Some Ford 6.0 Stories True

[Grodyman]

My father's 2007 6.0 diesel with 42,000 miles has turned ugly.

First breakdown:

4 injectors ($1500?)

Second breakdown:

Metal in HPOP shortly after injector repair, probably from injector repair, but not proveable ($1900?)

3rd breakdown:

Loss of power and no start after long uphill pull on highway towing 5th wheel:

$$ to be determined...looking for high pressure oil leak

3 tows and counting in 2 months.

Truck is all stock and well maintained, yes, low miles for a 07.

Right now I am really happy with my 6.2 even if it is a little slower.

Gman

[W4RLR]

Grodyman wrote:

brirene wrote:

W4RLR wrote:
...I did add a ScanGauge II to monitor the oil and water temperatures...

And that is the key. If you don't do the research to find out what to monitor, and find a way to actually monitor what's going on in your engine, you're flipping a coin in a dark room. With my edge insight I was able to monitor my temps and take action proactively, before the coolers caused more damage. Did it cost a little? Yes, but I used the savings from the lower cost of the truck. They've all got their issues. A while back I asked about an '06 Cummins, and got a pretty good list of problem areas to look for. 6.0 problems are well documented, and after market fixes are available. Do some research, monitor, and take steps to stay ahead of problems and you can have a reliable tv that tows like a beast. I'm happy with mine.

The Ford brochure didn't say to go to an aftermarket supplier and install an engine monitor because this engine could blow at any moment and you need to see the pr-ewarning signs, because the only thing we provided was a check engine light, and when you see that, it is too late, and you are probably waiting for a tow.

There is truth in your statement. The "gauges" that come standard on the Ford diesels are nothing more than glorified idiot lights. They are not calibrated in degrees for temperature or volts for electric charge. I got the ScanGauge II as it is cheap insurance and IS calibrated in actual values instead of ambiguous "low to high" readings. For less than $200 and five minutes install time, anyone who tows an RV should have one.

[Bedlam]

Typically people try to pull others down if they are insecure about themselves. There are places that can help, but this is the wrong forum. I cannot see any other reason why some try to heap on any choice but their own.

[brirene]

Dude, you don't like the truck. I get it. Lots not to like. Don't buy one.

[Grodyman]

brirene wrote:

W4RLR wrote:
...I did add a ScanGauge II to monitor the oil and water temperatures...

And that is the key. If you don't do the research to find out what to monitor, and find a way to actually monitor what's going on in your engine, you're flipping a coin in a dark room. With my edge insight I was able to monitor my temps and take action proactively, before the coolers caused more damage. Did it cost a little? Yes, but I used the savings from the lower cost of the truck. They've all got their issues. A while back I asked about an '06 Cummins, and got a pretty good list of problem areas to look for. 6.0 problems are well documented, and after market fixes are available. Do some research, monitor, and take steps to stay ahead of problems and you can have a reliable tv that tows like a beast. I'm happy with mine.

The Ford brochure didn't say to go to an aftermarket supplier and install an engine monitor because this engine could blow at any moment and you need to see the pr-ewarning signs, because the only thing we provided was a check engine light, and when you see that, it is too late, and you are probably waiting for a tow.

[brirene]

W4RLR wrote:
...I did add a ScanGauge II to monitor the oil and water temperatures...

And that is the key. If you don't do the research to find out what to monitor, and find a way to actually monitor what's going on in your engine, you're flipping a coin in a dark room. With my edge insight I was able to monitor my temps and take action proactively, before the coolers caused more damage. Did it cost a little? Yes, but I used the savings from the lower cost of the truck. They've all got their issues. A while back I asked about an '06 Cummins, and got a pretty good list of problem areas to look for. 6.0 problems are well documented, and after market fixes are available. Do some research, monitor, and take steps to stay ahead of problems and you can have a reliable tv that tows like a beast. I'm happy with mine.

[JIMNLIN]

The thread was started by a anti gov guy that does't like diesels. He blames the gov but ignore the fact the 03'-07 5.9 HPCR Cummins engines had very few overall issues. Same with the Dmax of those years. Neither had the overall major issues the 6.0 did.

Someone says its because the 6.0 wasn't worked. This from a haulers website which puts that theory to bed ;

Dawico
Joined: 21 May 2011
Posts: 206
Location: Lampasas, TX

PostPosted: Sun Sep 16, 2012 8:23 am Post subject: Reply with quote


My Ford 6.4l is on its fourth engine in 120k miles. Burnt cylinder on the original, bad rebuild at Ford and threw a rod on the second, new crate engine with a loose bolt in the intake and ruined cylinder in the third, and a crappy rebuild for the fourth. Fourth engine is still running but I don't trust it especially not for HotShotting.

I have owned 4 6.0ls and all have had major and many issues but none needed a new engine while I owned them. One got one after I sold it though.

I would never recommend a Ford 6.0 or 6.4 to anyone. Ford has taken care of me in regards to warranty but I still have to survive downtime and no truck.

Check out "Dawico's truck" in the truck show for more of my story. In 4 1/2 months of Hotshotting my truck spent 2 1/2 months in the shop. Not a good way to stay in business.

[Bird_Freak]

Let me guess here. You 6.0 bashers have not had a thread to bash in so long you created your own. You can find horror stories about any brand if you just look around a little.

[Grodyman]

transamz9 wrote:

Grodyman wrote:

Bedlam wrote:
True you don't get interview a shop when down, but you do have a choice where to take it. I lost a fan clutch east of Rapid City and was able to arrange having the part available and waiting in Sioux City. Even without the fan, I was able to tow 11K lbs across SD by watching SG II temperatures and not running A/C verses going to smaller dealership closer that had less diesel experience.

I would pay additional tow charges over having someone learn on my engine. Having a RV that is not a MH, you can even change plans and stay somewhere while repairs are done.

My engine did fine and I would still be driving my F250 if I didn't want the additional payload my 5500 offered. If you wonder why I didn't go with a F550, it had more to do value for the money and the additional 25 HP of the CTD over the PSD in the chassis cabs.

Funny, My parents just got the latest bill, $4000 for the HPOP. The dealer said they needed a fan clutch for another $700...

$8,000 in less than 4 months.

What the government and manufacturers did to diesels during that time period and sold to the public is a disgrace.

Personally, and this is just me, I will never buy another diesel truck, period. Or another Ford for that matter. Just because.

Gman

HPOP is not the Governments fault. Neither is the fan clutch. It's the way the motor is designed. Instead of using a fuel pump to get the high pressures it takes for a diesel they used and oil pump to pressurize the fuel.

I'm sorry, I thought Ford came out with the 6.0 because the 7.3 no longer met emissions standards?

Anyway, the truck is a POS, as are so many others.

[transamz9]

Grodyman wrote:

Bedlam wrote:
True you don't get interview a shop when down, but you do have a choice where to take it. I lost a fan clutch east of Rapid City and was able to arrange having the part available and waiting in Sioux City. Even without the fan, I was able to tow 11K lbs across SD by watching SG II temperatures and not running A/C verses going to smaller dealership closer that had less diesel experience.

I would pay additional tow charges over having someone learn on my engine. Having a RV that is not a MH, you can even change plans and stay somewhere while repairs are done.

My engine did fine and I would still be driving my F250 if I didn't want the additional payload my 5500 offered. If you wonder why I didn't go with a F550, it had more to do value for the money and the additional 25 HP of the CTD over the PSD in the chassis cabs.

Funny, My parents just got the latest bill, $4000 for the HPOP. The dealer said they needed a fan clutch for another $700...

$8,000 in less than 4 months.

What the government and manufacturers did to diesels during that time period and sold to the public is a disgrace.

Personally, and this is just me, I will never buy another diesel truck, period. Or another Ford for that matter. Just because.

Gman

HPOP is not the Governments fault. Neither is the fan clutch. It's the way the motor is designed. Instead of using a fuel pump to get the high pressures it takes for a diesel they used and oil pump to pressurize the fuel.

[W4RLR]

My 2005 Ford F-250 ran fine until the EGR cooler went, due to a clogged oil cooler ( a known issue with these trucks. Paid $5000 to replace the EGR cooler, oil cooler, and all eight injectors. The truck ran perfectly after that, until an accident on a mountain road tore out the rear axle and bent the frame. I had no qualms about getting another Ford diesel, and bought a 2008 that was meticulously taken care of by its owner who bought it brand new, and was actually used to tow his boat from his home in Indiana to his home in Florida twice a year. It now has over 225,000 miles, all I have done to it is replace the radiator, radiator hoses, and thermostats in terms of needed maintenance. I did add a ScanGauge II to monitor the oil and water temperatures. A difference of more than 15 degrees in temperature between the two readings is a good indicator of a EGR or oil cooler going south. So I keep an eye on those readings. Other than that, I am totally happy with my truck.

[Grodyman]

Bedlam wrote:
True you don't get interview a shop when down, but you do have a choice where to take it. I lost a fan clutch east of Rapid City and was able to arrange having the part available and waiting in Sioux City. Even without the fan, I was able to tow 11K lbs across SD by watching SG II temperatures and not running A/C verses going to smaller dealership closer that had less diesel experience.

I would pay additional tow charges over having someone learn on my engine. Having a RV that is not a MH, you can even change plans and stay somewhere while repairs are done.

My engine did fine and I would still be driving my F250 if I didn't want the additional payload my 5500 offered. If you wonder why I didn't go with a F550, it had more to do value for the money and the additional 25 HP of the CTD over the PSD in the chassis cabs.

Funny, My parents just got the latest bill, $4000 for the HPOP. The dealer said they needed a fan clutch for another $700...

$8,000 in less than 4 months.

What the government and manufacturers did to diesels during that time period and sold to the public is a disgrace.

Personally, and this is just me, I will never buy another diesel truck, period. Or another Ford for that matter. Just because.

Gman

[Bedlam]

True you don't get interview a shop when down, but you do have a choice where to take it. I lost a fan clutch east of Rapid City and was able to arrange having the part available and waiting in Sioux City. Even without the fan, I was able to tow 11K lbs across SD by watching SG II temperatures and not running A/C verses going to smaller dealership closer that had less diesel experience.

I would pay additional tow charges over having someone learn on my engine. Having a RV that is not a MH, you can even change plans and stay somewhere while repairs are done.

My engine did fine and I would still be driving my F250 if I didn't want the additional payload my 5500 offered. If you wonder why I didn't go with a F550, it had more to do value for the money and the additional 25 HP of the CTD over the PSD in the chassis cabs.

[Grodyman]

Bedlam wrote:
These multiple failures were due to the shop only fixing a symptom of a bigger problem. It's no different than putting lotion on a rash and not addressing how you got the rash. I am lucky to have two dealerships that are high volume commercial in my area, so they have better qualified techs. This kept my 6.0 running well and keeps me shaking my head at some of the problems others are having.

Although I feel that there are flaws in the 6.0, I also feel that that a properly maintained and repaired (if there is a failure) is not the bane of anyone's tow vehicle woes.

This is not a ringing endorsement of the 6.0. Not only will something go wrong, but now the owner has to roll the dice and hope he gets a good diesel tech. The problem is, when you are stranded in the middle of nowhere, you don't exactly get to interview and background check a diesel tech.

No thanks.

Gman

[Bedlam]

These multiple failures were due to the shop only fixing a symptom of a bigger problem. It's no different than putting lotion on a rash and not addressing how you got the rash. I am lucky to have two dealerships that are high volume commercial in my area, so they have better qualified techs. This kept my 6.0 running well and keeps me shaking my head at some of the problems others are having.

Although I feel that there are flaws in the 6.0, I also feel that that a properly maintained and repaired (if there is a failure) is not the bane of anyone's tow vehicle woes.