Question About Ford 6.0 Diesel

WOW .... lots of ideas and worthy info !

I took mine to a NAPA shop today and had it scanned.
It had ZERO error codes and the Master Technician ( with Ford Dealer background ) said the 2003's were actually less problematic than the 2005's and 2006's.

That sounds good ... but I guess time will tell.

Thanks to all for the input !

Richard

Wouldn't that be similar to someone presenting material on the benefits of carcinogens without showing the detriments? You even used a source that has everything to lose if it does not show Ford and the 6.0 PSD in a bad light. I might as well counter with Ford advertising brochures because they hold the same amount weight and objectiveness...

Bedlam wrote:

ib516 wrote:
Take 20 minutes and read this

Caddell & Chapman made a lot noise and money off this and were the only ones to really benefit. Just look at the their website to see they were chasing money and were not doing this for altruistic cause.

http://www.caddellchapman.com/

Aggressive. Creative. Results.

These are their words!

It's very easy to cherry-pick information and argue one side. It is even easier to do so in litigation supportive state...

I didn't say it was all proven fact. I simply suggested the OP read it.

Too common on these forums...thinking in absolute terms...

Meaning, that if one failed...they *ALL* will fail just like that and
receive poor service

Or if one didn't fail...then they *ALL* will NOT fail

Anyone ever hear of or understand what a 'bell curve' is and how it
applies to most things in life?

Absolutism is about that ones at either end of that bell curve thinking
EVERYONE in the middle will likewise...

Bell Curves are used by all OEMs Marketing to figure out what/where/etc
their products are to be targeted

ib516 wrote:
Take 20 minutes and read this

Caddell & Chapman made a lot noise and money off this and were the only ones to really benefit. Just look at the their website to see they were chasing money and were not doing this for altruistic cause.

http://www.caddellchapman.com/

Aggressive. Creative. Results.

These are their words!

It's very easy to cherry-pick information and argue one side. It is even easier to do so in litigation supportive state...

I was able to pick up an '06 6.0 with just over 50K miles for a good price with the 5th wheel in the sig. I read all I could find about the engine problems. Then I arranged to take the truck to Buford, GA for the dealerproof work up by powerstrokehelp.com It was not an inexpensive repair, and I had already installed a Sinister coolant system. We pulled the RV down there from central Indiana and back after the job was done. Made it a week of vacation at a nearby state park. Truck pulls just like it did before and the cab was removed for the work. It included turbo cleaning and all the other stuff mentioned here. If I only get 500K out of it, I will be happy!

Cummins12V98 wrote:
It's too bad you did not post this before buying the truck.

"I am looking at a 2003 ford F350 6.0 Turbo Diesel with 119,000 miles."

But you are where you are. Lots of people "bullet proof" their 6.0 and 6.4's and have no problems but there are many who do so and still have problems. I guess you have to decide what side you may end up on. Don't forget the cab needs to be removed to do many engine repairs.

Your money and your time especially if you are on vacation.

Good luck!

Love your optimism.

There are lots of people who have owned their 6.0 for 10+ years and are completely unaware their truck is a POS that almost broke down on them daily.

PS, the Duramax and Cummins don't come with a guarantee that I'm aware of that says they will never break down, and if they do, it's a lie.

I wish the best to OP, there are more 'good' 6.0's out there than bad ones, but when they are bad they cost big $$$ and create understandably angry owners.

I have had my 2004 for 6 years and it has been a pretty good truck. I had to put a injector mod. on it and that's been it for the 155k miles. The owner before me pulled a 5th wheel with it and serviced it on time every time and I do the same. Oil and fuel filters are not cheap, but cheaper than a new eng. If you are not going to use your truck for towing heavy load or carring heavy loads then buy a gas burner. I use mine to haul my TC but still would not get rid of it because of the extra expense of operating it.

Yellermanx wrote:
Fear not, like everything on the net the 6.0 problems are severely overblown. That and Ford haters.

Leave it and all diesels stock like the real engineers designed them.

I've seen one bombed 6.0 that was still strong at 180 k without head studs. Otherwise it's 50/50 about with everyone I know that's had a 6.0. So yes they are not all junk but it's a known fact they have a much higher failure rate than the other 2 mfg.
just got a call from a co worker last week or 2 to help diagnose his 6.0. Stock bought with 50k now has 75k. Don't know maint history but truck is clean. Started it up one morning and noticed the white smoke. Coolant was under pressure cold. He's in for a new head gasket.
Correct all diesels are more maint sensitive from a fuel delivery standpoint but the 6.0 is sensitive to good maint in many areas.
I blew a head gasket on a rather new 05 Hertz rental 6.0, under 20 k mi towing my 5klb boat. Floored it going up a hill and never made it to the top.
On the other hand I've got a couple hundred thousand miles on a Lb7 Dmax and a 5.9 CR Cummins personally with 1 set of injectors on the Cummins and some nickle and dime repairs to both. Frankly the DMax have me way less trouble than the cummins for the same miles and use but neither had any internal failures.
To the OP, believe what you will but IMO they are only reliable if you spend the time and $ to bulletproof the engine.
I wouldn't lose sleep over it but I'd squirrel away the $ to get it fixed or see if you can trade up to a comparable 7.3 or one of the other 2 brands.
If you want proof of your own, just look at how many 6.0s are for sale with hi miles that haven't been opened up vs the other 2. And 6.0 owners will make it known that their trucks have been bulletproofed if they've done that because it makes them more valuable.