2006 Ford 6.0 Turbo Diesel - your thoughts?

All I hear is bad things about the 6.0, but my friend has one and his had 200,000 something miles and he has to do was the injectors. Even though that is all had to do, I think it was a 2000 dollar job. He says as long as you don't run a tuner with the 6.0, they will last.

 

Google it---I have a contractor friend who has an early model at 200k. No problems. Go figure. Since they are alleged to be the biggest dump since GM's Old's 350 diesel of 1979.


https://www.google.com/webhp?source...pv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=ford powerstroke 6.0 problems

 

From what I hear, the repairs are expensive because the entire cab has to come off to do anything on the engine. So it is labor-intensive making even a simple and cheap job expensive.

 

All of my clients (car dealers) stay clear away from the 6.0 Diesel. Nothing but problems.

I have also heard (and witnessed) the V-10 popping out the rear spark plugs....so there is that as well.

 

I was told by a kid who works the oil fields in Alaska, who is an expert on diesel motors that it takes about 14-17K worth of upgrades and repairs to make a 6.0 reliable. He refers to the 6.0 as Power Joke

 

Yet Eric I have a neighbor who has one and absolutely loves it, with no problems. Go figure.

 

I would drive one all day long, but I'm a diesel mechanic. Stock, they're usually OK. When you modify them, they need head studs. Climate doesn't seem to be a problem cold or hot but regular maintenance (esp coolant) and good clean fuel is absolutely necessary. The EGR cooler failure is normally caused by lack of coolant flow through the oil cooler from deposit accumulation since it's plumbed in series.

 

I bought my 2003 new and other than turbos, have not had any issues with mine. It only has a little over 70K miles on it so far. I was told the turbo issues was because mine sat unused a lot. Mine also has the old style injectors that were problematic. My engine build date was 2 days before they went to the new style injectors. I have not had any problems with them. All that being said, it still has been a good truck. Now that I'm retired I dont have a company car any more so I drive it a lot more and hopefully wont have any more turbo issues. I was also told by Ford the last turbo was a redesigned unit that addressees those problems. I have read just as many bad things about the 6.0 as good things. I think the biggest thing is not to modify it in stock form with tuners. Also from my research the EGR issues were mostly blamed on that gold antifreeze Ford uses. It supposedly crystalizes and plugs up the EGR. I went with the recommendations and flushed it out with the acid, then 3 more flushes with distilled water. Then refilled it with the red CAT certified stuff mixed with distilled water. The truck has spent its life in MD until this year, Although I doubt MD winters are as bad as yours, they still sucked and never had any problems due to weather. Over all, its been a great truck so far.

 

Just keep up on maintenance. I am on my second one with no problems from either.

 

I have a 2007 F-250 4X4 Short bed with the 6.0. The only problems I've had with it in 4 years, is the power supply for the FICM ($299), power steering pump ($169 with pulley), a couple of hoses ($100), and the o-ring on the fuel pressure regulator spring housing(which ford was upgrading with the blue spring upgrade) ($29). That being said, there are known problems with the EGR cooler. If it starts to leak water, it goes into the combustion chamber and can blow the head gaskets. On the 2004-2007, you don't have to remove the cab to work on the engine, like on the 2008 to 2010. But it's a real pain to access anything under the hood. Lots of interference to remove for basic repairs. I pull an 8000 lb trailer, I get 12-14 on the highway. But would probably get better if I kept my foot out of it. Most come with the 120VAC oil heater installed, my didn't. That makes it easy to start on cold days. Even with out that, the temps this week were from the 20's down to the single digits here. I had no trouble starting the truck. But I do let it warm up for several minutes before driving it.

 

My tongue should be set ablaze for saying this, but I would consider going GM when considering used trucks. I have a 2004 2500HD with 165K miles. It has an 8.1 (496) Vortech with an Allison tranny. I've driven the truck since new (it was my company lease vehicle that I later purchased) and have towed a multitude of boats and trailers throughout its life. I kept it to tow my 28' Nordic Heat powerboat. Yes, the GM trucks do have issues with both brake and fuel line corrosion, both of which I've experienced. On the whole however, it has easily been the most comfortable and reliable truck I have ever owned. Gas mileage stinks, but I have friends who have the Duramax diesel who get much better mileage.

I bleed Ford blue, but would buy GM again when considering a truck.