Well just kick me in the nuts while down why dont you

[stoopid]

Wanted to add that this phenomena is a known problem with turbos in general. I thought of this youtube video when discussion started to move towards a piston issue [starting at 2:22]:

[video=youtube_share;dyEYaN6Y_FM]https://youtu.be/dyEYaN6Y_FM?t=2m22s[/video]

I knew lugging was bad, but this explains why in decent layman's terms. Figure it was worth sharing since it could be a direct contributor to why the pistons could/would fail near their top (low speed pre-ignition).

I also noticed my car needs almost 10 minutes to be fully warmed up. KR on the handheld [knock retard] is quite active until it gets to operating temps. Obviously you don't want to run it hard until it's warmed up and not knocking.

 

[tygriff]

This may be slightly off topic, but this thread does bring to light the concern of tune / modification and GM warranty coverage.

I have a 2015 Regal Turbo and at some point may look at getting a tune (after warranty). While I realize that this is highly likely the result of poor GM decision making to not use a forged piston and the tune had nothing to do with the failure - how is the tune hidden from GM? How can you protect yourself from being screwed over if there is a powertrain failure that COULD be caused by the tune, but is not (ie: just a bad mechanical component).

In this case, I would imagine that GM would take recent vehicle data (boost pressure, air/fuel ratios, etc.) to determine possible root cause of the piston failure so they don't just replace the piston and find out something else was wrong.
I seem to remember a Camaro owner being denied engine warranty coverage because of a catch can. If GM (or any manufacturer) can be that stingy, wouldn't you be at risk as the buyer of the tune? Is it just 'buyer beware'?

 

[stoopid]

Technically tuning your vehicle voids the drivetrain warranty (engine warranty if you only tune the engine). The tune pushes the vehicle beyond manufacturer specifications, and the programming in a car is its heart and soul. One cannot argue that the tune is not a factor.

So what I'm content with arguing, should an issue arise, is how likely the issue was tune related. How much of a factor would the tune play in a particular problem. That answer would be determined case-by-case. In my situation, I've had my tune for 10,000 miles (I think even longer than that). I don't track the car and don't race from stop light to stop light. It's about having the car give me everything it can when I want it, and overall improved driveability (better throttle response, transmission shifts, smooth and consistent torque/power delivery, etc). To thine own self be true. If you're racing the vehicle and it spits metal from the exhaust, perhaps you need to eat the repair. If the problem ends up being something that would have occurred due to a faulty component under any condition/normal wear and tear, then by all means utilize the warranty. In my mind, having a car running a tune for 10,000+ miles without a single issue indicates the tune is doing its job - providing performance on demand, but normal driving when unneeded.

I've seen others claim "Pay to play. If you tune don't even try to get it fixed under warranty." I think it's more nuanced than that. It's the same for whether to fight speeding tickets. It's your right to try.

If you want to know what the internet thinks, there's always google:

https://www.google.com/?ion=1&espv=2#q=tuning+car+void+warranty

 

[stoopid]

As far as obfuscating the existence of the tune... this seems to vary tuner to tuner. BNR says "they can't see it", but hasn't clarified any further than that. Trifecta claims it's completely invisible, doesn't even increase the ECU flash count. Haven't looked at what IPF claim.

It's likely the dealer would be able to tell if you don't flash back to stock before bringing the vehicle in to them. Whether they can tell even after being flashed back to stock is the question that really would need to be answered.

 

[Mackiesback]

My diagnosis?

Warranty.

Not even sure why you are messing with it. Go back to stock and haul it in.

 

[GOT2B GM]

Interested to see if the dealer gives you a hard time about the tune, or if they even notice its been flashed / reflashed back to stock

 

[jas16gs]

Interested to see if the dealer gives you a hard time about the tune, or if they even notice its been flashed / reflashed back to stock

It won't be the dealer it will be GM itself. A 2016 with 6k miles for a warranty engine will have to be approved by a GM rep. The dealer will be told to send all info to Gm technical center including info pulled from the ecm for review. They have access to info the dealer don't have and they are the ones that will approve the warranty claim based on what they see/find. OP I wish you luck cause that sucks and hope all goes well on your end.

 

[stoopid]

Saleen, what ended up happening?