What things should I be looking for in a new 6.0? I have no experience with them what things have people had trouble with on them? Also what about the trannys and how do they pull do they need to be takenn out of OD thanks

 

Ford is in the last year of the "6.0 experiment". To date, it would have to be rated as a failure IMHO. Too many teething problems in '03 and '04. Guys still have problems with turbo's, wiring harnesses and oil leaks. Ford is already canning the 6.0 for the 6.6 next year. Are you ready for a whole new engine release after this last one? I said in '03 that I wouldn't be a guinneau pig for Ford and buy the first model year.

You will find guys raving about their 6.0's, but there are a lot of "buy backs" out there too of which I personally know 3. The 7.3 had better off the line pull than the 6.0 and yet is rated lower.

I know also, you won't find the Dodge/Cummins boards filled with the disaster stories you'll find on the 6.0 forums. "The Diesel Stop" is full of good reading on the 6.0.

 

If this would be your first diesel powered truck, try to drive one first and make sure that you would be happy with the extra noise that a diesel makes. Ford's gas engines are almost totally silent when compared to the diesel.

I went with the diesel for this truck and it has performed well. The 6.0 has *much* more power than my 460 ever had. Towing performance is also excellent - it tows like a mule.

There were reports of problems with 03 and 04 trucks with the 6.0 engine on the internet. Although some folk have had their share of problems, none of my friends who drive 6.0 trucks have had any real problems with theirs.

Just my $.02.

Lou Braun

 

I've got 2 6.0s (05 & 06) and had no problems at all!! I know about 25 (Including 3 relatives) people that have 6.0s some of those are 03 & 04s and to a man they will tell you they a very happy with theirs. The ones who have had problems will tell you it was because they put a Programmer or Chip on it!! I do have a Friend that has a Dodge. The one he has now is his second, this one has a Manual tranny because the first was a Auto!!

I also have a 7.3 and I have spent a lot more money on it then the 6.0s but I have 5 times as many miles also!!

 

Ford replaced the 7.3L diesel with the 6.0 because the 7.3 couldn't meet the newer more stringent EPA regulations. The 6.0 Diesel is being replaced in 2007 with the 6.4L ( not 6.6L) for the same reason. The 6.0 is not a failure but it cannot meet the new EPA Diesel Regs which go into effect for light trucks and cars in 2007. All of the manufactures are having issues with meeting the new regs. VW will not market a diesel engine in 2007 for this reason. This stuff hits the heavy truck industry in 2008.

You should try to get a 2006 for 2 reasons. First, the 2007 will be the first year release of the new 6.4L diesel. You would be wise to avoid the first year release of any engine from any manufacturer. Second, Ford is anticipating problems with having the 6.4L ready for the 2007 trucks because of emissions issues.

As the EPA continues to tighten the emission regulations for diesels, you can expect the engines to get more complicated and the power and fuel mileage to drop.

Geez, the way things are going with emissions regulations, before too long, the air will be cleaner after your truck has driven through it than it was before you got there.


To answer your questions:

If you get an automatic, the TorqShift is a great transmission which makes a great companion for the 6.0L diesel. There is no way to lockout OD and you don't need to do this anyway. The tranny is definitely built to take the torque generated by the 6.0.

The biggest issue with the newer 6.0L diesels seems to be the oil leaks. There are over a dozen common leaks on that engine and they all show up as a drip on the bellhousing. It is more of an annoyance than anything else but it can be difficult to fix because of all the possible sources.

I have a 2005 F250 6.0 and with 4000 lbs in the bed, the drivetrain pulls like the truck is empty. It runs an pulls great under load.

My friend pulls an 11K lb horse trailer with her 2004 F350 and that rig runs circles around her F350 that has a 460 in it.

By the way, if you visit the Dodge boards, you will find that as stated above, the Cummins is a great engine. But, the Dodge automatic trannys do tend to be a problem. It will be interesting to see what Cummins does to meet the 2007 regs for the Dodge trucks.

 

My 6.0 is a 2003 with just 18240 miles and a blown engine. Factory stock, never chipped. Ford told me to take a hike on the warranty. There are more reliable suppliers than Ford in the market place.
Both the product and the warranty are defective.

 

The 2007's are rolling off the lots already and NO 6.4L is available. At least not on FORD's website. The 6.4L will not be released until the 2008 all NEW SD. That is scheduled for release in January 2007.

Back to the question:

whalerron does have the rest covered...with the small leak issue and the TRUE tough 5R100 auto tranny.

However, the problematic factory variable vane turbo charger is questionable. Not just new, but with 150,000+ miles. One reason FORD is switching to a dual (NOT twin) turbo setup on the 6.4L.

PLUS, let's not forget the dreaded "single" EGR valve on the 6.0L. FORD has acknowledged it is a weak link in that engine. Rumors have it...that the 6.4L is going to have 3 EGR valves to help with the plugging up issue. See this FTE link for directions on how to unplug it... https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...tructions.html

Hope this helps...make a better decision. OBTW, I am not saying to stay away from the 6.0L, but providing information so that you are in the know.

biz

_____________________________
2003 F250 SD SC 142" XLT FX4 V10 Auto 4x4 3.73s

 

The 6.0 uses the VVT turbo. Isn't it true that both turbos on the 6.4 are to be VVT too? The 6.4 didn't make 2007 production because of emissions issues. Rumor has it that Ford diesel trucks will become hard to find in 2007 because of this. All of the truck manufacturers are having issues with the new EPA regs. Surprisingly, even VW is having problems and will not be marketing a diesel car in the US in 2007 ( Boy did they goof!).

I just read an article about the Duramax and it too uses a VVT Garrett turbo. Buying a Chevy isn't gonna get you around that.

 

The TorqShift is an excellent transmission, no doubt about it. Instead of an Overdrive cancel switch, the TorqShift has a "Tow/Haul" Mode switch, which lets it wind out a little more in the gears. The best part about the Tow mode, though, is the engine braking. It works with the turbocharger and downshifting to make it work almost as good as an exhaust brake did in the old days.

As to the 6.0, there's plenty good and a fair amount bad. The early ones had fuel injector problems. Today one here we hear mostly about EGR valve problems and turbo vanes sticking due to carbon buildup. People on here and elsewhere will be glad to go on and on over what causes buildup. I hold with the folks who attribute it to too much idling and making short trips.

A lot of the problems in 2004 trucks stem from the fact that Ford continued to put 2003 build date engines in the 04s for a while. The 2004 engine had something on the order of 100 revisions. My 2004 F-350 (it came with the 2004 Engine) has performed admirably. It is an excellent tow rig, and it has never been to the shop in 30,000 miles of operation.

As said earlier, the 6.0 is not being discontinued due to reliability concerns. In fact, the replacement 6.4L engine is based off of the 6.0L engine. It's the EPA regulations that are driving all that, just as it was the previous crackdown that killed the 7.3. There are all kinds of rumors flying about regarding the 6.4. More than likely, the new eigine will have multiple turbochargers, multiple EGR valves, particulate filters in the exhaust system, and a new Common Rail Injection system to replace the HEUI system that's been around since the first generation Power Stroke 7.3 engines.

 

That's the first I've heard about the new Duramax. Buying a Dodge isn't going to get anybody out of it, either, at least if the article I read in Diesel Power is correct.

The new Cummins is going to have an EGR system and a Variable Turbo. Ford took the first hit on this stuff with the 6.0, but everyone else is headed for deep waters as well. Despite a big boost in displacement, it is just barely going to meet the performance of the current 5.9L engine, too.