Think I Threw a Rod....

[Vitis805]

Be careful here, the questions in #2 and #3 both explicitly stated the damage was attributed to the tune. If the cause was traceable to some other cause like a non-tune related equipment failure, the answer could be different.

I mean, that's why we are all here watching this thread. To see what the odds are about Ford blaming a tune. My transmission has that cold start bucking and has had it since before the tune. This thread has made me make taking that in to the dealer a priority now, because the odds of Ford going "your SOL because of the tune" has gone way up for me after talking to Benny. What do you think the odds are for them to cover it if something is found damaged?

Another point to consider also is if you wait a year and a half or 12,000 miles to tune your truck you get essential a year and a half 24,000 mile warranty from date of tune.

Yep, as Doc said, the warranty is ridiculous. I definitely feel a little duped. Live and learn, I guess.

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[Big Blue]

No worries.

According to Stage 3's website: 2-year/24,0000 mile warranty for the $250 base price, a 5-year/60,000 mile warranty for $500, and a 6-year/100,000 mile at $1000.

My extended warranty with Ford is 8-year/125k and was ~$2000 at time of signing but the cost was added to my monthly payments. I guess I should be happy that I got 0% interest with the whole deal.

I am going to look into getting that $2k for the extended warranty back, purchase 5 Star tune and warranty through Stage 3, and still have about $300 in my pocket after it's all said and done.

I'd read the fine print on the 5 star warranty before I'd make any move. What happens if something not related to the tune breaks? Is it still covered? Are you giving up a full powertrain warranty for something much more restricted? Warranties can make great bedtime reading with all their restrictions and legalize. ?

 

[Vitis805]

I think your getting confused between the difference in having a warranty voided and not having a specific repair covered.

Can you clarify who your salesman was? Did you buy your vehicle from our dealership and had the FP tune installed at that time? I want to ensure no one on our end is supplying incorrect info.

Thanks,
- Benny

I did not buy the vehicle from your dealership, but I bought the tune from you after seeing the advertisements on this forum. The salesman that answered my hypothetical scenario was Mike D.

Maybe I am a bit confused, I admit, but I can't get a clear answer, and I know I'm not the only one. If I sit at 37,000 on my odometer and my ECM goes out or my tranny, what is the likelihood I will get those repairs done under powertrain warranty since I have the tune installed?

 

[txquailguy]

Well that's really simplistic and pie in the sky thinking, the flow chart someone posted provides a better picture of the reality of the process as well as does the Ford warranty extracts. Ford knowing this was a modified engine can deny the warranty claim and then the owner can elect to pay for a tear down to contest that denial and show evidence that the failure was in no way caused by the performance modification. So let's say a connecting rod failed - unless the owner can prove that the rod was defective in some way - and that can involve a good deal of cost - then Ford has the upper hand and can choose to deny the claim. On the other hand if say an oil pump failed then Ford could well say it'a legit warranty claim - upstream in the thread the tune supplier suggested to be very nice to both the dealership and Ford - because they hold most of the cards in these matters.
The intent of the MM act was to prevent what was once common occurrences such as a manufacture denying a warranty claim for reasons that could be as simple as using an aftermarket oil filter, belt, spark plug, etc. In essence allowing the consumer to choose whatever part maker that meets the oem spec or requiring the vehicle to be serviced at a Ford dealer. So some aftermarket parts don't meet the oem specs and some non Ford techs are not certified, this could result in a warranty denial. This is why some folks choose to use Ford parts and let the dealer service their vehicles and not modify their engines or if they do buy Ford's mod.
So the burden of proof in some cases can lie moreso with the owner - as it appears to be in this case, pay for the teardown and then provide documented evidence that the failure was in no way related to the modifications. Some companies are known to be more objective and fairer in the warranty process than others.

Guess I'm a Lynard Skynard fan and hope I don't throw a rod and get my feelings hurt by Ford. Listen dtech, life is full of risks, I guess a lot of it is how you manage it in your own head.

You know why we purchase insurance of all kinds right?.....we are betting something is going to happen bad, right?
I'm such a glass 1/2 full kinda guy and Mrs. Quail Guy hates it.....

 

[Cabose-1]

I put a tailgate dampner on my Ranger! Engine runs just fine! ?

 

[LevittownFordParts.com]

I did not by the vehicle from your dealership, but I bought the tune from you after seeing the advertisements on this forum. The salesman that answered my hypothetical scenario was Mike D.

Maybe I am a bit confused, I admit, but I can't get a clear answer, and I know I'm not the only one. If I sit at 37,000 on my odometer and my ECM goes out or my tranny, what is the likelihood I will get those repairs done under powertrain warranty since I have the tune installed?

Thanks for clarifying. When you said salesman I thought you meant a dealership car salesman. Very likely as the only way the claim can be denied is for the dealership to prove the failure was from the tune.

Perhaps this sets your mind at ease some. We have been selling Ford Performance power packs to the Mustang community since 2015 at a much higher rate of volume than the Ranger. I personally have never come across an engine or driveline failure in which a dealership denied repair and blamed it on the FPPP.

-Benny

 

[Vitis805]

Thanks for clarifying. When you said salesman I thought you meant a dealership car salesman. Very likely as the only way the claim can be denied is for the dealership to prove the failure was from the tune.

Perhaps this sets your mind at ease some. We have been selling Ford Performance power packs to the Mustang community since 2015 at a much higher rate of volume than the Ranger. I personally have never come across an engine or driveline failure in which a dealership denied repair and blamed it on the FPPP.

-Benny

That info does settle my concerns a lot, actually. I appreciate it.

 

[txquailguy]

You folks need to get to know Anthony "The Tuner" Mahaney at Livernois Motorsports. I know 5 Star offers insurance but I'm sooo confident in my tuner and how they make the power we enjoy within the Livernois family. Far from me to say no one would ever throw a rod with a Livernois tune! I'm not a knucklehead....I realize when we mod, tune, and push our Rangers hard we take a risk....
I just keep babying my Ranger every way I can and hope the Good Lord shows favor on me ?

 

[Frenchy]

This is interesting, because the answer to #2 and #3 seem to contradict the answer to #1. Also, I posed a similar question to one of your salesman (Mike D) but instead of Project Midnight it was myself, and the catastrophic damages was a malfunctioned ECM. Mike D. assured me that the ECM would be covered by my powertrain warranty if it occurred after 3/36k. If I was told otherwise (as you just did), I probably would not have purchased the tune as I would like more than 3/36k coverage on my truck, hence the purchase of an extended warranty.

It looks like I owe @Frenchy an apology because he seems to be correct. Even though not explicitly stated, and in fact explicitly states the opposite, but the powertrain warranty gets "downgraded" to 3/36k. What crummy language Ford uses in that warranty.

Looks like I should look into getting refunded on my extended warranty since it is useless now after installing the Ford tune. While I am a little upset at @LevittownFordParts.com salesman deceiving me to make a sale, it wouldn't be anything out of the ordinary from a dealership. Thank you for clarifying, Benny.

Something to remember, you bought the tune at your own risk!!! Simple as that. Guess what, when I bought the tune from Livernois I more or less completely voided my powertrain..... That is as long as Ford can prove my tune cause said powertrain failure. I understood that when I bought it. With that said if my engine all of a sudden goes KABOOM and Ford sees the tune Guess who gets to pay for a new engine? It certainly will not be Ford.

Hope this helps your understanding

 

[Racket]

I put a tailgate dampner on my Ranger! Engine runs just fine! ?

The way this thread is going, it reminds of this twenty year old one from another forum I am on: http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum8/HTML/000013.html

 

[Big Blue]

The way this thread is going, it reminds of this twenty year old one from another forum I am on: http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum8/HTML/000013.html

Do you think it made it to graduation?

The old my car is faster than yours, until it isn't.

 

[dtech]

Guess I'm a Lynard Skynard fan and hope I don't throw a rod and get my feelings hurt by Ford. Listen dtech, life is full of risks, I guess a lot of it is how you manage it in your own head.

You know why we purchase insurance of all kinds right?.....we are betting something is going to happen bad, right?
I'm such a glass 1/2 full kinda guy and Mrs. Quail Guy hates it.....

it is often said......ignorance is bliss.......

 

[SICKQK]

What are you seeing as the primary failure mode on the Stang forums? Just broken rods and pistons from non-vigilant owners or is something else at work like a weak link somewhere?

A tank of bad fuel or the wrong octane followed by some spirited driving can grenade an engine that is tuned for maximum performance on premium. In NJ they still have attendants to pump your gas. Twice in one year I had 87 octane pumped instead of 93. Got a full tank once, noticed the mistake on the receipt. I never use a station that looks sketchy, because I have no way of knowing what grade fuel is actually in THEIR tanks.
Not saying this was the case here but it's something to be aware of.

 

[txquailguy]

it is often said......ignorance is bliss.......

Well dtech, obviously you have a different outlook on this than me. I guess it's good we all have different ways of looking at things or life would get really boring in the world......
Mrs. Quail Guy keeps up with some of what is said in here....and she told me...
"YOU...better not throw a rod in MY truck with your Friday/Saturday night escapades"
I'm glad she has support among us
Maybe I'm a little too laid back about our motors but I've been watching this thing VERY closely and it is so steady. Runs cool ALL the time! Not saying something bad can't happen but I don't feel it is likely. Now when I start seeing a rash of rods being thrown by tuned trucks I will get more concerned....
Also.....
Go Chiefs!!!!!

Update: Just a note about my thoughts on the sometimes lively debate we have in here....lol.
I love it! One thing I want to say also is....I hope I don't come across as a smartass, I promise I'm just somebody that tries to stay positive in a shitty world. Sure bad things happen to everybody...including me. We are all in this crazy life together....so bring on the debate. I also really appreciate the feedback and information on all things Ranger from EVERYBODY! Thanks to all of you! Nuff said

 

[Trustable]

The way this thread is going, it reminds of this twenty year old one from another forum I am on: http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum8/HTML/000013.html

I just read the first 3 pages of that. My brain hurts.

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