I wonder if there is any history of a truck doing what yours did that was stock? If so, what caused it and could that be linked to your truck? Maybe an OASIS search for this issue is in order? If not you can bet you will be on your own for sure! As for Banks, after reading what I have read concerning what Banks has said about warranty and after seeing what has been posted here I will never add a Banks product to any vehicle I own.

I will stick with SCMT or the like from Motorhaven. At least with these products you know where you stand if something fails, no hidden or false promises of warranty, good customer service and at least they are willing to talk to people (like Vic does).

I still think you should go to a news org. I think they may be interested in a story that has you stuck between two corporate giants. Yes, Ford has a responsability to prove to you what caused the failure but if you can't show that it has happened before that may leave ford off the hook and put Banks on it to the point an attorney may take it on contingency, just be prepared for the question you will hear over and over "sir, surely you must have known that you were putting your motor at risk by adding these mods, doesn't that make you responsible?".

I would also start looking for any info where banks states they have a warranty against this type of thing and in the mean time I have a feeling you will have to foot the repair bill or let your truck sit for a while.
Good luck

 

For all of you who have had a problem with warranty claims, I am sorry for you, but it is too late. You have an uphill battle.

For those of you who haven't, READ YOUR WARRANTY! Don't believe me. Go get some independent warranty advice from a professional. If you haven't put a mod on your truck yet, consider the warranty implications before you do. No body makes you put mods on your truck.

Consider the fact that people who manufacture and sell aftermarket products will tell you almost anything to get you to buy their product. Some worse than others. Remember the saying, "Let the buyer beware!".

 

I have been following this thread as I'm considering the banks for my new 05 truck. I have had a banks chip on my old 97 and had no problems.

So i'm very disappointed that banks is not helping you in any form or fashion. This has to be a powerful site, and negative reviews will have to affect their sales. If they truly beleive that their product did not impact on the cause, why arn't they trying to prove that?

 

SBV45,
Why do you keep pointing out the obvious? Uphill battle, personal responsibility? I don't know for sure but I'm willing to bet that darn few of the folks on this site got the money to buy their trucks from rich daddies. No, they are responsible people working hard to earn their money, provide for their children and maybe even indulge their hobbies.
Fighting a warranty denial does not mean one is irresponsible, it means they are demanding that Ford and the aftermarket live up to their responsibilities. Ford would be within its rights to write a warranty that specifically voided the engine coverage if any mods are made. They did not do this; they wrote a warranty that says parts that are damaged by mods are not covered. Clearly that means that a determination of what caused the damage must be made. All that Sand King has asked for is the data that supports that determination. Hardly an unreasonable or irresponsible request. As for Banks, they clearly state in their literature that they don't and won't sell anything that hurts the durability of the base vehicle. They should at least be pursuing the cause of failure in this case.

 

I never posted that anyone was irresponsible or got their money from rich daddies. You read a whole bunch into something I didn't write.

As far as your interpretation of the warranty goes, show me a case where Ford has had to fullfill a warranty claim originally denied, where a performance device was used.

What Banks puts out it sales pitch.

 

Sad but true people!

 

I think that Steve keeps pointing it out because people keep modding their vehicles and bringing them back for repair with mods or signs of mods left in and are then surprised when Ford denies the claim.

We see this all too frequently unfortunately.

It's much better for Ford to have their staff or contract lawyers - who they are paying anyway whether they're in court or not - spend time fighting someone over their $6,000 claim. Even if they lose, they've probably made the next 100 guys think twice about going to court to try to beat them. And that's a pretty good return on their legal dollar.

Am I saying you shouldn't take your modded 6.0 in to the dealer and try to get them to cover it under warranty when it tosses its cookies - no not at all. I am saying reload the stock tune or remove your fueling box, etc., don't leave the owner's manual for your tuner laying on the passenger's seat, and so on. Don't give them an obvious excuse for denying the warranty claim.

 

Thanks Daryl, that is on the money.

 

I think getting the Ford and Banks to duke it out is exactly what needs to happen. They are both counting on you not having the stamina to press the issue. Banks has the most to lose. Ford has an out ... a modified engine with a Banks product. They also probably have a data base that has few if any piston melt downs on the 6.0 on stock engines. I think your best bet is for Banks to prove that it's product did not cause the problem. From the limited knowledge I have on motors and tuners, I would say Banks is responsible for this event, unless the unit was not being used correctly or was improperly installed.

 

Steve,
Sorry if I'm reading things into your posts. I just got the impression that you were implying that the folks with problems that went to the dealers expecting more than a visual notice of a tuner as justification for a denial were somehow expecting someone else to pick up the tab for their mistakes. Maybe that's because I find it hard to believe that anyone reading this (or several other) threads could still be oblivious to the risk they take by modding. No offense intended.
As for examples of Ford backing down; I have not heard of a single case. I have read one thread here or on the diesel stop where a guy got the dealer to accept his claim. He went home after the initial denial and faxed the dealer a letter asking them to explain what engine parameters were exceeded, who found the codes and who determined they were out of limits and caused by a modification. The dealer apparently called back within an hour and decided to honor the claim. Wish there were more examples like that!
Daryl,
I agree with all the points you make. Sometimes removing evidence of a mod is not so easy though. And personally, I don't like the idea of having to be deceptive just to get a fair shake.

 

I am going to send this thread to Banks and tell them there are potential customers who would like to hear their views. I bet they don't respond.

 

I'd be surprised if they aren't keeping up with every post! Sometimes I wonder if that is why I have not heard back from the sales rep who sent me the brochure.

 

I'm sure you're right. Well if they believe in their products and their warranty they could go a long way to earn more loyal customers buy commenting on this forum. I'm sure they have attorneys who will tell them not to. Oh well, I'll see what SCMT has to offer.

 

Wouldn't it be grand if on one of these shows on the speed channel or these magazine interviews, someone would ask, "we hear Ford is denying warranty claims on modified engines without determining the actual cause of the failure?" Or, "we hear Banks is leading people to believe that their products are good for their engines and then not providing any support or advice at all when pistons melt?"

 

I absolutely think this should make it to the national and/or local news media, what a better story 2 goliaths fighting one poor customer after promising he'd be covered... Truck mods have to be a billion dollar a year buisness and this could affect the whole industry.

As for modding and who is responsible this is the way I see it, if I mod my truck which is under warranty with an item that is advertised 'if installed and used correctly is safe" and the truck blows I am fully responsible if I did not use it correctly (IE: towing in max mode without gauges) but if the unit design caused the failure then the mod company is at fault or if that worked within it's specs and the vehicle did not handle what it should have then the vehicle company is at fault. The problem is getting someone to step up and say what failed and why.
This is where you need to make it as painful (or potential pain) for both Ford and Banks as it is for you. Maybe a call to Clark Howard consumer show or the like?
Maybe it is time to find an independant diesel shop to look at the motor (like an international dealer or a shop authorized to repair them) that may be sympathetic to your plight. In any case it all boils down to what failed. As for the argument that if you mod your truck you are responsible no matter what I say; what if you changed your tires from what was stock and one blew out causing you to roll over and totalling your truck? Would you be responsible because you put non manufacturer supplied tires on? No, you would look at the tire company and the manufacturer to see why that happened ala firestone.

My guess from my limited study/reading on the Banks product is that it most likely is the failure point due to overfuel which can melt pistons.

Also, I am wondering why PSD6.0 has not weighed in on this yet? I'll bet he has some knowledge that would be quite helpful here!