Ford 2003 6.0 diesel ???

FED 387 · 06-07-2010, 07:02 PM

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

mr305 · 06-07-2010, 07:36 PM

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

gmonde · 06-07-2010, 07:50 PM

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

1299 · 06-07-2010, 07:50 PM

just no programmer

art leong · 06-07-2010, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FED 387

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

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.

Cam · 06-07-2010, 08:32 PM

Good source of information here:

http://powerstrokehelp.com/

Adger Smith · 06-07-2010, 08:52 PM

Ditto on 6.0 problems and getting a 7.3!

Dave Turner · 06-07-2010, 09:50 PM

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.

magnumv8 · 06-08-2010, 08:24 PM

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.....

CycloneFE · 06-08-2010, 08:29 PM

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.

06-07-2010, 07:02 PM	#1
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,416 Likes: 522 Liked 330 Times in 178 Posts	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

06-07-2010, 07:36 PM	#2
mr305 Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Monticello Posts: 160 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 1 Post	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

06-07-2010, 07:50 PM	#3
gmonde Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 615 Likes: 56 Liked 165 Times in 59 Posts	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

06-07-2010, 07:50 PM	#4
1299 Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: howell,nj Posts: 124 Likes: 309 Liked 53 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Ford 2003 6.0 diesel ??? just no programmer

06-07-2010, 08:32 PM	#6
Cam Junior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Prince George, BC, Canada Posts: 83 Likes: 5 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Ford 2003 6.0 diesel ??? Good source of information here: http://powerstrokehelp.com/ __________________ Cam Chowen 6067 1994 Camaro C/S

06-07-2010, 08:52 PM	#7
Adger Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Texarkana Ark/TX Posts: 2,446 Likes: 575 Liked 880 Times in 311 Posts	Re: Ford 2003 6.0 diesel ??? Ditto on 6.0 problems and getting a 7.3! __________________ Adger Smith (Former SS)

06-07-2010, 09:50 PM	#8
Dave Turner VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Schomberg, ON, Canada Posts: 1,222 Likes: 1,606 Liked 364 Times in 138 Posts	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. __________________ Dave Turner SS/GT #1153

06-08-2010, 08:24 PM	#9
magnumv8 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Coraopolis, Pa. Posts: 172 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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.....

06-08-2010, 08:29 PM	#10
CycloneFE Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Decatur Illinois Posts: 634 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	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.