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Old 03-30-2013, 06:45 PM   #1
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6.0L: Reliability

I have now crested 35,000 miles on my '09 6.0L. Here is a comprehensive list, in order, of the problems I have experienced on my 6.0L:

1.

That's right. I'm still waiting for the first problem with my 6.0L.

I've been meaning to say something, but I have just as many superstitious fears as the next guy. I've remained silent because I'm afraid the dreaded bed-plate leak will start the second I hit "submit". I'm afraid my EGR valve is stuck open as I type. No kidding, I will probably go out and check...

I bring this up because I'm thinking there are likely many like me out there that are just too afraid to speak up. So there, I am out of the closet. Well, not THAT closet. The other one...


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Old 03-30-2013, 07:10 PM   #2
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Re: 6.0L: Reliability

Outting your-6.0L-self on the forum.
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Old 03-30-2013, 07:15 PM   #3
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Re: 6.0L: Reliability

Quote:
Originally Posted by TwoVans
I bring this up because I'm thinking there are likely many like me out there that are just too afraid to speak up.
You mean speak up because they've never had a problem? Most people post to boards to find a solution to problem rather than post to say they haven't had an issue. I sure wish I was in that boat
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Old 03-30-2013, 07:53 PM   #4
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Re: 6.0L: Reliability

Quote:
Originally Posted by TwoVans
I have now crested 35,000 miles on my '09 6.0L. Here is a comprehensive list, in order, of the problems I have experienced on my 6.0L:

1.

That's right. I'm still waiting for the first problem with my 6.0L.

I've been meaning to say something, but I have just as many superstitious fears as the next guy. I've remained silent because I'm afraid the dreaded bed-plate leak will start the second I hit "submit". I'm afraid my EGR valve is stuck open as I type. No kidding, I will probably go out and check...

I bring this up because I'm thinking there are likely many like me out there that are just too afraid to speak up. So there, I am out of the closet. Well, not THAT closet. The other one...

Almost 87,000 and my 6.0 has been by far the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned.

I've had to clean the EGR valve once, the EBP sensor once and had a cracked glow plug wire. That is all, and thankfully these were easy fixes.

Of course I realize that luck is a factor (where isn't it?). But I do try and stay on top of the basics and I drive it hard regularly to try and minimize carbon buildup. Also use Amsoil additive on every tank.

On another forum, there is a thread on high mileage 6.0s. Many owners have had very good longevity on stock motors. I hope to do the same. I've already explained to my wife that the SMB is now a collectible that cannot be replaced and will therefore never be sold.

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Old 03-30-2013, 08:14 PM   #5
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Re: 6.0L: Reliability

Don't let the bed plate leak keep you up at night. Had it for years on my 2004 6.0. It was more of a weep than a leak, tell tale staining just below the bed plate. Seemed a little more pronounced with synthetic oil. I would just give it a wipe every oil change. I decided early on, if it wasn't leaking like a sieve, just leave it alone. I never had to add oil in between changes and it made no sense to have it addressed for fear that they would mess something up trying to fix a minor leak....even when it was under warranty. Any idea how much work it takes to fix a bed plate leak in a van...it's no small job.

I miss my SMB, the low end torque, the wine of the turbo. The diesel despite it's issues, was a fun engine to have. Moving on to the V10 and even crappier gas mileage. Woohoo!
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Old 03-30-2013, 09:07 PM   #6
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Re: 6.0L: Reliability

Just under 35,000 on my 2005 6.0L...0 problems. I love the engine/transmission on this van, its a pleasure to drive. Just normal maintenance as per the owners manual.

230,000 on my 2000 7.3L...0 problems. Again, just normal maintenance as per the owners manual. I bought this van new in 2000.
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Old 03-30-2013, 10:24 PM   #7
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Re: 6.0L: Reliability

I bought a used 2006 with 75k, at 110k with no issues. Opti Lube summer blend with each fill and keep a close eye on temps with a Scangauge. Try to drive it at least once a week and run it hard to blow out any carbon build up on the turbo vanes. As the Kinks once said, "Paranoia may destroy ya"
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Old 03-30-2013, 11:21 PM   #8
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Re: 6.0L: Reliability

We got our 08 6.0 in January, which had 36,200 on the clock. I've put about 1200 miles on it, driving it almost every day since we got it, mostly just to run around town to get stuff to put on/add to/improve the camper parts of the van. Very little highway driving so far, but that will change soon.

I went under the assumption that the PO wasn't into maintenance regimes that much, so the first thing I did was take it to get the EGR valve serviced and all the drivetrain fluids changed.

I spent some time over at PowerStrokeArmy dot com and it appears that most of the 6.0 people with problems are the ones that have horsepower-increasing tunes done to them. With the confined space and heat-dissipation issues in our vans, doing a power tune would be inviting trouble.

The consensus at PSA was if you maintain it properly and leave it stock, it's a reliable powerplant. Driving it regularly also seems to help a great deal.

Mine starts reliably, and runs well. Other than taking a long time to get to operating temp, it runs like any other vehicle, though expectedly it's not as zippy as a gasser would be.

Downsides: It's my first diesel vehicle, so keeping an eye on ambient temps and using the block heater was something new for me. I can deal with that!

I now watch diesel prices. It's amazing how large the price differences are around my house. Where gas prices are usually within a nickel from station to station, I've seen diesel have 20+ cent differences between the same stations.
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Old 03-31-2013, 08:26 PM   #9
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Re: 6.0L: Reliability

I don't say things like that.
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Old 03-31-2013, 08:54 PM   #10
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Re: 6.0L: Reliability

Spent the weekend pulling a 19' trailer. 700 miles--600 w/trailer--and the check engine light only came on once!

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