Can someone send me to a thread/discussion of the 2 diesel engines? I currently own 2 7.3 diesel pickups (1997 F350 4x4 Crewcab & 1997 F250 2wd Crewcab) and I'm a little concerned about the 6.0. I'm considering buying an Excursion but a little afraid of the 6.0 after some things I have heard over the years but I'm a girl so I don't have all that "man knowledge" in my veins. My fiance' has a 2003 F150 XLT 4x4 truck & we have decided we just don't need 3 pickups so we are considering trading the F150 & getting the Excursion. I KNOW I like the 7.3's.........not sure about the 6.0. Any help from someone out there? Thanks for your time.

 

First, you can find an early 2003 or earlier Excursion with a 7.3 if you do some looking. There are a number of good 6.0 models out there but you'll want to do an Oasis report and a Carfax report on the truck before purchasing it.

However, there are some serious considerations with the 6.0. Ford has now paid out over 1 billion dollars in warranty claims over the 6.0 and it's the engine responsible for the divorce between International/Navistar, the engine manufacturer, and Ford. We have a large Ford dealership here in town which has a separate diesel truck service department. They don't have anything good to say about the 6.0 diesel engines other than to infer that they're good for job security. Even if I had a "good" 6.0, I'd be afraid that I'd be driving a potential financial time bomb.

While the older 7.3 isn't quite as sophisticated and doesn't develop as much power per cubic inch, it's a tried and true proven workhorse without the problems associated with its replacement.

 

Thanks - that is what I keep hearing. I just love the 7.3 - as you can see I'm not into "new" vehicles although I have 2 VERY NICE diesel trucks, well maintained, well kept for the most part. I see that you get more power from the 6.0 but that isn't that big a deal for me. I was widowed in 2004, raise livestock (boer goats) in central TX, pull a trailer about half the time going to shows & such so I need to keep 2 trucks capable of pulling that trailer "just in case". Since I choose to drive the older trucks I figure I'm better off with 2 of them at the cheaper purchase price than one new diesel truck! I have owned the F250 since 1999 & the F350 since summer 2008 & love both of them. I recently won the Houston Livestock show and had several people say "well, that should have been good for business - did you make any sales?" My reply, the total truth - "No, but I had 2 people try to buy my truck"! If they have had the 7.3 & then traded it for a newer 6.0 they usually wish they could go back to the 7.3, so I think that might be enough information for me. I have been searching the internet for Excursions, there are some good clean 7.3's out there, but I just can't really afford to spend much more than the F150 will bring......raising livestock in central TX with a drought going on has made it pretty hard on the pocket book. Adding the cost of diesel last year & feed prices 30% higher kind of took the wind out of my sails. I'll keep looking, something good will turn up if I am patient.

 

I purchased my 7.3 diesel Excursion in October 2006 from texasdirectauto.com as part of an eBay auction. They're located just south of Houston, TX. I found them great to deal with.

 

Of course the service department only sees the ones needing service. they don't see the 1000's that run just fine. I have the 6.0 and would recommend it.

I have heard of service departments getting rich from the service they do to the 6.0. But I think the warranty is like 5 years 100k. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I have a neighbor that has an 03 with the 7.3 and he keeps asking me to sell him my 05 with the 6.0.

FWIW I did have an oil leak in some tubes and the turbo was replaced, all under warranty. I believe that my problems were due to LACK of use rather then beating the pudding out of it. It's my understanding that the 6.0 doesn't like to sit for long periods without driving it. My 05 only has 21k on it now. But I did start driving it to Dunkin Donuts every morning.

Good luck.

 

From what info I've read and heard from 6.0 owners.They have problems with EGR system. And the head gaskets from head bolt stretching,mainly from having a chip or performance upgrades. Diesel Power magazine has had articles in the last two issues concerning these problems. I love both my 7.3's they always do what I need them to. I am going to start looking for 02-03 F-250 to replace my 96. I want a Supercab shortbed.

 

oh boy --- here we go again !!!!!

NO PROBLEMS with my 6.0

 

Uh-Oh! Sounds like I might have opened a can of worms here? Not trying to start a fight, just trying to get valid info. because most of what I have heard about the 6.0 is negative, I guess I'm looking for positive info.

I did a little reading on the internet concerning the 2 engines, seems the earlier 6.0's had more problems & there were some modifications in the later years to correct those problems. But for my situation I guess I would have to be considering the 2003 6.0 because I don't think I can afford the later model Excursions unless there is a real bargain on a cream puff out there. I have found a 1 owner 2003 6.0 that has about 50K miles, purchased by a dealer out of a dealer-only auction, considering it but I'm just hesitant about the 6.0. Also seems to be a discrepancy about the odometer reading........odometer might have been replaced or something........almost sounds fishy but if visual inspection doesn't reveal the vehicle to be more than an actual 50K mile vehicle it is almost worth considering. I might get on my stick horse & go check it out, you never know what you might find!

 

You rarely hear of issues with a 7.3L...it truly is one of Ford's best motors out there (next to the 6.8L of course! )

The 6.OH has had a very mixed following...if you have a 'good' one...it seems to be good...

I think many of the issues may have stemmed from 'chipping'' these motors plus new diesel owners not knowing enough about idling down after running to 'cool' off the turbo...using the truck as a grocery getter may also have compounded the issues of a 'marginal' design to start...who knows...

If you search on 6.OH vs 7.3L you should find hours of reading on this subject...I know I have seen more discussions on this than I can possibly find...

Good luck...the bottom line is that the Ex is a awesome vehicle...I happen to mostly use mine as a tow vehicle but many utilize theirs as their daily commuter...

Joe.

 

BZ, while it's a never ending battle as to which engine is better for what, the 6.0 can be an awesome engine, you just have to follow a few simple rules and make some changes. Another user is in the same position and I'm currently helping him on the same issue. Read my posts here: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...ml#post7557584

I wrecked my truck January of this year and was actively searching for a 6.0 Excursion. The ones I found were high mileage trucks with clean OASIS reports, thus nothing to really worry about; there were also a few others that had low mileage and a clean report.

Guys like jdadamsjr (03,05), Quietman(05), katiesdad7(05), Beachbumcook(03), and a few others all own 6.0s ranging from 03 to 05. They're awesome engines that require a little more care and attention than a 7.3 diesel. As a matter of fact, I've had a little 6.0 envy lately, but can't afford a new truck as there are bigger things to take care of.

Post whatever VINs you find here:https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...vin-tools.html

They will run an OASIS free of charge and most of the time you'll have the report the same day. Happy Hunting.

 

Thanks so much for the input guys. I need all the help I can get & your answers have been quite helpful. I'll tread carefully........don't need any more problems added to what I have already!

 

The oasis is the key. Even if they are not chipped they are known for issues, but if you find one that has some miles on it without a bunch of warranty work it will more than likely be fine. IMHO that is why Ford has a legitimate issue with Navistar. Seems like some work and some dont. One would think that sounds like a QC issue.