Title explains it, how dependable is the F250 SD with the 6.0 diesel engine? It has 262k miles on it, any one here have any experience with them. I've read a bunch of mixed reviews, some say don't go near, while others say it'll go an easy 500K
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2003 F250SD with the 6.0L diesel How dependable
- Thread starter maddog
- Start date
Birken Vogt
Charter Member
They were the beginnings of Ford and International suing the pants off each other and ultimately parting ways.
JNB
Senior Member
With that many miles I'd say its past the problem stage. I still wouldn't own a 6.0 and that's coming from a Ford guy. Well...I used to be I guess. The 6.0 and 6.4 pretty much put an end to that. With no good diesels available from Ford for quite a few years, I settled on a low mileage 2004.5 Dodge Cummins. I am far less than impressed. The Cummins is just ok, but I'll never own another Dodge, that's for sure. The last good truck I owned was a '99 F350 with a 7.3. Still own it as a matter of fact. At 323k miles it's been as dependable as anyone could ask for.
Ford may get me back with the 6.7...
Ford may get me back with the 6.7...
bteigrob
Well-Known Member
I have a friend who owns a Ford with the 6.0. About 5 years back he had to overhaul the thing and just a few months ago it went out again. The way they set that up where they have 2 oil circuits, 1 low pressure for the bearings and liners and 1 high pressure to regulate the injectors, is not the greatest idea in my opinion. Just my 2 cents though
lumberjack
Senior Member
I've had two 6.0s, both 2006's, both blew head gaskets, both had studs and bullet proof EGR coolers installed and both gave good service. The 550 did blow an oil cooler, but that's more of a fluke than a common issue. I sold the F550 in 2014 with 216k miles on it. It's working in Hawaii now for a guy with 2 2015 6.7 F550s and he prefers the 2006. I have a 2013 F550 and I prefer the newer.
I'll be selling the 2006 F250 with ~140k miles on it at some point in the near future.
At 262k miles, I would expect the price would be very cheap, and not very reliable.
I'll be selling the 2006 F250 with ~140k miles on it at some point in the near future.
At 262k miles, I would expect the price would be very cheap, and not very reliable.
jprefect
Well-Known Member
I have a friend that buys them and flips. Every single one he has bought ether needed and motor or major work somewhere else.
Shimmy1
Senior Member
RUN. Far, far, away. Ford lost many a good customer over that POS 6.0. Injectors, turbos, head gaskets, everything that leaves you dead or very nearly dead in the water and thousands of $$$$ to fix. Most worthless modern diesel ever built. (6.2 GM was worse)
Truck Shop
Senior Member
True statement. The 2005 and 06 Duramax had its issues with injector problems. My brother has a 97 350 quad cab 4x4 power stroke, loaded options
and 51,000 original miles all highway. When he drives anywhere some one always asks if it's for sale.
People use the term 'bulletproofed' with these motors and the work done to them does help. The head studs, egr delete, etc. Even with that stuff done there are too many things that can be a nuisance or worse, leave you on the side of the road. I own four 7.3 trucks and am tempted at times to get a 6.0 because of how smooth they run, the power, and updating without the big price. Then I come to reality.
lumberjack
Senior Member
I had a 2000 F550 with a 7.3L. I much preferred the 06 F550 to the 2000. Ride quality, cut angle (steering), greatly reduced noise in the cab, more power (7.3 was lightly modded). The 2000 F550 was a great truck, it was totaled in an accident and I bought the 2006. The 2000's only issue I remember was a blown O ring in a HPOP line. The 2006 had cracked injector cup and that head was replaced under warranty (200k mile extended warranty). While they had it apart I paid for the studs and bullet proof EGR cooler to be done. It was trouble free until the oil cooler blew a few years later.
I had a profitable year and a friend was wanting the truck, so I sold it to him while it was at the shop (had them replace the LPOP before I knew he wanted it) and bought the 2013 F550 a few months later. My next Ford will be a 6.7L. If times were tight, I would get a 6.0L over a 7.3 hands down. 05.5+ have a coil sprung front end, which affords a much better turning radius.
The only Powerstroke I purposefully avoided and would continue to do so is the 6.4L. It had (or I read) too many failures that caused engine replacement.... the 6.0L's issues are predictable and comparatively affordable.
I had a profitable year and a friend was wanting the truck, so I sold it to him while it was at the shop (had them replace the LPOP before I knew he wanted it) and bought the 2013 F550 a few months later. My next Ford will be a 6.7L. If times were tight, I would get a 6.0L over a 7.3 hands down. 05.5+ have a coil sprung front end, which affords a much better turning radius.
The only Powerstroke I purposefully avoided and would continue to do so is the 6.4L. It had (or I read) too many failures that caused engine replacement.... the 6.0L's issues are predictable and comparatively affordable.
mikebramel
Senior Member
7.3 are old and just as likely to leave you on the side of the road. FICM, wiring harness, etc. Injectors cost just as much.... Those trucks are way over priced.
Shimmy1
Senior Member
I have a 95 7.3. 306,000 miles. Have put a water pump, harmonic balancer, and new orings on the high pressure oil regulator. Three glow plugs since I bought it with 120,000 miles. If the 7.3 is properly cared for, the only engine that will outlast them is a 12 valve 5.9.
wornout wrench
Senior Member
And I drive the ugly, red headed step child (98 Chevy 6.5)
My least favorite engine in the world would be the fix liter (6 liter), I have been towed home way to many times driving one of those POS.
In a service truck you need to drive them like you stole it to get them to move, no low end to speak of.
We had a fleet of those pieces of garbage. Seriously, you could not give me one.
Now I know lots of gear heads who own them, they are capable of making huge power, but bring your wallet with you because they tend to break.
Our fleet has 2- 7.3's left, 1- 6 liter, we missed the 6.4's and have 2- 6.7's. The only ones that I would give you any money for are the 7.3's. The 6.7's have not been the best either.
I know lots of guys that are going back to gas just because of all the problems and expense's that the new diesels are causing.
Would I buy the truck you are looking at.
Are you good with tools and don't mind spending money and time, go for it
:my2c
My least favorite engine in the world would be the fix liter (6 liter), I have been towed home way to many times driving one of those POS.
In a service truck you need to drive them like you stole it to get them to move, no low end to speak of.
We had a fleet of those pieces of garbage. Seriously, you could not give me one.
Now I know lots of gear heads who own them, they are capable of making huge power, but bring your wallet with you because they tend to break.
Our fleet has 2- 7.3's left, 1- 6 liter, we missed the 6.4's and have 2- 6.7's. The only ones that I would give you any money for are the 7.3's. The 6.7's have not been the best either.
I know lots of guys that are going back to gas just because of all the problems and expense's that the new diesels are causing.
Would I buy the truck you are looking at.
Are you good with tools and don't mind spending money and time, go for it
:my2c
Thanks for all the input folks.
I'd like a dodge cummins but there don't seem to be any around in my price range(this area) I did have a cummins freight shaker years back 1986(I think??) it was a piece of crap. Went to a freight shaker with a cat 1991 and what a difference, of course comparing a big rig to a pick up is not the same.
If I do go look at this truck is there anything I should check "tell tail" signs that might prove it to be no good. I'm not a stranger to diesel engines just want to make sure I can find out as much as possible/leave no stone unturned, so to speak?
Not counting the engine, is everything else fairly dependable. I'm not a FORD guy never had an interest in them, but if I can get a dependable truck then that's what is important. Hate to get rid of my chevy w45(Isuzu NPR)4cylinder diesel VERY dependable, but I really need 4 wheel drive and would like an upgrade.
I'd like a dodge cummins but there don't seem to be any around in my price range(this area) I did have a cummins freight shaker years back 1986(I think??) it was a piece of crap. Went to a freight shaker with a cat 1991 and what a difference, of course comparing a big rig to a pick up is not the same.
If I do go look at this truck is there anything I should check "tell tail" signs that might prove it to be no good. I'm not a stranger to diesel engines just want to make sure I can find out as much as possible/leave no stone unturned, so to speak?
Not counting the engine, is everything else fairly dependable. I'm not a FORD guy never had an interest in them, but if I can get a dependable truck then that's what is important. Hate to get rid of my chevy w45(Isuzu NPR)4cylinder diesel VERY dependable, but I really need 4 wheel drive and would like an upgrade.
lumberjack
Senior Member
What's your budget?
Ugly? May not break any speed records, but it is a dependable workhorse. I have one in one of my plow trucks. 400k on the truck, 65k on the replacement engine, which is used virtually exclusively for plowing. The 6.5 is a tough engine, easy to work on (in those rare cases), and parts are cheap. The 6.5 is good for a work truck.
Shimmy1
Senior Member
Must be a pre-1996. After 95 they were notorious for the block cracking from the main journals up through the cam bearing bores. Losing oil pressure is the beginning of the end.
Well, the truck is a '96 overbuilt 2500 (+8600 gvw) w/ a replaced engine (I bought the truck with the replace3d engine already installed) that has done very well by me for 7 years. No engine problems short of two glow plugs, new turbo and new exhaust manifolds. None of those issues are "engine" problems.