Hello

New to the forums. I've owned a 1996 f350 powerstroke for the last 5 years. Got a load of BD power toys on it.

My question is.

I've heard nothing but bad things about the 03 and 04 6 litres. I've got an oportunity to get one at a decent price, but am reluctant due to the opinions I've heard and read. Its a really nice truck, crew cab lariet. Would you guys buy an 03???

I'd stick with my 96, but I need the crew cab to get more room for my daughter and friends.

Thanks
Marc

 

First get an Oasis report, not all 03 were bad trucks.
You allways hear the bad things not the good ones.

 

Amen.


There are plenty of members hanging around with very reliable '03 & '04 6.0Ls. Unfortunately, there were enough problematic 6.0Ls & posts regarding problems that they were having that this has become almost the common concensus of the 6.0L platform.

Get an Oasis, and see what kind of work has been done to the truck. If the Oasis is clean, I would definitely consider the purchase. If it has some warranty repairs, it still may be a viable truck. As an extreme example, let's say that it had half a dozen repairs, but one of the last was a motor swap that was done two years ago. That is a pretty clear indication that the issues have been resolved.

Just my two cents.

 

i have an 03 and love it. i the only major issue i had, if you can call it one, was a turbo replacement. which many have had. ive had it since new. get the oasis report from the guys on here and run with it.
clarence

 

Timberhunter, I have an '03 with 105k miles. The '03 problems for most of the owners were pretty consistent (turbo, egr, rear drive seal leak etc.), what also bears mentioning is the good diesel techs at the beginning were few and far between. I never had issues with my truck until the first flash at 15k which I suspect was a detune of the engine, because it never performed as well until 3 flashes later at a different dealer. All the problems were taken care of under warranty before 36k. The egr is the only problem I have on occasion. Many people simply disconnect the thing with no obvious problems. Good luck on your decision...its a great truck and awesome engine!!!

 

Bingo! You will hear of negative issues more than the positive, as that is when people tend to voice their opinion most is when they are spun up. And with regards to trucks, it is when they don't work that people get spun up. Especially here on FTE. Folks find this site when they are looking for help, so you can expect to read of negative issues with Ford engines on a Ford site, of course...

The Oasis is a good tool to determine if the truck you are considering is one that has caused someone some grief. A good indication of what you are buying, when you find one that you are considering to purchase.

Mine is a great runner. I have no regrets in buying mine.

 

just one more '03 6 oher here that had only a few problems early on with my truck. They were turbo pedestal, cracked y pipe and an egr or two. Oh, I did have two injectors go at 98k but all of those were replaced under warranty. My truck now has 118k on her and for the last year has been zero problems. I am ready for tire set #2 on the truck and that should be all the buck I put into her this year.

Like everyone else said, get a good look at the history and don't be afraid to plunge in. I really like the 6L and how smooth and powerful it is.

Big

 

My first 6.0 (an EARLY 03) ran like a scalded ape until they did the first reflash which was definitely a detune. It had all the problems of the earlier trucks but eventually got fixed (after I disowned it) and the second owner still has it. I have an 04 with 96K that has been pounded on and it's still going strong. Good maintenance is the key. I suspect that the majority of 6.0 problems are due to general abuse and lack of proper maintenance, although I do acknowledge that there are BAD trucks--doesn't matter the brand or engine--just like there are bad products in any man made thing.

 

bought my 03 with 28k on it. had turbo, egr cooler and oil cooler replaced but nothing since. now have over 60k. love this truck. pull 30' 5th wheel alot which is when it runs best!!

 

Well I ended up with a 2002 f250 crew cab, short box today. 7.3 and standard tanny. Air, tilt and cruise. A pretty rare find in my part of the country.

I know the service manager at a local ford shop on a personal basis. They did the look over on the truck, and did some of the general maintenance work over the last bit. He gave the truck a solid thumbs up. And this guy used to turn wrenches with the best of them, so I have no doubt in his word at all.

I like the truck so far. Miss my old truck a bit
But after a tuner and some gauges and a few other mods we'll be back in business again.

Thanks for all the help anyways. But I stuck to what engine I know for the time being.

Marc

 

good luck with the new truck

 

I got the 6.0 on friday and 100 miles later the EGR valve went along with EGR cooler leak....$2400 later I found out on this site that I could have blanked it off...SOuds like the EGR is the big issue...and injectors...Im ordering the oasis...a little late now....But can you imagine the new ones with 6 EGR's!!!!!!!

 

I might be turning Timberhunter's thread into something other than what he intended, but he has a 7.3 anyway.

From my perspective (which should be taken with a grain of salt!) it looks like the problems with the 03, 04, and I think some early 05s were more of a production problem than a design problem. If the engine was designed with faulty EGR, injector, rear seal, or even some of the head and gasket problems, it looks like every 6.0 would have been in the shop for replacements. As intermitent as it looks, I believe (and only production workers from International could verify this) it looks like International and maybe even the Ford overseers were looking for quanity at the expense of quality. I work for a large medical implant device maker and I know that the new "young blood" management we have is working from this mold.

Has anyone else heard anything like this? I hope that's not the case, but I know the new "make-it-as-fast-as-I-tell-you-or-we're-going-overseas-with-your-job" style.

Which is why I am very wary of the new 6.4's.

 

I got told on saturday that the dealership has sold 3 of the brand new 6.4's. All three are in the shop as we speak. Not a good start for the new engine for sure.

Marc

 

Since My Experience With 1 Egr...i Wouldnt Buy Anything With 6...they Can Have The Truck....does Anyone Agreee With Me That The Thing Just Looks Kinda Ugly Too....and The Chevy's Too....are They Competing For Ugly?