I was talking to a friend today about our trucks. Both of us have had major warranty work done in the past year. I had new head gaskets, EGR and oil coolers and studs done in Sept. '09. My buddy just had the same stuff except for studs done last month. He told me that after the repair his fuel mileage was down quite a bit (~ 1 mpg) and he seemed to be lacking some power. He questioned his dealer who did the repairs and they told him they had "turned the fuel down some" to prevent the HG problem again. The Tech also told him that was standard practice from Ford to prevent HG issues from reoccuring. My truck was having problems when I bought it, so after the repair I didn't really have a true comparison on power or fuel mileage. I did notice that my mileage was down about the same as his, but the power seemed OK. Two things seem wrong with the stuff his dealer told him: 1) How is turning down the fuel helping HG issues and 2) I've read about many HG replacements on here and no one has mentioned turning the fuel down as part of the repair process. Is this standard practice? If so, how do you turn the fuel back up? I'd really like to get that 1 mpg back if possible.

 

I don't believe it.

To my knowledge (techs please confirm), there is no Ford mandated detuning of engines to prevent this problem.

For one thing --- they sold the vehicle as having a certain rated HP / Torque.

If the mileage is down, there is some other reason.

I might note -- using winter vs. summer diesel would result in a 10% or so difference.

Something is not right about what you were told.

Unless you were running tunes etc.

 

Agreed, Ford puts out flash updates that are not out there just because you had HG's replaced. I have the latest VXC9XXX whatever and my truck runs great.

 

I didn't think that sounded right, but I can't really argue with the fuel numbers after the repairs. I have been since Sept. '09 with mine and have consistently got lower economy since the repairs. He has only had the repair done for a month and is seeing lower numbers as well. I have the VXCF7D3 strategy and I assume he has the latest one out, but both of us are having the same lower economy.

 

1. You do not have the latest flash and it is ,or seems, to be a good one. The latest that is.
2. I have no idea what year or type truck that you have. Year does make a diff. when it comes to flashes.

 

Technically, it is very easy to dial up and down HP / Torque.

Look at the E engine vs. the F series. The same motor, but very different output.

I am pretty sure it is done via the PCM.

However, I don't see it done ex post after sale that would materially reduce the HP / Torque output.

That gets them into trouble.