#$%*

[dkauffman101]

The big issue I saw with the 5.4 was driving mountains. The engine was screaming and my speed dropped drastically. The truck could handle the load, but I was concerned what it would to do the truck long term. I live in the center of the alleghany mountains, and encounter them regardless of travel direction. I by no means race to my location...the max cruise setting is 65 mph.

That being said my problem began with a turbo line clamp breaking. That caused the power loss. I still don't know the reason for the oil leak, the jury is still out on that.

[wandering1]

Should have paid attention to what you read not a few personal opinions. There are a lot of Fords with the 6.0 diesel for sale because they arent any good.

[dkauffman101]

I would trust people I personally know rather the the load of 'knowledge' found on the web. Reviews are beyond biased these days. Fortunately there are enough happy 6.0 owners to make it obvious that just as most say there is only problems to modified or once modified trucks.

The truck is being serviced by a ford dealer and I am sure it will be ready for the road soon.

[Cat320]

Originally Posted by W4RLR

Because the federal government creates standards that engines can't meet, meaning a new engine must be developed and tested. That's why the 6.0 replaced the 7.3, the 6.4 replaced the 6.0, and the 6.7 replaced the 6.4. It was EPA requirements, not getting rid of "bad" engines, that led to engines being replaced three and four years into their production run.

That might be the party line, but I don't buy it. Cummins and Duramax have been cranking out the same engines for years (Cummins finally changed their's last year), but Ford reinvents the wheel and makes a new engine and a mess. I no longer have a diesel pickup and don't have a dog in this fight, but what Ford does makes no sense at all.

[puddintang]

I had a 6.0 and kept it less than 6 months. Ford service had it more than I did. Wish I had never traded in my 7.3L. It was great, dumb me wanted the latest and greatest. It was nice when it ran but all to often it ran like crap all the way to the service bay.

[RustyJC]

Originally Posted by Cat320

Cummins and Duramax have been cranking out the same engines for years (Cummins finally changed their's last year).....

Well, not actually. The 6.7L B-series has been in use since January 1, 2007 - it met the 2010 EPA standards when it was introduced in 2007. It's still fundamentally the same B-series Cummins with evolutionary changes. All they did last year was reprogram the ECM to bump up the midrange torque.

Rusty

[A T]

The first time I pulled our trailer, the '04 6.0 blew the head gaskets, at about 100,000 miles. The head bolts were beefed up, the EGR removed, and things were generally cleaned up, about $4000 worth of work. She tows our 10,000 pound trailer well now, we've been through Yellowstone, the Ozarks, and several shorter trips. We are approaching 140,000 miles now, no problems since then.

[powerboatr]

Originally Posted by W4RLR

I'm a 6.0 owner. No "oh no" here, and I'm pushing 130,000 miles on it, and I tow the fiver or a utility trailer regularly. As you also reported, the truck tows trailers like a dream, sometimes I have to look to make sure the trailer is back there. Towing the fiver I get 10-12 mpg, which I consider to be good fuel economy for a three and a half ton truck towing a five ton fifth-wheel trailer.

I would be interested to know just what happened to your truck. The ONLY problem that has ever left me stranded was a bad battery. Replacing the battery fixed the problem.

Some advice for you...don't put a tuner on and don't "chip" the truck. Ford already did that from the factory. If the batteries go bad, you'll have a low voltage problem which will give you problems with the fuel injector control module (FICM) which could stall your truck. Having low oil level will stall your truck, as the injectors use engine oil to operate. Keep your fuel and oil filters changed and your oil changed per the manufacturer's specifications, and if your truck doesn't yet have a coolant filter installed, install one.

Chances are the problem you have with your truck is simple and easily remedied. Keep us posted.

x2
mine was a grrrreat trailer tower.
one egr valve which was my fault.

you have yet to explain what was found?
it was used....batteries come to mind right off the bat, followed by fuel filters there are two. followed by DIRTY oil or who ever changed the oil filter didn't seat it correctly which allows unfiltered oil to roam around the engine
and the best is...does it have stock exhaust or an aftermarket one?
a tuner or chip installed, if it did that is a sign to RUN forest RUN.
update us on what was found
thanks

[Horizonchase]

Originally Posted by dkauffman101

The big issue I saw with the 5.4 was driving mountains. The engine was screaming and my speed dropped drastically. The truck could handle the load, but I was concerned what it would to do the truck long term. I live in the center of the alleghany mountains, and encounter them regardless of travel direction. I by no means race to my location...the max cruise setting is 65 mph.

That being said my problem began with a turbo line clamp breaking. That caused the power loss. I still don't know the reason for the oil leak, the jury is still out on that.

In a way, I see what you are saying as far as mountain towing goes. When we took it out for the first ( and only) practice run last weekend it did seem to bog down and lose power on a slight upgrade. I can only wonder what to expect when we are in the White Mountains. Time will tell. We will find out next week for sure.

[dkauffman101]

Originally Posted by powerboatr

x2
mine was a grrrreat trailer tower.
one egr valve which was my fault.

you have yet to explain what was found?
it was used....batteries come to mind right off the bat, followed by fuel filters there are two. followed by DIRTY oil or who ever changed the oil filter didn't seat it correctly which allows unfiltered oil to roam around the engine
and the best is...does it have stock exhaust or an aftermarket one?
a tuner or chip installed, if it did that is a sign to RUN forest RUN.
update us on what was found
thanks

The truck is stock all the way around.
It's used with 112,000 miles on it. And at this point the verdict is still out on what the problem is. Hoping to come home from work today and get some answers.

[dkauffman101]

Ahhh. Got my truck back. Verdict - a broken intercooler hose clamp, a bad ipc sensor, and ipc connector. Thanks for all the 6.0 information and experiences!

[MRBB]

Glad to see it's fixed. Now delete the EGR cooler, put in CAT ELC coolant and a coolant filter and you will have a fine truck.