Are Chip Tuners Worth the Investment?
This weekly feature for Warranty Direct about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America’s Car Show on satellite radio. Below are some recent Q&A from the America’s Car Show email bag.
Dear Tom,
I own a 2006 F250 4X4 Ex Cab w/ 6.0 L Diesel. What are your thoughts on the chip tuners such as Bully Dog and Super Chips? Are they worth the investment?
Douglas from Tornado, WV
Douglas,
Chip tuners create excessive boost and blow out head gaskets on diesel engines. There is a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) from Ford stating that Ford Motor Company is aware that the ONLY reason for the head gaskets blow out is from a chip installation. If a vehicle comes into a dealership with blown head gaskets, the first thing the dealer must check is a performance/chip modification. According to Ford, if ANY performance/chip modification is found, the repair goes from warranty to customer pay, and Ford relinquishes all responsibility for the engine failure. And don’t think if you remove the chip before bring the truck in for service that they won’t detect it, because one look at the vehicle’s datastream history will tell them that a chip has been installed. Computer chip or $1500 repair? Your choice. Is it worth it?
Tom
Dear Tom,
I own a ’93 Cadillac Deville. It has a rattle that is not quite like a rod or engine knock. It goes away after the vehicle warms up. What could it be?
Lee from Shelbyville, TN
Lee,
If it was a rod it would knock all the time. Your description reminds me of a condition that GM has with their V6 and V8 engines, referred to as “Piston Slap.” GM says that Piston Slap is the result of the piston rocking in the bore until it warms up and expands, essentially taking up the slop or slap. According to GM, this condition will not result in major engine damage. Check out the following website out for more info on Piston Slap: www.pistonslap.com. A device called an “engine ear” should be used during the diagnostic process to pinpoint the noise. An “engine ear” is a set of microphones attached to a set of headphones, which can be moved all over the engine until the exact source of the noise is found. This device is very effective in tracking down an offending engine noise.
Tom
Dear Tom,
I own a ‘91 Lincoln Town Car with the 4.6-liter V8. While I was driving home the other day the accelerator seemed to slip past its normal position a little too far. From then on, it accelerates very slowly, and will not kick into overdrive when the accelerator is depressed all the way to the floor. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Lucas from Keosauqua, WA
Lucas,
The throttle linkage needs to be checked out. There was a problem with the clip that holds the kick down cable on the throttle on this model vehicle. In fact, Ford issued a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) on this problem. When this happens, the transmission won’t shift properly and, if the vehicle is driven for long period of times, the transmission will burn up from partial engagement. Check with your Ford dealer to see if there was a new throttle linkage clip issued to remedy this problem. Finally, check out www.nhtsa.gov and do a TSB database search for your year, make, and model vehicle, you will be able to get the details of the TSB from this site.
Tom
Dear Tom,
I own a 2006 Ford F150 pickup truck. A while ago you answered my question about the fuel gage sticking. I’m now having the same problem. If I rock the truck and put it back into park, then the gauge works. If I am correct, you said this was a result of too much sulfur in the gas and there is an additive that can used to resolve the problem. I can’t remember what additive to use. Can you help me out?
Don from Jasper, IN
Don,
The products I recommend to correct this condition are: Castle Products’ Dragon Power; Kinetic Labs’ K100G, and Chevron’s Techron fuel injector cleaner. A loose ground wire to the fuel tank sending unit can also cause this problem. It’s located on top of the tank. Better check that too. Good luck.
Tom
Dear Tom,
I recently purchased a ‘96 Honda Accord for my daughter. The original owner lost the code that I need to make the radio work. What should I do?
Sally from Mableton, GA
Sally,
The only way to get your radio unlocked is to go to your local Honda dealership. They will have to identify the radio code, access the information through their database, and unlock the radio. They will give you the code for future use if needed. This service usually costs about $60 – $100 depending on what area of the country you live and the shop’s labor rate. You could also replace the OEM radio with an aftermarket unit, which is usually the best course of action. For about $150 you can get a wonderful head unit that will deliver concert quality sound out of your speaker system. While you’re at it, you could install a sub woofer enclosure, amplifiers, perhaps upgrade the speaker system, and install tweeters in the front of the vehicle. Oooooo baby, what pristine sound! [Somebody Stop Me From Spending Sally’s Money!!]
Tom
Dear Tom,
I own a ‘97 Jeep Cherokee. The windshield washers do not squirt the water high enough on the windshield. There doesn’t seem to be enough pressure. I can hear the pump working. Can you help?
Ellen from Bossier City, IN
Ellen,
Quite often, the shoots at the base of the windshield or on the wiper arm clog with dried soap. Try clearing the shoots with a paper clip; make sure all hoses are clear as well. If everything is clear, then the washer pump is bad and needs to be replaced. Best to you.
Tom
‘Til next time…Keep Rollin’
For more articles by Tom Torbjornsen, visit AMERICA’S CAR SHOW web site: www.americascarshow.com
Tom Torbjornsen is an automotive expert of 37 years. An automotive journalist in good standing with the IMPA (International Motor Press Association), Torbjornsen is the Repair and Maintenance Editor for AOL Autos, At Home Portals, and many other websites. Hear his radio show AMERICA’S CAR SHOW, on the Sirius XM Satellite Radio Channel – Stars Too – Sirius 108 and XM 139; Sunday nights – 10PM – Mid EST. You can hear the live stream of the show at www.americascarshow.com Saturdays at Noon EST. Send your car questions to his website at: www.americascarshow.com.
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