[Megatron 6.0]

So my 05 6.0 seems to have way too much pressure in the coolant system. Every time I open the hood there’s coolant on the degas bottle. When I crack the cap open it hisses for way longer than I believe it should. The head gaskets were replaced a year and a half ago and it was studded at that time. I’m 99% sure my oil cooler is bad as my deltas get up to a 50 degree difference. Could my oil cooler be causing the high pressure in the system?
To my knowledge the egr has been deleted. I’ve dumped over 5k into this truck since I bought it a few months ago. I’m praying my heads aren’t blown. I don’t notice any performance issues or coolant in the oil, nor is there white smoke coming out the exhaust or coolant either.
Any info or experience with this helps. I love the truck but I feel like I keep running into issues left and right… I’m starting to miss my 5.9…

 

[speedrcr78]

If your oil cooler was bad I’d assume you’d have oil in the coolant.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bobofthenorth]

I don't know what else is going on but if I see a 15 degree delta I freak right out. Mine typically run 10-12 degrees.

 

[gephro]

As mentioned, an oil cooler leak would mean oil in the coolant (been there).

What you describe sounds like head gaskets (been there). Again. Pressure test the system while running. You could also check for the presence of exhaust gases in the coolant.

Sent from my Pixel 4a (5G) using Tapatalk

 

[Megatron 6.0]

As mentioned, an oil cooler leak would mean oil in the coolant (been there).

What you describe sounds like head gaskets (been there). Again. Pressure test the system while running. You could also check for the presence of exhaust gases in the coolant.

Sent from my Pixel 4a (5G) using Tapatalk

I ran a test kit on the coolant and there was no evidence of exhaust gases in it. I’ve also ran a pressure test and the coolant maintains pressure. I know my oil cooler is bad because the deltas go past 15 degrees every time I drive it. I’m planning on replacing my oil cooler with fords OEM upgrade and adding an external coolant and oil filtration system. My heater core keeps clogging up as well.

 

[Megatron 6.0]

I ran a test kit on the coolant and there was no evidence of exhaust gases in it. I’ve also ran a pressure test and the coolant maintains pressure. I know my oil cooler is bad because the deltas go past 15 degrees every time I drive it. I’m planning on replacing my oil cooler with fords OEM upgrade and adding an external coolant and oil filtration system. My heater core keeps clogging up as well.

 

[Megatron 6.0]

Also, couldn’t the oil cooler be clogged on the coolant side causing it to build pressure? I know both oil and coolant run through that oil cooler.

 

[gephro]

I'd check your cap too. Cheap part to throw at it.

Your coolant sounds not so good if it's clogging. You can reverse flush the heater/cooler/system which I'd do prior to pulling apart for the cooler anyway, and it might take care of the problem.

If you still have gunk in your system when you replace the cooler it will just immediately clog again.

I'll dig up a good link on flushing...

Sent from my Pixel 4a (5G) using Tapatalk

 

[gephro]

I'll dig up a good link on flushing...

From over on powerstroke.org by nylyon: http://www.powerstroke.org/forum/at...le-mod-w-switch-cooling_system_flush_v1-0.pdf

For your pressure test - was it like this?

Mine would be ok at idle. Driving it'd shoot right up to like 20 if I remember correctly. Exact same result with the cap you're talking about. For that leak around the cap, it pretty much is EGR, cap, or head gasket. Can't think of any other cause. With mine I was only slightly higher on EOT-ECT delta than normal - it wasn't a big concern.

 

[bismic]

The "gas chemical test" for exhaust gas is essentially useless. The pressure testing is the only way to go. For a valid pressure test, you need to FIRST make sure that there are no obvious leaks in the coolant system. Sounds like you have done that, so now time to see what pressure driving it will add!

 

[UC Enos]

Nearly every one of these 6.0L I have seen with this exact issue ends up being the last problem no one wants to hear.
Head Gasket. Although I have seen one with micro corrosion that had worm holed its way right through a cylinder wall. Just like you the guy poured a lot money into it before he simply stopped the denial, tore it down, and there it was.

Equation: over pressurizer cooling system + clogging + heat = head gasket. Usually goes with clogging of things like heater core, EGR, and of course the oil cooler. Get a grip on you pocket book and consider that your set of head studs and replacement gaskets may have just not worked.

If an EGR upgraded or delete, an upgraded oil cooler, and a coolant filer were not part of you head gasket and stud job job a year ago then you probable took it to the wrong shop.

I know you don't want to hear it but consider head gaskets. It's a 6.0L and it just adds up.

 

[bismic]

See attached. Note the paragraph entitled "Issues"

 

[UC Enos]

I commend you for exploring the possibility the issues are caused by that which is stated in the document, but even this document is pointing out the possibility that its the same old problem these motor are most known for.

If one were to read it very carefully certain statements use words like, "May, or possible," which according to Blacks Law dictionary simply means it might be, it could be, it is possible. In other words it says it is still up to you to find the problem and these are what we consider likely causes to your "Issues."

It is also designed to push off the other most likely possibility which is a head gasket issue without ruling it out or ignoring it, but by saying for those diagnosed with a blown head gasket it is likely due to an over boost problem. (It's not our fault so don't sue us.")

Please note nearly one third to half the paragraph below, "Issues," and under the heading, "Service Procedure," in a nut shell says head gaskets are a problem also. This paragraph is pointing out a head gasket problem with the 6.0L that also causes all of the above mentioned, but without legally admitting to it. The equivalent of weeing on your leg and saying its raining.

Words used in these types of documents have as much input from lawyers as they do from a Tech. (reality).

It's a 6.0L. That said, these were the motors on first arrival dealers reported having to pushed off the delivery truck because they wouldn't even start right from the factory. I don't have a lot of confidence in their solutions as stated in the above mentioned service (legal) document.

Good luck and I hope you're totally right.

It sound likely you will be tearing into this 6.0L to replace the oil cooler and such. Not much left to take it a part further once you have gone to that point. Consider if you are going into it that deep that there is not much left to do for pulling the heads and checking for cracks, bad gaskets, or....

 

[bismic]

LOL - "may" or "might" ...................... those words have to be used until the diagnosis is done.

I agree though - head gasket leakage is all too common, but it certainly isn't just an overboost issue.

High cylinder pressure can come from a variety of places i addition to an overboost .......
hydrolock
timing issue
over fueling
etc.

Then you have overheating that can contribute to the issue. Not just an "if A, then B" engine.

 

[UC Enos]

Bismic, Thanks, I agree. The whole point of my entering this discussion is to say don't just look under rock A or B, and don't resolve to chasing the cheapest fix first just because its cheaper and because you assume having new head studs and gaskets a year and a half ago means its 99% can't be that again. Nothing about these are a cheap fix. Don't discount the obvious just because its a hard nut to swallow.

Explore all possible symptoms. Tearing down a 6.0L to just replace an oil cooler is a lot of work only to find out it needs torn down again. Can you say labor bill?

Its been run hot. All bets that there is nothing wrong with the head gaskets are off.

 

[bismic]

Well said! Thanks for the clarification.

 

[knightgang]

How is the truck running, overall. You mention high oil temp delta's, ok so we know your Oil Cooler is bad and at a minimum needs to be backflushed or replaced. Do you have Turbo boost, what is your coolant temp looking like... Overall drivability of the truck?

I ask because I recently had an issue with my personal truck that head scratched me. After a oil cooler backflush session, my truck was not running right. Coolant temps were higher than usual, like by 20 degrees. Boost was low according to ear, but the gauge saw reading 14psi booth at 60mph cruise speed. When I topped the hood, coolant was puking. MAN, did I do something to blow a head gasket (and I am studded, have been for 4 years).

Took a step back and started evaluating what the truck and its sensor were telling me. Finally found I had dropped some antifreeze into the Exhaust Backpressure sensor and it was shorting out to a reading of 22psi, therefore, providing bad info back to the computer, registering higher boost than average and severely over fueling the engine. Not enough to roll coal, but with the lack of turbo boost (which provides a secondary cooling function to the engine) and this caused my coolant tempt to rise and overpressure the degas and puke coolant.

Once I replaced the EBP sensor, everything returned to normal. I have driven hard and towed heavy since then and not lost a drop of coolant nor had coolant temp climb above 194*. And after about 6-7 years of fighting rust in my block causing oil coolers to clog, I may have finally eradicated that and had a successful backflush. At normal 50-60 cruise speeds I usually see deltas in the 7-8* spread and during a HOT day at 70-75 about 12-13*.

Check all your PIDs and see if you have a bad sensor (primarily EBP) that could be causing your issue. You have an 05, the EBP is directly under the Degas, if you are pucking and that sensor is not weather tight, this could be it...