A friend of mine has decided that he really likes my truck. He has found a 2004 6.0 instead of a 7.3. I know the 6.0's had several issues which was why I looked for and eventually purchased my 7.3, but what specifically are the problems with the 6.0's? Want to save my buddy some grief if I can.

 

They have issues with the fuel pump. the EGR cooler clogging, the trurbo vanes clogging, and the head gaskets leaking. The early ones especially, but it's not limited to that. I have a friend with an '03 and he hasn't had too many problems with his. I have two other friends, one with a '05 King Ranch that just blew the motor at 105K miles and his business partner, my neighbor, who has an'06 that has had turbo vane issues, and EGR cooler clogging issues for over 18 months. He has had Ford take his truck and keep it trying to find out what is wrong with it. They have had his truck for 7-8 weeks in the last 18 months. I would be going crazy if they had my truck that long. They kept it for a month one time and when he got it back 10 days later it was low on power and stinking again.
I wouldn't do it if I was your buddy.

 

Turbos (sticking vanes), EGRs and head gaskets are what I know of. None of them are cheap. If he wants a 7.3, it's going to have some miles and need some work as nothing escapes age (if it's not the engine, then it ball joints, bearings, pumps, etc.) or he can take his chances with the '04. It's also 5 years old, so depending on the miles the age factor will come into play again. Hopefully the previous owner(s) took care of it and all the issues are worked out. You can get an OASIS to see what Ford has done to it, get a CARFAX (pretty worthless) to see if anything shows up on it and have the owner get any maintenance records if it's a local truck. I don't know the miles or condition, but I would recommend spending around $90-$100 to have a 3rd party mechanic look at it (that knows the 6.0L). At the very least it can give your friend an idea of what he's in for and give him somewhere to start for discussing price. I hear that the '05-'07 6.0L was a good engine, but they don't like to sit for long periods of time (like an occasional tow vehicle) and need to stretch their legs every once in a while (keeps the vanes from sticking).

If your friend likes your 7.3, he will love the 6.0. It's a rocket in performance compared to the older 7.3. Best of luck!

 

I did alot of research. And through out what i read i kept seeing problem problems problems with 6.0 and 6.4... i stayed away and FINally found my 7.3 it has enough power to make my 42 inch tires move and I MEAN quick... i would stick with the 7.3..bring him to this site and just show him

 

You forgot to mention injector problems and transmission computer dumping its program on the automatics, that makes them shift funny. I beleive they went to a different head bolt on the 6.0 and that was supposed to cure the head gasket issue. 7.3 is a medium duty engine used in straight trucks and school busses and buildt to last. The 6.0 was a first generation attempt at building a light duty diesel engine that is lighter and won't last as long like the duramax that GM is fielding.