Ok everyone, i have a bunch of questions to ask. i have a 2003 powerstroke 6.0, it has about 180 thousand miles on it and is starting to act up. it all started with driving to work going 70 or 75 or so and then the coolant gauge(stock gauge) went into the red and it said check gauge. it keeps happening more and more so then i buy a sinister egr delete and put it in myself thinking it was the egr cooler. then it keeps happening and the trucks heater doesnt work when at idle. it started happening at lower speeds like 60 mph and in the wash driving. so then i ordered an sct livewire so i could watch my temps(i put it on high performance for fuel efficiency). and my engine oil temp and engine coolant temps were around 240-253. thats super hot and i feel like its a head gasket but ive heard that the water pumps are plastic and they come apart.so what are your thoughts. if it is a headgasket, how much harder would it be of a job to do than the egr delete. the reason i want to know is because im 18 and am currently half way to getting my a&p license and i think i can replace it myself. I dont have a lift so i would have to do it without lifting the cab! the truck doesnt get to hot driving around town. so what do you think it is and what are your thoughts. sorry for this confusing letter, im in a rush!

 

These are the exact same symptoms I've had. Two different shops have said head gaskets are gone. ECT should be around 190* running unloaded. Set your tune back to stock if the truck has to be driven. I'll be doin my own replacement by removing the bed (sliding it back for clearance) and lifting just the front end of the cab (think monster truck style). Have also seen write ups where people have lifted the cab just enough with a floor jack to slide a 4x4 between the cab and frame.

 

The water pumps have plastic impellers , check that first if you have no heat. . I would still do head gaskets and studs if you are running heavy tune but water pump needs to be working properly anyway and can buy you time to do gaskets and studs when u want. Bulletproof diesel has aluminum impeller for nice upgrade. . Cooling is very important on these trucks!

 

I would start with changing the thermostat, that will cause the temps to climb if it sticks, the coolant is supposed to cool the oil, if the oil cooler was bad then the coolant temp would be fine and the oil temp would be real high.

 

It was the water pump. Thanks guys. The plastic cracked and was spinning on the shaft instead of pumping water. My truck ect is about 195 when pulling my bobcat so it was a success. My heat also works now

 

Sweet! I will take water pump or thermostat ( would do both at same time) over head gaskets anytime!