Bullet proof 6.0 Ford Diesel or trade in?

jobguy · Apr 4, 2012

I have a 2003 Ford 6.0 Diesel with about 126000 miles. I never had any of the problems you read about but mostly drove it 60 miles/day round trip to work. Pulled a 4 horse trailer on about half the weekends for 6 months of summer riding weather here in MN. Sold the horses, retired, seldom drive the truck but am thinking of getting and pulling a camper of some sort back and forth from MN to TX for warmer winter weather. Truck is paid for and runs great. I see a lot of info about making up-grades to the engine (bullet proofing ) and wonder if it is worth it? Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks

TheGoose · Apr 4, 2012

Get a set of gauges like an Edge insight and watch your ECT/ EOT temperatures.

ECT = Engine Coolant Temp
EOT = Engine Oil Temp

When the EOT runs about 15 degrees hotter than ECT your oil cooler is plugged. That is what kills the 6.0 powerstroke.

Also you can monitor FICM (Fuel Injection Control Module) voltage, should be 47.5 volts.

You can always delete the EGR (exhaust gas recycle) and solve a bunch of other problems on these trucks.

Some sites claim that the Ford Gold Coolant is responsible for about half the problems with these engines and you should switch to an ELC type.

jobguy · Apr 4, 2012

What does "elc" type of coolant mean?
Thanks for the advice.

Storm56 · Apr 4, 2012

jobguy said:
What does "elc" type of coolant mean?
Thanks for the advice.

Extended life coolant. 100,000 miles or 5 years. Most new vehicles sold today come with it as factory fill.

Myself, I never had a problem with the old green stuff, just had to be careful if you had a leak as it is quite toxic. Had a recycler that would take any used stuff at no charge.

dmccarty · Apr 4, 2012

Check out Diesel Forum - TheDieselStop.com for more information.

I have a 2002 7.3L with a manual six speed.

I don't have an automatic tranny so I only glanced at the conversations regarding the automatics but it seemed like people were putting temperature sensors in the automatics. Seems like running up the temps would kill the tranny's and a common way to do this was to backup with a trailer. Those with 4x4 would put the tractor in low to backup.

There would be plenty of info on the above link.

I run JD coolant in my truck and tractor which makes things a bit easier. There are ELC's you can run that you just have to test and add additives when required. I could not find a local supply so I just used the JD stuff. My truck used Ford Gold coolant which I ran for five years and then replaced with JD. Not sure what the 6.0's used coolant wise.

Later,
Dan

bubba43 · Apr 4, 2012

You will not like what the dealer will offer you for a trade in. And not alot of people are wanting to buy a 6.0 because of all the issues. I have an 03 6.0. Install gauges like stated earlier. There is a gauge that will monitor your oil temp, coolant temp,volts for the ficm, and a couple of other things that plugs into your obd port. I just don't remember of hand what the brand name is of the gauge. I will keep mine until I can no longer repair it myself. And with new trucks costing over 50k, that will be a very long time.

dmccarty · Apr 5, 2012

bubba43 said:
You will not like what the dealer will offer you for a trade in. And not alot of people are wanting to buy a 6.0 because of all the issues. I have an 03 6.0. Install gauges like stated earlier. There is a gauge that will monitor your oil temp, coolant temp,volts for the ficm, and a couple of other things that plugs into your obd port. I just don't remember of hand what the brand name is of the gauge. I will keep mine until I can no longer repair it myself. And with new trucks costing over 50k, that will be a very long time.

Good advice. When I bought my Ford, diesel was less than regular gas. Now diesel is higher than premium gas. I only have 160,000 miles on my truck and hope to at least double that mileage before I get a new truck. Given the cost and complexity of the new diesels and the cost of fuel, I am not sure it will be money smart for me to buy a diesel in the next truck. It is a shame because this is the best danged vehicle I have ever owned.

Later,
Dan

RJD2516 · Apr 6, 2012

Also, then new 6.7 has issues as well. I want one. But they do have issues. You just can't push 400 hp and create that much heat without causing something to break. In a couple of years, they will have them all worked out. I am looking at a brand new 2016 F-350. For now, I'll keep my 6.0, and my money.

dmccarty · Apr 6, 2012

RJD2516 said:
Also, then new 6.7 has issues as well. I want one. But they do have issues. You just can't push 400 hp and create that much heat without causing something to break. In a couple of years, they will have them all worked out. I am looking at a brand new 2016 F-350. For now, I'll keep my 6.0, and my money.

When the 7.3's were being sold people were complaining about the engines as well.

Now they are "bullet proof". :laughing:

Later,
Dan