Ford F-250 diesel

Is the Ford 6.0 powerstroke as bad as they say?
I am wanting to get a diesel truck. Cash limitations seem to dictate 2000 to maybe 2004 model years. All the 7.3's seem to have high miles. Do I need to look at Chevy or GMC Duramax?
If the powerstroke 6.0 is as bad as they say it's a shame Ford would screw up the F-250 with a bumb motor.

Whoa! You forgot to use the much called for "OT" before your post! Remember, some of these guy's time is so valuable they don't have a second to spare and can't afford a moment to open a post not strickly dealing with old tractors.

No he didnt, Interantional built that engine. There were some 6.0s that gave some problems. Later ones were just getting good when Ford dumped it for the 6.4.

In "03 when ford went to the 6.0 it was the end of a good truck. Dont waste your time on looking at them. Look for a good Duramax or Cummins instead. It will pay you back well in the long run. The 6.0 is a money pit of poor designs.

We have a 2003 6.0 in a 350 dually. There were some injector problems in the first 10k miles or so. Ford replaced all the injectors and no trouble since. We pull 25k behind it and the motor and transmission are strong.
Tom

I have 2000 F250 with 7.3 Powerstroke.I have @180k on the truck and it pulls as good as new.I can't say if this is high mileage or not but I have friends with higher miles than that and they are still satisfied with their F250s.I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Ford 2000-2003 7.3 Powerstroke especially for what they bring with diesel being so high.Just my two cents worth.ARKIE

(quoted from post at 15:49:10 08/17/08) Is the Ford 6.0 powerstroke as bad as they say?
I am wanting to get a diesel truck. Cash limitations seem to dictate 2000 to maybe 2004 model years. All the 7.3's seem to have high miles. Do I need to look at Chevy or GMC Duramax?
If the powerstroke 6.0 is as bad as they say it's a shame Ford would screw up the F-250 with a bumb motor.

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The 6.0 made after the mid-2005 model year is fine right from the factory. It makes a little more power than the 7.3 and gets a little better mileage.

The 6.0 came out in mid-2003 and had some problems with injectors, programming and timing issues. Got better in 2004, but not perfected. Both those years were recalled and addressed. It took Ford two years to get it perfect. The diesel mechanic (Rick ____?) at World Ford in Pensacola, FL. - who, by the way, just traded his 7.3 in on a low mileage used 2005 6.0 - told me if I wanted to be absolutely sure to get a really good 6.0, to buy a March 2005 or newer maufactured date 6.0. Check the door tag for date of manufacture.

Yes - now Ford is making a 6.4L. However, it is the same engine family as the 6.0 - just has a crankshaft with more stroke + dual turbo, etc.

Chevy and Dodge fans are quick to tell you the 6.0 is bad; but, it is not bad, if fully and properly updated, or if manufactured after mid-2005. In fact, it is very good.

And, yes, the Duramax is great also. But, the GM boys are not so quick to tell you it took GM "only" 26 years (1977-2003) to finally build a good diesel pick-up.

mike

Find a 98 or older Dodge witht the 12 valve Cummins. Google it up and see the raves for that engine. Get the 5 speed manual also.

Gordo

I have one and am VERY happy with it. Lost a tranny at 37k and EGR at 58k. My '04 F-350 Dually works hard for a living and I trust her. I was in the same boat as you in the beginning... should I.. Is it a bad idea, etc... I haven't had any of the horror stories you are reading. Remember that a good 80% of posts on the net are people looking for solutions to problems. LOTS more people just happy and driving. every engine has problems. Do your research and go for it.

If you are buying ANY of them (Goat, Dorf or "Got Mechanic Coming") used and out of warranty, can you afford what even relatively MINOR repairs will cost?

What is a set of injectors if you are paying the bill?

And that, after paying a buck a gallon more for diesel fuel than gasoline?

I've owned and driven diesels since 1979, but have accepted the fact I can't afford to own ANY of the "late model" stuff.

"And that, after paying a buck a gallon more for diesel fuel than gasoline?"

I felt the same until I learned that the newer 6.0 Chevy gets less than the new Duramax. Everything I found on the 6.0 was saying 12 - 15, new 6.6 Duramax 15 - 18. Im averaging 19 -22 with mine. May cost a few more bucks to fill up, but Im getting more out of a gallon, thus it cost me less to operate.

I have heard from some 6.0 Ford guys they get in the high teens and low twenties for mileage but I have always maxed at around 15. I have a 4:10 rear end, 4wd, Crewcab, etc.. so that may be some of the drag... My old 7.3 4wd, Supercab also wih a 4:10 rearend gets around 17 and 18 and she has almost 200,000 miles on her.

Actually you'll want to check the ENGINE date of manufacture, the door tag tells you when the engine went into the truck - not how long the engine sat around before going in. Other than that I agree, the later 2005 6.0s are better than the 7.3. I wouldn't buy an "early" 6.0 unless the engine has been replaced. Even with reworks they still have problems.

What an a$$hole!