Hey People,
My 6.0 4wd automatic truck, with Edge Juice/Attitude and SCT Excalibrator blew some of the coolant out of the reservoir cap after some hard runs with the SCT performance/trans. file in and the Attitude at level 4.
Naturally it blew it everywhere, including all over the the shocks, wheels, suspension, etc. I am assuming boost levels (30 lbs.+) are actually overcoming the headgasket sealing ability and pressurizing the cooling system.
Truck never got warm, and really cool (for SoCali) day, about 60 degrees. I want to avoid repeating this on a regular basis if possible. Any input? Matt, I am sure you will have some for me. Help me out people!

Thanks,
Tim

 

Unfortunately, the damage has already been done. You have either begun to melt the solder in the EGR cooler or just as you mentioned, exceeded the sealing capacity of the head gaskets. Once combustion heat/pressure and coolant have been forced through or past the layered gasket and printed sealant the only repair is to replace them. Your engine will become more sensitive to this and blow coolant out of the de-gas bottle with or without the tuner. Beware! The Warranty Police have turned a scrutinizing eye at this type of failure.

 

Mine is stock and it pukes! It is one thing to police warranty but when there is a major design flaw like the one on the 6.0 with the gaskets, maybe the warranty police should put on some coveralls and start finding a cure.

 

My truck has done it since new. My dealerships won't even consider anything but the de-gas bottle cap. I'm sick of pouring antifreeze in the bottle only to have it blown back out. I've tried to get them to check for CO2 in the bottle but they only look at me like I'm stupid. Tell me there's NOTHING wrong. that's just bogus. Warranty POLICE are just warranty deniers. I think it's just a load and want them to fix my truck (wife's actually) so she won't be stranded anywhere. What do I have to do to make them fix the REAL problem???

 

I actually agree with you because I have seen brand-spanking-new trucks puke coolant. I personally have not fixed one, yet. Looking for answers a year ago I came up empty handed and gave up. I recently decided to resume looking into the situation and was told what I posted. I do see tuned engines doing this more but I think that there is an underlying problem causing this. Sorry I don't have anything more to report guys. I just keep hearing "head gaskets and chips."

 

Hmmm...
I have a friend who is a Ford factory service tech (doctor) who has done quite a few headgaskets on the 6.0 trucks, but mostly on the early production (pre May '03)
trucks. If I continue to have problems, I will get it warrantied.... even if it means replacing the exhaust manifold prior to the dealer visit! I really don't want the cab off of my truck though.....

have a great day!

Tim

 

Only thing feasible on these trucks as far as high performance is a dynamic head seal and HIGH YIELD studs. Hence I said high yield; ARP has the sorriest excuse for a set of head studs for the 6.0 liter I have ever seen, but H-11 studs will be available from several sources in the very near future with yield strengths pushing 300,000 psi. ARP yield strength right now just isn't up to par.

With dynamic gaskets (Hypermax has them right now) you are looking at a literally indestructable seal, but either the head or block (or both, if looking for maximum seal) need to be cut in order to be installed.


FordDoctor, did you say SOLDER in the EGR cooler? I was under the mistaken idea that the cooling baffles were welded in, not soldered...no wonder mine was gutted.

The main problem with these heads is a simple lack of clamping force from more than one source. Weak bolts, not enough bolts, and a fairly flexible head due to lack of material (from the 4 valve design)

HPMX has a Ford Ranger race truck with a 6.0 in it presently- mostly stock engine, with billet rods, and thier c-ring kit- injectors, twin turbo, and water to air intercooler at over 100 psi boost and nearly 900 HP- check it out on there site. Not including the transmission, around $15,000 in the engine. Not too shabby for the price, at that level. These are overall a well-designed engine that will withstand far more than what people currently think.

 

PSD,
Thanks, I guess I will just have to put some more miles on it and see what happens for now. When are these headstuds gonna be available, and from where? Don't want to do the gaskets, if it is absolutely necessary, without doing the studs.

thanks!

Tim

 

mine does it all the time too. can i get rid of the egr altogether? when it pulls without the tranny locked in OD, it smells real bad like rotten eggs, and ive put more than a gallon of coolant in at a time more than once. where is this heat exchanger located and can it be modified so the exhaust and coolant dont go to it?

 

I have an idea that the problem is the exhaust cooler for the EGR. I think when the truck is working hard the exhaust entering the cooler is hot enough to cause localized boiling of the coolant. This over pressurizes the coolant system and it blows out the cap. What do you think? Does disconnecting the EGR help with the problem?

 

I don't think that disconnecting the egr would have an effect because I had my egr unplugged with the 100hp tune and the other tunes and I blew coolant. But I've noticed now since I've installed my turbo back exhaust system I have yet to blow coolant.

 

On the rear left of the Coolant recovery bottle is a hose that the 6.0Bible says is attached to the EGR Cooler deaeration port. I wonder if this hose returns fluid to the recovery bottle all the time or just when the egr cooler is making steam>?

 

I just took mine in to my dealer for the same thing. They performed some systems test and then blamed the coolant overflow on "possibly an aftermarket exhaust" and "large tires". I lost so much coolant pulling my boat last weekend, it was running bown the side of the truck. The pinhead service writer who knows nothing about the 6.0 was absolutley no help. Service manager failed to return my call. I can't stand this! I'll let the engine burn up then FMC will get the message.

 

Coolant Coolant Coolant WHy does it blow out the overflow bottle ? I own a 2003 6.0 and it has blown coolant since about 5800 miles the FORD dealer has worked on it to this day and it still blows coolant. The truck has been in the shop a total of 62 days thats right 62 days and still blowing water. I went through the DSB (BS) and they told me to let FORD keep working on it. Well I am at 830000 miles and it is going back in the shop. I am just wondering what FORD would do if a class action suit was filed from everyone that has this problem and can`t get it fixed ? My dad always told me to be patient and I think I have . Now its time to cause some waves. GOOD LUCK everyone that is havind 6.0 problems. May the force be with you.

 

My 04 hasn't lost any coolant so far, and is completely stock. If you can I would take the truck to a different repair facility.