[mmomega]

Post almost states it all.
We've taken the truck in for the 3rd time, this morning, for the truck puking coolant, drinking it, running hot at idle then immediately cooling off and I know changing the gaskets definitely aren't the easiest things to do but the techs just keep saying " Oh we unclogged the oil cooler" take it back same problem, Oh we unclogged the EGR" take it back same problem, "Oh there must have been an air bubble in the system" take it back same problem.

It's not like the head gasket prob on the 6.0's are uncommon. So are they just trying to put it off until it's out of warranty or covering all their bases before jumping in "head" first on the gaskets. It just gets to be a pain taking the truck in almost weekly for a week or two at a time with nothing actually getting fixed. I said drive the thing for 2 days and check the coolant I guarantee you it will be lower, theres only so many places for it to go if it's not visibly leaking to the ground.

 

[dikkstarr]

You can try the exhaust in coolant test kit napa has. Its a blue fluid that you put in a vessel then stick one end inside the degas bottle and suck the air thats inside the cooling system out though the fluid. If the blue fluid turns dark green, you have exhaust gases in there.

Most likely heads are blown, but a slim chance it could be just a ruptured EGR cooler. To check the EGR cooler if its leaking you can pull the EGR valve to see if its wet with coolant.

Usually tho the EGR blows first and then things get worse and then the heads are blown next.

Most likely the oil cooler got plugged restricting coolant flow to the EGR cooler, which the stagnant coolant flash boiled from high EGTs and over pressurised the cooling system, and ruptured the EGR cooler. Then some coolant may have found its way into the intake overnight, and on startup had a mild hydro lock lifting the head enough to pop the gasket and make it leak.

Use this info at the dealer so you can prove to them you have a major problem so they fix it before warranty is gone.

 

[mmomega]

I appreciate all the info dikkstarr, I just dropped the truck off at the dealer this morning and I think they are running out of other things to blame it on. They changed the oil cooler and said they checked the egr 2 weeks ago when I picked it up, had to add a gallon of coolant over the weekend.
I told the service tech again this was the 3rd time it has been in for this problem( since it was a new guy), they completely cleaned the engine bay last time and it was apparent that coolant was being puked out again + it was low on coolant and he sounded like he didn't believe me when I said I added a gallon on Friday.
We'll see what happens this time, it may be a pain but I'll keep taking it in until they get it right.

 

[OT]

MM..you might consider talking with Svc.Mgr. Due to # times in for same complaint, whats next on tech's list to do would be a fair q. Some info. 6L Coolant loss/testing etc. Certainly PIA, but hang in there. Good luck!

FWIW...just remember if on going problem covered under warr. dosen't get fixed, dosen't mean your SOL just because warr. expires. Not a good position to be put in, but doable. Hopefully it gets fixed this time.

 

[2 Stroker]

They say things are bigger in TX, i would find a different dealer there has to be more than 1.
2 stroker:ford:

 

[mmomega]

yeah the convenience factor of them being the closest is about to wear off, dropped it off Mon and as of today "They don't know."

 

[ex mounty]

Tell them to refer to TSB# 09-8-3 for Coolant loss.
Very well known and documented issue.
(As an edit: This is the same TSB that OT linked to, I saw it after I posted)
Heck, print out the TSB and hand it to the Service Writer.

 

[mmomega]

Right now I'm just waiting for them to give me a verdict of what they believe it is this time. If I need to I'll print and take the TSB in.
I have about a dozen Ford dealers around town so I may be taking my business elsewhere.

 

[ex mounty]

Go to the Ford dealer that has the most diesel trucks out back in the service area.

 

[JVogel]

If your in Mansfield you have several dealers. I used to use Don Davis Ford for my oil changes becasue some other friends suggested them. Five Star in North Richland Hills sells a bunch of Diesels. Also try Diesel Pros in Hurst. Get a second opinion from them. 817-284-7171.
Jeff