Thread: Modifications and Warranty

Please note that the SoCAPS club (club officers and web site administration) does not encourage modifications to the stock Super Duty Power Stroke vehicle.

Members acting as individuals may make recommendations for modifications, but they are speaking/posting their opinions and not necessarily those of SoCAPS.

Please note that Ford lists in their "Warranty Guide" specific and general "alterations or modifications" that could cause warranty work on your vehicle to be voided.

For example, the 2005 model year Warranty Guide states that damage caused by the following is not covered:

"*tampering with the emissions systems or with the other parts that affect these systems (for example, but not limited to exhaust and intake system)"

"*the installation or use of a non-Ford Motor Company part designed for "off-road use only". Examples include, but are not limited to lift kits, oversized tires, roll bars, cellular phones, alarm systems, automatic starting systems and performance-enhancing powertrain components " (bold emphasis added here)

At this time, any major engine repair is being looked at by Ford Company representatives AND International on a random basis. People have posted on other sites that they have had warranty work denied if there is any evidence of performance enhancing modifications.

Be aware that adding a chip/programmer or similar modification may void your warranty. If you have a chip/programmer it can be detected by Ford/International regardless of what the aftermarket vendor or others may say!!

The purpose of this post is not to debate whether modifications can be detected or whether Ford/International will/can void your warranty.

The purpose of this post is so that you can make an informed decision about modifications. And, if you decide to modify, that there are risks!!

The has nothing to do with the Magnuson-Moss Warranty – Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act of 1975.
Some people will tell you that Ford can't void your warranty without specific proof that the modification caused the damage.
Remember, Ford can void your warranty just by saying so...and, yeah, they may be wrong, but it'll cost you more in legal fees than the cost of a new engine to prove it!!

hmmm... I might have voided mine...I hope not, I paid alot for a pretty nice warrenty!

Socal,
Just remember to strip every mod you added to the truck before you have any work done at the dealer. Then should be okay. Don't forgot to disconnect the batteries for 10 minutes, turn on your light to drain the system.
Start your truck at least 50 times to clear any possible codes.

Dave

ahhh...I need to save all that as a text file for future refrence!! What about taken it in for a general maintenance??

Socal,
Just remember to strip every mod you added to the truck before you have any work done at the dealer. Then should be okay. Don't forgot to disconnect the batteries for 10 minutes, turn on your light to drain the system.
Start your truck at least 50 times to clear any possible codes.

Dave

Dave.....

You forgot: Rub your lucky rabbit's foot and say a prayer!!

With the 6.0 computer system, I've been told there are codes left that can't be cleared and that Ford can access using a laptop with some special program. This may be hype to scare modifiers, but I'm not willing to take the chance.

Also, note, that if the engine is taken apart, the fuel burn pattern on the top of the pistons can tell if there have been modifications.

I don't really want to debate this...because only The Ford Motor Company knows for sure, and they're not telling!!

If you're not the Ford Company or International, I'd be a little hesitant to tell someone it's OK if you start your truck 50 times or some other rumored cure!! Someone is liable to take your statement as true fact and wind up paying a lot of money for repairs!!!

Socal,
Just remember to strip every mod you added to the truck before you have any work done at the dealer. Then should be okay. Don't forgot to disconnect the batteries for 10 minutes, turn on your light to drain the system.
Start your truck at least 50 times to clear any possible codes.

Dave

Dave.....

You forgot: Rub your lucky rabbit's foot and say a prayer!!

Hey Sammy,

C'mon lighten up. I was having a little fun.
Bottomline, it's all about who you might know and how well you cover your butt.
If your worried about the doings of other on how they mod their trucks and how the website might be involved in a lawsuit from the various posts in the "Upgrades and Aftermarket" Get rid of it (upgrade and aftermarket) or put up with it. Your point been made. Everyone that reads this website and the other website that deal with performance products are grown men & grown women and are quite capable of making rational, intelligent decision.
You Play...You Pay..... Enough said.

Dave

Hey Sammy,

C'mon lighten up. I was having a little fun.
Bottomline, it's all about who you might know and how well you cover your butt.
If your worried about the doings of other on how they mod their trucks and how the website might be involved in a lawsuit from the various posts in the "Upgrades and Aftermarket" Get rid of it (upgrade and aftermarket) or put up with it. Your point been made. Everyone that reads this website and the other website that deal with performance products are grown men & grown women and are quite capable of making rational, intelligent decision.
You Play...You Pay..... Enough said.

Feeling a bit feisty tonight?

I saw "Woodman's" 6 liter on an engine stand last week and I'm pretty sure he's not taking it down to the Ford dealer. I personally don't think they could get past the fact that his truck was cut in half, nevermind the burnt motor.


I think Samuel's point should be taken very seriously, because the 6L really could use some improvement in a couple of areas. Unless, of course, you like doing your own diesel repair and making payments at the same time.

Personally, I'd run some kind of power enhancement, but maybe not at the top level.





For all we know, there is a data recorder that will retain your higest rpm,speed, etc that they could access.

I'll post up something here that I posted on TDS a week or so ago:

Buyer beware.

Fault is a tricky game...for Ford and the consumer.

But, remember the golden rule.
"He who has the gold, makes the rules."

"warranty denied"

Ford has much bigger pockets than you do. If you choose to go to bat against them, you will likely lose.

It's easier for them to deny a claim and let you do all the leg work (sans truck running, presuming you blew the engine).

If you can prove that your aftermarket part was not the cause, I'm sure they'd step up and fix it (right about the point before you took legal action). Who has the money/time for this?

It's true, Ford should find out the cause of the failure. If your rocker arm breaks and you've got an exhaust system only...they're gonna step up and fix it.

If you have a chip/programmer and you melt the turbo...I wouldn't expect them to fix it unless you did some analysis on your own, proving that it was a defect on their part.

It's funny how some people can't discern that Ford is honoring a 5 year 100k warranty on a 325hp engine.. Not a 450 hp engine. Once you make mods that significantly alter the operating parameters of the engine, you're kind of on your own.

Time is money.

-T

that pretty much sums up my opinion of things.

Everybody has their right to mod their truck in their own fashion and knows that the warranty is subject to being void.

And the same goes that everyone has the right to post what their opinions and experiences have been with the certain mods they have used in the past.

You play....you pay...period. If you get them to warranty it great.......if not...well you knew it could happen.

.....the truth is....its all about the tech and dealership you are using.

If they are cool...you are cool.
If not....oh well.

Lets just say I am sure glad I had a little "issue" with the Dodge and I found a tech that knows what's going on and is cool with the mods, and the dealer takes care of business.

Cause the dealer's down here couldn't fix it even if handed them the parts

Just remember this is my "personal opinion"....and not of the club.

D O D G E, Dead On Day Guaranty Expires!

NOGM

D O D G E, Dead On Day Guaranty Expires!

NOGM

Sure....being as how JUST HAD to go that way...

You sure do love your F-over Rebuilt Dodge.

Its all good....

D O D G E, Dead On Day Guaranty Expires!

NOGM

That good. I like it.

It that like Pontiac.

Poor.. Old ..Nitwit ..Thinks ..Its.. A.. Cadillac..

(I cleaned it up)

Dave

Yep, all good! I love my Ford! I don't hate Dodges or Chevrolets, but I do hate ricers!

NOGM