Posted 2011-12-01 9:09 AM (#139229) Subject: Ford 6.0 problems
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 504
I'm sorry I always seem to be asking you all one thing or another. This is a fairly big.I have a 2005 F-350 6.0 4x4 club long bed that we purchased new.There were problems but those seem to have been resolved until recently. i was pulling my horse trailer - empty on level ground and the engine started racing as I pressed the accelerator. A week or so later, I drove it to the mountains without a trailer. As I would get to about 2000 rpm's on the engine it would do this engine racing thing. When I got to altitude (9000 or maybe 1000), it would do it even at 1500 or maybe 1000 rpms. Once I got back to lower altitude (6000 feet or so) it was much better.The engine raced even when the transmission automatic transmission shifted. The heater no longer works - or works intermittently.I called the Ford dealer and they "can only diagnose it if they can recreate the symptoms" They probably can, but deja vu ----they couldn't diagnose anything int he past, and have never really believed anything I said. This is a different dealership and is definitely better than some of the others that I've dealt with.Now, this truck never liked altitude when it was newer. With all of its repairs, that issue went away. If my memory is accurate, I think a repair to the turbo was the one that enabled it to run in the mountains with a load. Does this sound like EGR, turbo, transmission or something else?I am not inclined to take it to Ford until I know more about what is wrong with it especially since it is not under warranty. My experience with them has been mostly bad.
Posted 2011-12-01 9:48 AM (#139231 - in reply to #139229) Subject: RE: Ford 6.0 problems
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Do you have a nearby truck maintenance facility that works on International diesels? You might give them a ring. Even if they can't help you, they might offer a reference.
Your questions and those of others, are the very reason we are here.
Posted 2011-12-01 1:44 PM (#139238 - in reply to #139229) Subject: RE: Ford 6.0 problems
Regular
Posts: 54 Location: Farmington, IL 61531
I had a similar problem with the heater only working intermittently last year. My guess is the head gaskets are leaking which pumps air into the water jacket which is why you don't get any heat from the heater.
I have no idea what the engine racing is caused by, need a little more info. Could be the transmission is down shifting and the turbo boost is kicking in if you are going up a hill with a load on.
Posted 2011-12-01 2:35 PM (#139240 - in reply to #139229) Subject: RE: Ford 6.0 problems
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 504
Paul, that does help. Thanks. It didn't occur to me to consider the head gasket in the issues with the heater. I'll read up on that. If this is a leaking head gasket, would that require a new head gasket?The down shifting is a possibility. The issue is more prevalent when the tow-haul is on. If the transmission is shifting down, and the turbo is engaging, would that be a problem with the transmission or with the turbo?Thanks for your input.
Posted 2011-12-01 5:39 PM (#139247 - in reply to #139229) Subject: RE: Ford 6.0 problems
Regular
Posts: 51 Location: VA
I just got my 01 Duramax back today after gettting new head gaskets. Gasket leaked near the coolant channel, pressured the coolant system and blew the coolant out the reservoir. If your coolant reservoir has excessive pressure, you likely have leaking HGs. Sometimes the heater works intermittingly. Check to see if you see any soot (black stain) in reservoir tank.
Posted 2011-12-01 9:44 PM (#139253 - in reply to #139229) Subject: RE: Ford 6.0 problems
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
If your vacuum pump goes out, Your heater will default to the Defrost mode only. You will still get heat out of the defroster, but won't be able to change it to the dash vents or floor vents.. If that is the case, Replace the vacuum pump. 2-3 bolts, $125 part. You can have it fixed in 10 minutes. Also the Vacuum pump drives your ESOF 4x4 hubs. So if the heater doesn't work, your 4x4 won't work either.
Posted 2011-12-01 10:38 PM (#139254 - in reply to #139229) Subject: RE: Ford 6.0 problems
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 504
henrynva, thanks. I'll check that tomorrow. Painted Horse, my 4wd is working and I'm pretty sure the defrost is blowing cold too. I'll look at it again. This is great information to know, though, and very interesting.Thanks. I'm going to do some follow up investigation tomorrow and look at the truck some more.
Posted 2011-12-02 5:19 AM (#139260 - in reply to #139229) Subject: RE: Ford 6.0 problems
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 304
If it turns out to be head gaskets, be ready to drop lay down some cash. It's a pretty involved, cab will have to come off, heads removed and resurfaced at the machine shop before replacing, and the stud kit that Ford came up with to keep heads from warping.
If your not already familar with this website, check it out. It's your best friend!
Posted 2011-12-02 9:25 AM (#139263 - in reply to #139229) Subject: RE: Ford 6.0 problems
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 504
I've done some research and have looked at that site. Thanks for the link.I've read from $3000 to $5000 on a head gasket, but there seems to be other things that should be done at the same time as well as a change from the original defective design.I've had very, very bad luck with the dealerships locally - and certainly with Ford. I left the dealer where I purchased it once and immediately broke down in the mountains once and that dealership in Silverthorn was good - but that was back when it was new. Seriously, it should just be junked.But, if I'm going to have it repaired, I want it repaired correctly and these dealerships that I have cannot be trusted (except maybe the one that is so far away in the mountains). I have more research to do.Thanks.
Posted 2011-12-02 2:20 PM (#139267 - in reply to #139229) Subject: RE: Ford 6.0 problems
New User
Posts: 4
Location: Corbin, KY
Go to --powerstrokehelp.com he also has videos on youtube that are very good under the same name. as far as the 6.0 thats the reason i now drive a dodge. I've been down that road. Steve
Posted 2011-12-02 6:57 PM (#139271 - in reply to #139229) Subject: RE: Ford 6.0 problems
Elite Veteran
Posts: 736 Location: Western WA
Find an independent diesel shop. I've found them to be far more up front than the Ford dealers. If it is head gaskets, on the 6.0 its going to be ~$5k. The cab has to be pulled. If you have to replace the head gaskets by all means have a non-Ford place do it so you can replace the head bolts with non-OEM head studs. Ford won't do this. BTDT
Posted 2011-12-02 7:53 PM (#139272 - in reply to #139229) Subject: RE: Ford 6.0 problems
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 504
Thanks for all the help. I looked in the coolant reservoir today. It is quite clean and shows no evidence of any soot or anything else. It is also *empty*.
Posted 2011-12-03 9:36 AM (#139284 - in reply to #139229) Subject: RE: Ford 6.0 problems
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 317 Location: Barnesville, Ga.
www.powerstroke.org is a very good website too. Lots of people with lots of good info. The egr system can clog up and pressurize the coolant system too. There are several things that can be done to this motor to make much more reliable. It will require a competent aftermarket performance type shop. Your typical parts changer shops probably won't want to take on the task. How many miles are on it? What other items have been replaced?
Posted 2011-12-03 2:17 PM (#139288 - in reply to #139229) Subject: RE: Ford 6.0 problems
Elite Veteran
Posts: 781 Location: La Cygne, KS
We've been down the same road as Steve too. Our 2006 only had a little over 50K before the costly problems started.... headgaskets, ERG and the last straw was the turbo. Not to mention the small stuff repaired. Luckily ours was still under warranty (only one week left when the turbo blew) so we had it fixed and traded it in.
Too bad too since the truck was paid for and in like new condition as it was only used for a few week long vacations and local weekend rides. But being a gal and traveling a lot by myself I was always waiting for the next thing to go and leaving me stranded. A diseal truck should last longer than this and not have this many issues with so few miles in my opinion. Especially with routine maintenace done by the book.
We got a Dodge Dually too. Hope to have a little better luck.
Posted 2011-12-03 2:29 PM (#139289 - in reply to #139229) Subject: RE: Ford 6.0 problems
Veteran
Posts: 264 Location: Sumas Washington
I really feel for those 6.0 Ford owners that have had problems.(many have not) The cost of a good repair to make these engines reliable is very high and nether Ford or International has stepped up to help share the cost. Ford and International have been in court trying to figure out who stands the warranty cost and it seems many times the owner is left out to fend for himself with thousands of dollars of repair costs. Hope you are able to track down a good shop that can do the job properly..
Ford 6.0 problems
I just got my 01 Duramax back today after gettting new head gaskets. Gasket leaked near the coolant channel, pressured the coolant system and blew the coolant out the reservoir. If your coolant reservoir has excessive pressure, you likely have leaking HGs. Sometimes the heater works intermittingly. Check to see if you see any soot (black stain) in reservoir tank. 
