Scott,

I was not trying to come across as don’t do anything.

The weak point you mentioned was one as was inferring to. If my truck was ‘04.5 to approx ‘06.5, I’d be pulling those covers to change those. They are a known weak point due to a poor supplier part and need updating. Part of the “maturing” of a platforms life, address warranty issues.

The 110a alternator IMO falls into that too. With the first design FICM, the 110 was acceptable. But I don’t think they retested the system after they redesigned the FICM during the cost cutting, nor considered the situation when Ford took over the programming to address stiction. And of course, anything they did would have been with the best assembly line batteries that lasted 6-8 years.

Known problems should be addressed, but there sure is a lot of crap re-engineering done out there. Hell, I’m doing some of that.

But I still have my 55psi fuel pressure spring ......

 

I agree, if Ford offers an updated part and I am in there I replace it. The feed and drain lines for the turbos have also been updated, always a good idea to do those too, same goes for standpipes and dummy plugs.

 

I'm sure it isn't a surprise ..........

I agree w/ you 100% Scott. Things that can break and cost a lot of money, or can strand you in the middle of no-where, need to be addressed unless you are prepared and capable of dealing with the results (some folks are, but most aren't).

Clearly (IMO anyway) the STC fitting and the coolant are things that must be addressed. The oil cooler as well if it is plugged or in the process of being plugged.

I go as far as to say the dummy plugs and standpipes are must do upgrades because they can strand a person without much warning. Who needs a vacation in the mountains to be interrupted w/ a no-start due to an easy and relatively cheap upgrade under the valve covers. It isn't like the probability is so high that it is a must-do, it is because of the consequence. IMO, same thing w/ the FICM. Mine went out at 65k miles (that was prior to installing my long list of mods), but I knew the code and I was stranded only 2 miles away from a Ford dealership. They insisted I owed them for the repair until I showed them the paperwork that specifically listed it under the emissions warranty. Too many forum posts saying that Ford stuck them with that repair bill. I can't say thank-you enough to people on the forums that take time to post their experiences (successes AND failures).

At 215k miles now and the only thing that really concerns me is that eventually the original injectors will be due to be replaced. I probably will get to it at 225k miles (hopefully proactively). Am I worried - no, I am not. I know that many people made 250k miles w/ original injectors, but it isn't ALL about good fuel, good oil, and good pressure. They will eventually fail and the point of failure (miles driven in this case) has a statistical range that I don't want too push too far.

Maybe my head stud install (at 100k miles) has just been lucky, or maybe it is due to the commonized engine (post January of 2006 production) ..... or it could be because quality parts were used and the workmanship was excellent. Who knows! My heads were not cracked and they had to take very little off of them to get them flat. I truly believe that ensuring the temperatures were always good has played a big role as well.

I will say that as the years roll by, there has been a fair number of the long-time forum people (that knew the right things to do) who have had problems w/ leaking head gaskets. That has disappointed me for sure, but leaking head gaskets can be detected before an engine is damaged.

The greatest disappointment in the 6.0L is the occasional issue w/ lifter failures (whether it is lifter related, or cam shaft related, or whatever). I have seen at least one video (by an Independent mechanic) that states his opinion is that many (if not most) of these failures have been due to oil that had gotten too hot, been run too long, or had been diluted w/ fuel from a failed injector. Again, who knows. Do the right things and don't worry about things that you can't control!!!

Well, we probably have scared the OP off, but maybe we have underestimated the stepson and he is up for the 6.0L challenge!!! Hopefully he knows that if horsepower is increased, the risk goes up!!!

 

My opinions Mark..... from subjective observations.

I’ve got the 20mm heads as part of my service motor. It’s the only head’s I would put on a motor. I think there is an issue that people haven’t thought of, I’m debating if I want to go down that rabbit hole in a video. I think you’re point of no cracks is poignant, my did not either.

In the video I’m working on right now, another that may never get published, I’m trying to get my head around the cam/lifter failures. In the literature search that a good amount of engineering discussion about the tribology influence from both lubrication and machining. It goes back decades including discussion by engineers from Chevron talking about the changes for emissions, and others discussion that sounds just like the current Ford oil issue. Went I get to my computer I’ll post up just one graph.

But I agree the oil temp I see as a big issue, especially at the back lobes, but clearly not the only lobes to fail. Like anything, it’s multiple issues that have a synergistic effect, and putting it all together is a hard concept when most want a single answer.

 

What I mentioned

IMO, a massive jump with the change in viscosity of DINO oil, 10w to15w at a temp where that is the goal.

 

Thanks all for the input. A lot of great information. My stepson is stubborn and this is what he wants. I've actually tried to talk him out of buying such a big vehicle for just being "cool". He is adamant about buy F250 diesel. He is fully aware of the $100+ oil change and is ready for it. I honestly think he is blind to the possible huge repair bills that could occur.

He does not have money laying around, but he lives at home and car and rent are his only expenses right now.

I understand the mod vs no mod arguments. You'll have that with most vehicle forums.

We are actually going to look at a different one this evening, 2003 XLT Crew Cab Fx4 with 124k miles. He rode in it last night and he said it's what he wants. The egr has been deleted? Guy did tell him the 4wd actuator is bad, so not sure what it'll cost to fix that.

Again, I appreciate the input. I'll come back and let you know what he does.

 

An 03 doesn't have the failure prone STC fitting and it doesn't have dummy plugs and the standpipes are pretty solid.

The early injectors weren't as reliable, so fuel quality and fuel pressure are important. Use Ford oil and fuel filters only.

The EGR cooler is fairly solid on the 03 and early 04, but the one you are looking at is deleted, so maybe no worry. Ask about which delete was installed.

As stated earlier - look for a tall oil filter cap. That is aftermarket and it should be replaced w/ a Ford cap and Ford filter. Dieselfiltersonline or FICMrepair.com or AutoNation White Bear Lake are the places to buy filters.

With the 03, the coolant is still a concern and the oil cooler performance tests are important to do before buying.

The braided turbo feed line needs to be replaced if it hasn't already.

The 03's seem to be prone to harness issues so bring something that reads codes well (ForScan Lite is HIGHLY recommended).

The ICP sensor doesn't seem to last long back behind the turbo, so he will need to get good at replacing that. It is a pain to get to!

My main issue w/ an 03 (and some may disagree, but there are MANY MANY posts on it) is the HPOP. Lots of OEM HPOP failures on 03's and 04's. That shouldn't be a knockout though - just something to keep in mind.

Good batteries and a good alternator are important on all of the 6.0L engines. At 100k miles he needs to be looking at suspension, steering, and brake components. They could be ready to demand some attention and $$'s.

Always ask about transmission fluid and filter maintenance. Most people seem to forget about that. Fluid and filter maintenance should occur every 30k miles.

The stock air filter is plenty good - no need to chase after that mod IMO. A larger exhaust can lower EGT temperatures, so that isn't a bad mod - but it certainly isn't required.

 

when i bought my truck i had no knowledge of the "6.0 issues".. at the time i just knew what i needed mile wise on the clock to get the price for the vehicle where i wanted it to be for the payment i wanted (without telling them thats what i was trying to do with the payments)... i didnt trust a gasser to be reliable over 100K miles without knowing its total maintenance history.. but always heard diesels were reliable well over 100K and that they were just "getting broken in" at that range... it wasnt till after i bought it that i started hearing all the horror stories about them... which tbh i havent really had alot of issues with the engine... most of my problems were in the rest drivetrain because the previous owner didnt do any maint there...

there are times i miss my old truck... it was cheap to fix... but i was tired of it breaking down all the time... it spent more time on the back of a tow truck than than i was enjoying driving it... (was actually getting to the point that the tow kept getting cheaper and cheaper every time i called them)... why i started looking for a new one to replace it.. i went from a 1/4 ton to a 1 ton... and i dont regret it.. but still times i wish i still had that old truck back... lol every time it broke down i was changing out the parts that worked with both the engine that was in it and with the v8 i wanted to drop into it someday in the future... i was into that motor so much i got to the point where i could completely rebuild that engine over the weekend without...

 

Thank you for the update. I was wondering which direction your grandson would take after reading our opinions.

 

Ok, so a little update. Drove the vehicle last night. It has a tuner on it, what that means, I dunno. The truck is from auction so the guy knows nothing about it. The "dealership" is a small country lot, so wasn't expecting much. The front end needs an alignment as the steering wheel points to 1 and 7, minor. The oil dipstick is broke, so not sure was getting a true reading on that, but it was full. The tranny fluid wasn't showing up on the dipstick, the truck was a little rough on the downshift, so chalking it up to the low fluid. There was oil on driver's side of the truck, chalking it up to maybe the valve cover gasket as that's where it looks to be originating. It already has the K&N intake on it. It does have the tall oil fill tube. Had stepson push the emergency brake so that we could check the transmission level in neutral. Pushed hard enough that it snapped. I pointed things out to the guy and it came down $850 on the truck, so tentatively have a deal for $9400. Put money down to hold it, just have to get credit app to the bank.

Overall, it drove mostly well, it has body issues, but hey.....so do I. I asked him to fix the brake cable and maybe do the valve cover gasket. He said he'd do the cable, maybe the gasket if that's what it is. May not make a big difference to many, but he is a Christian man.

So, there's my update.

 

Good luck with that.

• It has a tuner on it
• The front end needs an alignment
• The tranny fluid wasn't showing up on the dipstick
• the truck was a little rough on the downshift
• It already has the K&N intake on it
• It does have the tall oil fill tube (filter???)
• Pushed hard enough that it snapped - park brake cable

 

As TMT stated in his red flag list....that is not the deal for you or your step son.
You most likely buying someones "problem" and the mods, broken stuff and lack of history makes this truck very risky.

 

I know. I pointed it out to him, he's adamant it's the truck he wants

 

I told him last night that if it were me, I would not buy it. And I pointed out all those issues. I told him I wanted him to have his eyes wide open if he's dead set on buying. Smart *** sent me a selfie of him with his eyes wide open...……...smh

 

If we don't let kids fail they will never learn.

If it were my son I would be telling him look, it is yours, in your name and your insurance. I am not working on it or paying for repairs.

Trust me, I have had this conversation with my son. He wanted a POS 2004-2007 Mustang and I asked him, "Can you fix it or pay someone to fix it?" The truth is he is not like me, he can't fix a car. He does not have a car in his name...yet. Still driving one of my cars.