[zonearc]

I'm sure I will get flamed for this one, but after reading for hours I'm no closer to getting a basic list of steps and requirements for being a new Diesel owner.

I just bought an '06 6.0 F350 and I'm new to Diesel. I've read about the importance of frequency of oil/oil filter/fuel filter changes, ensuring you start it at least once a week, don't womp on it until things warm up, let the glow plug light turn off before you start, and let the turbo cool down after use.

But, I've had owners of older diesels tell me they use to have to add fuel additives but they weren't sure if you still need to on newer diesels.

What else should I know do to make this motor last forever?

Thanks!

 

[RT]

The newer diesels (the 6.4 and 6.7) need additives a lot more than the old ones. An old 7.3 is a true flex fuel engine - it will run on diesel, motor oil, transformer oil, automatic transmission fluid, and a dozen other combustibles. The 6.0 isn't quite as tolerant, but still will do nicely on straight diesel. You can add a lubricity additive to increase injector lifespan and prevent stiction, although oil additives work better for that.

Your main issues on the 6.0 involve addressing the known weaknesses that can take the engine out. Those mainly revolve around the oil cooler. It gets plugged with casting sand and snot from the gold Ford antifreeze. When it clogs, the antifreeze overheats in the downstream EGR cooler, it ruptures, you get fluid going into the cylinders which blows the head gaskets and it all goes down hill from there.

The cure is to lose the EGR valve / cooler or replace it with a bulletproof model. Flush your engine and replace the oil cooler. Use only ELC antifreeze from now on. Upgrade to head studs if you feel so motivated. Address the low fuel pressure with the blue spring upgrade. Get your FICM bulletproofed at FICMrepair.com and several other small things the 6.0 guys will address shortly.

 

[zonearc]

Thanks for all of the recommendations! I've gone through and researched a bit more and I have a list going that I'll slowly tackle. For now, my initial important steps seem to be:

- Perform Oil & Filter change regularly
- Check/Drain water from separator

Start slowly buying each of the other items (EGR delete, blue coil, IPR, etc) as time/money allows.



Question: Is it better to get the FICM flashed by someone vs using an SCT Tuner, or does the SCT Tuner not get specific enough to adjust turbo timings, etc?




In general, I'm not looking for additional performance at all. What I want is this to be as reliable and long-lasting as possible. Any other advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[RT]

If you're looking for reliability, then send your FICM to Ed at FICMrepair.com - have him do the upgrades and flash it with the Atlas 40 tune. That will increase responsiveness without increasing your power levels to head gasket blowing levels. I would not recommend the SCT tuner unless you've done studs and EGR bulletproofing.