[Mdnitedrftr]

Hey guys!

This year as a birthday present to myself, Ive decided Im going to trade in my 01 F20 5.4, and get an 05-06 6.0.

My 5.4 has been, and still is a great truck, but these tough New England winters have really put a hurting on the body/paint and I feel like Im rounding the corner where its gonna start costing me alot of money to start replacing things. So Id like to get out while Im ahead.

Now while Im familiar with the SD trucks themselves, Im pretty clueless when it comes to diesel. All I know is they make gobs of power, they dont like the extreme cold, and with proper maintenance, they can last forever.

Ive been reading the forums for sometime now, and Im aware of most of the issues this motor has (the bigger ones anyway), but what about basic maintenance? Oil changes, filters, and whatnot. And basic operation, gas vs. diesel?

I plan on keeping the truck pretty close to stock. Probably just an exhaust, and some gauges so I can keep tabs on the motor. I dont drive hard, I dont tow much and I really want this thing to last a long time. Any other worthwhile longevity mods to consider?

 

[DELTAJOHN]

Hey Trumbull guy! Trumbull CT is my old home town, grew up there. My 6.0 F-250 was banging around there last week, as a matter of fact. I got from VA to Shelton, CT on a half tank of fuel, about 22 mpg average, about 450 miles.

I've owned my 6.0 since November of 2010. Here is what I've learned:
Find a truck that was used like a "car", kept up nice, no heavy towing, maintained religiously, by the dealer preferably. The degas bottle (or coolant expansion) should show no signs of overflow or sludge. Engine should start quickly, and easily cold, (tough to determine in the Summer) then settle to an even and smooth idle.

When purchased, start the bulletproof process: flush cooling system with RESTORE (found at heavy truck dealers) to remove silicates from Ford's coolant, Delete or replace EGR cooler with Bulletproof Diesel cooler. Replace oil cooler, and HPOP Sump screen with revised part. Install a good HD Diesel truck ELC coolant with a CAT rating of EC-1 and an equal part of distilled water. Also advisable is to replace the fuel regulator spring with Ford's revised blue spring to raise fuel pressure to protect your injectors, 6.4 liter fuel line "banjo bolts" on the heads are another upgrade to improve diesel flow. Replace thermostat with a Ford or International unit. Last, check your batteries and make sure they produce 12 volts under load, REPLACE BOTH if one is found bad. The batteries are crucial to keep the FICM healthy. (FICM=Fuel Injection Control Module) Worn batteries will cause overheating of the unit and solder joints to fail, it is a pricey unit to replace. Service the tranny, and replace your fuel filters and oil filters with Motorcaft or Racor and change your oil and refill with a Diesel rated Synthetic oil of 5W-40 weight. I use Rotella T-6 5W-40, it makes for easy starts in cold weather. Another option your first change is to use 8 oz of a product called REV-X, which will clean your injectors. And btw, if the truck is an 05-06, find out if the dealer replaced the STC fitting on the HPOP, they are known to disconnect and strand you.

I'm sure other members will add to my rudimentary list, good luck in your search.

John, THS class of 1973..................yeah, I'm an old B**tard

 

[Mdnitedrftr]

Thanks for the info!

Are oil changes the same intervals as cars (3k miles)?

Whats the STC fitting you speak of?

Like I said, Im clueless about diesels...


Oh, and John, I dont mean to make you feel old but, class of 02' here. :icon_biggrin:

 

[dieselmac]

Snap To Connect fitting. It comes off the back of the high pressure oil pump (HPOP).

Most guys run a 5k oil change interval.

Might want to do a Google search for the 6.0L Bible. It's a good introduction to the engine and basic operations.

 

[OT]

MD..This will be a MAJOR change from your 5.4L triton, but I assume you already know that. But, think real hard like do u really need a psd? 6L Bible Table of Contents (tks HTD)6.0L Common failure's & solutions Good luck on what ever u decide.

 

[Mdnitedrftr]

But, think real hard like do u really need a psd?.

Could I get away with another 5.4? Yes. Do I want to? No.

I drive alot, especially during the winter. Im a ski bum, so usually every weekend I load up the truck and head out to some mountain. With my 5.4, my gas gauge moves almost as fast as my speedo. :lol: Im lucky if I get 9-10 mpg while driving those mountain roads(on the highway Im not much better). I feel a PSD would have a much easier time with the drive. The 5.4 is too small an engine for this big of a truck, IMO anyway...

Also, the longevity the comes with a properly maintained motor, power on tap for when I do need it, and they're just so badass...all selling points, ha.


Thanks for those killer links too!

 

[jbthomp]

i think i would pass on a used 6.0 to tell you the truth. this engine can quickly cost you a ton of money if it hasnt been properly maintained

 

[OT]

JB..I understand proper maintenace. But, what are your thoughts on many failures reported here at various times/miles. Many say same, did all req'd svc/etc. but still broke. Like I've said before, 6L is still a crap shoot.

btw..any opinion on latest "don't use gold coolant crap" controversy? TIA

 

[Mdnitedrftr]

I feel like there are big issues with any car/truck.

I cant think of any vehicle Ive owned that hasnt had a specific major issue. From my first car, a t-bird that was known for blowing head gaskets, to my Mark VIII that had a slew of issues, to my SD now that is notorious for blowing spark plugs clear out of the head, and everything in between.

Atleast with the 6.0, theres enough information out there on these issues that I can know what to look for, and maybe catch it before it becomes a major problem.

I dunno, thats just my view...

 

[DELTAJOHN]

I feel like there are big issues with any car/truck.

I cant think of any vehicle Ive owned that hasnt had a specific major issue. From my first car, a t-bird that was known for blowing head gaskets, to my Mark VIII that had a slew of issues, to my SD now that is notorious for blowing spark plugs clear out of the head, and everything in between.

Atleast with the 6.0, theres enough information out there on these issues that I can know what to look for, and maybe catch it before it becomes a major problem.

I dunno, thats just my view...

We just put together my son's '92 Tbird SUPERCOUPE, yep, the head gasket blower. Another vehicle like the 6.0, that will provide excellent service IF you bulletproof it! The T-bird: ARP studs on the heads, CAT DELETE to remove back pressure on the LS cylinders. We drag race the car and it has held up! The 6.0 can also provide excellent service, but it must be prepped to do so. As the other members alluded, modifications are necessary. I would not buy the 6.0 UNLESS you have deep pockets, or are an experienced wrench. I spent about $1200. prepping mine doing the work myself, and I have no regrets. It is an amazing vehicle that I really enjoy driving, and I have many others to choose from, including a Corvette. But the truck seems to end up my "go to" vehicle. All I can say is READ, READ, AND READ these forums to know what you are up against.

John

 

[baddna]

If you can afford it I would recommend an Edge CS or CTS or a Scan gauge to make sure the delta of the temps are fine. I bought the CS and I think it was the worst thing I ever did to the truck as I started to watch it and now the truck is getting an EGR delete and new oil cooler. It is a real eye opener when you see the spread of the temps. Just do some of the things you mentioned and enjoy your truck.

 

[Mdnitedrftr]

Ive had 3 Mustangs that Ive dumped, I dont even want to know how much money into, trying to make go fast, only to have things blow up or break. I would have no problem dropping a little cash to have something to last LONGER. :lol:

$2k for parts, another $1500-2000 for labor? Thats cheaper than a supercharger.

To never have to worry about a major issue for the life of the motor? Done.

 

[jbthomp]

JB..I understand proper maintenace. But, what are your thoughts on many failures reported here at various times/miles. Many say same, did all req'd svc/etc. but still broke. Like I've said before, 6L is still a crap shoot.

btw..any opinion on latest "don't use gold coolant crap" controversy? TIA

i think the 6.0 can be a good engine but it will take an awful lot of money to make it so. i think the boys at bulletproof diesel have a good setup with their updated egr cooler and external oil cooler. this fixes most of the issues the 6.0 has. also its not just the 6.0 that has egr cooler leaking issues, just about every diesel engine manufacturer has gone round and round with leaking egr coolers. i think most of the failures i see are from drivers pushing the engine too far with a plugged oil cooler or leaking egr cooler which escalates the situation into several thousand dollars. obviously maintenace is a big issue especially with this engine. personally i think the gold coolant is not that great. i do work on some pickup trucks but mostly what we see the 6.0 in is school buses and i have to tell you it is very rare for us to see a plugged oil cooler...very rare. i think it is because of the coolant international uses which is fleetrite elc coolant.

 

[jbthomp]

All I can say is READ, READ, AND READ these forums to know what you are up against.

x2 on that. usually the only reason someone is selling a nice used truck with a 6.0 in it is because they cannot afford to fix it. of course they will not tell you this when you buy it. but either way your probably going to have to break out the check book no matter what.

 

[Mdnitedrftr]

i think the 6.0 can be a good engine but it will take an awful lot of money to make it so. i think the boys at bulletproof diesel have a good setup with their updated egr cooler and external oil cooler. this fixes most of the issues the 6.0 has. also its not just the 6.0 that has egr cooler leaking issues, just about every diesel engine manufacturer has gone round and round with leaking egr coolers. i think most of the failures i see are from drivers pushing the engine too far with a plugged oil cooler or leaking egr cooler which escalates the situation into several thousand dollars. obviously maintenace is a big issue especially with this engine. personally i think the gold coolant is not that great. i do work on some pickup trucks but mostly what we see the 6.0 in is school buses and i have to tell you it is very rare for us to see a plugged oil cooler...very rare. i think it is because of the coolant international uses which is fleetrite elc coolant.

I feel like 90% or the beef with the 6.0 is because of the gold coolant that Ford recommends.

Flush the coolant, coolant filter, new oil cooler, new EGR cooler, and the motor should be good to go. Am I right?

Unless Im pulling big loads, or begging for 600hp and 1000lb ft of tq, the motor should do what I need it to do, no?

 

[lincster]

I don't agree with buying a truck that has been treated like a car. These diesel motors like to be worked and get hot. Not running the boost up and getting the motor hot can cause issues. Letting a truck sit can cause issues, like stuck vanes on turbos.
Don't be scared of a truck that has towed some weight.

 

[DELTAJOHN]

I feel like 90% or the beef with the 6.0 is because of the gold coolant that Ford recommends.

Flush the coolant, coolant filter, new oil cooler, new EGR cooler, and the motor should be good to go. Am I right?

Unless Im pulling big loads, or begging for 600hp and 1000lb ft of tq, the motor should do what I need it to do, no?

Mine was Bone Stock, had mostly highway miles, used to haul a 500 gallon diesel tank out to excavators, no evidence of towing. The truck runs amazing! I did the delete and oil cooler myself and cleaned the turbo, everything was clean inside, the truck was well maintained, and yes I would consider it used lightly. Extended idling caused a lot of problems in these trucks with plugged EGR's and stuck turbo vanes. I tow lightly with my truck, but I do drop it in 3rd and mat it once in while to exercise the turbo.

John

 

[Mdnitedrftr]

I ended up with an '05, extended cab, short box, with 70k on it. The truck was VERY WELL maintained. The 2 previous owners had most, if not, all the service records on the truck. No accidents...real clean rig. Im quite happy!

As soon as I got home I ordered some Weathertech floormats, cooler filter, Edge CTS, MBRP test pipe, and some adapters so I can hook up my mp3 player to the stock head unit.

Next up, oil cooler, EGR cooler, and coolant flush.

Thanks for your help and advice guys, I really do appreciate it. :icon7: