Ok so I went to go ask a diesel mechanic to look at a 6.0 I was looking at. I have been researching on the trucks for about a year now so I had felt like I knew everything that can go wrong with the truck at this point. The truck I am looking at is bulletproofed with 170k miles, and is in very good condition for a very good deal. When I went to talk to the diesel mechanic he said that I should avoid the 6.0 completely because of an electrical problem with the wiring. He said that this is very common among the 6.0's and that every truck he has seen has had the same problem. Is there some major reoccuring problem with these trucks that I have been missing? I have seen a lot about the ficm, but that isn't a very costly repair. Should I take his advice and avoid buying a 6.0 completely??
Thanks

 

I bought a 2006 in 2010. So far I've spent just under $2,000 in what I would call repairs, most are in my signature below. That works out to less than $300 per year, a pretty decent number considering I do tow a 5th wheel camper several times a year and tow other stuff on occasion. I drive it almost every day and I don't "baby" this truck.

While this is a electronic controlled diesel with many sensors and actuators compared to earlier trucks, I'm not aware of harness failures in any significant numbers. Most harness issues are chaffing and broken connectors and can be repaired if you have the proper tools and skills.

We do have some grumpy members who seem to hang around to "warn" people away from these trucks (and one will likely be along shortly). You can also find otherwise good mechanics who are quick to talk trash about them. Most have never owned or lived with one. Most of the time they've had a bad experience attempting to do a repair with less than adequate knowledge or research, or knows someone who had that experience. It possible to find a bad example of almost any vehicle but the fact is, when properly maintained by a knowledgable person these are great trucks that pull hard, get decent mileage for what it is, and have a decent service life. Reap the rewards of the bad rep and get a good truck for a great price.

Good luck and welcome to FTE.

 

Not any more wiring problems than a 7.3. The ficm can be a weak point if the alt or batteries are not watched.

 

Well spoken Rusty.

 

My 2005, just sold and bought new, never had an electrical problem except a new alt. just before sale.

 

Find a different mechanic, no more needs to be said

Josh

 

They do have more than one of fords gas engine. That being said, incorrect routing chafing or melting a wire, an alternator putting out too little and broken snaps on the ficm connectors are the only issues that are common place.
Most trucks will need an alternator during there life regardless of engine or manufacturer.
Anything will melt or chafe a wire do to a tech running it wrong.
The ficm connector just needs a few cable ties and it never causes anouther issue.

Other than that most are minor, such as a single pigtail needing to be replaced. Don't let electrical issues scare you away from one of these trucks.

 

I would like to know exactly what the electrical problem is the mechanic is talking about, and, how he fixes them. After all, he knows what it is, why not just offer the fix at a price?

 

Howdy,

None of the above mentioned problems are really "electrical problems with the wiring" as it were..........


A very common wiring problem is CHAFING of the wiring harness at a few places around the engine.

That "problem" is fairly easy to fix ..........and prevent if you get in there and carefully inspect the wiring and fix those areas before it "chafes" ..........

If your "mechanic" doesn't know this, he might not be very familiar with the 6.0L Navistar engine.

Yeah. I agree................ I'd find a reputable mechanic that actually knows something about the 6.0L engine.




Regards,



Rick

 

insights on common chaffing points? Kinda curious been having some wiring issues and I have a short somewhere