Just bought a 03 F350 4x4 with a 6.0 and was wanting to know what I can do to avoid all the problems the 6.0 has been having. The guy I got it from said it has an injector out but it doesnt smoke he was using it as a welding truck and its not in bad shape. I am wanting to use it as a hot shot truck and I figure it would be a good one for these rough oil field roads just want to know the best modifications to do to get it working right and making it last thanks for ur help

 

Try to find out the deltas and see if it needs a new oil cooler and delete the egr would help keep her last for a while. How does he know the injector is out? other than that keep up on the maintenance and it should last for a while. maybe throw an sct x3 on it to get a little better gas mileage and quicker response.

 

Thanks for the help well I know that it doesnt have the egr delete or new oil cooler he got the truck checked out and thats what they told him at the local ford house but he didnt have the money to fix it I bought the truck for $3000 so I figured to get it fix right and do all the upgrades on it an still come out ahead which delete do you recommend

 

Egr delete oil cooler or upgrade kit coolant filter kit, get your ficm testes or you can do it yourself them gauges intake and a programmer or chip

Sent from my dumb phone!

 

mkm customs makes some nice looking ones or you can go on ebay and buy a few. oil cooler if you have to replace just get from ford tousley.

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oh yea welcome to DB!

 

First and foremost, get a monitor/gauge solution, I suggest a digital monitor like Edge Insight CS/CTS, ScanGaugeII, Torque for android smartphones, or DashBoss for iPhone/iPad/iTouch.

Use the monitor to check your ECT/EOT delta, more than 15* apart while cruising will tell you if you need to replace the oil cooler before it fails and causes the HG to fail. Check the FICM volts while cranking and running, below 46v means your FICM is bad and could damage the injectors. Fuel psi should not drop below 45psi, can cause injector damage.


Look for coolant coming out of the degas bottle, it's could mean your HG are toast or EGR cooler has failed, or weak degas cap, or over filled the coolant.

Do the above FIRST, before you go putting in a EGR delete, no sense in pulling the motor apart and find out later the oil cooler needs replacing.

With the '03 motor, a common issue is the ICP sensor leaking and/or ICP wire harness is damaged. Check for oil seeping at the sensor or wire plug, if oil is found, replace the sensor and wire harness/plug.

A monitor solution is worth it's weight in gold, so is being **** about maintenance. Don't skimp on fluid/filter changes, the 6.0 will bite you in the wallet if you neglect maintenance. Stay away from aftermarket oil/fuel filters, only use Motorcraft or Racor which makes the Motorcraft filters. Aftermarket filters can cause big issues.

The Ford Diesel forums will be your best friend, read up as much as you can.

 

MKM makes a nice kit for EGR delete, oil cooler, SCT, and exhaust. They may even have one that includes an Edge CS/CTS monitor. For your $3000 entry fee, it would be good insurance.

I am pretty **** about my 2003 maintenance. I'm pretty **** about my wallet, too and have taken up oil analysis to help maximize my oil life/useage. While I'm not saying it's for everyone, I went 10K on the last oil change with good numbers when I dumped it.

With the exception of an injector that stuck open, I haven't had any issues with my 2003 that were a big surprise. One FICM puked and I burned up a transmission that I believe is a direct result of an Edge Juice power adder.

Gauges and/or a monitor would be your new best friend!

 

If you go into fix oil cooler and egr delete i would also consider head studs while you are that far

 

PERSONALLY, I'll wait until I push a head gasket to stud mine. I do intend to tear it down again and change my oil cooler here in the near future. I have considered going further, but down time and cash are the big considerations for me.

 

It's nice knowing that after a few years of perseverance on here, that I can go away for a long weekend and come back to see some new guys questions getting answered with some sensible answers! Thanks to all of you for your help around here and sticking it out!

Now to the OP. I'd get rid of that truck ASAP. I'll come take it off of your hands! Seriously though, smoking deal.

I would try and get some diagnostics work done first, like others have mentioned. AE with the enhanced ford bundle might be a wise investment for you ~$350

For the price you paid, you can make this truck rock solid and still be way ahead. Nice find. Just listen to what these guys have told you and keep reading around here, you'll pick it up quick.