mgarbe

I was just about to pull the trigger on an ECU upgrade for my 997TT when I took my car in for some routing service. The tuner I use is a related company to the local dealer (Pfaff Tuning and Pfaff Porsche.) My service advisor told me that I should hold off on the ECU upgrade because Porsche has become quite difficult to deal with on engine related issue if the ECU has been reprogrammed.

If there is even a check engine light, Porsche now requires the dealer to perform an audit which will show several things including if the ECU has been modified. If it has, Porsche is denying all warranty claims. Has anyone else heard about this?

TT Surgeon

I think that has always been the party line, but a lot of dealers actually flash the cars themselves. I wouldn't ( and didn't) worry about it at all. It all comes down to your relationship with the dealer. My dealer knows mine's been flashed and has done several warranty items to date without issue.

Z06

Total agreement for minor problems, but throw a rod thru the block and see what happens!

TB993tt

And how many tts have thrown rods through the blocks with just an ECU tune ?

TT Gasman

I think you could also have issues if you are trying to hide it. That's one reason I like my Ruf, it is stamped " RUF" right on the ECU, nothing to hide.
I think you are pretty safe with a GIAC or EVO flash, they are both well known and sold/installed by many dealers in the US. They are also both very safe flashes with long safety records. These motors are strong, neither of these flashes by themselves will hurt anything.

Z06

Have no idea?

Are you going for the next level 600 Cargraphic/RS T kit?

TB993tt

I Have never heard of this happening and the beauty of these modern Bosch Motronics is that they protect the engine so well that even a bad "tune" will not damage the engine......
Oh yes...... PM'd you

docjackson1

i live in north jersey-a dealer by me (jack daniels) advertises the hell out of their tuning business-all throughout their service area, they have multiple advertisements about their ability to do the entire champion upgrade to any porsche, especially turbos, including an ecu flash, exhaust, new turbos, etc. by logic alone, they would have to be the automotive equivalent of bernie madeoff if they would not stand behind a warranty issue on a car that they have taken money from you to do some form of tuneing upgrade, including flashing the car. if you go to an authorized dealer and they do the upgrade, how could they not back you on a warranty problem?

jhbrennan

The dealer may be willing to warranty their upgrades where the dealership pays for any warranty repairs. I doubt PCNA will honor the Porsche warranty if it's determined that the mod caused the warranty claim. So if this is the dealer's policy and assuming they are still around, the "dealer warranty" should be OK - just don't expect PCNA to step up.