I'm sure I'm not the first to post a similar thread to this. I am new to diesel, period. Other than a few work trucks and my father 98 Dodge i'ved never driven or worked on a diesel. I recently sold my F-150 Supercrew and bought an 03 F-350 Supercrew to pull my 30 foot camper. Thed 150 mdid it but I wnated a litel security after a trip to the NC mountains. I found a 03 6.0 350 with a Mac air intake and Magnaflow 4 inch exhaust Texas. After driving it back from Tx I noticed it tended to wonder a little more that I thought a truck with 73000 miles should. Is this normal for a these trucks? I've read a little and it seems to be a small issue. It also has started to hesitate considerably until it warms up. It feels like the transmission is jerking a little. Not sure where to turn first on that one. I've also read EGR valve and several transmission sensors may be to blame. Any suggetions? Once it's warm it runs like crazy, just not the first miles. And finally just really how much of a concern is the head bolts and realiablity of this motor. I feel like I got really good deal on the truck compared to the prices in NC. The truck is clean and appears to ahave been taken care of. I have already picked up alot of good info on the forum and believe there is a lot of experience I need to learn from. Any suggestions you guys can provide is greatly appreciated and my family will appreciate the truck on our camping trips. Other than uncertanity I love the Ford.

 

By wonder do you mean drift around the road? Mine does that too, a new steering stabilizer helped that but i still get it a little. Ive read about replacing the steering box but i havent looked into it yet

 

I would say check all your steering linkages and the steering stabilizer for the wandering issue. As for the hesitation, remember that you have a turbo, and it needs to warm up before it functions properly. Usually takes 5 minutes or so of driving with my 7.3, but they're all different. And after I've hauled our camper or just hauled alot of weight, the trans will shift a bit hard. Kinda normal.

Some pointers I can offer that will help - after driving at high speed for extended periods or hauling a heavy load, let the truck idle for a minute or so before turning it off. This will help prevent overheating and breakdown of the turbo oil.

 

That transmission has 6 gears even though it only uses 5. When cold the stragy replaces 4(h gear. That might be what your noticing. You want to drive and work that 6.0 a lot. They don't like to lay up. Go over to the 6.0 section and read up on it. The 6.0 needs 3 things to survive. Clean oil, clean fuel filters, and driven.

 

It should be referred to as drifting. It feels like ball joint wear on a smaller vehicle. As for the tranny, once I get through all of the gears the first time it seems to smooth out and run normal. I havent had the opportunity to service the tranny yet so that may help a little as well.