I've read so many horror stories of the 6.0's I'm very shy of even looking at one although that seems to be the majority of diesels on the market in my price range. Are they really all that bad or should I be so worried? I mainly need something more than my F150 to pull a toy hauler and some occasional driving.

Shawn

 

EGR delete, Oil cooler upgrade, coolant filter kit, FICM repair and minimal mods. If your going mod it, head bolt stud kit with gauges and your gonna be fine. Also, always use OEM recomended products such as the proper OIL, COOLANT, and oil filter and fuel filter changes as required.

 

I personally have had a few 6.0 and still have one today. Prior to the 6.0 of course i had 1 2000 7.3 and a 01, which were also good trucks, but after my first 6.0 never thought to go back. My first 6.0 was a 2004 king ranch which was a good truck, unfortunately I treated it like it was a 7.3 had it chipped, enjoyed the hell out of the huge amount of power i gained thinking hey it's a powerstroke it'll take it.... not so much, as the head gaskets failed. These trucks come from a different breed of higher technology and strict emissions. Which set up a whirlwind of issues, thus causing the 6.0 fears in everyone's head. I now own a 2005 6.0 and have been very wise with the maintenance and what upgrades are available to make this a reliable choice. I work as a mechanic at a shop and have worked on the 6.0 i give my customers the same advice which i have accumulated from my own experience, and from people here on this site that know there stuff and are willing to share. The 6.0 is an affordable choice because of the bad hype that goes with them, but also on that same coin head your buying a truck you can enjoy for years, cheaper, and do many of the modifications yourself with basic mechanical understanding!

If we could get Mdub here to help you, it seems to be, he is the man with the best reply for the question you are asking and already has posted many times on this exact question. Like i've told many others keep the egt temps down and save the studs. If possible where you live, egr delete, oil cooler, no heavy tuning, fuel pressure up-grade, if it's going to sit for long periods of time like mine and not a daily driver expect some turbo issues down the road (which are very easy to recondition yourself, and just good maintenence, many do it once a year), it's a good truck just wants breathe!! my 2 cents i send mdub a pm and see if i can get him over here, check back!

 

Too bad Mdub dosn't post here any more

 

The turbo ***** the bed regularly on these, and I've seen more than one snapped turbine shaft, which means it's just a core now, and not even a good one...

 

idk if this is the right place but im having some temp issues. did a egr delete runs fine but think my oil cooler is toast, was driving today 75mph cruise control and coolant was 188 and oil temp was 220 . idk much about the oil cooler on the 2003 6.0s but any help would be great truck has 123000 on it.

 

by chance did you replace the oil cooler and flush the coolant system with VC9? coolant flush and new oil cooler is Critical!

 

nope sure did not do any of that what you just listed but i am doing it monday idk if should do myself or at my diesel shop? they want 1800 for everything. wish i would have known this before when i did the delete all i did was delete and fill with coolant

 

Here is a video you need to see. You need to make sure you use the proper coolant! Before you change your oil cooler, make sure to do a engine flush ( yes, youtube it) and use VC9 and distilled water. Good luck

 

Yeah when i filled up the radiator when i deleted the cooler i filled it with that stuff just was a red jug from ford, so i should flush it before i pull the cooler? Well guess ill take a look at it tomorrow or something, really need a bigger garage to fit the truck but doing myself better then 1800.00