Some Questions for the 6.0L PSD Braintrust

[BUBLHED]

What exactly is a Ford Buy Back truck? I recently purchased an '04 6.0L PSD 4X4 EX with 13,000 miles on it. It was a CA truck and I live in MD. I bought it from a local Ford dealer and the salesperson was not the brightest lite in the harbor. The same could probably be said about me since I bought the truck without really finding out what a buy back truck is! I got the remainder of the 3/36 warranty. He showed me what had been done on the vehicle since it was originally sold. Basically several flashes and oil leaks. I put the EX on a lift before I bought it and looked underneath it. It was really clean. Not a leak of any kind anywhere. I was impressed. As for the flashes the PSD runs strong and the TS shifts great. The only things I could see wrong were cosemetic. The previous owner probably had a Juice or other power module on the vehicle because there is a hole in the dash just left of the steering column for a Juice like switch. Also, did not get the DVD wireless head sets and remote, only one Securilock key and no roof rack cross pieces. BUT it was a used truck as I was reminded by the saleperson and I saved $12,000 by buying the 04 vice a new 05.

What about burning K1 Kerosene in a diesel? A friend of mine has a VW rabbit diesel and he burns straight K1 in it. He said it loves it. He uses K1 since it is cheaper then diesel. He is as tight as two coats of paint! Each year I get 10 gallons of K1 for a backup winter heater. What I don't use, I burn in my 6.5L TD Suburban. Is this good or bad? The Suburban still runs!

DSMMH

[MoeB]

It means that the previous owner had problems with the truck that qualified for a buyback by the dealer. The buyback could have been a lemon law arbitration award, a settlement after the institution of lemon law proceedings but prior to decision, or a "goodwill" action taken by Ford.

If I were you, I would not be doing things that might jeopardize your ability to get warranty coverage, like running a programmer/chip or using kero in it.

[OMCUSNR]

Straight Kerosene will toast the injectors in a 6.0. These injectors are ALLOT more delicate than the older mechanical units. Do NOT use ANY alcohol/alcohol based additives, ATF, used motor oil, or any of the other crap that "old time diesel" guys used to use in your fuel. You'll screw this engine up real good, real fast. I know using kero is trying to save money, but you'll wind up toasting the engine, costing allot more money than you saved. Alcohol attracts water, and if water hits these injectors, at the pressure/temps they run, it creates steam, and steam is one of the most corrosive things around.

If you want to use an additive, any of the good commercial porducts (provided they contain NO alcohol) will work fine. One of the best things you can do for both the engine, economy, and environment, is use as much Bio-diesel as your pocket book will allow. I'd burn as high as B-90 in the summer & B-10/20 in the winter. ULSD is mandated next year, and Bio-diesel is one of the best things you can use to add lubrication to the fuel.

Another thing you want to keep an eye on with the Ex you have is coolant. If you chip it, there is a good chance you will blow coolant by the head gaskets and hence out the degass bottle (aka "puking"). It may already have had that happen if the previous owner chipped it. Did the dealer actually run an OASIS on the vehicle? Did he give you a copy? If not then post the VIN over at www.6literpowerstroke.com , (they have a special section for this) and they will let you know what the OASIS looks like.

I, personally, can not understand the mentality of trying to performance mod a 6.0. I can understand how, coming from the 7.3's (especially the older ones) where with a 7.3, it helped improve the performance, one would want to do that w/ a used 7.3, but a 6.0 performs so well w/out the mods, & adding them is destroying so many trannies & engines, I just don't get it. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img] The only modification to a 6.0 power train I'd consider is a 4" exhaust (cat back) for the lower egt's. If towing a good bit, real gauges are a very good idea. Otherwise, leave it alone, and you'll have a great rig that runs strong, gets good economy, and lasts a long time.

[jbdawson]

[ QUOTE ]
What about burning K1 Kerosene in a diesel? A friend of mine has a VW rabbit diesel and he burns straight K1 in it. He said it loves it. He uses K1 since it is cheaper then diesel. He is as tight as two coats of paint! Each year I get 10 gallons of K1 for a backup winter heater. What I don't use, I burn in my 6.5L TD Suburban. Is this good or bad? The Suburban still runs!

DSMMH

[/ QUOTE ]

Down here in the sunny south kerosene is way yonder more expensive than diesel fuel (which ain't cheap by any measure).

[BUBLHED]

Thanks for the reply. I continue to be amazed at the depth of knowledge on this site and the people who are willing to share it!

The K1 I'll dispose of in my mechanical injector 1977 John Deere tractor. That thing will burn anything. I had no intention on putting it in the Ex but just wondered about burning K1 in a diesel.

I agree with you about the Juice and other programmers. I got caught up in the HP hype on this site. I towed without the Juice to WV and pulled a 10,500 lbs load up and down the Shenadoah Valley on I-64 and the 6.0 had no problem pulling it. I was impressed. Since I installed the Juice with Attitude I drive with it on three and baby it. No WOT accels. I'm going to pull it out and save it or sell it. It's not worth the headaches of fighting with Ford about warranty.

Thanks again

DSMMH

[CaptSkup]

Which dealer did you buy it from? Hope not the one in Lex Park. definetly run the VIN# and get the OASIS report. I would be interested to see what Ford did to the truck following buyback and before they resold it. I concur about the Kerosene, use it for the space heater not the $12,000 replacement cost PSD. Most of the K-1 pumped around here is full of contanminants. Surprised this truck was bought back if in fact a tuner had been installed. I am keeping this engine completely stock other than Wix filters. Plenty of power for my needs.