Did a bad tune blow my engine?

[Die007]

I am not hear too bad mouth any tuner companies. I just wanted to know if this has happened to anyone else. Just like every mustang owner we get used to the power and would like a little more. I had Kooks headers installed earlier this month, first big mod I made for more power, before this I didn’t even have a cold air intake. After I received my car back from the headers installed I then added a 2018 intake manifold (Lockout) and JLT CAI. I know at this point I would need a tune. So I order a one, (will not disclose from who but it is a very establish company). I was told several times that I did not need to upgrade my injectors unless I was going to run E85. I was under the understanding that if you upgrade your intake manifold you would need bigger injectors. But they are the expert so I did not install my 47# injectors. Just to make this clear after I installed the manifold and CAI not once did I turn the car on until I installed the base tune.

Just like any mail tune I was asked for a data log. On my way to my secret street doing 70mph on the E-way white and blue smoke started coming out the tail pipe. My car shut off and I coasted to the side the road. Had the car taken to Ford dealership and what came back was.

Misfire from valve leakage

• Excessively lean conditions

• Excessively High Cylinder temperatures

Piston Damage

• Pre-ignition

• Excessive levels of detonation



Is it possible that the tune caused this?

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[CNCLester]

I am not hear too bad mouth any tuner companies. I just wanted to know if this has happened to anyone else. Just like every mustang owner we get used to the power and would like a little more. I had Kooks headers installed earlier this month, first big mod I made for more power, before this I didn’t even have a cold air intake. After I received my car back from the headers installed I then added a 2018 intake manifold (Lockout) and JLT CAI. I know at this point I would need a tune. So I order a one, (will not disclose from who but it is a very establish company). I was told several times that I did not need to upgrade my injectors unless I was going to run E85. I was under the understanding that if you upgrade your intake manifold you would need bigger injectors. But they are the expert so I did not install my 47# injectors. Just to make this clear after I installed the manifold and CAI not once did I turn the car on until I installed the base tune.

Just like any mail tune I was asked for a data log. On my way to my secret street doing 70mph on the E-way white and blue smoke started coming out the tail pipe. My car shut off and I coasted to the side the road. Had the car taken to Ford dealership and what came back was.

Misfire from valve leakage

• Excessively lean conditions

• Excessively High Cylinder temperatures

Piston Damage

• Pre-ignition

• Excessive levels of detonation



Is it possible that the tune caused this?

I would question all aspects of the intake install. If everything was proper then maybe tune. I certainly would want a third knowelageable party to check out the tune file. That sucks man. Best of luck to you.

 

[thehunterooo]

YIKES

 

[HISSMAN]

I'm thinking the intake was leaking unmetered air into the combustion chamber, or perhaps something made it's way into the engine during the install.... Can you PM me who you received the tune from?

 

[JennyStang]

I wonder if this another livernois blow up

 

[Die007]

I would question all aspects of the intake install. If everything was proper then maybe tune. I certainly would want a third knowelageable party to check out the tune file. That sucks man. Best of luck to you.

That is not a bad idea having a third party look at my tune. Thanks CNC Lester.

 

[aleccolin]

Just adding to the list of reasons I'm never using an email tune. Lucky to have a good dyno tuner within a reasonable drive, I know that's not an option for everybody.

 

[SolarFlare]

I wonder if this another livernois blow up

Wouldnt doubt it. But i dont think their device logs.

 

[Brazos609]

Damn, that piston took a beating.

 

[EFI]

While I definitely agree that a bad tune can mess up your engine, my guess is that something mechanical failed or a foreign object entered the engine for it to be destroyed like that just cruising.

Yes a bad tune can mess an engine up even idling, but odds are that it would most likely cause damage when under load. So since this failed at light load, it makes me think it's mechanical rather than tune related. An established tuning vendor should be good enough to have a tune that drives and idles without destroying itself like this did. I would expect that from a fly by night tuner, not an established one as you say.

 

[JennyStang]

Wouldnt doubt it. But i dont think their device logs.

Yep your right. Prob Lund ZING

 

[Strokerswild]

Very strange piston failure. Looks like it was smashed in a press.

Weird.

 

[Brian V]

Should have stayed stock . Now your out an engine . I am wondering who installed the intake . Could this be pre- ignition related ?

 

[Die007]

Should have stayed stock . Now your out an engine . I am wondering who installed the intake . Could this be pre- ignition related ?

Manifold was installed by me. I right away put tape over the port holes. I'm sure nothing fell in their. There are many how to wright ups and YouTube videos on installing the 2018 manifold. I'm Farley positive I did it right all the way down to the torque specs.

 

[SolarFlare]

Yep your right. Prob Lund ZING

Honestly, I dont think this is a tuner issue, doubt a tune will do this on a car that didnt even go WOT. This is most likely install error. Something fell in.

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