I purchased my truck 6 yrs ago. When I first purchased it, I got an aftermarket oil cooler, EGR delete, coolant filtration kit, VC9 flushed it and a FICM atlas repair/tune from Ed. I made the mistake of getting an oil cooler with the green gasket which is a doorman gasket from what I've been finding. Turns out that the doorman green oil cooler gaskets disintegrate with heat and.... Over the past few years, I've had 4 no starts due to a clogged IPR Valve. Each time, IPR Valve had a piece of green gasket material in the IPR Valve. Sooooo, I'm replacing the Oil cooler soon with an OEM cooler, plus oil change and such.

My truck is a 2003 and I know there are some differences between the 03 and early 04's. That being said, I'm also considering replacing the dummy plugs and standpipe's. I've been watching video after video and I did see DieselTech Ron say that the dummy plugs usually only need to be replaced. I'm considering just doing the dummy plugs if I do anything to this part of the system. I am tempted to not even touch the dummy plugs/standpipe's because there is no problem with them. I have 150K miles on the truck and drive it 5K a year.

Looking for some advise if I should attack the dummy plugs and standpipe's or leave them alone? Also looking for the differences in the early year 6.0's. I"m also putting on a 6.4 starter as my starter is crapping out on me.

Thanks for the help!

 

I did a Dieselsite Adrenaline high flow HPOP, updated oil cooler cover, updated turbo feed, updated turbo drain, stand pipes, HHC nipple cups and a bunch of other updates. The Mean Green 6.4 starter is awesome and Fumoto drain valves on your block drains, oil pan and radiator are all great. The HFCM might need a rebuild and add the monster water drain on it. On the cooling side an aluminum Mishimoto radiator, Hayden 7.3 fan clutch, Dieselsite 6.0 to 7.3 adapter nut and Dieselsite upgraded water pump are great upgrades as well.

 

The 03 doesn't have dummy plugs and the standpipes rarely have issues.

+1 on an Adrenaline HPOP.

 

Thanks for the replies

Sorry, I"m not needing to replace the HPOP and it is running strong so no need to change it at this point. If I drove the truck more often, I might, but I don't. I replaced the radiator last year with a custom made one from a local shop.

Bismic, I remember there being some distinct differences between the 03-04 models and the newer 6.0's but I don't remember exactly what the differences are? I was kind of shocked to hear mine has no dummy plugs. Good to know I think the turbos have a different system too, I don't remember what though?

Once I have everything torn apart, I'm going to do some recon as when I"m under my truck, I see the rear cylinder heads are wet with oil. I get no leakage under the truck, but they are definitely wet....concerns me! Needless to say, I'm going to be looking real hard for any areas of leakage.

I am disappointed that I have to get into the truck again and replace the oil cooler again I considered a cooler relocation kit until I saw the price....... I did find a few guys who modified their oil cooler top plate and made their own system but then read many had complications with their DIY oil cooler relocation kit. After the price of the relocation kit and problems with DIY kits, I"m just sticking with the upgraded OEM cooler.

 

One difference is the location of the ICP sensor - yours is prolly under the turbo, in the back. PITA to get to from what I read here. The newer engines have them on the passenger side valve cover. Which prolly has something to do with not having dummy plugs.