Good one vloney!!

 

Vloney,

Interesting post/thread. I think this is good reading for those that may be on the fence as to wheter or not get heavily into modding their engine. The more experienced the tech and service dept, the more likely they are to call you on it.

I do have to ask one thing... I realize you may not be at liberty do post specifics, but is this coming up now as the result of a recent run in with a customer that "swears" his hopped-up 6.0 was 'stock' after you found otherwise? If so, would be interesting to know, especially if there's 1 or 2 most destructive mods that people think they can hide? I'm sure that's frustrating as part of the job is not letting people get away with charging those failures to Ford.

 

Part of the job is NOT enforcing warranty issues. My job is repairing your vehicle. The components made by Ford Motor Company, I can test, check, inspect against known perameters as set by Ford. Aftermarket modifications do not supply any testing literature/manuals. I do not have an issue with modifications, I have an issue with "Just remove all traces of your mods, and play dumb". If you want to mod-go ahead. If something tears up, be honest, tell me what I'm up against, so I can try to fix it. The mentality of trying to cover up a "mistake" just makes my job more difficult. I dont deal with the money end of it, I just make the repairs. I personally dont care if its got a "chip" in it, just be honest with me. And the "swears its stock" has been going on for years, we've heard every excuse, every reason known, and it gets a little old.

 

It is humorous to read where someone removes their 'highly modded' signature before posting with a problem looking for help with blown head gaskets.

 

When you techs see trucks with gauges, do you automatically assume they are tuned?

What about with aftermarket exhaust?

 

I have also had this question. The last time my truck was in for service I asked the service writer about this. He said that if he owned a diesel he would put in EGT, boost, trans gauges, and cat back exhaust ironically all of the things I would like to do, but any time you have to drill, like for the EGT gauge then it is questionable. I know these guys aren't the best sources for info but I thought I'd feel them out. Two of the service writers there did say not to mess with the computer that they can tell.

This was after I followed a brand new diesel onto the lot with the dealer plates still on it and sporting not one, but 2 EDGE , AFE and exhaust brand in his back window and parked right in front. I figured he has alot more money than I do!

Then while I was waiting for them to bring my truck out another newer diesel LEFT on a stretcher. Kinda made me wonder.

BTW Hi all. I dont get on here much.

 

I've read your reply a couple times, and honestly can't tell if I offended you (hope not) or if you are just answering me, like many conversations with my wife... But, just to clarify, all I meant by "part of the job" is that many if not most service writers and/or service managers who DO enforce the warranty issues don't have the mechanichal experience or knowledge of the components and parameters you refer to above. I can only hope in those cases they refer to your (the tech's) fact gathering skills before approaching the customer. I know the last svc advisor I worked with did not have much diesel engine knowledge at all, and he was not 'new' either. In that case I was towed in on a Monday morning, could not call ahead and see who I was getting.

I understand your point that your job is to repair the vehicle, did not mean to say otherwise. But one of the roles of the service dept at a dealership is to protect Ford from paying unnecessarily, which are the people trying to cover their mods for the most part. So, if the folks at the desk are to decide to challenge someone on a failure (gaskets, injectors, whatever) that could probably go thru Ford but should more likely be charged back to a customer whose vehicle shows signs of mods or abuse, don't they make those decisions off technician feedback? If not, I stand corrected of course.

By the way, I agree 100% we should be honest when dropping off any vehicle for service, especially a warranty job where you are probably going to be held to or at least compared to flat rate times established from working on "stock" vehicles. (at least that's how it is in the Marine industry, where I work) Not debating that at all.

 

Nah, no irritation here, just want to point out the irony of it. As far as tech comments to advisors, I can see how an inexperienced tech, working on one of these highly technical systems, could become frustrated and look toward unapproved modifications as an excuse for not being able to make repairs. Is there less than fully trained techs out there? Sure, but they are becoming fewer in number. Do I assume one is modified because it has gauges? Nope, I see gauges, thats all. Gauges will add to evidence if unapproved modifications are also detected. Just remember the humor of it all, thats what I'm stressing.

 

Great question Customz. I think at some dealers, 'gauge-profiling' happens. They believe that a PSD with gauges, including EGT, is more likely to have been modded than a PSD that has no gauges.

This possibility actually intimidated me enough that I haven't installed my gauges yet! My truck should be ready to pick up from the Service Dept. today, so next week I'll go ahead and get 'er done. They didn't ask about mods when I brought it in for the 05E16 flash or this time for the brake rotor issue and said nothing about what they saw on my truck.

I believe a good Technician is like a good detective, they want to find out what happened and why. Then thay can make an effective repair and the owner doesn't end up bringing the truck back with the same issues.

BTW, would you lie to your Doctor? Don't lie to your Technician.

 

Vic never was a programmer salesman. He was in design / programming. And as far as I know, he left them quite some time ago.

 

Oh Great! Now you tell me......I just added VentVisors and a cargo liner in the 'Burb......

 

Alright start the flames.... I have had a problematic 2003 6.0 (I had an exhaust on my 2003 and an adge module for about 3 months and I removed the edge when I had a wire chaffing problem that was hard to find and I thought it might be from the Edge module I also sold the module at that time) and now a 2006 6.0 with no problems to this point( I will not mod this one). I would just like to see the repeted problematic repairs covered reguardless if the truck was modified or not. ( abuse is a different thing all together). You techs are sharp enough to sift through alot of the run-around us customers give you and that should also be considered. But if Ford is having Head gasket problems then if a tuned truck comes in with a blown head gasket then unless you can tell there is abuse I feel it should be repaired without charge. I bet if you put a poll up on this site there would be about 50/50 headgasket repair with and without mods. The fuel injectors is another problem Ford was having with the 03-04 and those should be coverd also. The turbo's also, I went through 3 after I removed and sold my module and not one with the module. I just think if there is a part that Ford knows is problematic then they should be replaced unless the Tech can find that there was obvious abuse. Ford should not have to build the trucks to stand up to the mods that the customers are adding but they should definately cover any warranty issue that is from poor design. I hope I have not offended any of you Techs that is the last thing I wanted to do this is just a loyal Ford customers point of view. I have owned over 10 new Ford Trucks.

 

Great thread Vincent,

My dealer has never even questioned mods onmy truck even though I have asked and discused it with them since new (coolant filter and Britebox headlight mods are the only ones I have).

Shawnee Mission Ford here in Shawnee, Kansas has seen it all.... and employ great diesel techs (they will talk with you and actually enjoy the opportunity to speak to customers)!!!

1) Stock trucks that were just overworked and not taken care of.

2) Modified trucks that pushed the design limits of the motor - and blew.

3) Modified trucks that make handling other issues harder as "known programming" has been adjusted from stock - increases service and labor time.

4) Trucks that are stock, taken care of and just have problems.

They have seen it all and use their best judgement for each customer and case (from what I have seen and heard while watching service my truck and watched them work on others).

It's amazing at the people that try and hide their mods, use non API registered oil, do extended oil drains... and other stuff and then to this site and others to bitch about their experience.

Vinny... next time your in KC... let me know.

 

You have already voided your warranty, I dont blame Ford, if some one wants to try and add 100HP to a engine that is not designed for it, why should ford pay???

 

rsauve: I assume you are talking to me!!!!! And you are wrong.... My warranty was not voided. It is Fords responsibility to warrant thier product for the warranty period. I never abuse any of my trucks they are well maintained and all I ask is Ford fix the items that are poorly designed. I traded the 2003 for the 2006 and I assume its warranty is voided also as I have added mud flaps and a Navagation system. Please use some comon sence.....You probably think the 4 oil leaks (bedplate, rear main, ICP sensor) were from my use of the programmer also or was it my exhaust?