Plugged Oil Cooler
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 113
Likes: 6
From: Pacific Northwest
Plugged Oil Cooler
Recently purchased (1 month ago) a 2004 F350 Super Crew Long Bed with a 2003 6.0L (August 2004 build).
I just had a shop go through it and they found that the head gaskets were good, but found evidence of oil cooler being plugged (30 degrees between coolant and oil temperature).
To put in the ARP head studs, do an EGR delete and replace the oil cooler it would be around $4,000.
This motor has virtually ZERO warranty history, is a one owner and I can't find any evidence of towing. It has 106,000 miles. We like the rig and don't see dropping $40,000 + on a new truck anytime soon.
We tow a mid-size bumper pull travel trailer (31', 9,000 lbs) a few times a year but may go on a 2,000 mile trip this summer.
Just looking to make this a no-nonsense family daily driver.
Thanks again.
Kev
I just had a shop go through it and they found that the head gaskets were good, but found evidence of oil cooler being plugged (30 degrees between coolant and oil temperature).
To put in the ARP head studs, do an EGR delete and replace the oil cooler it would be around $4,000.
This motor has virtually ZERO warranty history, is a one owner and I can't find any evidence of towing. It has 106,000 miles. We like the rig and don't see dropping $40,000 + on a new truck anytime soon.
We tow a mid-size bumper pull travel trailer (31', 9,000 lbs) a few times a year but may go on a 2,000 mile trip this summer.
- Should I just replace the oil cooler and leave well enough alone on the head gasket/head studs?
- Should I buy the oil cooler kit from Ford and do the work myself?
- Should I use this as an opportunity to get rid of the EGR crap?
Just looking to make this a no-nonsense family daily driver.
Thanks again.
Kev
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 716
Likes: 0
From: memphis
Buy a cooler off ebay for around $200 and a delete the EGR cooler.
If you do the work yourself you could do everything less than -$600 buying big name delte kits, less than $300 with a little searching here. Throw in a coolant filter for another 150.00 and you are golden.
If you do the work yourself you could do everything less than -$600 buying big name delte kits, less than $300 with a little searching here. Throw in a coolant filter for another 150.00 and you are golden.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 113
Likes: 6
From: Pacific Northwest
So would it be reasonable to leave well enough alone on the head studs and just drive it like it was meant to be driven, keeping an eye out for signs of leaking head gaskets?
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,839
Likes: 2
I had a puking problem and then my egr cooler failed. Then the oil cooler. I did the ARPs and head gaskets at that time. When I got the heads off the gaskets were in great condition. I could have left the ARPs out at that time. If I were in your position, I would delete the egr, replace the oil cooler and the HPOP screen underneath it and install a coolant filter immediately to protect my new oil cooler. Always maintain the truck religiously and on time. If, the biggest two letter word around, the gaskets fail later, fix them later. JMHO
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,321
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From: Mattawa Washington.
I had a puking problem and then my egr cooler failed. Then the oil cooler. I did the ARPs and head gaskets at that time. When I got the heads off the gaskets were in great condition. I could have left the ARPs out at that time. If I were in your position, I would delete the egr, replace the oil cooler and the HPOP screen underneath it and install a coolant filter immediately to protect my new oil cooler. Always maintain the truck religiously and on time. If, the biggest two letter word around, the gaskets fail later, fix them later. JMHO
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 25
From: Middle Tn.
I agree with all the above except the egr delete. Are they going to start smogging diesels in your area? If you replace both coolers and put a coolant filter on to protect them I would think that that is good. Once re-assembled I would do a vc-9 flush and then do your 50/50 coolant.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 390
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From: ABQ
I recently did an EGR delete, oil cooler rebuild and coolant filter. They do not check diesels here right now. I just kept my old cooler, UP, and valve in case they start. Cost me about $700 total, plus alot of cussing.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 25
From: Middle Tn.
With the work involved, if I had to put the cooler back on to meet smog, I wouldn't be putting the old one back on unless you were dam sure of its condition.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 9
From: Minnesota
I would do option # 4
new oil cooler, new egr cooler (oem), new HPOP screen, flush cooling system per Ford's instructions, new ford coolant, install new water filter from www.dieselsite.com
If you can do the work yourself you will save some dough!
jm2cw
new oil cooler, new egr cooler (oem), new HPOP screen, flush cooling system per Ford's instructions, new ford coolant, install new water filter from www.dieselsite.com
If you can do the work yourself you will save some dough!
jm2cw
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,589
Likes: 20
Spend the 4 grand!
Sounds like you you are going to keep the truck for a while. I would spend the $4,000 now and get rid of any future significant motor problems. The things that your shop recommended: studs, EGR delete and oil cooler rebuild are the major things that leads to eliminating puking.
Also, if you don't like how the truck performs while towing then you can get a SCT X3 tuner with custom tow tunes and you have the studs, EGR delete and new oil cooler already installed.
The $4,000 now gives you more future options to improve motor performance and would significantly increase the motor's reliability.
Getting rid of the cat will reduce EGTs some but not a whole lot. The big advantage of getting rid of the cat was it reduced my turbo lag by 50%. Installing a 4" MBRP exhaust lowered my EGTs more and eliminated the remaining turbo lag. Just some food for thought for the future.
DSMMH
Also, if you don't like how the truck performs while towing then you can get a SCT X3 tuner with custom tow tunes and you have the studs, EGR delete and new oil cooler already installed.
The $4,000 now gives you more future options to improve motor performance and would significantly increase the motor's reliability.
Getting rid of the cat will reduce EGTs some but not a whole lot. The big advantage of getting rid of the cat was it reduced my turbo lag by 50%. Installing a 4" MBRP exhaust lowered my EGTs more and eliminated the remaining turbo lag. Just some food for thought for the future.
DSMMH
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 716
Likes: 0
From: memphis
Sound good but i spent the money on studs, did new oil cooler, deleted egr cooler myself and I'm STILL PUKING. If your don't plan on running hot tunes, or towing stupid weights you can wait. You never know what will happen and $4000 goes a long way toward the next truck or fixing needed problems.
JMO
JMO
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