Reliability modifications

[Souperfly]

So I've been lurking this website for at least a couple or 5 years and I'm finally posting up a question..

Ok just a quick story of where I'm at on my truck and what I'm looking for. I have an 05 F250 and about a year and a half ago the injectors let loose at 48k miles... 2 months of shop time and the truck was returned with a brand new engine which I didn't have to pay a dime for, Ford even filled up the tank and covered the $100 deductible!

I now have 62k miles (been in Iraq/Afghanistan for the past year) and I've pretty much completed all the performance/aesthetic modifications and I'm looking for mods to improve reliability. The truck currently has the Banks Six Gun with Power PDA and a 4" MBRP turbo back exhaust.

1) I know the ARB head studs are on top of that list, but where could I get the best deal for installation and how much does that cost, roughly??..

2) Whats next?

[troy520]

Hello, I've done a bit of reading since I picked up my '04 6.0l and decided to do the following for longevity on my engine. 1) Install a coolant filter kit to keep the oil cooler from clogging up and damaging the EGR cooler. 2) Oil change with full synthetic 5W40 diesel oil (I used Valvoline Premium Blue Extreme) and Motorcraft filter every 5K miles. 3) Motorcraft fuel filters every 15K miles. 4) Leave the stock air filter system in-place/replace element as necessary. 5) Replace or clean EGR valve every 20K miles (still researching this one???)
I keep a pretty close eye on my engine, so I'm not going to do studs unless I have head gasket problems, then I'll stud, gaskets, bullet proof EGR cooler, new oil cooler etc. (Oops, head bolts are the same...)

[69cj]

You might also consider installing a Magnefine in-line tranny filter in the power steering return line.

[jet6122]

Sorry to break in, but that's new info to me. I did not know they started using larger head bolts in 06.5 and 07. Mine is an 07, built in 5/06 I think. I had the bolts on my list of potential problems for the future! Hopefully I have the larger ones.

[straightpipewhite]

I'm guessing the Bank's PDA shows the engine diagnostics, ie. EGT's, Boost, and Trans. Temp. If not I highly recommend getting gauges to keep an eye on those things. I read on this site about the "Zoodad Mod" which I did on my 07 and it lowered my EGT's significantly. It is an easy and cheap do it yourself job that I think does a lot for the motor

[Souperfly]

Originally Posted by troy520

Hello, I've done a bit of reading since I picked up my '04 6.0l and decided to do the following for longevity on my engine. 1) Install a coolant filter kit to keep the oil cooler from clogging up and damaging the EGR cooler. 2) Oil change with full synthetic 5W40 diesel oil (I used Valvoline Premium Blue Extreme) and Motorcraft filter every 5K miles. 3) Motorcraft fuel filters every 15K miles. 4) Leave the stock air filter system in-place/replace element as necessary. 5) Replace or clean EGR valve every 20K miles (still researching this one???)
I keep a pretty close eye on my engine, so I'm not going to do studs unless I have head gasket problems, then I'll stud, gaskets, bullet proof EGR cooler, new oil cooler etc. Your new engine may have the larger (06.5-07) head bolts, so you may never have an issue.

I'll def check out #1! As far as oil goes, I've been using Rotella T 5W40 (I think). Also for now I've kept the stock air filter in place, but still have the itch to buy a Banks intake.... So the engines that have the larger head bolts are not as prone to failure from performance add-ons?

Originally Posted by straightpipewhite

I'm guessing the Bank's PDA shows the engine diagnostics, ie. EGT's, Boost, and Trans. Temp. If not I highly recommend getting gauges to keep an eye on those things. I read on this site about the "Zoodad Mod" which I did on my 07 and it lowered my EGT's significantly. It is an easy and cheap do it yourself job that I think does a lot for the motor

<br />
<br />

Yep the Banks PDA show's codes, boost, EGT and engine temp. Ford's factory dash gauge has the Trans temp, although just a C----H meter, but it works.

I search the Zoodad mod, never heard of it...

Also (and yes I drink the Banks cool-aid ) I've had my eye on the Banks Techni-cooler system along with the Banks cold air intake. I know that the 6.0's really don't need the intake, but if I'm going with the Technicooler system then I'll finish it off with the intake...

[69cj]

Originally Posted by troy520

Hello, I've done a bit of reading since I picked up my '04 6.0l and decided to do the following for longevity on my engine. 1) Install a coolant filter kit to keep the oil cooler from clogging up and damaging the EGR cooler. 2) Oil change with full synthetic 5W40 diesel oil (I used Valvoline Premium Blue Extreme) and Motorcraft filter every 5K miles. 3) Motorcraft fuel filters every 15K miles. 4) Leave the stock air filter system in-place/replace element as necessary. 5) Replace or clean EGR valve every 20K miles (still researching this one???)
I keep a pretty close eye on my engine, so I'm not going to do studs unless I have head gasket problems, then I'll stud, gaskets, bullet proof EGR cooler, new oil cooler etc. Your new engine may have the larger (06.5-07) head bolts, so you may never have an issue.

They don't have larger bolts, larger dowel pins.

[justinmelin]

If you are willing to travel and spend a week in East Peoria, Illinois, River City Diesel does head stud, and gasket work for $3000, while they are in there they will replace injectors, turbo and an EGR delete for NO extra charge. While the cabs up you may as well throw whatever else you want on it then. Just my suggestion. I did alot of research on them, they sell some parts and upgrades on Ebay too. Have Fun! Checkout their website, rivercitydiesel.com. They only work on PowerStrokes.

[Munfrobie]

I have the banks RamAir intake. I threw away my Airaid intake in the trash after I realized the AIT was at engine temps due to the open top design of the airaid. Now with the Banks RamAir I can read ambiant air temp while moving and at a stop I read slightly higher due to engine area air temps. All In all I am very happy with the intake and exhaust from Banks. I have a 6 gun with speed loader but I have never pluged it in it was in the truck when I bought it but the PDA was not. Since I bought the truck I have repaired every concievable failure the 6.0 can have. so I wounder how much was brought on by the 6 gun.

[timbo2]

Originally Posted by Souperfly

So I've been lurking this website for at least a couple or 5 years and I'm finally posting up a question..

Ok just a quick story of where I'm at on my truck and what I'm looking for. I have an 05 F250 and about a year and a half ago the injectors let loose at 48k miles... 2 months of shop time and the truck was returned with a brand new engine which I didn't have to pay a dime for, Ford even filled up the tank and covered the $100 deductible!

I now have 62k miles (been in Iraq/Afghanistan for the past year) and I've pretty much completed all the performance/aesthetic modifications and I'm looking for mods to improve reliability. The truck currently has the Banks Six Gun with Power PDA and a 4" MBRP turbo back exhaust.

1) I know the ARB head studs are on top of that list, but where could I get the best deal for installation and how much does that cost, roughly??..

2) Whats next?

if you want it to be reliable i would forget about the banks and any other engine tuner

[troy520]

Sorry, I thought I read that the mid-year '06 and later 6.0l's had a bit larger head bolts.
Didn't mean to lead anyone astray... Thanks 69cj for the clarification that its larger dowel pins.

[Munfrobie]

Originally Posted by timbo2

if you want it to be reliable i would forget about the banks and any other engine tuner

Right on to that. As I am proof of all the disasters the tuner put into the truck and I have less than 60K on the truck. Ford has luckily extended my warranty due to a very understander service manager. And my service manager allowed the studs while the HGs were being replaced.

[jet6122]

No prob Troy!