6.0 reliability and longevity
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,741
Likes: 3
Combined, at some point, with a sustained and heavy acceleration or two (or five) to reach those speeds...
The engine needs to WORK, not just loaf along.
Doing this does several things:
1) gets the entire engine and all fluids up to operating temperature
2) engine oil up to operating temp allows combustion byproducts to burn off and/or evaporate
3) turbo gets heat soaked to burn out carbon deposits
4) catalytic converter gets heat soaked to properly burn off carbon deposits and "freshen" itself
5) transmission temp gets hot enough to open filter circuit, thus allowing fluid to "fine filter" as well as drive off any latent condensation in the fluid
Several members have reported that an "Italian Tuneup" has broken free a partially seized turbo.
-blaine
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,919
Likes: 2,642
From: The Great State of Texas
I'm not entirely expert on the issue, but I'd say at least an hour of uninterrupted driving at freeway speeds, in each direction.
Combined, at some point, with a sustained and heavy acceleration or two (or five) to reach those speeds...
The engine needs to WORK, not just loaf along.
Doing this does several things:
1) gets the entire engine and all fluids up to operating temperature
2) engine oil up to operating temp allows combustion byproducts to burn off and/or evaporate
3) turbo gets heat soaked to burn out carbon deposits
4) catalytic converter gets heat soaked to properly burn off carbon deposits and "freshen" itself
5) transmission temp gets hot enough to open filter circuit, thus allowing fluid to "fine filter" as well as drive off any latent condensation in the fluid
Several members have reported that an "Italian Tuneup" has broken free a partially seized turbo.
-blaine
Combined, at some point, with a sustained and heavy acceleration or two (or five) to reach those speeds...
The engine needs to WORK, not just loaf along.
Doing this does several things:
1) gets the entire engine and all fluids up to operating temperature
2) engine oil up to operating temp allows combustion byproducts to burn off and/or evaporate
3) turbo gets heat soaked to burn out carbon deposits
4) catalytic converter gets heat soaked to properly burn off carbon deposits and "freshen" itself
5) transmission temp gets hot enough to open filter circuit, thus allowing fluid to "fine filter" as well as drive off any latent condensation in the fluid
Several members have reported that an "Italian Tuneup" has broken free a partially seized turbo.
-blaine
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,626
Likes: 7
From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN
Best way to know for sure is gauges. But also bare in mind tthat your normal operating temp might be different if you have modded your vehicle.
Just FYI, I'm talking about you in the general sense, not specifically to Frakenbiker or any one member in particular. When I post on this small devices, I have to take shortcuts in my typing.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Central Kansas
I have been following the conversation on the 6.0L. People have talked about the 03-04 having bugs, and the 06-07 seem to have less problems. But what about the 05's. How do they compare, are they more closely related to the 03-04's or 06-07's. I have been looking for a diesel to replace my 2000 F250 5.4L. I have been looking at 7.3L, but came across a 05 with the 6.0L with 165,000 miles. Is this a truck with proper care, can I put on a 150K miles over 10 years?
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,626
Likes: 7
From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN
I have been following the conversation on the 6.0L. People have talked about the 03-04 having bugs, and the 06-07 seem to have less problems. But what about the 05's. How do they compare, are they more closely related to the 03-04's or 06-07's. I have been looking for a diesel to replace my 2000 F250 5.4L. I have been looking at 7.3L, but came across a 05 with the 6.0L with 165,000 miles. Is this a truck with proper care, can I put on a 150K miles over 10 years?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,889
Likes: 3,606
Mine was built in 05 even though it's listed as an 06. When it was stock, it gave me 70k miles trouble free. I got the mod bug, so not a whole lot is left stock, some systems that people say to get rid of are still there and working fine (even though I put an addition 40% more stress on the parts then those with stock trucks saying those parts need to be deleted). I don't know if I have the STC fitting that is been known to be an issue or not. Nothing has popped up on my truck yet, that would be the one thing that I would be more concerned about with an 05.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,919
Likes: 2,642
From: The Great State of Texas
I have been following the conversation on the 6.0L. People have talked about the 03-04 having bugs, and the 06-07 seem to have less problems. But what about the 05's. How do they compare, are they more closely related to the 03-04's or 06-07's. I have been looking for a diesel to replace my 2000 F250 5.4L. I have been looking at 7.3L, but came across a 05 with the 6.0L with 165,000 miles. Is this a truck with proper care, can I put on a 150K miles over 10 years?
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,626
Likes: 7
From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN
I was afraid so, but I just count that among my other statistics of one that I have that constantly defy the odds of the troublesome 6.0.
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
From: West TN
I would say if you get a clean OASYS and your gauges tell you what you need to know (having a clogged oil cooler or low FICM voltage or something is not a death sentence, it just tells you you need to take care of it NOW) then any year is as good as any other. It's not like there are no more problems once you reach 2007- they are all basically the same engine, each year just has a different batch of things that need to be addressed. The 2005 I bought last year has the STC fitting, and I've had absolutely zero indication that it's got any problems with HPOP. But, that's the point, is that that thing may never go but if it does it leaves you stranded. So when you're in there taking care of the oil cooler and EGR, it's an easy extra step to take that STC fitting out and replace it with the improved fitting. Not a reason to avoid the truck.
'05 is the first year with the front coil springs for improved turn radius.
'05 is the first year with the front coil springs for improved turn radius.
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