Ford 2003 6.0 diesel ???
 

Any problems with these engines ---heard about the injectors/egr clogging and trans problems but any other problems I should know about or watch out for???-Thanx Comp 387

Re: Ford 2003 6.0 diesel ???
 

I seem to rebuild about 3 to 4 sets of heads a month, due to head gasket issue's. Ford has a really tight tolerance on valve to deck recession, so with just resurfacing the valve height is not within spec. Head gasket's are usually a must anything after about 75 to 100,000 it seems like. JMO.
Aaron Disinger

Re: Ford 2003 6.0 diesel ???
 

watch out for these things ,,,international produced the engines for ford ,,international called it the vt365 ,injectors scuffing,egr coolers plug up internaly and over heat the cooler and cause anti freeze in the exhaust,and starv the oil cooler,as mentioned the head gasket issue,the vgt turbo linkage in the turbo likes the bind up as well ,,,some seam to be ok but the routine services must be done more often ,,if you notice the trucks are less expensive than other brands ,,,there is a reason,,,gmonde

Re: Ford 2003 6.0 diesel ???
 

just no programmer

Re: Ford 2003 6.0 diesel ???
 

90% of the people with them don't like them Thyat should tell you something.
Get a 99 to 02 7.3 they run great But the auto trannies are sometimes a problem.

Re: Ford 2003 6.0 diesel ???
 

Good source of information here:

http://powerstrokehelp.com/

Re: Ford 2003 6.0 diesel ???
 

Ditto on 6.0 problems and getting a 7.3!

Re: Ford 2003 6.0 diesel ???
 

I have one; same year, now has almost 300,000 kilometers(186,000 miles). No tranny issues, replaced injector seals, injector harness repair once - generally no big problems. Never installed a programmer.

Re: Ford 2003 6.0 diesel ???
 

We run an upfitter shop and we have done hundreds of Ford diesels....starting with the 6.0 in 2003 don't touch 'em...the 7.3 is tough the 6.4 is not bad, but very hard on fuel and we are upfitting a dozen or so 6.7's, that now have UREA injection so the jury isn't in on those since they are now built by FORD and have a radical cylinder head difference from previous models....from the factory (new) the 6.0 had so many different issues most dealers couldn't repair them,we had an '03 that we bought new and in the first year we had it, it was at the dealership 8 months....they had the cab off and on so much they finally told us not to bring it back(this was under warranty, but Ford had over $500,000,000.00 in warranty claims on this engine and gave up, eventually suing International over it)....we had new trucks blow head gaskets just moving them in and out of the shop during upfitting....the spring clamps they used on the radiator hoses were broken on quite a few of them among the various other issues that would pop up on these things......they can be made to hold up, but it is REAL expensive....

I am not bashing this issue because I make my living on these things and customers demand a dependable vehicle, but the 6.0 Ford truck is making some guys a lot of money replacing the 6.0 with a Cummins engine( makes a nice package).......


D L Rambo.....

Re: Ford 2003 6.0 diesel ???
 

I purchased a 2005 a year ago Christmas (F-350) with the 6.0. I am loving it more daily. I had only one issue so far with the high pressure oil that goes to the injectors, but warranty covered it. I have gotten 16-17mpg with the 3:73 gearing (4X4), on the highway and less than 15 intown. I have not pulled enough to give any thing there.

The 2005 had some changes in the chassis that made the ride a little better. I also suggest that you only get the one that has the 5 speed automatic at a minimum. It gives a better first gear for towing when starting out. My local dealer suggests that more frequent oil changes including filters really help the 6.0, and especially pay attention to the fuel filters. I have switched to a local fuel station that is seeming to produce more consistent results.

My previous owner had all records and was very meticulous with the oil changes and I weighed that into my purchase decision. Now I need a 28 footer for the car and I am ready for 11,500 towing capacity, legally.

Re: Ford 2003 6.0 diesel ???
 

I purchased a 2005 a year ago Christmas (F-350) with the 6.0. I am loving it more daily. I had only one issue so far with the high pressure oil that goes to the injectors, but warranty covered it. I have gotten 16-17mpg with the 3:73 gearing (4X4), on the highway and less than 15 intown. I have not pulled enough to give any thing there.

The 2005 had some changes in the chassis that made the ride a little better. I also suggest that you only get the one that has the 5 speed automatic at a minimum. It gives a better first gear for towing when starting out. My local dealer suggests that more frequent oil changes including filters really help the 6.0, and especially pay attention to the fuel filters. I have switched to a local fuel station that is seeming to produce more consistent results.

My previous owner had all records and was very meticulous with the oil changes and I weighed that into my purchase decision. Now I need a 28 footer for the car and I am ready for 11,500 towing capacity, legally.

Re: Ford 2003 6.0 diesel ???
 

If you are thinking about purchasing a used diesel dually I would highly recomend a chevy or GMC with a duramax. They are very durable and powerful. I have a 2005 with 160,000 miles on it. I have had no problems at all with this truck. I haul a 40 ft goose w/ LQ. It weighs about 15000 lbs. 9-10 mpg towing. 17-18 just truck. The allison trans is fantastic and the brakes stop the rig flawlessly.

Re: Ford 2003 6.0 diesel ???
 

I have a 2000 f350 7.3, I love this truck, the only problem I got so far is the glow plugs relay( about $40 dollars) and still pulling strong, no dissapointments on this one.

Edgar

Re: Ford 2003 6.0 diesel ???
 

Talked to customer of mine yesterday with a 2010 F-450 Ford.
all under warranty, less than 50,000 miles. 2 short blocks and 1 set of heads.
Pitched stuff 3 times. Said the injectors were the issue. finally got approval to change them "all" the last time it lifted the heads. They were replacing them in 1-2 the other 2 times... What gives? Is this a problem everywhere? Oh and it has killed 3 radiators, too. Something about fittings cracking.

Re: Ford 2003 6.0 diesel ???
 

Radiators cracking are/were a problem with 6.0-6.4 and maybe 6.7 vehicles---I found oil rails to injectors get clogged as the injectors work off oil pressure-any particles clog up the screens in the oil rail--YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST CHANGE OIL & OIL FILTER AT LESS THAN 5000 MILES!!!!!!!!!! Regardless of what the owners manual says(7500 miles) and you must use an antifoaming engine oil too---If you do not change the oil you are asking for catastrophic engine failure---the injector cloggs up refuses to work the engine runs lean the temp goes up and the head gasket then fails dumping water/antifreeze into the engine--next Kaboom!!! also found out these are zero tolerance engines like some of the other Ford gas engines---ya cannot surface the head cuz there is not gonna be enough clearance in there and parts start hitting each other---comp 387

Re: Ford 2003 6.0 diesel ???
 

I know of 4 people with the newer Fords, nothing but problems. Buy a Chev or Dodge, stay away from the Ford.

Re: Ford 2003 6.0 diesel ???
 

Mike, we have a '05 GMC Duramax/Allison bought new. Light towing only---all services performed. Was disappointed to lose Allison trans after a trip from Ma to NC and back. Failed off 72k warranty at 85k miles. Just put in a Allison factory re-build----very pricey project. Love the truck, but disappointed....the Allisons aren't supposed to fail that quick, just bad luck, I guess.....WJ

Re: Ford 2003 6.0 diesel ???
 

Yes I would say bad luck. Even the best equipment sometimes fails. I have only heard good things from other owners of the duramax/ allison combo. Goes to show nothing is perfect. I have not heard of anyone having an issue with the duramax engine. I drive slow especially when towing. Maybe thats why I get such good service from my vehicles.

Re: Ford 2003 6.0 diesel ???
 

Of all the Duramax/Allison owners we've talked to, and we've spoken w/quite a few, ours was the only Allison that failed this early on--85k mi......still happy w/truck, though....:) WJ

Re: Ford 2003 6.0 diesel ???
 

fed 387 i work for ford and have done a lot of work on these 6.0l diesels if you want a 6.0l buy a 2005 -2007 or a 2009-2010 6.4 less problems with these truck alot of the problem are e-250-e450 ,construction or land scape trucks they never take car of them or idle them to long

6.0l change engine oil every 3k ,air filter at 50k or if filter minder is at 1/2 way and fuel filter every 15k and trans fluid every 30k with inline filter change coolant every 45k with checking with test strips every 15k

6.4l oil every 5k everything else same as 6.0l

i own a 2002 f350 with a 7.3 which i run on 75% used trans fluid 7.3l are getting hard to find if you want any other info you can call me at 631-327-8067 my cell

Re: Ford 2003 6.0 diesel ???
 

2003 Dodge Cummins.....18 mpg around town/ 21.5 empty on the highway.

I've had the Ford and the problems and this is my second Cummins and I wouldn't tow with anything else.

If you look at the diesel PU's towing the biggest loads on the highways you'll see a bunch of Dodges.

JimR

Re: Ford 2003 6.0 diesel ???
 

Jim getting up to speed is only half the problem. It's stopping that can get real important
My total weight is 33,000 pounds and I wouldn't want a 350 or 3500 trying to stop it in an emergency.

Re: Ford 2003 6.0 diesel ???
 

Had a friend call today about his 6.0 diesel ford . He said he has oil coming out of the rad overflow. Any of you Ford guys know what it could be ? Mike

Re: Ford 2003 6.0 diesel ???
 

injector cup on the head ,,must have got hot gmonde

Re: Ford 2003 6.0 diesel ???
 

Mike the oil cooler is gone. Common problem.

Re: Ford 2003 6.0 diesel ???
 

Thanks for the info ..... Johnny U i missed you at the canam race ...... I.m still haveing computor problems with the new LT1 stocker ??????? Mike

Re: Ford 2003 6.0 diesel ???
 

mike johnny u is right the oil cooler is the problem just did 4 this month also do egr cooler at the same time