problems with 04 6.0 - Diesel Forum

rileyp · 12-09-2006, 08:09 AM

I bought a used F250,6.0 in 04(its an 04),its my first deisel and I sure have had a myriad of problems with it!The latest being head gasket replacement.The truck only has 50K miles on it,and I'm diligent about oil changes,HFCM draining and never let the tank getting below1/4.I'm begining to think these engines are nothing but problematic!!I'm wondering if I have seen the last of the engine issues,or should I be on the lookout for future problems.When the truck is running,its great,but I tow alot with horses and I really can't be having problems.I guess my question is should I get rid of the truck,and spend the money on a newer 6.0,hoping the new ones have the bugs worked out?
Thanks in advance

sicaj · 12-09-2006, 08:37 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I bought a used F250,6.0 in 04(its an 04),its my first deisel and I sure have had a myriad of problems with it!The latest being head gasket replacement.The truck only has 50K miles on it,and I'm diligent about oil changes,HFCM draining and never let the tank getting below1/4.I'm begining to think these engines are nothing but problematic!!I'm wondering if I have seen the last of the engine issues,or should I be on the lookout for future problems.When the truck is running,its great,but I tow alot with horses and I really can't be having problems.I guess my question is should I get rid of the truck,and spend the money on a newer 6.0,hoping the new ones have the bugs worked out?
Thanks in advance

[/ QUOTE ]I transport racehorses for a living,I have had my share of problems also.My trucks have never left me on the side of the road.Maybe I am lucky!I put close to 100,000 miles a year on each truck.No matter what brand of truck you purchase,they all have their share of problems.Don't worry about it.Good luck! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

moldman7n · 12-09-2006, 08:44 AM

Riley,

That is a common problem with 2003 and 2004 6.0. See if you can buy aftermarket head studs and have the dealer install them when they replace the gaskets. Also insist that they check the heads themselves for flatness to make sure they are in spec. The workmanship on some early 6.0 heads was not good. Head bolts were often not torqued to spec either. If you have a good tech working on the truck this could be your last problem. If you have a lousy tech this could be the beggining of a long nightmare. That's the reality of it. I would not give up on this truck just yet. It can be fixed permantly.

hitecdan · 12-09-2006, 11:56 AM

No, blow head gaskets was not a common problem with the 03s and 04s. I seem to recall that there was an issue with a flawed set of head gaskets that found their way into production somewhere in the 04 to 05 model year. The other problem was people were putting aftermarket programmers on their engines and that was also blowing them out and stretching head bolts.

With all the doom and gloom that has been spread around by people that don't even own 03s and 04s, my truck should have died a thousand times by now. Knock it off with the broad brush painting will ya. Check your facts.

Check here for all the TSB and bulletins that have been issued for the 6.0L: http://www.intellidog.com/dieselmann/60bulletin.htm

weweld · 12-09-2006, 03:37 PM

I know of 7 03 and 04 trucks with blown head gaskets that are stock and have never had a programmer installed. All of those are in just my area.

moldman7n · 12-09-2006, 05:14 PM

[ QUOTE ]
No, blow head gaskets was not a common problem with the 03s and 04s. I seem to recall that there was an issue with a flawed set of head gaskets that found their way into production somewhere in the 04 to 05 model year. The other problem was people were putting aftermarket programmers on their engines and that was also blowing them out and stretching head bolts.

With all the doom and gloom that has been spread around by people that don't even own 03s and 04s, my truck should have died a thousand times by now. Knock it off with the broad brush painting will ya. Check your facts.

Check here for all the TSB and bulletins that have been issued for the 6.0L: http://www.intellidog.com/dieselmann/60bulletin.htm

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey, I'm on your side. I'm just going by what the techs have told us. The robots were torquing the head bolts to the wrong specs on a lot of them. Most are fine but a bunch of them were torqued wrong and caused blown head gaskets. Also, I was told the machining by International on many of the heads was sub-par. Rough and not very flat. I agree, many of the issues were helped along by mods, but not all.

PSD2004 · 12-09-2006, 08:03 PM

My 04 F350 had an oil leak at the pan, while it was in for repair the service manager called and asked permission, after all the motor was already out, to complete a TSB, according to him,that required the head gasket replacement. Reason given improper/flawed material/application? Any rate the truck runs great w/47k to date.