2005 Ford F-350 6.0 diesel. Keep it or dump it?

[rhino1970]

I need some help everyone. Here is my dilemma. I own a 2005 Ford F-350 DRW Lariat that is is showroom condition on the outside. The problem is the damn 6.0 diesel engine. The truck has 47,000 miles on it. The first 12,00 miles I had the turbo replaced, the egr replaced, the tranmission replaced and an oil leak that took 2 dealers to find. At 15,00 miles the tow command system went and needed to be replaced. Two weeks ago I lost my power steering and brakes while away with the family on the way to Hershey. Needless to say we never made it to Heshey. I had the power steering pump and hydroboost replaced. I still have 1 year left on my extended warranty so whenever something goes wrong I a only responible for $250. I don't feel safe towing with this vehicle anymore. I am always worried that I am going to break down again. Thanks to the Good Sams emergency roadside I have had to be towed on 4 seperate occasions. My question is does anyone out there have a similiar vehicle that had similiar problems but then went on to be a dependable vehicle for many years? Or should I just move on to a new tow vehicle? I really don't want to get rid of it seeing I no longer have payments on it and would have to start all over again. Please any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[racerjoe]

my personnal opinion is the new ford diesel needs to be proven yet,if you are looking at a ford. They have been great vehicles and I am sure they will continue to be. The GM and Dodge have proven engines and I myself would look at these first. I would wait a year until ford makes sure they they the new engine bugs out.

[exav8tr]

rhino, Lack of confidence in a tow vehicle has got to be ONE BAD FEELING. I think I would cut my losses and upgrade to something more dependable. As a fulltimer, I could not put up with that kind of insecurity.....Bottom line: DUMP IT!!!!

[Bill-N-Donna]

I’ve had a few problems with our 6.0 but when I see the price of a new one I start appreciating what I have a lot more. For the most part I’m ok with it. I know it really likes towing the Monty. It seems to run its best when we’re hook up and going down the high way.

[harleyf250]

dump it!!!! I had a 05 harleey edition 6.0 wasnt even 3 yrs old and only 25-28 thousand miles had a front seal, rear maim seal , motor removed to reseal bed plate oil leak .glow plug harnesses nothing but problems for only having those miles on it

[lasater]

Dump it!!! We had an '04 6.0. The engine died at 58K...new engine went in and it died with 51K on it. 7 out of 8 injectors went bad. We had 2 replaced (just enough to drive it across the street to a Dodge dealer).

We got a 2010 3500HD Big Horn Ram that we are just pickled tink with. Our Ford was also pristine in looks and loaded with extras. But that )(*&^%$#@ engine cost us almost one dollar per mile to keep it running.

[BB_TX]

You obviously got one of those is just full of trouble.
I had an '04 F250 6.0 that I traded at something over 54,000 miles. Egr valve replaced at 35,000 was the only problem I ever had with it. Only traded because I needed an F350 for the Monty. The tow rating of the '03/04 F250 6.0 4x4 was derated a lot for some reason I never figured out. The tow ratings jumped significantly in '05.
Bought an '07 F350 6.0. Has about 52,000 now and has never been in for anything other than routine maintenance, i.e. oil, filters, etc. and runs/tows great. No leaks of any kind in either one.

[bullroc3]

I had a 1993 Chevy 2500 extended cab 8 foot box with the 6.5 turbo-diesel. It was the first year for 6.5 diesel. I kept the truck in immaculate condition. I pulled a 25 foot scamper for all of its life from Maine to Florida. In 2004 with only 75,000 miles, over heating issues developed. I chased the problem for over a year and could not get it corrected. I could not tow the camper. In July of 2005, I dumped it. I LOVED THAT TRUCK but it became undependable.

Time to send it down the road.

[bwney]

Just got our 6.0 back (90k miles) from the dealer. It started blowing coolant, white residue on the underside of the hood. I had put a coolant filter on in February, but it was too late.

Bad oil cooler, bad EGR valve, blown head gasket. The Ford tech lifted the cab off the truck to replace the headgaskets. I was traumatized when I saw it....

We have had it back for a week. Everything works. I am kinda amazed. While it was down, I ordered an Edge Insight to monitor temperatures when towing. Going today to get he EGT sensor installed-not the kind of work I can do in a CG.

Unquestionably, there were problems with the 6.0. Ford threw parts and money at it, and repairs were made that didn't fix the root causes. There is a greater understanding of the engines weaknesses now, and I'm confident in the major repairs that were just completed.

We had 2 months left of the 5/100 diesel warranty. The only other engine repair on this truck was at 80K miles, the engine computer needed reprogrammed.

It appears to me that a bad oil cooler is the root cause of many 6.0 problems.

[nailbender]

My work truck is a 04 F-250 6.0 with 110,000. No problems with it and still running good. If I was having as many problems with a truck as you are, I would get rid of it it.

[mlh]

It looks like you went through most of your problems by about 15000 miles. What I don't see is engine trouble. The turbo went out but that is not part of the engine. This is the same turbo used om Chevy and Dodge trucks. As for the transmission they are usually bullet proof, but Ford about this time changed the housing that caused some problems. I do not remember what problems or exactly when but the transmission was fixed and should not happen again.
Normally we see head problems in the 6. turbo engine. The head bolts are too small in ant this allows the head gasket to leak.
Should you get ride of it? Ummmm I got rid of mine. My wife ask me "when are you going to buy you a new truck" so I bought me a new truck. Good enough for me. I really did buy it to avoid engine problems. Should you buy one? You have probably worked through the problems, the engine is another story. Most people have good luck with them, you have so far. Does it use any antifreeze? If it does you you may have head problems. My advice is to join a 6.L Ford web site and ask people who know.
Lynwood

[8e3k0]

By 2005 Ford had the great majority of it's 2003 problems solved when the 6 liter was first introduced. Sounds like you have a lemon to have that many different problems with one vehicle. If you feel that the repairs were completed correctly; that may bring back reliability to your truck; but sometimes the repairs seem to move on to another part because of process and the knowledge and care of the Tech doing the work. It's a tough call and you know best because it's your truck. If you feel it the truck still has no reliability then it's time to move on to another vehicle. There is nothing worst then having your vehicle spend more time in the shop then on the road!!

[sailer]

I have the 06 ;;;6.0 F250 and my only problem in 76000 miles has been the turbo which they just replaced under the 5 yr warrenty for $100.00 about 5000 miles ago ...i love mine and its pd for so would i trade ,,,no ...its just broke in ..you still have 1 yr on your warrenty so run a tr and see ;;;sailer

[Phyllen]

We have a 2006 F250. Had to have egr valve replaced. Had to have brain replaced. Replaced split oil cooler and only 3 months later got a new engine due to the 2nd engine oil cooler splitting. Ford said replace everything antifreeze went through = engine, radiator, heater core, hoses. This happened at 61,000 miles. Cost us the $100 deductible of extended warranty.

However, I have complete trust in this truck. It runs good.

[Farmhawk]

I just had my second turbo replaced in my 2006 F250 in 61,000, thats it. And like what was mentioned above all the manufactures run the same turbo so it could have been in a chevy or a dodge and had the same problem. I like my Ford and it seems happiest when its hooked to the Monte!

[Waynem]

Wow! I had a 2005 F350 King Ranch, long bed, etc., with the 6.0L engine. I bought it used with 33K miles on it. Put another 30k on it with about 15k towing. The only problem I had was the fuel injector computer module bellied up. Quite a difference in what you have stated is wrong. Me thinks you got one of those Monday, or Friday builds.

If you are no longer comfortable with it, it may be time to trade it in and have peace of mind.

Good luck.

[Les]

I have a 2004 F250 6.0 with 140,000 miles on it with nothing but routine maintenance. Changed th EGR valve at 135,000 miles. Have towed many miles with no problems. It sounds like you got a real lemon.

[MuddyPaws]

So far I have replaced the headlight switch and front brake rotors & calipers on my 2001 (My choice). But I only have 74,000 miles so it's barely broken in.

Find a good used 7.4.

[CamillaMichael]

Agree with other posters...looks like you have a lemon. You may want to look into lemon laws in your state, there may be some relief for you in that area. In Florida, we have always received a pamphlet on lemon laws with each vehicle we have purchased there. With as many problems as you have cited with your truck, it might be time for a legal eagle to step in and find a "fix" for your truck troubles. If you can't get any help in that area, there are a lot of good deals on trucks to be found...no matter which brand you settle on...good luck.

[billhoover]

quote:Originally posted by rhino1970

I The problem is the damn 6.0 diesel engine. I don't feel safe towing with this vehicle anymore. I am always worried that I am going to break down again.

I think you answered your own question.