Well guys I think I am going to cry. Well maybe not cry...just rant. I took my 04 PSD into the dealer 2 months ago for the last of the 3 year 36k mile warranty concerning a window regulator problem. They repaired that with a smile. I also reiterated the fact that my F250 was spitting coolant out of the degas bottle ONLY when towing. I am running a SuperChip tuner on Towsafe mode.

The first instance was last year towing a 7k boat/trailer in 110+ weather. The EGT's never got above 1150 (for a short duration) and the coolant never got above 215 degrees (the light came on by the way for check gages). I complained to the dealer about this. The dealer checked out the truck and said there was no head gasket problem.

I recently thought to myself that since I have had a few occasions of coolant puking and adding water, to the "MINIMUM" level as prescibed by the TSB's, that maybe I had added too much water to the coolant system inturn lowering the boiling point of the water BLAH BLAH. So I reduced the level added gold coolant (straight) and replaced the cap JUST IN CASE.

To no avail. the darn thing blew coolant again! I am so bummed. I purchased this truck for the simple fact.....I wanted to be able to tow a house with the a/c on and HAVE NO HEADACHES. Well obviously I now have a headache. The truck runs great on the streets/highway (in high performance mode) with no coolant problems. I have no purculation in the degas bottle and have no oil/coolant contamination. I am at a loss.

The truck never runs hot (above 201) with no load and I personally do not consider 215 (when towing) hot at all. I do not hot rod the truck AT ALL. When I tow it is a casual 65-75mph tow always watching my quadzilla monitor (stand alone monitor, no quadzilla tuner).

What do you guys think?????? If I am not mistaken the motor itself has 5 year 100k mile warranty right???? Is there something or some test I should demand @ the dealer to confirm head gasket problems?

Thanks for your advice

 

chata,

Yes the engine is warrantied 5/100K with a $100 deductible for each visit after the 3/36. Sounds like you have a leaking head gasket, could be a leaking EGR cooler but my money is on the head gasket. The only way to accurately diagnose the problem is to have the dealer pressure test the cooling system. Also beaware you can get a false low reading on the coolant temp if the system is low on coolant do to puking as if the water does not make full contact on the temp probe it will read cooler than it actually is. Since you had a check engine light come on you definitely had some problem going on. If you remove your tuner before going to the dealer you will clear the codes set in the KAM. So if you remove the tuner you need to drive the truck in stock tune until you can get the CEL to set again.

 

It was not a check engine light, it was a "check gages" light when the coolant got to 215 degrees on my stand alone gauges. Do you recommend I demand they pressure test the cooling system? I have no coolant/oil cross contamination though and no degas bottle purculation. They did replace the EGR cooler once. Is this crap going to happen again time after time or have they improved on the head gasket design? SHOULD I DEMAND THEY LOOK FURTHER INTO THIS????

 

chata,

If you were getting a check gauges light then the water temp readings you were seeing were not accurate, probably do to air in the cooling system.

The only way to determine if the head gaskets are leaking is to do a pressure test. The engine should not puke unless there is a head gasket, EGR cooler or coolant cap leak. So yes find a dealer with a competent & qualified 6.0 tech and have them run proper diagnostics on it. You may want to consider finding another dealer if you are having problems with this one. Head gaskets have been updated, but the main problem is that with improper fueling strategies the heads can lift do to head bolt stretch. If it is head gaskets, they need to make sure the heads are flat and withing spec before replacing the gaskets. Also on some engines the head bolts were not torqued properly at the factory leading to head gasket failure. If they have to replace the headgaskets, see if they will install ARP head bolts if you buy them.

Please don't use all caps as that is "shouting" and i am just the messenger

Good luck

 

Sorry, I am not shouing, just trying to make sure the important part of my question is seen. What a bummer. Do you think it would beneficial to buy my own high performance head gaskets and ARP studs? Do you think the dealer will even entertain the fact of puting non oem parts in???? Where would I purchase this stuff and what are the part #'s

 

Remove the tuning, drive the truck, take it in for warranty. There is no chance that the tow safe mode from superchips caused the puking. It is way to low of a tune. These trucks in the early builds are notorious for this issue. Ford will know what to do if you take it in. As far as aftermarket product install I would say that is not going to fly most of the time. If they put on somthing other than a ford approved product and the problem re-occours they will have one hell of a time getting the repair approved by corporate. Take a deep breath and get er done!

 

I jus talked to the ford service writer. He explained that they would be receptive to installing my components, but it would "probably" void any future warranties on the engine. I don't think I can handle that. I am stuck between a rock and a hard place....what if the tech is a knucklehead and doesn't torque correctly, what if a defective head gasket comes my way...I would be screwed. I feel the safest thing is to take it in, have them install oem parts and cross my fingers. So does this mean I shouldn't run my SCT anymore, I would be sad if I couldn't.

What do you guys think??????????

Coincidentally, anyone have repeated head gasket/coolant puking problems after head gasket warranty?

 

Have them fix it and go about your business like this never happened. The superchips tuner in tow tune is so mild that no harm can come from it. This is somthing that happens with the 6.0 for some owners. Ford will fix it,and they will do a very good job. The tech does not want to see your truck return with an improper fix. A good tech wants to do it right the first time because he takes pride in his expertise. Having the truck come back is a slap in the face. Besides if they don't fix it right thats their problem not yours. Get it fixed, enjoy the loaner real good and relax.

 

If they fix your truck correctly the stock headgaskets and bolts will take quite a bit of abuse. The MOST important thing is that they check the heads and block deck for flatness. Anything more than .002" is way to much--I'd actually like to see NONE. It's easier for the tech to torque studs than the torque to yield factory bolts, but such is what you have to live with. Your dealership has lots to do with that issue and COULD take care of it if they wanted to. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

I was a wrench or a long time before moving onto other endeavors. I would hate to think that I would have to remind them to straight edge the heads and block before a head gasket replacement, that is just common sense stuff. Aside from looking over the tech's shoulder, all I can do is hope they will do a good job.


I have 30k miles on my truck, but the 3 year 36k is gone. I am told that the engine has a 5year 100k on it with a $100 deductible which is a good thing. I am uncertain if that includes a loaner car free of charge and/or reimbursement. Does anyone have an idea?

Thank you

 

No loaner car or reimbursment. Hopefully you can take your truck to a dealership that has lots of experience with 6.0's and they will know what to do. Without prior knowledge of your tech it could be a crapshoot at best. Good luck.

 

FMC generally never includes a loaner car for warranty repairs even under the 3/36k. Now in some instances they have with a recall. Generally the loaner car if it is provided is a dealer thing that is not part of FMC. You can ask the dealer for a free loaner and see what they say. If the dealer will not give you a free loaner, many of them have a relationship with a car rental company and can get you a discount on the rental rate.

Good luck

 

Correct. TSB repairs have included free rental cars. I guess I will have to bum a ride to work or pay for a rental.


I know this is a stupid question, but I have two more towing trips that are already paid for and they are both within two weeks of one another. So pretty much I have to go. At this point do you guys think I should remove the SCT tune alltogether.....you think any extra damage will occur? Obviously I am going to carry extra water and monitor temps extra careful..... just want to know what you guys think. I wish I could take t today, but it just can't happen.