Just wondering when the last Flash came out for the 6.0

Mine is an 03 and the last time I got it flashed was in January of 04 on a recall notice
Havent heard of any flashes since then

 

Is it running well after the Jan flash?

 

My stock 04 F350 (3/04 build date) still has the original flash. I regularly get 12-13 mpg around town and it seems to run fine. Do you guys think I should have it updated with the latest flash or would the dealer do it on their own when it's in for other minor warranty related work? If it were updated, would my mileage improve? I'm in CA and the truck now has 8000 miles on it.

 

Sandman,
The dealer WILL no doubt reflash your truck when they have it.
I had the cali flash for a while and with help with a member here i realized its a detuned program to reduce emissions.
I had it re-flashed outside cali with a 49 state flash and it has alot more pep.

 

As has been heavily discussed on this site, it has been strongly recommened, whereby you've not had any problems, you should not allow the dealership to reflash your truck.
It should be noted that the dealership will re-flash without your knowledge, when you bring the truck in for any maintenance. With that said, should you have to take the truck in, insure that the following paragraph is put on the work order you sign.

Not withstanding anything to the contrary contained herein,
I do not authorize any flashing/reflashing of any of this
Truck's computers; This prohibition is of the essence.

 

My truck was in for the tranny recall in April and to my knowledge was not reflashed (no mention on the paperwork or door jamb stickers). I have since obtained and OASIS report from http://www.6literpowerstroke.flatratetech.com/ and it does not indicate a reflash either. I'm all for reflashing if my mileage would improve without sacrificing perfomance but I've read so many horror stories on this site I'm not sure.

 

Hi Ultraclassic,
Well, the old to flash or not to flash question. Well, here is my .02$. My truck is an 04 F250 4X4 made for Massachusetts, I think that MA follows Ca in the emissions restrictions, maby CA is more strict.

I brought my truck in for a service problem in March of 05 and one of the things done was the it was updated with the latest flash. I do not have the number of this flash because no sticker was put on but this is what it did.

1. The idle is somewhat noisier but the engine is quicker from a standing start.
2. The turbo spools up faster and at a lower RPM.
3. The engine is more powerfull at lower RPM,s, it pulls my 8500 lb work boat better at a lower RPM, say, 1700 to 2200.
4. I think it may have lost a little grunt at higher RPM, say above 2500 but I cannot be shure about this because it still tows this boat as fast as I want to go (or maby faster)
5. The engine used to do funny stuff such as changes in idle sound, turbo barking, and a whole bunch of other drivability stuff. All the funny stuff is gone! The power is consistant, the throttle response is excellent. (remember this is a diesel truck, excellent throttle response relatively speaking.)
6. I have been doing a trip from North Attleboro MA to Billerica MA every day for the last 3 weeks. This is congested Eastern seacoast driving around Boston at about 70 to 85 MPH for about 1.5 hours each way on Rt 495. Not towing anything just commuting, I have checked the mileage every fill up and it is currently 17.4 to 19.8 or so MPG. A big improvement over similar highway driving before the flash. I towed my work trailer , about 3000 LBS, up there and back and got 14.2 MPG.

SO, to flash or not to flash, that is the question. Take a chance, life's a gamble!

 

"Luke" SdeS

It has been reported, here at FTE and @ FRT that the only problem with the "no Flash" statement is some dealerships are refusing to perform warranty work if not allowed to re-flash. Some have reported notations in OASIS regarding same.

Right wrong or indifferent...it is happening.

 

Sad it always worked for me, including my lock box over the connector!

 

Me thinks Mr. Lamkin, that it may be more due to your lock box...eh?

In any case, I am sure that it is only a handful 'em that are more concerned with covering their butts than honoring an honest request.

 

I only used the lock box when towing out of town.....and with the 03 I did visit out of state deaerships....once or twice

 

That's hilarious, a lock box on the plug????>>>>> Anywho, I got the latest "BFE" flash last weekend. It didn't fix the surging, imagine that....and I haven't gotten to drive it enough to tell if anything else changed, since it went back in the shop again yesterday morning, just so they could drive 1/4 tank of my 2.15 fuel out and put in a recorder b/c they "can't duplicate" the surging. Then it did it on the way home- recorded it and will get 4 more this weekend to throw at them Monday. Ok, the latest 49 state flash is -BFE. Will report more later on changes if I get to keep the truck long enough.

 

I would concur that they should not arbitrarily update the firmware on these, but when you take it in for driveability issues, and this aspect is heavily influenced by the programs in the computers, there really isn't much of an option. I just got the latest update today "...BFE", and my last two were improvements from my perspective. It is risky, but we have to participate in the process with Ford a bit. There is no way they could replicate our vast experiences with these vehicles and get it right the first time, to everyone's liking.

On Edit: Note, I have updated my EBP sensor to the revised model, and I feel this has contributed to good driveability with my vehilce. Those still experiencing problems and on the most recent flash, challenge your dealer to look into replacing your EBP sensor.

Mark

 

Point well made -- the primary issue, regards getting the dealer to perform warranty work; One has to weigh whether it is worth the battle over not having the "re-flash", over getting the warranty work accomplished. The issue is cost of the battle. With the above said, one has to still wonder over Ford's continued down turn in their corporate image regards quality of product.

 

A lot of wars have been lost ...due to the cost of battle.

one has to still wonder over Ford's continued down turn in their corporate image regards quality of product

...and magnified by the consumer's perception of Ford's customer satisfaction practice which, as I have previously suggested, seems to be in conflict with their customer satisfaction mission statement...# 1 priority?

Hmmm...