04 F550 6.0

[Brandon_M]

I’m considering going to look at a 04 F550 with a 6.0 Powerstroke mechanic boom truck. I know the horrible things I’ve heard, but it seems like a good deal. Is there any advice you could give of what to look for when checking it over?
Thanks Brandon

 

[Inthedirt42]

Scanner to view FICM voltage and high pressure oil pump pressure. Decent difference in oil/coolant temp can indicate a oil cooler in need of replacement.

 

[rondig]

Yeah...hmmm well....if you are willing to do all the mods...it could turn out ok...if not...well hmmm.yeah....that is alot like saying if a cow died 30 days ago and is half price and i can still save the meat..and there is only an 80% chance of getting sick....is it still worth it...sorry i bought 3 of em brand new and when i think about them i still get the runs..

 

[Brandon_M]

Are they really that bad? What all mods need to be done, just the egr delete? I would figure someone could have something good to say lol.

 

[rondig]

Yeah...injectors...ihop pump mod...head bolts...egr....head gaskets...special valve cover gasket problems...etc...etc...etc....cooler...man i tried to forget everything...so i know i am forgetting something. 6.4 is worse though

 

[Brandon_M]

Gosh oh!! I don’t know now... I was hoping some people just had bad luck. Figured you could find a good one every now & then.

 

[Old Doug]

We just got one at work its a flatbed with a crane. In the around 100 they have put on the truck its been great. If you can get it for scrap price buy it.We got this one for the bed they were going to sell the truck for a 1000.00 and put the bed n something else but now their going to use it till something gos wrong.

 

[Brandon_M]

It’s got a tool bed with service crane 4x4 truck. But has 300xxx some miles on it. Looks good from the pics they sent. I’ve not seen it in person or checked anything, I was just hoping someone would have something good to say.

 

[rondig]

Well ford and navistar darn near lost their shorts over the 6.0 and 6.4...and the vt 365 is a 6.0...i do agree though if u get it at scrap price it is worth it.....you can put something else under body when it blows

 

[rondig]

300 xxx most likely something was done to it...i dont know of any that made it that far without some work

 

[RZucker]

I called mine 6.NO. Total junk. F450 with service body, engine went to ford way too many times, the last had an estimate for a new engine at $18,000. it went to the scrapyard. Head gaskets

Yeah...injectors...ihop pump mod...head bolts...egr....head gaskets...special valve cover gasket problems...etc...etc...etc....cooler...man i tried to forget everything...so i know i am forgetting something. 6.4 is worse though

About sums it up.

 

[Steve Frazier]

I bought my F550 a year earlier than I had planned to get the 7.3 instead of the 6.0 and I'm glad I did. I've been a Ford truck buff since I started driving, well maybe even before that and the 6.0 was a terrible engine. Soon after they came out dealers had more trucks parked around back waiting for engine transplants than they did out front for sale. The variable turbo was a big problem, head gaskets among other things. Some shops did figure out how to make them reliable but without the modifications I'd say it's a ticking time bomb. Stay away from the 6.4 too.

 

[RZucker]

I bought my F550 a year earlier than I had planned to get the 7.3 instead of the 6.0 and I'm glad I did. I've been a Ford truck buff since I started driving, well maybe even before that and the 6.0 was a terrible engine. Soon after they came out dealers had more trucks parked around back waiting for engine transplants than they did out front for sale. The variable turbo was a big problem, head gaskets among other things. Some shops did figure out how to make them reliable but without the modifications I'd say it's a ticking time bomb. Stay away from the 6.4 too.

I love the V-10 gasser in my pet pickup.

 

[Brandon_M]

I’ll have to ask if any of the upgraded mods have been done it. Sounds like they’re rough engines to deal with. Lord knows all I need is 1 more thing around here to work on. Wish I’d hear better news but glad you all speak the truth.

 

[wornout wrench]

We call them FIX LITRES

 

[Brandon_M]

Will a 7.3 go in it

 

[rondig]

We call them FIX LITRES

Darn i thought i knew all the names for them.....didnt know that one. Thanks for the laugh

 

[rondig]

Seen one with a 5.9 cummins...even heard there is/was a kit to do it....not sure about 7.3 though

 

[Brandon_M]

I’ll have to do some searching on foogle to see. Thanks for everyone’s input on this. More advice is welcome

 

[Brandon_M]

How do I check the high volume oil pump pressure? Is that just with the oil pressure gauge or something else? Lol sorry if that’s a dumb question