Ford's Latest TSB: Don't Mod The 5.0 Mustang?

Ford has tidal waves throughout the Mustang modding realm this week,
issuing a new Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) to dealers that
essentially says, “If an owner has modified their 2011-2012 Mustang
5.0 drivetrain, their warranty is void”.

TSB 11-7-7 warns Ford Service Departments that when servicing
2011-2012 Mustangs with the new 5.0 liter engine, to look for
modifications the owner may have made before covering a list of engine
and drivetrain failures.

The new 5.0 liter 32V DOHC Coyote engine has been widely received as
one of the best new engines Ford has ever produced. But what a lot of
shade tree mechanics don’t know or overlook is that this high
compression engine is near maxed out structurally at is factory
specified power output.

The TSB warms that common modifications done by a lot of owners that
increase the power output can cause premature failure of not only a
number of engine components, but drivetrain systems like clutch and
gears.

Ford has been in the business of encouraging its owners to customize
their cars in the past decade, in fact even offering a raft of
products though their dealers to do just that. But the company is
sending out a warning shot that they will be voiding warranties if it
is determined that modifications made by the owner are the cause of
failures.


In the TSB it outlines a number of common modifications that can cause
engine and drivetrain failures:

• Custom PCM Software Calibrations

• Air induction system (air box, air filter, zip tube)

• Super chargers

• Nitrous oxide systems

• Throttle bodies

• Exhaust air path/system

The TSB outlines potential damage line items that can be caused by the
above modifications:

• Excessive Cylinder Pressure And Temperature

• Piston damage

• Spark over-advanced (knock-induced damage)

• Insufficient enrichment

• Catalyst damage

• Piston damage

• Connecting rod damage

• Oil pump damage • Catalyst damage

• Clutch damage

• Piston and/or ring damage due to improper knock

The figure below shows the decision path that technicians are to take
when diagnosing problems with a car. If you follow along, the end
result is cancelation of the warranty if it is deemed that damage or
failures are caused by any number of modifications listed above.

What this means people is that Ford has given their dealers the legal
green light to begin blackballing Mustang owners for modifying their
cars. So if you are an owner of a 2011-2012 Mustang with a 5.0 liter
engine and have been loading it up with custom tunes and other
aftermarket power adders be aware. You might think twice about heading
down to your local dealership complaining about your broken clutch or
rough idle.

While this TSB is a bit unsettling, the rules have not changed.
Modding your Mustang from a powertrain standpoint has always carried
with it some inherent risks. The new 5.0 engine is one of Ford’s best
but people need to learn that with its high compression, it is already
tuned to top capacity from the factory when it comes to reliability.
Mod with care.
----

So all the hi-po parts Ford sells are okay, but not the ones made by
aftermarket companies...? Seems to me like Ford is trying to keep the
modification market to themselves.

Patrick

On 07/10/2011 07:02 AM, NoOp wrote:

> So all the hi-po parts Ford sells are okay, but not the ones made by
> aftermarket companies...? Seems to me like Ford is trying to keep the
> modification market to themselves.
>
> Patrick

If you read their Ford Performance Parts Warranty, it still says they
wont cover damage CAUSED by SC, TC or nitrous oxide.