Hello, I am considering buying a 2004 Ford F250 Super Duty that has the 6.0L Turbo diesel engine. It has aprox 227,000 miles on it. It is the Lariat trim with the FX4 Off-Road Sport package. Since I hardly know much about diesel engines, just what I have researched on the net, any advice on what to look out for? If I do purchase this, I am basically looking to get, at most, 5 years out of it. According to seller it has been maintained very well, (they ALL say that, ha). Is there something in the maintenance records that the seller has that I should look out for?

Thanks,
D.

 

Read the stickys at the top of the forum. All kinds of good info on what to look for.

Are you mechanically inclined? Do you like working on your own vehicle? If so great, you'll enjoy the 6.0. If not, get something else. The 6.0s are very reliable when properly maintained & upgraded but getting them to that point can take a lot of work and if you can't do it yourself I would get something else as it could end up costing you $$$ if you have a mechanical do all the work for you.

What's actually good about a truck with that many miles is its probably had everything fixed by then so its probably in pretty good shape.

What's also good is everyone is scared of the 6.0 so you can typically get a great deal compared to a similar vintage Dodge of Chevy diesel.

 

Thanks FiveOJester. I am mechanically inclined, with gas engines, but I dont mind working on all my vehicles. I believe I have an extensive list to go over with seller, thanks to all the stickys in this forum. I will be taking it in to have a look through with someone who knows these diesel engines so hopefully anything that might be an issue, will come out during that look through.

Thanks again!!

 

Welcome to FTE and the 6.0L world.

Get your hands on one of the tools that will read live data. You can pick up the
Scanguage 2 at places like Autozone and program in the Xguages that you need.
The other option is the ELM device and your smart phone or tablet. Don't use the
included software but instead use something like Torque or the other one that for
some reason I can't think of the name right now.

Because I don't use the apps on a phone/tablet I don't know all the good things. But
they can do data logging and the Scanguage can't.

When testing you want to be the first to start it after an overnight cold soak. Your
watching the FICM voltages for that first start. Also you want to test drive long
enough that you get to full operating temp. After that go find a flat freeway and
perform the oil cooler testing. I would plan for a two hour time for driving. One
thing you may or many not have to worry about with the 04 is leaking stand pipes.
That is build date dependent. and can contribute to any HOT NO START issues.
But the fix is easy for stand pipes and the dummy plugs. That is if it has them.
Look on the passenger valve cover and if you see the ICP sensor then you do if not
then you don't.

Bust of luck and hope you find a good truck. They are fun to drive.

EDIT I Ment BEST of Luck I really need to proof read more/

Sean <BR>

6.0L Tech Folder

 

Thanks Yahiko,
I will be using the Scanguage 2 with the Xguages I will need. After the responses I have had here, I feel pretty darn confident on what to look for and what to look OUT for.

Thanks to all!!

 

Just remember: The SG2 is NOT a good code reader on an 04. It will read the gauges just fine because that's what I use. Get yourself a real code reader or take it to an autoparts store and let them scan it. You can have codes and no CEL.

 

The SG2 will tell you if you any cel codes, you need the xgauge DTC put in. As for what the code means, it doesn't do very well. These systems can have "ghost codes" these are codes that have not met the requirements to set the cel light on the dash.

Good luck with the test drive!

And welcome to FTE!