How to fix a Ford F250 6.0L Diesel

[A C Richards]

5 years ago I purchased my first Full Size Pick-up. A dream I have had for many years. It is very similar to this one.

Well it is a 2004 F250 with 79k on the odometer. I purchased it and started finding little things that made me say HMMMM. First I ran the front tires off in about 5k miles then took it in and had to get the ball joints replaced. Luckily I purchased the extended warranty. Then they started having problems again and they repaired it once more, HMMMMM. Then towing our 21' travel trailer the turbo blew a hose. HMMMM. I kept saying oh it is just a few little things. So the car dealership I purchased it from went out of business and the front end goes out AGAIN. Took it to the ford dealership and the ball joints were not repaired properly and needed to be replaced AGAIN. HMMMMM... So I had to fork out $2k to get it repaired because the problem was caused by the nut on the end of the tie rod backing out. No cotter pin installed. The warranty does not cover loosening of nuts!! So a few minor problems pop up, EGR goes out $250, brakes 9normal wear and tear) steering box (warranty) and so forth. Fast forward to this summer. We purchase a new travel trailer with the intention of pulling it with this truck. It only weighs 6k and is only 1/2 the rated capacity of the truck. Get to within 15 miles of our destination and POW blew the turbo hose again HMMMMM. Limp into the camp at 45 MPH then have to drive back into town to try and find a new hose all at less than 45mph. Fix that and decide I need to take it into a mechanic when We get home just to have it gone through. My SIL works for NAPA so I ask for a good mech. He asks around NO ONE WOULD WORK ON IT!!!! They all said the same thing GET RID OF IT!! Some Ford Dealers in the area would not even take it in on trade.
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SO I finally found someone who could help me out. Took me all day last Thursday but HERE IS HOW I FIX AN F250 6L Diesel.
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Brand Spanky New 2012 Dodge 3500 SLT Bighorn edition. 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel 4x4 with lots of bells and whistles. And 40 miles on the odometer.

Looking forward to a road trip now.

Sweetest thing about this whole ordeal was when I told my wife what the mechanics were saying and what did she say?? Well go buy a new one!!! Got to love em eh!!

 

[Deweyknives]

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Been a Mopar man all my life. Let us know what you think after a few hundred miles.

 

[kurt6652]

My brother had a 2004 like yours, crew cab, f250, 4 x 4. It had an engine oil leak, transmission fluid leak, the
ford dealer had it for 60 plus days and said it needed the engine replaced. He tried to get Ford to take it back, which eventually happened with help of a lawyer. Sorry to hear about your truck problems, the 6.0 liter diesels gave ford a big headache along with people who bought them. I have only meet a few people who didn't have a problem with them. Your new Dodge is nice looking.


What kind of a spaniel is that under your new truck? It looks kind of like a Cavalier King Charles.

 

[A C Richards]

Already have 480 miles in it. It is so nice, very quiet, smooth riding, with TONS of power. Need to cut back on my joy rides a bit. Had to get fuel twice this week . Better mileage than the 250 though.

The spaniel under the truck is an English Springer, Ginger. And by the way it is HER truck not mine. I just make the payments.

 

[AWSmith]

Early 6 liters did have problems, there is no hiding it. I had a 2006, 100,000 miles before I had an accident, and had zero engine problems. Did have a ball joint issue though.

Replaced it with a 2011 F-350 6.7 Liter CC LWB DRW. Looked at Dodge before I bought the F-350, and I decided against it, for reasons I won't go into here (no reason to make arguments).

They are nice looking trucks though, and have a great engine. Nothing like diesel power.

Nice dog by the way

 

[A C Richards]

Yea I looked at the 350's.. Beautiful trucks to be sure. I chose the Dodge for 2 reasons, all the mechanics were unanimous on the Dodge plus the price was 10k lower similarly outfitted.

One thing I have come to realize. All the major mfg make good vehicles. I would have been happy with most any of the major trucks on the market. I am not saying all Fords are bad and even 6.0l can run forever. I did have 130k on my 250. They all will have problem children. It is always a gamble. Just hope I drew 4 Aces.

 

[Bigfattyt]

Great looking truck! May you have many trouble free years and miles.

 

[javand]

Yeah, it's just "those" particular Fords. We've put 300-400k on a dozen Ford trucks and retired all of them before they quit running.

The 7.3L 250/350s were unstoppable. I'm in the market for one myself right now, but those 6.0s I wouldnt trust even if I were paid to take it. I know some people claim to have sorted out all the probs, but I would always feel anxious. Reliability is my number 1 priority in buying a vehicle.

I'm driving an '84 F-150 inline 6, three on the tree, and I never ever worry about being stranded. The other day I left my lights on when I went to see Doug Stanhope. Parked at an angle facing up a steep hill, with plenty of traffic. Put her in reverse, said a prayer, and started rolling backwards. Popped the clutch and she fired so fast I nearly hit someone from accelerating in reverse.

 

[A C Richards]

I did a bunch of research when I started having problems. I found one guy that told how to make the 6.0 bullet proof. Well it would have cost 6-8k and there would always be that what if. I also learned I am no longer able to work on these engines. Never was very mechanically inclined, hate turning wrenches. So if I have a high maintenance vehicle it will probably go by by. Had a Ford ranger that I put almost 200k on That was after my old man put on 100k, great little truck. Just finally wore out. So I thought the 6.0 would be a good choice. Drew Aces and Eights on that one.

 

[GTH11]

Gorgeous truck Chuck!
That sucks about all the 6.0 issues, but you got the right advice!! I plan on handing my 7.3 stroker to my oldest in the next couple years and getting into a cummins as well! Doubt ill be "allowed" to go new though.

 

[S.Grosvenor]

Sorry to hear about your ford, unfortunately we do see a lot of trouble with the 6.0's the older power-strokes were virtually unstoppable!

Congrats on your new purchase Fiat has done a lot of good for that company since there take over.

 

[SteelSlaver]

Ford should have stayed with the 7.3 Power Stroke. Mine has 200,000 and is going strong and I know people with 500K

Lots of long running Cummins out there too.

 

[quint]

Hopefully this new 6.7l of Fords will be the replacement for the old 7.3. I was thinking about getting a new truck so was reading up on them a bit. If I got one tomorrow it would be either the ford or the dodge, both are good looking trucks that perform. Its just a matter of getting a good price which in the fords case is pretty hard since the dealers jack up there prices so much atleast in my area.

Now go put some decent tires on her Chuck.

 

[A C Richards]

Already did. Plus put on some running boards and sprayed in a bed-liner. Nice to have a SIL work at an Auto-parts store.

No that is not a dent in the door.:nightmare: Had to go look myself, Must have been a reflection or something.

 

[A C Richards]

Did not want anything too aggressive and was planning on running the stock tires and wheels during the summer and these in the winter. But these look so nice and ride great so I just put them on and will sell the OEM tires.

 

[Brian Ayres]

Ooooh! Truck envy!! I took my Brother-In-Laws Dodge 3500 to Idaho a couple months back with a big trailer, I had to keep looking back to make sure it was there. Cabbage Hill out of Pendleton, a 6% 2,000 ft climb, could have been done at 80mph if I wasn't paying for the gas.
I think you made a fine choice. The silver is a great choice at the end of your gravel driveway too. My last silver car could go months(years..) between car washes!

 

[oldrifleman]

My brother in law has had 3 of the 6L fords (all bought used)(yeah, for a smart guy he sure makes dumb purchases!) and all have been junk. First lost a turbo in the middle of the Az desert, then did it again on it's way to Utah in the winter. Next one lost the turbo hose twice and the transmission once. the third (which he still has) as lost the transmission, fuel pump, and two weeks ago put a hole in one piston. Now I like Fords, but I am not touching a diesel for a few years. Steven

 

[A C Richards]

Yea I was also told my lower fuel pump might have been getting ready to take a dump. Would not start sometimes. Would crank just fine and would act like it was going to kick over but then would die. Got so I would turn it off fully then try again and it would usually go. Just too many variables for a non mechanic to deal with. If I loved turning wrenches and wanted to play I would have kept the 6.0. But I do not like (read HATE) working on vehicles. Yup the car dealers make out but that's what I have to do.

 

[quint]

Figured I would show off mine as well. Just got some pics while we were up in the mountains today playing with the dogs. Gotta get some better tires these stock firestones are really not doing to good in this stuff. This has been about the only time I missed the old f250 with its lift and big tires.

 

[A C Richards]

SAAWEET. It a 2013 or 12?? If it is a 13 does it have the DEF?? I heard they were going to it this year. Yea those hwy tires are not very good in the mud and snow. Have fun, looks like the dogs are!!!