So, I have windstorm CAI, LMS catted downpipes, 3 map sensor, cool thermostat, custom 2.5 inch exhaust, and Livernois 93 octane tune. I am 99% positive I have a blown head gasket. Blows white smoke at idle, the coolant level is consistently low, and engine sputters at higher rpm levels, the acceleration is still fabulous, and that's the only thing that makes me think it could be something else, but I'm pretty positive. It just sucks that it didn't happen prior to my mods since the car only has 15k miles on it, does anyone know any mod friendly Ford dealers in Indiana or surrounding states?
Head Gasket replacement on 2016 SHO
- Thread starter Rayme20
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JasonoftheRugar
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Not sure if this is relevant here or not. I think the dealer has to PROVE that a mod , any mod caused a failer.
http://www.autoanything.com/popups/MossWarranty.aspx
Ya but with as highly modified as I have it they have evidence to dispute. Anyone else ever make a claim like this before successfully? I mean I haven't seen anyone say the LMS tune was aggressive enough to blow a head gasket, but when you change boost levels do you really have a chance to win it?
JimC
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A warranty claim isn't up to the dealer, Ford decides if the repair is going to be covered under warranty. The dealer really has an incentive to get it covered by warranty - that is sure payment. But with some things - like a head gasket on a low mileage new car - Ford might send out a field engineer to look at things before authorizing work. The field engineer will look for marks that show modification and make the determination if it caused the problem.
There is your "proof" for Magnuson Moss. Ford says "our field engineer inspected your car, and we aren't covering the repair under warranty because your modification caused the problem". Now the burden is on you to come forward with your own engineer and proofs that it is a Ford defect and your modification played no part in the failure.
Everyone likes to toss out the Magnuson Moss warranty act as some impenetrable legal shield. It is very easy for a manufacturer to find the fault. They have much deeper pockets and teams of engineers as well as their own design engineers to back up their determination.
JimC you seem pretty well versed on this type of stuff do you think I have a chance to have it covered? Is it worth dumping the 3map for the original 2map to revert my tune back to stock, knowing that I have replaced the entire exhaust and no longer have the stock parts? Or do you think it's better just going in as is and rolling the dice since they will be able to tell if they look anyways that the old tune was on the car? Like I said before I have never heard of a newer SHO with the LMS tune blowing the head gasket before, I am sure the gasket was weak to begin with, but I'm sure I can't prove that. What do you recommend?
I don't see why reverting to stock (if it involves only the tune and 3 bar MAP; TStat is not visible, but mangled bolts and leaks around the housing will be) is even a stumbling point. That really should be standard practice taking it in for service, no matter how "friendly" the dealer is. You never know who actually touches your car, and you don't need to make it difficult for the dealer either. If they don't see it, they won't get dinged for it.
In your case, Rayme20, I would rever to stock anyway, as much as I could. Rarely will intake/exhaust mods especially from a reputable vendor be the cause. Go in there with confidence, no need to divulge the tune. It is more likely a turbo-related issue as mentioned above than a head gasket.
In your case, Rayme20, I would rever to stock anyway, as much as I could. Rarely will intake/exhaust mods especially from a reputable vendor be the cause. Go in there with confidence, no need to divulge the tune. It is more likely a turbo-related issue as mentioned above than a head gasket.
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Yes, leaky seals especially are the frequent culprit, whether on the supply/takeaway lines or inside the turbo itself. The rear turbo more often than the front just due to location & heat. That's a good 6+ hrs of labor to replace.
JimC
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I agree, put the stock MAP, and set it back to stock. If for no other reason than the chance they need to do something with the program or do an update that was sent out by Ford.
You will need to do something anyway to repair the leak. So worst case they say your tune did it. Not likely though, and probably more likely it is a warranty claim.
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You will need to do something anyway to repair the leak. So worst case they say your tune did it. Not likely though, and probably more likely it is a warranty claim.
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RamAireTransAm
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dude you could be talking an engine or just a turbo , either are expensive . Put the stock downpipes back on and back to stock as possible.
I have a buddy that's a mechanic at the local Ford dealership and he says the opposite. They all hate doing warranty work and would much rather the customer pay out of pocket. Yes, Ford will pay the dealership for warranty work. However, the amount Ford will pay for specific jobs is a set rate and it's pretty common for the actual time to exceed the allowed time. So if Ford says a warranty rear turbo replacement is 6 hours, they will only pay the dealership 6 hours even if the tech takes 10 hours to do the job. Then the dealership is out the extra 4 hours. If a customer is paying and it takes the tech 10 hours for a rear turbo replacement, the customer pays for 10 hours of labor.
Guys and gals finally got around to returning to stock and taking it in. Since it's been much cooler I haven't had any issue with white smoke but when I'm running her hard from a stop before she shifts into second she falls on her face. It did this before I changed it back to stock as well. I was advised to add an extra pint to my tranny by livernois but it didn't help. Any ideas, I am thinking the white smoke at idle and this could both related to the turbo seal, but not sure. Oh yeah and something else I forgot to mention initially is the white smoke only came from the driver's side exhaust the passenger side was probably just normal.
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