Great to check in here on FTE, it's been awhile.
I've really had alot to contribute but just haven't had the time to much lately.
Been traveling and still on the road.
This Summer the trailer has been in tow and will be for the duration (about another 15k. miles. towing roughly 10,000 lbs.)

The last trip was a 5,000 miler over several mountain ranges and let's just say I got the ol' 6 liter up to operating temperature.
Noticed (what I deem ) as 'minimal' coolant loss with no issues. I topped it off to the "max" level before leaving and when returned the coolant was on the "min" mark.

However, what I did notice is that the oil level went down, found it lower on the stick about 2 quarts. It was time to change it but didn't think it should be so low in 5,000 miles.
Again, I pushed the rig in the mountains dragging my trailer when and where I wanted. Never did hear the oem fan to come on and cycle but the coolant temperature went up a good 20 degrees for some time while making those grades.
As you can tell, I am really watching my fluid levels and all those purdy Autometer gauges.

This forum offers so much help to the 6Liter owners like myself, Thanks to the FTE ol' farts and welcome to the new guys here as well.

Hopefully this Summer will progress with zero breakdowns or downtime for the ol' 6.0, it's really been a great powerplant.
The only issue I have hauling long haul is that I would like it to stay out of overdrive!
I miss that OD button on the old transmission to lock it out.

On the Road again,
D.

 

Benchwrench - welcome back from the trip. Glad your truck performed well! The oil loss is interesting - keep us informed if it repeats itself. Did you see any exhaust smoke on the trip? Do you have any signs of significant oil leaks?

 

I have a small leak that seems to drip from the rear of the oil pan, the typical oil leak you would see on most any engine. However it doesn't leave a drop in the driveway so that should be noted on just how small it is. Now I haven't been under the truck to scope it out, all I did was change the oil upon returning.

As far as any "smoke", good question, Mark.
If you notice in previous posts, I was complaining of a billow of smoke after 5 minutes of driving in the morning. Then it seemed to just disappear for the rest of the day, when it billowed again just a couple of weeks ago, I took off my sunglasses and it really looked like it had a bluish tinge to it. So... I'm thinking it has something to do with the turbo but I can only speculate. I'm waiting for more of a failure to know more. It could also be coolant from the egr cooler which is capped off at both ends. I'm thinking it may have a slight crack in it, again just speculation.

But such is life. Will put on some more miles to get to know this machine a bit better.
Oh, yeah, I also changed my coolant filter, cut it open and found it spotless.
This seems to be a good engine, however, time and tow miles will tell.

What I would like to add is this; The rear end being a F350 has a noticable shift or clunk to it which happens at a stop light when removing foot from brake pedal before any acceleration, also going slowly over speed bumps. I think it might be suspension related, haven't ruled out u-joint yet, . Much more noticeable when empty. Truck has 35K miles.

Wishing all is well with you and those here.

 

It is certainly possible that the oil loss might be the turbo.

My coolant level fluctuates A LOT. It is sometimes near max and then sometimes below min. I see no signs of puking. It really seems that I am not losing any coolant at all, but the fluctuations seem random and as much as 2-3 inches. Sometimes the low level occurs when it is hot (instead of when cold which would be when I would expect a low level). I guess I am saying ... don't be too quick to suspect a coolant leak.

I will have to think about the clunk.

 

Here is a thread w/ a lot of ideas on "clunks":

http://www.powerstroke.org/forum/gen...fix-clunk.html