PowerStroke Bulletproofing Tactics

[daveb]

Originally Posted by Splurgemobile

Has anyone posted this article? I am very interested. I don't think I'll be able to find it in stores at this point. I'm starting to read horrer stories about the EGR cooler problems and am getting nervous. I'd like to understand the issues and the legal fixes.

The guy Rob posted to has a good set of videos. Most of the newer 6.0's had troubled parts upgraded and that guy explains some of Fords upgrades to things like the turbo and injectors. It's the lousy sensors that shut down the engine is what scares me. The EGR never shut me down and i drove it to the shop but I wouldn't want to try to get out of the backcountry if an injector let loose. If I recall correctly he goes over a better EGR setup other than a block which is not allowed in some states. I wish he would go over tunning the E-Series and how to get more power safely W/O engine damage.

[EMrider]

The "nightmare" video was the first one I watched about a year after we got our SMB. Very informative and having some objective facts actually made me feel a lot better versus Internet chit chat.

Dave, I too wish he had more info specific to the E series vans. All we can do is take reasonable precautions, use good judgment and let fate control the rest!

R

[saline]

Originally Posted by Zeta

Watch the "Nightmare" video. It's about vans and cutaways. http://www.powerstrokehelp.com/6liter/n ... e/1of2.asp

Z

Our fleet of 6.0L Ambulances had EGRcooler/Oil cooler, EGR valve issues (directly related to extensive idle times) and STC fittings on the HPOP. None had head gasket problems. I still have never heard of a stock E series 6.0L that has had blown head gaskets. I like my 6.0L, but I couldn't think of a worse engine to put in an ambulance because of the way they are driven. The 7.3 on the other hand has been a very reliable engine in our older units.

[Zeta]

That's interesting. I haven't heard about the head gasket failures until today. Both sources--Powerstrokehelp.com and Bulletproof--say, however, that the EGR cooler problems can lead to gasket failure.

Z

[Ford_6L_E350]

I'm another person that has not heard of head gasket failures in vans. Of course, I've never heard of a 6.0 in a van or cutaway before 04 either and in the video he says the 6.0 first came out in vans and cutaways?????

03 in pickups, 04 in vans and cutaways is documented, I don't know about the other.

Some of the 6.0 issues scare me. Not enough to get rid of it, but enough to worry.

Mike

[TwoVans]

I just initiated a conversation with the bulletproof guys in Mesa, AZ. Their oil cooler is currently only available for the F-series.

However, they have designed one for the E-series. He said it should be completed in January. I asked for a ballpark figure on what they are looking at for installed cost. I'll post when I hear.

[Greggd]

Jessenej ,
Did they give you a date ? I contacted them back in September and they indicated that would be coming on line this year . They said they would contact me when available ? I was also interested in their EGR replacement and volunteered my Van for mock if needed .Thank you for this post I will call them tomorrow .
Greggde

[TwoVans]

They said, "We do have an E-Series Kit (E-Kit) designed and working, its just that all the parts are at the machine shop now waiting to be machined. Should be sometime in January."

I asked what the ballpark cost would be for the E-Kit installed. He said $1800-$2200 for parts. $4000-$5000 total for them to install. However, he made it clear that that is just a guess at this point.

My perspective is this: I monitor both coolant temp and engine oil temp. I am aware that they are supposed to stay close during normal driving conditions. I also have my Edge monitor set up to flash if any of my temps get even close to too hot and know to back off if my life doesn't depend on it. So, I feel confident that I will recognize when it is time to address this issue.

So, although I think there would be a benefit to having the oil temps stay a little lower, as an overall strategy to keep the engine running indefinitely in a world of limited resources - I will likely wait until I see a symptom of the problem surface. All the while, squirreling away the money for a fix that is likely inevitable over the long-term.

[saline]

In the meantime, get a coolant filter.

[TwoVans]

It shouldn't take me that long to raise the $5000...