Problems with '03 6.0L???
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New User
Joined: Feb 2006
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Problems with '03 6.0L???
Hi all,
I'm new to the forum, but all I've been reading about is how many problems there are with the '03 6.0 engine. I bought one, an F350 four door dually, last fall, and was skeptical because I knew it was the first year the engine was out, but the price was right and luckily the truck has been fantastic thus far. It is approaching 49k miles now.
So, could I have a quick heads up on what I should expect to start going wrong? haha. I use the truck constantly to haul horses around, and need it to be halfway dependable. Any sort of preventative maintenance I should have done before something fails, other than the routine servicing?
Thanks!
www.harmonyhil-farm.com
I'm new to the forum, but all I've been reading about is how many problems there are with the '03 6.0 engine. I bought one, an F350 four door dually, last fall, and was skeptical because I knew it was the first year the engine was out, but the price was right and luckily the truck has been fantastic thus far. It is approaching 49k miles now.
So, could I have a quick heads up on what I should expect to start going wrong? haha. I use the truck constantly to haul horses around, and need it to be halfway dependable. Any sort of preventative maintenance I should have done before something fails, other than the routine servicing?
Thanks!
www.harmonyhil-farm.com
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,646
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From: Milky Way Galaxy
Not all '03's were duds. Just enough to get the wildfire spreading across the INTERNET that the 6.0 was a failure. Many of the problems associated with the early 6.0's like injector problems, oil leaks, gasket issues, etc., would have more than likely reared their ugly head by 50k miles. So like many early 6.0 owners you probably won't have many problems. And the ones you may have like oil seepage can be easily fixed under the 7yr/100k mile engine warranty for the $100 deductible. Keep up the proper maintenance and enjoy your truck.
Last edited by EnviroCon; Feb 19, 2006 at 01:08 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2005
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yes, the 03 6.0 is a victim of the internet, a few duds and it exploded like a nuclear bomb. the majority are just fine, and chances are that society has by now weeded out any of the defective ones, its been awhile since 2003. luck with the truck.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
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duallygirl, most of the issues with my '03 occurred before 20k (rear driveshaft seal leak, turbo failure) all taken care of by Ford dealers without a problem. I'v been fulltiming since April last year pulling a 6000# TT with no problems and currently have 62k miles on this horse and counting. The truck has performed great! Good luck.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: New Glarus, Wisconsin
I also Have an early '03, Only problem I had was the Injectors at less than 10,000 miles, took it to the dealer, after three times runs perfect, absolutely no Problems(Knocking on Wood) with 70,000 on ticker
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 226
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From: Utah Currently
I have only had a couple of big problems with my 03. At 45,000 a turbo sensor went out and at 66,000 the EGR valve went. I now have 68,000 on the truck and been down to the midwest and back to Fairbanks twice since I bought it new. The truck has been great.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 157
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From: Orange County, California
I went to your website, (needed to add one L to the word hill to make it work) nice ranch, horses and family! Hope you will put a pic in your FTE gallery showing you and your truck though. If your truck ever starts running rough, just disconnect the EGR plug.
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Thanks for the compliments! I couldn't figure out how to edit my post to change that link. I do want to put a pic in the FTE gallery....how do you do that? haha, sorry. I'm not real good with these things. What's the EGR plug? 
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Big Red country
Search the site for EGR and you'll get all the info on disconnecting it. Pros and Cons.
The EGR is located on the top of the engine right next to the oil filter, on the drivers side, it is round looking. It has a black top and the electrical connector is located on the top too. Personally, I haven't disconnected mine. I want to wait a little longer and then I will pull it out and look at it. Some claim better performance with it unplugged while others say it didn't provide any bump in performance or mileage. The key seems to be using a good quality fuel additive religously.
The EGR is located on the top of the engine right next to the oil filter, on the drivers side, it is round looking. It has a black top and the electrical connector is located on the top too. Personally, I haven't disconnected mine. I want to wait a little longer and then I will pull it out and look at it. Some claim better performance with it unplugged while others say it didn't provide any bump in performance or mileage. The key seems to be using a good quality fuel additive religously.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 157
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From: Orange County, California
To put photos in your picture gallery, you click up on the blue toolbar at the top of the page marked "User CP". There will be an option to edit your gallery. Once there, you can browse for your photos. If you are not too hip on finding files yet, then save photos to your desktop and then you can find them easily there.