I have read hours worth of threads concerning the problems associated with the 6.0 diesel especially the 2003. Since the fuel system of all cars is subject to smog rules and warranties I think rather than raging on Ford who obviously is not interested in taking care of it's customer why not start getting complaint forms filed with NHSTA. The safty problems assoiciated with engines loosing power, throttle responce, dieing while traveling down the road, bad injectors etc. etc. etc. are certainly problems NHSTA should be made aware of. NHSTA has the power to make Ford recall all 6.0's for the proper fixes that we as consumers are intitled too. My 2003 6.0, engine build date 3/2003, chassie build date 3/2003 ran very well and gave me excellant towing mpg until the December flash at 12,800 miles. After that flash I lost 4 mpg empty and 3 mpg towing my 12,000 lb. 5th wheel. Power also went South and it started smoking on start-up and sounding like a rod was trying to climb out when cold. The dealer fixed the later problem by doing a new flash ( February ) and installing 10/30 oil. I since have looked into the oil change and do not find Motorcraft 10/30 oil that is CI4 rated, only SF.!!. My latest problem is a heavy miss that occures after the vehicle has warmed up. I let the truck sit while I do bussines and the problems starts only after driving for a while. The miss gets worse the longer I drive. I tried driving with my Volumizer in position 1 and off with the same results. I have checked and drained the fuel filters with no apparent problems. I drained the fuel tank and refueled with new just to see if that would help. No change. I am now going to talk to the dealer and see what they say. I don't know if a code will show a problem or not due to the transient natureof the miss. Sorry for dragging on but I think I said all. This is agreat forum and I enjoy all the input from the many enthusiasts.

 

I am curious about your "flashes"?

I to have an '03 6.0L Excursion and had the December flash. I lost mileage after the October flash, but December improved my cold weather performance and operation.

You mentioned that you had a February flash update in your post above? What is this? I am not aware of a February flash. The last flash update for an '03 motor was 12/12/03. There was an update for the '04's (only) in January.

Please explain or shed light on since you were either given incorrect info or "sold a bill of goods" for somethig they could not have given you.

Please advise.

Thanks,

Jeff

 

Jeff I am sorry I looked back at my records and find the flash that took my mileage away was done in October and the subsaquent one was a December flash done in February. Although the December flash did not take care of any of my problems from the Oct. flash. February was the oil change and recheck for current flash available.

 

There is a Febuary 8th. I think it's 29.6 flash, it for romping, white smoke at start-up, and sluggest starts out when cold or warm, the trade of is no more polit injection, 4th and 5th gear Tow/haul removed, It also helps the engine at high altitude
Rob

 

Robaire,

The February 8th flash your are referring to is Only for the 04 (2004) motors. These were built and available on & after 09/29/03.

The December 12,03 flash is the latest flash available for the 03 (2003) motors that are in all 2003 trucks and 2004 trucks built 09/28/03 and before.

Hope this helps

 

Thanks, I now stand corrected. Rob

 

The paper work I have shows R16 flash code. I remember also telling the dealer about a problem when in tow haul mode. The trasmission would sound and feel like it would blow out of it's skin during the last stages of coming to a stop. My trailed is 12,000 plus pounds and this was very scary. I felt like the thing was going to end up in my lap. The tech told me something but I can't remember what; nothing on the paper work and have not towed yet so I don't know how this worked.