenuity and honesty in their claims and products. Also some confidence in their honesty to make good on a condition the consumer THOUGHT had been fixed. I also didn't think that a truck with 5,000 miles on it would be compared to a motor that needs a re-build. Make sure you remember this Customz when your 6.0 (SNIP) and you go through the same run-around some of us have. And I'll make sure I let you know when FMC pays for not only my truck, but ALL the accessories I've put on it INCLUDING the Banks system.

Don't insult my intelligence. I've messed with race cars and diesel engines for 25 years and i currently manage a nation-wide fleet of trucks for a leasing company. I worked for an UPFITTING company for 13 years. I know trucks and I know warranty procedures.

Make sure you send your sentiments to the sponsors of this fine website!

 

The problem is that Ford's and International's product (THE POS 6.0) wasn't designed. It was thrown together in an effort to stay ahead of the ISUZU/GM Duramax. Check out the problems yourself. Good luck!

 

Might seem that way to you; but mine, IMO, has held up quite well considering the literal HELL that it receives every hour of every day I drive it.