2003 F350- 6.0 the good & the bad ???

[Wrenchtraveller]

I know there are some lucky folks out there that have had good luck with the 6.0 or sick-oh as some of us call it.I hope they stay lucky.
I bought a new 95 7.3 and a new 2000 7.3 PSD
Both great engines and I was sold on diesels except for the fact that my wife is bothered by the smell so when we bought my 04 6.0, we loved it because it had very little exhaust smell and it was quiet and then it started breaking down.
The first time, they reflashed it and it became noisier and smelled like the 7.3s. The EGR plugs up and soot going through the turbo wears the turbo out. The last time mine broke, the Ford tech wanted to change my turbo which was showing wear at only 6 months of age and low mileage.
Ford said no because they were trying to control the excessive warranty costs of the 6.0 hoping it would make it past warranty and allow me to pay my own repair. This is a smoking gun on many 6.0 engines and IMHO it is an engine you want only while it is under warranty. To recap, I buy new trucks for reliability. The 6.0 was harder on fuel than my previous 7.3s. It stranded me on the road three times and the turbo was on the way out. I decided to stick with Ford so I ordered a V10 and so far I am pleased.
If I decided to go back to diesel, I would choose a Cummins or a Dmax but I will never own another new Ford Navistar V8.

Congrats on the new Dodge. Great choice.

[Dieselgem]

I would pass if he has been running a tuner on the truck. If you elect not to do that at least check the oasis reports at his dealer to see what the service records look like. In 03 Ford did have a lot of problems with the 6.0's. I had an 04 that was problem free. However, I know quite a few guys who tuned them and ended up with oil leaks, turbo problems and tranny issues. Then jumped on the band wagon of crying foul to Ford. Ford make a good truck as does Dodge and Chevy. Drive all three, speak to people who own the truck you are considering. Here is a Ford forum which has both good and bad. www.dieselstop.com, there is enough reading for anyone considering a Ford diesel. I hope this helps you.

[TXiceman]

The Diesel Stop is a good site for Ford diesel information. Also, the advice on not buying a 6.0L that has been chipped or used with a tuner is very good advice. I have known 10 or 12 folks with the 6.0L PSD and every one has had a problem. Several have lost the turbos, most have had bad injectors.

It seems the worst of the problems was 2003 and 2004, and not as bad from 2005 and on. We had a neighbor when we lived in the RV that had a 2004, and had two turbos replaced and a full set of injectors with less than 30000 miles on the truck. Ford reflashed it several times as well due to drivability issues.

Ken

[fixintodoit]

I sure am glad I decided to go with the Dodge Cummins instead of the Ford 6.0 So far we love this 6.7 and the 6 speed auto trans,also the exhurst brake is a great feature.Just got my hitch, brake controller and tool box installed, and wheel to wheel chrome nerf bars. Haven't pulled the Excel 5th yet, but looking forward to a trip to South Texas soon. I know I am going to feel alot better towing with this 3500 Dually than my old 3/4 ton single wheel and whole lot safer. Thanks again for helping me make the right decision. See ya down the road.

[mjstef]

I know of very few people who HAVEN'T had problems with there 6.0. Mine went down the road last year. The price of Diesel and the lousy mileage forced me to a gasser. If i go back to a 5th wheel i'll most likely go with a V-10 as the new 6.4 and the v-10 are about neck and neck in the mileage catagory and Diesel is 40 cents more a gallon than gas here.Seems like since my first diesel in 89 they have consistently lost fuel economy year to year. Heck my 89 would do 22 mpg empty!! The best my 6.0 EVER did was 17 and i buy EXACTLY the same truck everytime!

[Don and Sarah]

I have an 03 F-350 6.0 has been in the shop only twice for repairs, at 22,000 blew the motor up, burnt piston, at 51,500 blew the second motor up, hydrauliced a piston. Second time was 20 days out of warranty Ford picked up about 80% it cost me 3200 bucks of an $11,000 bill. Remember the warrnty is 5 years or 100,000 which ever comes FIRST.