newbie diesel owner questions

[deerefan]

My wife and I just purchased a beautiful 2006 F250 Lariat FX4 w/ the 6.o diesel and automatic. The truck has 52500 miles and looks brand new. It was leased then turned in. The only other diesel I own is my 2005 5103 JD. We will probably only put 10k miles a year on this truck, occassionally towing a 3 horse trailer, my tractor or my race car. As far as maintenance goes, what are biggies for this truck? I'll change the oil every 5k miles, but what about filters (fuel, air)? Anyone can give me some input on these trucks, what to watch for? We pulled a carfax on this particular truck and it came back perfectly clean. We also own a 97 F150 4x4 w/ the 4.6 and 3.55 gears, not much for towing. We decided the F250 diesel would be our best bet.

 

[WH401]

I hope you got an Oasis report on the truck before you signed for the title. 6.0 Powerstrokes blow head gaskets, destroy turbos, shred timing chains, leak oil, and pretty much grenade in general. I don't mean that as a Ford or Powerstroke bash either, but that's exactly what most 6.0's will do.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

The first thing I'd do is change the fuel filters on the truck. They should be done ever couple oil changes. The 6.0 is hard on engine oil. I run full synthetic in mine and have seen good results. The engine is quiet, MPG's improved a bit and I get a bit longer between oil changes. One of the worst things for this particular engine is sitting. The varible guide vanes of the turbo need lubrication from operation for long life. I notice my turbo is sluggish if I don't run the truck for a few days. I know you said you won't be driving it much but I'd recommend driving it at least once a week on the highway preferably and get the engine hot. This engine is a good motor if you get a good one. The stigma of the 6.0 will never die. But the truth is there are alot of guys running them who swear by them. I've had a few small oil leaks fixed under warranty and the turbo was replaced at 33k. Other than the synthetic oil and having all the fluids changed and flushed I can't say you'll need to do anything else. Hope this helps

Matt

 

[Diamondpilot]

I hope you got an Oasis report on the truck before you signed for the title. 6.0 Powerstrokes blow head gaskets, destroy turbos, shred timing chains, leak oil, and pretty much grenade in general. I don't mean that as a Ford or Powerstroke bash either, but that's exactly what most 6.0's will do.

The 05 and later 6.0 are probably the most reliable diesel of all the newer high HP trucks. They caught a bad rap early on but the damage was done by 05 when they had them straitened out. I own 2, a 04 and a 06, and both are trouble free. I have both pumped up to 500 or so HP and tow very heavy loads and still zero issues.

I change the engine oil every 5,000 miles and the fuel and tranny filter every 25,000 miles. I have Washable High Flow Air Filters and just clean and service them once a year. Along with that I do all the other maintenance spelled out in the manual and put fuel in them, thats it.


Chris

 

[deerefan]

The 05 and later 6.0 are probably the most reliable diesel of all the newer high HP trucks. They caught a bad rap early on but the damage was done by 05 when they had them straitened out. I own 2, a 04 and a 06, and both are trouble free. I have both pumped up to 500 or so HP and tow very heavy loads and still zero issues.

I change the engine oil every 5,000 miles and the fuel and tranny filter every 25,000 miles. I have Washable High Flow Air Filters and just clean and service them once a year. Along with that I do all the other maintenance spelled out in the manual and put fuel in them, thats it.


Chris

I actually read some of your previous posts regarding these trucks and diesel performance and was happy you put you 2 cents in. I have not pulled an oasis report on the truck but nothing showed up on carfax. So far I am impressed...it has plenty of power and I am getting 17.3 mpg (I checked with handheld calculator to be sure). For a 4x4 truck with 3.73 gears and 325 hp that is remarkable.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Actually the later 6.0 had the least warranty claims of any other ford engine.Ford Power Stroke engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Matt

 

[Diamondpilot]

I actually read some of your previous posts regarding these trucks and diesel performance and was happy you put you 2 cents in. I have not pulled an oasis report on the truck but nothing showed up on carfax. So far I am impressed...it has plenty of power and I am getting 17.3 mpg (I checked with handheld calculator to be sure). For a 4x4 truck with 3.73 gears and 325 hp that is remarkable.

Your average is about what mine run. Both have 3.73's and both are currently at the high 16 mpg mark. I run them hard though. Cant resist running down Camero's and Mustangs. Try driving it by the tach on the highway. I set my tach at 1,900 rpm, the sweet spot on the 6.0. This is 79mph, our speed limit is 75 here so I am right with traffic. With my chip, 4" exhaust, and intake/filter upgrades I see high 23 mpg.

Enjoy the truck.

Chris

 

[Midsouth]

I think you got a good truck. I have a 05 F350 Dually with the 6.0 in it. Change the fuel filters every 2nd oil change. The only trouble i have had was turbo went out at about 45,000 miles was replaced under warranty and the mechanic said the best way to keep it working good was to run it hard every so often.

Like DiamondPilot said the 05 and 06 model 6.0 are good engines.

 

[deerefan]

Your average is about what mine run. Both have 3.73's and both are currently at the high 16 mpg mark. I run them hard though. Cant resist running down Camero's and Mustangs. Try driving it by the tach on the highway. I set my tach at 1,900 rpm, the sweet spot on the 6.0. This is 79mph, our speed limit is 75 here so I am right with traffic. With my chip, 4" exhaust, and intake/filter upgrades I see high 23 mpg.

Enjoy the truck.

Chris

I am hesitant to upgrade the performance too much for fear of breakage, but what is out there to hit, say, 20mpg?

 

[Malvern]

Deerefan

My wife and I have a Powerstroke 07 Lariat 4 x 4 with approx 24,000 miles on it, it mostly pulls our Featherlite 3 horse LQ. I have never had not one issue with this truck.
I change the oil in the winter every 2,500 to 3,000 and 5,000 in the summer. Our dealer uses Motorcraft synthetic and changes the oil filter every time.

She get approx 13 to 14 pulling the trailer and up to 22 to 23 on a flat straight road at 55,
Mileage will drop to 20 to 21 at 65 to 70 mph with no trailer.

My dealer said don't baby her, stick your foot into her and let her run.
I just got a letter from Ford saying keep up on your oil changes and have the dealer check the coolant chemicals every year.

Watch for and use the best oil, filters and clean diesel fuel and you won't have problems.

We love this truck, it's our 1st diesel besides the tractor.

Malvern

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would not hesitate a bit with the 6.0 and the Torque Shift. It really does not give you all the much better mpg in reality because if you are like me you run it and work it harder. The improvement comes with allowing it to breath a little better through the intake and exhaust.

Chris

 

[deerefan]

Your average is about what mine run. Both have 3.73's and both are currently at the high 16 mpg mark. I run them hard though. Cant resist running down Camero's and Mustangs. Try driving it by the tach on the highway. I set my tach at 1,900 rpm, the sweet spot on the 6.0. This is 79mph, our speed limit is 75 here so I am right with traffic. With my chip, 4" exhaust, and intake/filter upgrades I see high 23 mpg.

Enjoy the truck.

Chris

speaking of performance, what do these things turn stock 0-60 and 1/4 mile? My truck seems to pull real hard from about 50-90

 

[Diamondpilot]

Not sure. They are strong. I took mine to the drag strip once and it would do 14.1 @ 98mph. Pretty good for a 7,600# truck. Dargo's is 8,100# and he ran about the same but a little higher mph. Of course we both have chips. I had to run mine if 4 wheel high to about the 1/8th mile to get it to hook up. Dargo's, being a dually and heavier did not have to us the 4x4. I have stomped mine down at 60mph and had the rear wheels break loose.

Chris

 

[Frostyford]

Regarding the "grenading". Some of the earlier 1997 - 2002 Powerstrokes had turbo's that would "fall off". The solution back then was to use interferance bolts. Mine got it before it "fell off". The biggest issue was power loss if that did happen. Those day's are long gone and many people never had an issue with their turbos. I suspect there was one guy on the mfg line that messed up the installation. So it was random who suffered. While mine is a 7.3L with only 64K miles on it, it has been rock solid all the way.

The 6.0 is a different engine completely. I think you did well. Big things to hit is fuel filter, and air filter. Those are relatively cheap to replace. I believe around 100K you'll be looking at injectors. Also note you might want to check the Cam Position Sensor. There was a recall on my 2001 for that a year ago.

Got more questions....try TheDieselStop forums. TBN for tractors TDS for trucks. I'm sure there are many common members between the two sites.
Scott

 

[Soundguy]

Actually the later 6.0 had the least warranty claims of any other ford engine.Ford Power Stroke engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Matt

My late 04 6.0 powerstroke has been a super dependable machine.

I'd change all fluids and filters when i got it.. and from there, keep an eye onthe air fitler at change. i usually change mine at oil interval of 5k, and do the air too.. cheap insurance for good breathing.

my air filter has been swapped over to a napa 9490 element.

soundguy

 

[deerefan]

My late 04 6.0 powerstroke has been a super dependable machine.

I'd change all fluids and filters when i got it.. and from there, keep an eye onthe air fitler at change. i usually change mine at oil interval of 5k, and do the air too.. cheap insurance for good breathing.

my air filter has been swapped over to a napa 9490 element.

soundguy

It seems to be quite a chore to change mine from what i've heard. When you guys tow, do you leave it in D and just hit tow haul or drop it down in 3? My 97 F150 only has an o/d button, no tow haul. I just turn it off and go.

 

[deerefan]

Regarding the "grenading". Some of the earlier 1997 - 2002 Powerstrokes had turbo's that would "fall off". The solution back then was to use interferance bolts. Mine got it before it "fell off". The biggest issue was power loss if that did happen. Those day's are long gone and many people never had an issue with their turbos. I suspect there was one guy on the mfg line that messed up the installation. So it was random who suffered. While mine is a 7.3L with only 64K miles on it, it has been rock solid all the way.

The 6.0 is a different engine completely. I think you did well. Big things to hit is fuel filter, and air filter. Those are relatively cheap to replace. I believe around 100K you'll be looking at injectors. Also note you might want to check the Cam Position Sensor. There was a recall on my 2001 for that a year ago.

Got more questions....try TheDieselStop forums. TBN for tractors TDS for trucks. I'm sure there are many common members between the two sites.
Scott

will do thanks...also found some good info on fordtruckforums.com

 

[Diamondpilot]

It seems to be quite a chore to change mine from what i've heard. When you guys tow, do you leave it in D and just hit tow haul or drop it down in 3? My 97 F150 only has an o/d button, no tow haul. I just turn it off and go.

Just hit the tow haul button and leave it in D. If you are talking about the air filter being a chore I cant really remember since I have changed the intake tube and filter to a washable style at 5K on all my trucks.

As for the Cam Position Sensor mentioned earlier that was only a problem on the 7.3. I had a 1999 and that was the only part I ever replaced on the motor in 9 years of ownership. They CPS was such a problem for a while that guys carried a extra one in the glove box and the necessary wrench with them. Now they have CPS that are much better and basically if you replace it with a new one you will never have another problem unless its a fluke.

Chris

 

[deerefan]

I've been reading up on power service additive for my truck. Is this something you guys do or is this more for newer trucks (08 on up)?

 

[Soundguy]

It seems to be quite a chore to change mine from what i've heard. When you guys tow, do you leave it in D and just hit tow haul or drop it down in 3? My 97 F150 only has an o/d button, no tow haul. I just turn it off and go.

just use the tow/haul button.. changes shift points plus a few other things.

I changed my breather element due to 2 reasons.. cost of the old element was high.. adn the new element should filter as good.. but be cheaper.. plus it's not so much of a chore to service.

soundguy