Ford 6.0, what to monitor and what to monitor it with?

[kgburns1]

I just inherited a 2006 Ford F350, SRW with the 6.0 diesel engine.

I've read a ton of horror stories about the 6.0, but this one was a one owner, all maintenance schedules were performed on time and by a Ford Dealer. It's never had any problems and only has 102K on the odometer.

I'd like to start towing my 8400 pound 5th wheel with it and with this engines reputation, I'd feel a lot better if I had some type of monitor to keep an eye on critical items.

As I understand it, Exhaust Temp, Engine Oil Temp and Transmission Temps are primary, but what other parameters should I be keeping an eye on?

Then, what gauge, program or app would you recommend to do this?

I'm really not interested in a tuner or performance upgrade, just want to monitor things.

Thanks for any help you can throw my way

[Bob_C]

Boost and fuel pressure......I added a pillar pod of gauges (3), and 1 more, under dash....I.don't monitor engine oil temp.....believe they are made by Glow Pro

[mrgrayaz]

I use a $12 Bluetooth OBDII module and a old cheap android tablet running Torque Pro. It will display everything you need, and more.

I watch ECT, EOT, and Trans temp. EGT is not available - there is no OEM sensor.

If you dont want mess with tablets or bluetooth, I understand. In which case I recommend a product called the scangauge II. its a little screen the size of...a pack of cigaretts that plugs into the ODBII port and will show you 4 values.

Ok, lets see - other 6.0 related items off the top of my head:
They can eat injectors on a regular basis - I highly recommend running amsoil 9100 in your oil at all times, it is about $32 on amazon per oil change. It will keep the injectors happy, and help mask some of the symptoms of a balky one. I didnt believe in snake oil, but with 6.0....it works!
Oil changes every 5k miles while towing
Fuel filters every 10k miles while towing.
Keep an eye on your ECT and EOT - under load they should be within 10-12 degrees of each other..if not, it may time for an EGR and oil cooler.
Do NOT TUNE IT - unless you have replaced the stock TTY headbolts with studs.
The EGRs can be troublesome - watch the temps a mentioned above.

Other then that, its a really good motor. Mine tows like a champ...
8400lbs wont even have the thing breathing heavy, so you''ll be fine there.

Good luck!

[ralphie]

Having real gauges and knowing what's going on inside the engine is always a good idea. We've heard a lot about bad 6.0s, but we don't hear about the good ones. Follow the maintenance schedule to the letter, including the air filter. Have your oil analyzed. A problem area has been coolant so change it out as necessary. DON'T chip it! Find and use the most highly recommended and skilled 6.0 diesel specialist in your area.

[chboone]

Install a coolant filter

https://www.amazon.com/Sinister-Dies...2429489&sr=8-1

Search You Tube for 6.0 Powerstroke videos there's a bunch.

Maintenance is the key to good service.

[birddog2you]

I may be in the minority but my 6.0 has 115,000 miles on it. 03 had it since new. Installed the edge programmer right after purchase not so much as a performance booster but as a monitor. I did regular maintenance for the most part. Never had a problem with the motor. Installed a coolant filter at 100,000 miles after flushing it out. I have always used rotella 15/40 oil with archoil additative. I also use archoil fuel treatment. Imho the best there is. It is my primary TV, not used for much else. Diesel motors are best for towing by far. Point is that motor is a beast and properly maintained will go for a long time. Best to monitor eot, ect, egt. As far as differential temps 20 degrees max under heavy toad is the limit normal is tow flat ground will be between 5 to 10. Don't fear the beast just take care of it.

[SmokeyWren]

There are a few million 2003-2007 Ford SuperDuty trucks with the International 6.0L engines. Most of them are still performing just fine with no expensive problems. But a few caused their owners hell, and those are the ones you hear about on truck forums.

The experts hang out on the 6.0L forums at Diesel Forum - TheDieselStop.com. There you can learn the common problems and the cost-effective methods to counter those problems. The big thing is the smog controls were not ready for prime time when Ford released the engine in the fall of 2002. But the Feds didn't ease up on the smog control requirements, so not only Ford diesels but all diesels have had problems since then.

But with maintenance applied religiously and a little luck, the 6.0L diesel is as good as any diesel engine on the market. So go to school on the 6.0L engine, then take care of it and it should take care of you.

But understand that the last of the 6.0Ls were produced about 10 years ago, so they are all getting long in the tooth by now.

Ford learned their lesson about smog controls with the 6.0L and the almost-as-bad 2008-'10 6.8L diesels, so they split the sheets with International and got it right with the Ford engineered and built 2011-up 6.7L PowerStroke diesel engine. If I were going to buy a diesel pickup, I'd try very hard to find an affordable 2011-up PowerStroke.

[Go Dawgs]

Originally Posted by kgburns1

I just inherited a 2006 Ford F350, SRW with the 6.0 diesel engine.

I've read a ton of horror stories about the 6.0, but this one was a one owner, all maintenance schedules were performed on time and by a Ford Dealer. It's never had any problems and only has 102K on the odometer.

I'd like to start towing my 8400 pound 5th wheel with it and with this engines reputation, I'd feel a lot better if I had some type of monitor to keep an eye on critical items.

As I understand it, Exhaust Temp, Engine Oil Temp and Transmission Temps are primary, but what other parameters should I be keeping an eye on?

Then, what gauge, program or app would you recommend to do this?

I'm really not interested in a tuner or performance upgrade, just want to monitor things.

Thanks for any help you can throw my way

I picked up an 04 F350 Dually Lariat in Dec 2016. Had 68K miles and now has 75K. Tows like a beast. I had the EGR deleted and a Cooler filter system put in and I have my mechanic keep an eye for any leaks or additional maintenance. I am also the second owner with all records. I love mine and unless I win the lottery I won't be moving to another vehicle.

[kgburns1]

Thank you guys for all the good suggestions and comments, the link to the DieselStop forum is great Smoky, I especially like that one.
I took possession of the truck Saturday, finally got a chance to really check it out. It does have a coolant filter installed, along with a Banks air filter. My Aunt says they've been on the truck for a long time, but she couldn't remember exactly how long. (They used the truck primarily to pull a gooseneck horse trailer, so she spent a lot of time in the passenger seat)
I did have an Android tablet laying around, so I downloaded Torque Pro, then customized the display with all the specific Ford PIDs for those areas I want to monitor, just haven't had a chance to drive it down the road and check the thing out.
I'll change all the filters this week along with the oil, install the hitch, then take it out next Monday for a test run, pulling the camper on a 110 mile trip with a few moderate hills, just to see how it does.

Again, appreciate everything, looking forward to some diesel power and the ability to pass up a few gas stations on my trips in the future.

[ajohansson]

Like smokey says there are plenty of good ones out there and the diesel stop is one of the premier forums on the ford diesels.

You got a great 5 speed trans mated to the 6.0. Its got a huge cooler.

Like smokey said the emissions problems plagued many of these truck.

Look up bullet proofing a 6.0 on youtube and you will see many videos produced on what causes the issues on them and how to fix them.

bullet proofing takes about 5k. If its necessary only you will know,

AJ

[R2millers]

I love my 6.0 but I also watch and monitor the engine, tranny, and other assorted metrics with my Dashboss.
Here's how I set up the digital first page. Then there's another 12 parameters you can build in on the analog gauges. When traveling, I really just use the digital readout as it covers the most important parameters, except egr's temps. There is an add on kit to measure both that and fuel pressure if desired.
I also align parameters I want to graph vertically so they all show up on the same graph.

[R2millers]

Here's the analog view. It have three pages that can be loaded with different parameters but only one page, or four metrics can be seen at once.

[Artsville]

170k miles towing so far but I did lose an ejector and a HPOP. I'm keeping it now. I think the best thing w a 6.0 is to drive it. Don't let it sit in the field between tow trips.

I am very interested in these OBD systems connected to a tablet. Can people add some links to this thread please?

[MTK46]

I was one of those with the horror stories. Bought a new 2003 F350 6.0l diesel. Lost a brake booster under warranty. Crank started to walk so needed new engine, lost turbo on replacement engine, lost injectors on replacement engine all covered under warranty. Traded if off for a 05 F350 6.0l. Afterword I found out I could have Lemon Lawed the 03.
Lost turbo lost hi pressure oil pump, lost injectors at different times all under warranty. Sold it to my son when heads cracked. He & I replaced them with upgraded studs and new heads. Less than year later heads were leaking coolant. He traded it for a 2002 7.3 which has been bullet proof.

I bought a new 2012 6.7l F-350 which hasn't been back to the dealer sense I bought it. 62k+ miles and it tows circle around either of the 6.0's I had.
I'm a Ford guy but I would never recommend a 6.0l diesel.