We are looking for a new family suv. I have always had chevys but they made me mad taking money from the goverment so I'm switching to Ford. I have been thinking about a 2005 excursion with the 6.0L diesel but I have been reading some negative stuff about that engine. I wanted a diesel for towing and the mpg. But if it will constantly be in the shop then I don't want one. Please any help would be great.

 

the 05 6.0s are about the best, Ford work out most of the bugs by then, get an OASIS report on the Excursion you are interested it will tell you what has been done to it, if alot was repaired or replaced it may be trouble. they all still have trouble with egr coolers, if its out of warranty get it bypased

 

Yeah, I kind of have the same question.....


I want to replace my diesel 94 Suburban (that I bought new) with an Excursion but I have heard not so good things about 6.0L so I have been looking for a 2003 and earlier. I would rather get the newest one I can find though.

If the newer ones are "fixed" then maybe that's the way to go...

It does scare me when I'm told that you have to pull the "body" to do some work on one though.....

 

Get an Oasis report as stated, provided its from a Ford dealer. Don't know if you can get one if you are buying from a non-Ford dealer, maybe go to Ford with the vin# and sweet-talk them. It will tell you if it has been a "problem child". There are some really bad ones, but the majority I believe to be dependable. Heres a recent thread to read https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...-that-bad.html It may help you make a decision. There are alot of us that are very happy with our 6.0's. And the body doesn't need to be pulled unless you have to get the headgaskets replaced. Even then, you could do that or pull the motor. Make no mistake, these can be expensive to fix but with religious maintenance with the proper filters, fluids and fuel you will more than likely have a solid dependable vehicle. However the diesel is not the best option for a grocery getter. These are high performance engines that like/need to be worked a little. A V-10( gasp! Can't believe I just said that) may be a better choice if thats what you will be using it for the majority of the time. And if you need help or have questions, you have found the best place for that right here. Alot of knowledgeable guys around here willing to help out, even some Ford diesel techs hang out here and help out in a big way. HTH- Tim

 

I bought a 2004 Eddie Bauer Ex with the 6.0 this past June. So far we love it. We're averaging 17-20 doing a lot of highway driving and no problems to date.

I do expect the EGR cooler to fail and when that happens I'll do a full delete.

The space is great for all the traveling we do and everyone is comfortable and able to stretch out if they want to.

I'd do like suggested and check out the Oasis reports. I passed on a few based on information from the reports before I found the one I wanted.

Lots of good information on this site and the org for 6.0's.

 

you boys better stick with chevy unless you have deep pockets especially if you plan on keeping it after the warranty is out. if I had only found this forum before I bought my 05. just read all the problems on this board. I am facing $5000 to $6000. in repairs now. tech is pretty sure it has blown head gaskets,and egr cooler if not both. No mods. on truck since it was new either. Now has 139000 miles on it. read read read . the proof is in the pudding. I checked the oasis report and mine showed no problems. i bought it with 35000 miles. i never pulled anything and used mainly highway miles and kept up on service as suggested. Replaced to date the egr cooler, oil cooler, ficm. icp problems, another egr and now facing above mentioned. I feel ford should have pulled this engine long ago when they realized they had pushed a problem into the market because duramax could meet the emission standards that the 7.3 could not. just my 2 cents .

 

the reason the head gaskets blow is because the egr cooler leaks causing coolent to fill the cylinders and blowing the gaskets. once the warrany is over the best thing to do is bypas the egr cooler and you wont have the head gasket problem

 

OH NO! Does that mean I should hurry up and sell MY truck because it's going on 138k? I mean, crap- if yours went then certainly mine will too, right?

 

Amazing that he has had his truck for 104,000 miles with all those problems and only has 7 posts. Something don't smell right!

 

I was thinking the same thing.

 

since i only have 7 post it shouldn't be to hard to find my vin # from where I asked for an oasis report from one of the techs on this forum. check it out . do I have to post a lot in order to read the thousands of problems and duplicate problems iterated and reiterated on this forum. if you cant find the vin # let me know and i will post it so you can check it out.the guy asked for an opinion , i gave it. give him yours but be honest. i was.

 

well people who don't know the 6.0l think its junk. people who know the 6.0l think its decent. the key is maintenance. Use oem filters. change the oil at 5000miles and delete the EGR. but go for it if the oasis is good. Go to a ford dealer and tell them you are thinking of bringing it to them for maintenance. then ask for a oasis.

 

Don't jump Jimmy!
I have had a 98 dodge 12 valve that has not given me a lick of trouble once.......ever.
I also have a 05 Scurge and came very close to losing it because of the problems.
I now do not have a EGR, the Cooler, Cat, and have routed the CVV and run a tune from inovative. I love it now and plan to keep it as long as I can. HOWEVER, I would not plan on buying another one UNLESS I was ready to do the things that make it reliable.

ignoring the fact that the 6.0 had issues is not being honest at all. The one thing that kept me digging was the statement from IH that the 6.0 is the most durable motor that they have ever built.................. until the emission controls were added.

Bottom line on this is that the EGR valve and cooler are the root of all evil.

I say to the man/gal that asked, get the report, if it is good, get the truck, (you will never be mad at the scurge!) and then remove the parts that I mentioned. It could be the night and day diff while owning it.

 

Maybe you should re-read my first post c-a-r-e-f-u-l-l-y. I'm pretty sure I was honest. I said that there ARE some really bad ones. I also included a link to someone asking similar questions to get various opinions, not to mention that I made it clear that the diesel is NOT the best choice for a grocery getter. YZ400f makes some additional suggestions as to making the 6.0 more reliable. Sorry you are one of the minority that have had problems with their 6.0. Shhh-It happens. BTW HollyF, welcome to FTE!

 

Welcome to FTE Hollyf Make sure you can get a history on the vehicle from a Ford dealer to see what has been done, an extended warranty is also negotiable.