I currently own a 99 7.3 ext. cab and have been thinking about moving into a newer 6.0 crew cab. I was wondering what are some of the major things that go wrong with the 6.0 to look out for. I have learned to move my way around the 7.3 pretty good, and I don't want to get over my head. I have heard good and bad but I want to here what the guys who know about them and drive them have to say. Thanks for your help.

 

Help !! Anybody?

 

They did have there problems. The rule of thumb is to get an 06 or 07 as these seem to have a better track record. They can have the issues to so get an oasis report on any one you get to see what all has been done to it. If you tune them, head gasket (achilles heel of the motor) can rear their ugly head. If idled alot, expect to replace EGR valves and turbos. Keep the fluids changed in it and drive it and you will be fine. Get the oasis report. These motors can be made bulletproof like the 7.3's but it will cost a couple grand for head studs and an EGR delete. The 5R110 trannies behind the 6.0L is a superior unit and along with the 05+ trucks equipped with the towcommand system make them a dream to tow with. I love mine 6.0L. I would only trade it for a new 6.4L!!!!

 

The 6.0 likes to be run as well with the vvt turbo varible vane turbo u need to get on it to keep them from sticking. They also don't like to sit around for a etended amount of time

 

I will get you started.The 6.0 first and foremost needs fresh oil and filters,running dirty old oil will cause injector problems and rough running.The fuel filters are the same don't run them for extended periods or the truck will run like crap.The two problems that are most prevelant are the head bolts and EGR system,both can be improved on,the head bolts by head studs and the EGR system with a tig welder.The two of those along with the turbo account for most of the troubles people have posted in the last few years.The turbo and a huge amount of EGR valve issues are caused by crappy fuel and extended idling causing carbon build up in each of them.There is another issue that some trucks have as well thats casting sand in the coolant causing blockages in the coolant flow through the oil cooler clogging the EGR coolers flow causing flash boiling in the cooler and then a rupture internally,a coolant filter is very high on the must do mod list.Even knowing all of this I bought a second 6.0 because the first one that has been modded by myself is the strongest,best running motor I have ever owned and gets the best fuel milage to boot.I hope this helps,sorry about the spelling I can't figure out the spell check on this puter.

 

This is true for motors built prior to 12/05. There was an update to the turbo with some additional machining that really helped take care of this particular issue. If the turbo has been replaced in '06 or later, the new turbo would have this update as well.

I'd follow UGA33's advice if you can afford it and get the latest 6.0 you can find. There were a number of improvements in '05 such as the F550 control arms, heavier duty front axle (6k lb rated) in the 4x4 model, bigger brakes, beefed up frame, tighter turning radius, highest weight rated SRW up until the '8 dodges came out (that equals it) and a better ride to boot... Not to mention the integrated brake controller like UGA33 said -- it is unbelievable for towing.

Besides the Turbo update, International found some issues with the robots that were torquing the head bolts and improved the quality of that variable as well. I think that applied to the '06s, but someone else may have a more specific date for you. I have also heard that, due to the issues with casting sand, International took extra steps to flush the blocks more completely in later units. I haven't personally seen someone verify this last info, but I did read it here on FTE. I am going to install a coolant filter anyway, just to be on the safe side.

It's an awesome truck and motor and trans combo and having also owned a '99 PSD 4x4 (almost identically configured as my '07), the 6.0 is not only more refined, but imho better in just about every way, save for the extra emissions crap. After my warranty is up, I'll be taking care of that as well.

Also like UGA33, I'd only trade mine for a 6.4 -- those things are even more of a beast!

Good luck in your search...

 

I just bought a 03 and Im regretting it, I have had over 5 7.3s that have never had issues like this does. Its horrible.

 

I recently got a very low mileage 04 F350 with a manual trans. Minimal stuff on the Oasis. Somebody messed with the trailer wiring in its past, but now fixed. Runs great and a joy to drive. Gobs of power stone stock - don't know what I'd do with more - is there ever enough power?

The first owner never took it off the pavement and under the hood it looked like it came out of the show room.

Like all modern high speed diesels, clean oil, clean fuel (be fussy), no extended idling at low RPM, start it - give it 15 seconds to get oil running, drive it - keep under 2000 rpm till warm and don't really pour the coal to it until it has completely warmed is my strategy. I would stay away from tuners and bolt on mods (there is no free or cheap lunch, but that's me). If you want to go performance I think you want a high end / balanced professional job that is going to cost a lot dollars (I think I'd want to save 15,000 to 20,000 dollars before I'd start messing, in Canada a replacement engine and shop labour can apparently hit $25,000).

 

Stick with your 7.3. I work for international and all i work on are those vt365(6.0L) everyday. Being the same engine the main issue as of lately is the issue with injectors. It will start hard cold some black, white, blue. International even came up with a whole new word for the issue being called SITCION. Coolers, head gaskets, rocker arms, fuel pumps, rear gear train, turbos, and sooo many other things where issues this engine has. I myself in 2 years have replaced 22 engines because they blew up. This is a fact too. The 7.3 is a great enigne, only issues i have ever seen with them are oil pan leaks and rocker arms braking but thats mostly when your getting into slightly higher hp. I dont know what international was thinking when they built that enigne. Thats why Ford is building there own engine because that 6.0L was nothing shy of junk

 

I have been on this Forum 5+ years (and on many others as well) and I read extensively. So far the only person I have read (before you) that said his engine blew up was a guy that "modded" his engine so much (he did not have a safety cut off switch for low oil pressure on the nitrous supply) that he exploded his LPOP. I have seen literally nothing on "rear gear train" and "rocker arms". The current issue is the injector "STICTION" and it is resolved with a flash. The issue here is that with this flash, if you let your electrical system (batteries and/or alternator) get weak, you are putting your FICM (fuel injection control module) which is the equivlent of an IDM, at risk.

I think most of the posts are accurately describing the main issues. The 06 and 07's are enjoying very good reliablity records. All the items listed as upgraded on these trucks are "spot on". Even so, do your preventative maintenance things!

If you buy one, wait for a good deal on an 06 or 07, get the coolant filter, save $$'s for head studs and an EGR system delete (which also requires a tuner) and do your maintenance. I should say there are folks here enjoying 150k (or there abouts) on their 03's and 04's. It just seems like the folks buying used trucks of these year models have a fairly high frequency of having to do repairs. Still, get a good deal and the "fixes" are well known and documented here on this forum.

 

Oh - two other things.

Find a dealership w/ a reputation for having a good shop. If you do have any problems, this will be an important factor in your satisfaction. These are complicated engines and when you find a shop with a good staff of mechanics/technicians, it is fantastic (they will not just replace parts, they will accurately diagnose).

Also - save up for gauges (fuel pressure, boost (unless it comes w/ one), exhaust gas temperature, also may consider tranny fluid temp, coolant temp, and engine oil temp).

 

Maybe thats what ford does with the engines but international claims that stiction is caused my not changing oil enough, running engine hard, and just faulty injectors. Its the spool valve of the injectors that is what goes bad. It becomes worn out or sticks some. i personally think this could be combated by more frequent oil changes and using a good oil with cleaner/condtioner. I am currently working on a UPS with a vt365 engine that had a case of this issue. Also in 2002 and 2003 international had a recall on rear gear with the fuel pump gear teeth shearing off and also issues with the fuel pump itself. The rocker arms where also updated with a new design with adding 2 more bolts. Is this case you had to remove the heads. Upon removeal of the heads the heads where also updated to the new designed that included a much bigger dowel pins and updated steel shim head gaskets. This was also a bad idea on their part too. They eliminated all but 2 outside bolts for the rocker box and it makes leaks occur much more there. We have a customer that has a fleet of ice cream trucks that all have 6.0Ls and 15 of them have reman engines in them. I do agree with you on the 06 and 07 engines. They are more reliable and i have seen less issues with them. Even though the 6.0s do run better than the 7.3s i will stick with my 7.3. My dad has 6.0 and its been to the shop more times than i can count. Its a 2005 and its in the shop now for blown head gaskets

 

The only real faults that I blame international for are tty bolts lack of quality control and not making a egr system that works well with out problems/ or making it easier to repair or remove. What ever happend to the days when you could remove the emissions crap easily......

 

Does this mean I have to register my truck with the BATF as a explosive device? I have never been lucky in life, I have a 2003 first few months of production of the 6.0 now with 113,000 miles with a ICP replacement and recently a new TFT sensor in the trans. Maybe its the way I drive and maintain it.

 

Forum experience means exactly jack **** compared to somebody who works on these engines for a living.

Actually, message forum experience means jack **** period.

Internet know-it-alls, gotta love 'em.

6.0Ls have a lot of issues, whether installed in Fords or Internationals. This in spite of what some internet experts may try to claim.

More likely, you just got one of the good ones. Report back when you hit 200,000 miles.