OK, I just picked up one of the '03, 6.0L, CrewCab, ZF 6, 4wd, F 350s I took in trade on my '97 7.3L. The other one doesn't run and is a lost cause, as far as the engine goes.

This thing is an absolute dog. It barely towed my Cherokee home the 5-7 miles or so i had to go. I think if I could have attatched the tow bar to the Ford I would have towed it with the Cherokee instead!
I took this truck in knowing it was SICK with a capitol S. It doesn't really seem to smoke, even on start up. It started kind of hard but at this point I'm not even sure the glow plugs work.
It's everything this engine can do to get this truck up to 55-57 in 4th gear and hold it there on a flat road.
The previous logging company that owned it has put two sets of injectors in it in the last year-year and a half or so. They said the new injectors cured all of the problems for 6 months or so and then it goes bad again. I'm not about to throw in another set and hope for the best, I think the HPOP is the core problem.
I've owned a bunch of different diesels over the years and this one is exceptionally "rattley" on initial start up.
From the research i've done, mostly on here, there's so many things it could be I'm not sure if I should, or it's worth trying to fix it. Someone try to talk me out of pulling it and installing a Cummins with a De-Stroked adapter.
Here's a list of things it might need: fuel filter, glow plugs, injectors, new cat or cat delete, turbo, EGR delete or clean, etc. etc. etc.
It idles OK but it definitely shakes the truck more than normal at idle.

One other thing; am I an idiot or does this thing actually have a 5 speed and not a 6? First is right next to reverse, up and to the left, right? Or did I start it out in 2nd every time and first is actually down and to the left "under" reverse like an old 3 speed?
I feel like an idiot but I've always had/driven 3, 4 and 5 speeds. I can tell you there is no 6th gear "under" 5th. in the shift pattern. They said it was a 6 speed and I've always been under the impression there was never a 5 speed behind the 6.0L.

What do you guys think of ALL of this??????????????????????

 

Ya, 1st is under reverse, but its more of a granny. Most people I know with 6 speeds don't even use 1st gear.

 

This thing is so sick that 1st./granny might be a god-send.

Thanks for the info!

 

Instead of throwing parts at it, you need to diagnose the problem. Start with something simple like fuel pressure.

 

Here are some places to check .............

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...condition.html

 

You definitely shouldn't have the shaking you described at idle and if it's eating injectors every 6 months you have an issue somewhere else. I would definitely be looking at the oiling system.

 

once again check the icp sensor and plug.

 

What's the icp sensor?

 

tech folder search will find that.
Injection controll pressure sensor. your being an 03 will be on the high pressure pump cover. there is one sensor and one selinoid (ipr valve)on the cover. you want the one sensor its the one with 3 wires.

 

OK, thanks. I wish I was closer to you I'd have you look at it FOR me. I don't mind paying someone if they know what they are doing. I've checked around and there isn't a tech around here who REALLY knows these engines. I don't want to pay good money for a code reader/parts swapper.

 

parts and labor add up fast.
heres the easy thing to do. crawl under the truck and look up past the heat seild on the back of the engine from the drivers side. you will see a sensor on the castiron cover. If its leaking oil that is a great place to start. If you have the ability to moniter icp volage and pressure you could be a little bit more certin.
If you will be doing much of your own work then look into the AE softwear seems to be the favorite of many peoples here and elsewere. I dont use it but only do to the fact I have full access to oem tools.