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Dec 12, 2009 | 06:33 PM

hott-rodd

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From: memphis

To Flash or not to Flash

I have a 2005 that runs great and gets 19 mpg on the hwy ~60 mph.
It does not have any of the injector saving flashes, but I don't want to give up my mileage to get them.

What is the latest advise on the new flashes?
Will power and mileage suffer?

Dec 12, 2009 | 06:37 PM

ljutic ss

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Joined: Apr 2008

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From: Green Lane, Pa.

As long as your not having a cold start issue you don't need the inductive heat flash.

Dec 12, 2009 | 08:04 PM

Greg B

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When it comes to 6.0L's and flashes, if it ain't broke don't fix it!!!! I took my 05 in for a recall flash that involved the back pressure sensor and it hurt the mileage and didn't help it run any better.

Dec 12, 2009 | 10:07 PM

supr_sly

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if your truck is out of warranty do you have to pay for flashes. i am having cold starting issues on my 03 with 130k

Dec 12, 2009 | 10:35 PM

cheezit

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Joined: Oct 2009

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From: N. Fort Worth, tx

yup you gotta pay for everything when your out of warranty. the good news its cheep as far as diesels go. it should only be 1 hour labor total.

Dec 13, 2009 | 08:45 AM

RoyC

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Quote:

Originally Posted by hott-rodd

Yours being a 2 WD and only getting 19 MPG at 60, I say take it in and get the flash. My 2005 X, also 2 WD gets over 24 MPG at 60 hand calculated. And I have the latest flash as of early this year.

Roy

Dec 13, 2009 | 08:58 AM

Toreador_Diesel

FTE Leadership Emeritus

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 12,246

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From: Houston, Texas

If it ain't broke, don't fix it...

I'd leave well enough alone...

There are a handful of users who still haven't been reflashed to the most current updates. Some of them actually have the first flash from when it left the factory. (i.e some may also still have pilot injection)

If your truck is having issues, have it looked at and if it calls for a reflash that will fix the issues you're having, do it; otherwise, enjoy your power and fuel economy.

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Dec 13, 2009 | 10:09 PM

btm991

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Joined: Mar 2009

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just on quick question if you are in warranty and want to get it reflashed do you just have to pay for the $100 deductable? or would it be cheaper to just pay for the labor

Dec 13, 2009 | 10:12 PM

#10

cheezit

Post Fiend

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 12,123

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From: N. Fort Worth, tx

it depends on why the reflash was done. If it was done under emmisions then its free. if its done for other reasons then its $100.00.
the flash is the same but they can play a game. its all in how we code it.

Dec 14, 2009 | 11:14 AM

#11

RoyC

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Joined: Apr 2003

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Quote:

Originally Posted by hott-rodd

24 hand calculated. That's impressive.
What mods do you have and who did the tuning?

No mods, bone stock and both of my 6.0 X's are the same. The 2003 X has an edge of about a half MPG at those speeds. When you drive something with the ballistic coefficient of a brick, speed really kills the MPG. It also helps to be on country roads without a traffic light every half mile. At 70 MPH interstate driving I get 21.

Roy

Dec 14, 2009 | 02:24 PM

#12

lawnboy1965

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Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 368

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From: Kansas

If you know what the latest flash is suppose to fix you can tell the service writter that you are having that issue and the flash will be free if you are under warranty. Thats what I did but now I have to friends that are mechanics and they put the newest flash in that came out a couple of weeks ago. If you know someone like that it is a very good fall back. Of course I let them test it before I get it and if there are now issues and it helps in some way, I get it. The latests one really exercieses the turbo and the EGR even if your in gear at a stop light it will exercise it, that freaked me out the first time it did it. My milage went up compared to the old flash but not nearly 19 or 24. So like said before, unless you just want it, dont get it.

Dec 14, 2009 | 08:48 PM

#13

gearloose1

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Joined: Jul 2005

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As a sw person, I say, always flash unless you know a reason not to (known incompatibility with add ons, buggy new sw.

Dec 14, 2009 | 09:01 PM

#14

9228.bobcat

Cargo Master

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 2,283

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From: missouri

I have an 05' as well. I just got the new flash as of about 5 days ago. Ford updates them about everyday so what is new today will be old tomorrow. I didn't notice any difference in mileage, still getting 15,.guess that's because of the 4x4,4"lift and 35" tires,lol. I can tell the turbo getting worked alot more and the egr is supposed to close after 5 min of idle. So I guess I would say get it, but really it is up to you. there is alot in that saying " if isn't broken don't fix it". Hope it all works out for you. Remember though, once you get, you got it.