Being a new 6.0 owner, just picked up my '06 F250 this afternoon. I read quite a few threads that have really left me thinking, did I purchase the right truck?

Honestly, is the 6.0 that bad of an engine? I read one post that bashed the 6.0 so bad that the moderator had to delete a few posts... Heck, it can't even tow a load????

I went with the 6.0 because of many friends which have them with good reliability, not to mention the company I work for, which has hundreds of 6.0's..

Is this a Ford bashing thing or is the 6.0 inherently have design flaws? I gave up my '96 F250 460, that never gave me a problem. Now I feel that I'm going to be broke (not fuel costs) trying to keep my 6.0 on the road.

Frankly, I know of C5.9 and Cat's that have issues, are the Fords any different?

Juan

 

I have said this before and I will say it again, people come to a site like this to find answers to problems not just to say wow this is a great truck. so yes, surfing these boards may seem like the 6.0 is a problem riddeled engine, but how many 100's of thousands of miles among the all of the trucks built with this engine are out there?
I think some of these "problems" are from people driving them as grocery getters, they are work trucks, use them as such.

 

I went with the 6.0 because of many friends which have them with good reliability, not to mention the company I work for, which has hundreds of 6.0's..


i think you answered your own question

 

the 6.0 is not a bad engine. lots of problems result from operator misuse people put on aftermarket stuff and blame ford when it breaks.

 

But they are more than capable of collecting groceries too!!!

In all honesty, you made a very good decision. The 6.0l is a very fine machine, don't be upset at all about things you see on here - to make you feel better, go down to the 460 forum, they have problems too, but you had one that didn't have any issues.

What does that tell you?

Just enjoy your fine new truck and that 6.0l grin

 

Unfortunately the 6.0 PSD has a bad reputation most likely from early more frequent serious problems to later less frequent and more minor problems. This is not to say all later model problems have been minor.

Head gaskets are not minor in my book; they are apparently a possible weak link and the risks should be carefully considered before adding any device that may cause an increase in cylinder pressure. People have had head gasket problems with stock unmodified trucks but it seems the bulk of problems occur with modified trucks and then probably more often or less with certain devices.

The EGR system has had some problems but much of this may be related to earlier EGR strategies and failing EBP, exhaust back pressure sensors, fuel quality issues, and earlier model EGR valves.

My truck had the EGR valve replaced early on (before new model EGR valve was released) and has had the EBP replaced twice. I've had minor oil leaks repaired, the FICM harness recall, the EBP recall, the transmission overhauled for the rear planetary...

I use Diesel Kleen fuel additive at all fill-ups. The only mod my truck has is the tank "harpoon" to expidite fill-ups.

I've got 42,000 miles on her at this point and she pulls my 24 ft. travel trailer better than any previous vehicle I've ever had; pulls the 19' boat like nothing is back there (no, I don't pull them both at the same time). This truck runs great solo or pulling a load.

Son-in-law has one, his dad has one, and a friend has one, no major problems; they all have pulled double what I've pulled (large 5ers, and very large construction goose neck.)

Enjoy your new truck, take care of her, know the possible weaknesses (head gaskets) and use good judgement based on what you learn if you decide to make power adding modifications.

Bob

 

Do you have an alarm or ignition immobolizer by ford installed. Do you have a dash security light flashing?

If this is the case, you must unlock and disengage the alarm before starting. You may have this set to automatically arm and this is what is causing the three tries? I have had a few alarms that can do this even if you unlocked, then did something, you would go to start and it would not or would set off the alarm? Ussually you can turn this auto arming off.