I have a really big problem and I have no idea what to do at this point. I bought a 2004 F-250 Powerstroke and it is my first owned diesel. Now I know all the trouble the 6.0's have had but when I looked at this truck it seemed like such a solid vehicle. I am not going to act like I have much knowledge on diesels at all that's why I am posting this. I purchased it August 20, 2010 and the day after I noticed the rmps jumping up periodically, so I brought it down to the Ford dealership where I bought it and it took them 5 days to tell me it was a sensor. I got it back and then the truck started to surge forward or backwards depending on drive or reverse. Literally if my feet were on the floor and it was in drive it would surge forward quite hard. Brought it back in and they said might be head gaskets, might be injector issues, they had it for 10 days and ended up changing the EGR valve and there was a poor connection in the connector. Got it back again brought it down to get the oil and fuel filters changed and they had it for the entire day and called and said my truck was blowing black and white smoke and oil leaking out of the tail pipe. Brought it back down to the dealership 2 weeks later they said they replaced the head gaskets, the EGR cooler and again there was some connection problem. Another week went by and now they said I have a bent push rod in number 3 and that it was the second one. They say they are not sure whats doing it and this truck has been in the shop more that I have actually gotten to drive it. Its kind of depressing, but am I doomed with this truck or is there any hope at all that this truck will eventually run good? Please give me any thoughts to tell these guys, they appear not to know what they are doing. Thanks Everyone

 

How many miles on your truck? The fact that it's still on the road tells me it's probably a good truck and just needs a good mechanic to get it straightened out. I could be wrong but push rods don't normally get bent out of the blue. If you don't have confidence in the dealership, find another one or take it to an indy shop that specializes in diesel trucks. Try to find other owners in your area and get their recommendations, or post your general location and maybe somebody on here can give you some recs on good diesel techs.

 

My truck has 79,000 on it and I'm kinda out of my element here. I'm in Wichita Kansas for work and I really don't know this place at all. Its just hard to believe that a ford dealership doesn't have a capable mechanic to get this done. By the time this is done they will have my truck for a little over 3 weeks this time which is the 3rd time Ive brought it in. I paid for the extended warranty so this hasn't cost me to much yet but man it feels like its coming. Thanks for the reply I knew it was better to talk to fellow ford 6.0 owners than anyone else. I'm just trying to decide what to do and my options. Buying a new vehicle is supposed to be great and not stressful and not in the shop the very week you get it. Think about it I bought it august 20, 2010 and it been in their shop almost 5 full weeks. This is absolutely ridiculous dont you think?

 

It is absolutely ridiculous. If they replaced the head gaskets and it came back with a bent push rod it was something they messed up and should be responsible for. Sounds like you DEFINITELY need to find a mechanic that knows WTF they are doing. I think they are taking advantage of you and the warranty company.

 

Welcome to FTE tom35 I would definitely seek out another dealer with a qualified diesel mechanic. The surging/lurching is generally the ICP sensor going bad, you also replace the ICP plug (pigtail) if oil soaked. Another issue is the engine wire harness should be checked for chaffing then onto the FICM. Ironic you have bent valve guides after they worked on the heads.

 

ya tim sorry but your pretty wron gon this one. we have issues with lifters staying pumped up if the tension is removed for any period of time. been down this road.
one thing that helps is slowy turning the engine over by hand prior to complet assmebly to make sure all parts are turning as they should.

 

Cheezit, quick question, would it help the lifters if they were stored in a container of oil while out of the engine. On the older gassers I'm familiar with we always let the lifters soak in oil for X amount of hours before installing to prevent pump down.

 

no it wount but i do know what you are taking about.
the issue we have is to get the rear lifters out means the engine has to come out or the trans. there is no way to get the back 8 lifters out with removing the rear cover, and branch tube.

 

Well I received a call this morning and they said I had 2 options. 1 I can have a another motor with 75,000 on and will cost me nothing or I can pay 750.00 extra and get one with 35,000. They are obviously both used but the guy from ford that called me said he had to call ford this morning because as they progressed they realized that the motor is pretty much beyond repair now. I think they brought someone in new for this also, I mean this has been such a nightmare and the other guy didn't seem to know his *** from his elbow, the new guy has been in charge 2 days and this is where I'm at. I decided to pay the extra 750.00 for the one with less miles. Good Idea right????

 

I would have gone for the engine with 40k less miles.

 

What years are the motors? Do they come with everything on them? Will they let you keep the old motor?

 

I wonder if you can talk them into a remanufactured engine? All the gremlins would be fixed. You wouldn't be inheriting another truck's issues. And a reman comes with a decent warranty.

 

Is it possible to get an oasis for either of the used motors?

I.e... do they know the VINs of the engine donor vehicles?

 

All fantastic qestions, thanks guys I will find out tomorrow on all of them.