7.3L vs. 6.0L - Page 2

**BroncoHauler** · 05-20-2009, 03:11 PM

FWIW, as my SMB was being delivered to me by the previous owners, it threw an error code. Turned out to be the turbo, which was replaced under Ford warranty. Never got much explanation from my local dealer as to what was really wrong with the turbo. That was at 26,000 miles. Now at 40,000 with no other problems.

I also monitor my EGTs, and use the EGT reading as a basis for when I shut off the engine. I always let the EGTs get to 400 degrees F or below before shutting off the engine, to (hopefully) minimize the oil cooking in the turbo bearings. There may not a direct correlation between EGTs and the oil temperature in the turbo, but I think it's the best indicator I have. My EGT thermocouple is located pre-turbo, many are located post-turbo in the exhaust down-tube. Make sure you know which if you compare any EGT readings between vehicles.

Herb

**daveb** · 05-20-2009, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford_6L_E350

That is more for a standard turbo, not specific to the VGT turbo on the 6.0. A fixed vane turbo doesn't have the issues with rust or soot causing the vanes to stick - the main problems with 6.0 VGT turbo.

Mike

As stated in my post but much of the article still applies and between that plus the link Rob posted it should cover most that one needs to know. A key part in that post (If its the same one I read) is when the guy mentioned to jump on it once and a while to clear it, how the 6.0 turbo works, and the main reasons the 6.0 turbo has failures. It's a great link.

Scatter what are the standard running temps for your turbo? I also let mine cool down to 400 and I believe the probe is mounted post turbo.

EMrider · 05-20-2009, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveb

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford_6L_E350

That is more for a standard turbo, not specific to the VGT turbo on the 6.0. A fixed vane turbo doesn't have the issues with rust or soot causing the vanes to stick - the main problems with 6.0 VGT turbo.

Mike

As stated in my post but much of the article still applies and between that plus the link Rob posted it should cover most that one needs to know. A key part in that post (If its the same one I read) is when the guy mentioned to jump on it once and a while to clear it, how the 6.0 turbo works, and the main reasons the 6.0 turbo has failures. It's a great link.

Scatter what are the standard running temps for your turbo? I also let mine cool down to 400 and I believe the probe is mounted post turbo.

Dave, I was also remembering the part in the video where he recommends going full throttle once in awhile on the 6.0psd to clean out any accumulated soot/gunk.

But if I remember correctly, he attributed many of the 6.0psd turbo problems in the early years to poor fuel quality. The design tolerances in the 6.0 turbo are tight and this made then vulnerable to fuel related problems which often caused failure.

I follow the same routine you do and hope to remain trouble free. A little luck would help too.
Rob

Greg In Austin · 05-20-2009, 06:27 PM

Taking the thread in a slightly different direction.....

Rambling made one statement/assumption at the start that I want to check; he stated that Ford has stopped making the 6.0L.

I think the 6.0L is still in use in the E-Series, and it has been replaced in the F-Series by the 6.4L. IIRC the 6.4L does not fit in the E-Series. Isn't that correct?

-------------

We only have 15k miles on our 6.0L (2008) and we have had no problems so far (knock knock on wood).

We do have the amsoil system and we do make sure the van is not turned off immediately if the engine temp is still high. We do not monitor the EGT, but the coolant and tranny temps.

There are times where we hit a particular sweet spot and get some rattling and I wonder if it is the turbo.... I really don't know what it is. It occurs when we are not accelerating hard but we are accelerating slightly and the engine load is light, but we are travelling at a moderate speed. Not worried about it but sometimes curious.

**daveb** · 05-20-2009, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg In Austin

Taking the thread in a slightly different direction.....

Rambling made one statement/assumption at the start that I want to check; he stated that Ford has stopped making the 6.0L.

I think the 6.0L is still in use in the E-Series, and it has been replaced in the F-Series by the 6.4L. IIRC the 6.4L does not fit in the E-Series. Isn't that correct?

That's how I heard it and they gave Ford extra time to figure something out. The ambulance companies freaked out I believe that's what spurred the extension but I'm not sure how long. Actually I thought Ford made the design change to the body to accomodate the 6.4 but thats just speculation on my part. I know there were several 08's with 6.0 like yours.

**daveb** · 05-20-2009, 07:54 PM

Oh Greg...My new 6.4 (2300 mi) seems to make a similar rattle noise. I seem to notice it when I take off at about 10 to 20 MPH on light acceleration. I can really hear it when I'm against a wall or in a alley where the sound bounces off a fence. Sure you don't have a 6.4

Greg In Austin · 05-20-2009, 11:51 PM

Is the 6.4L in the 2009 ?

scatter · 05-21-2009, 08:57 AM

Sorry guys, I know nothing about turbos except that a diesel without one won't get out of it's own way, they generate a lot of heat and are expensive to repair.
That being said, I have 33k on my '07 and had an internal seal in the turbo leaking around 26k. Repaired under warrantee. The turbo was still working fine with no codes. Reason I noticed the problem was that I was getting a slight oil smell while driving and when I looked under the hood, I noticed an oily residue coming from where the metal and rubber tubes (for the air intake and the connection to the radiator) connect together.
I don't have an EGT gage, (sure wish I did) but only the Scan Gage. I do have an engine shut down timer that I installed at around 1,000 miles. It is setable for anywhere from 0-5 minutes and I use it, mostly set to 3 min. I'm just hoping that that will allow the turbo to cool enough to keep it all running long into the future.

**BroncoHauler** · 05-21-2009, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scatter

Sorry guys, I know nothing about turbos except that a diesel without one won't get out of it's own way, they generate a lot of heat and are expensive to repair.
That being said, I have 33k on my '07 and had an internal seal in the turbo leaking around 26k. Repaired under warrantee. The turbo was still working fine with no codes. Reason I noticed the problem was that I was getting a slight oil smell while driving and when I looked under the hood, I noticed an oily residue coming from where the metal and rubber tubes (for the air intake and the connection to the radiator) connect together.
I don't have an EGT gage, (sure wish I did) but only the Scan Gage. I do have an engine shut down timer that I installed at around 1,000 miles. It is setable for anywhere from 0-5 minutes and I use it, mostly set to 3 min. I'm just hoping that that will allow the turbo to cool enough to keep it all running long into the future.

Scatter,

For reference, for any daily driving I might do, I "try" to coast the last couple hundred yards to my stopping point if traffic allows. After that I typically let it idle anywhere from not-at-all to 3 minutes or so. If I just got done towing, especially up a mountain, I might have to let it idle up to 5-7 minutes to get down to the 400 degree F point.

The coasting does far more to bring the temps down quickly (thanks to air flow) than letting it idle.

Herb

FISHBREATH · 05-21-2009, 12:27 PM

At the risk of upsetting the 6.0 guys I would not own one, I have herd to many negative things about the 6.0. To be honest I don't know if the poor rep for the 6.0 is justified. That being said I have a 2002 truck with the 7.3.......0 problems with 132,000 miles this truck is used to haul a 10k trailer, the truck is 100% stock. I also have a 2000 4x4 van with the 7.3 with 153,000 miles on it. I would purchase a van with the 7.3 or gas engine.....or maybe a duramax if you could find the van you wanted.

DAVEF