Maxxforce diesel engines

[4570Man]

I buy them all the time. Some are trouble free if left stock and you get rid of the horrid Motorcraft Gold coolant that is the main cause of them failing.

Otherwise, if you do have issues, it takes some money but they can be built to be pretty strong and reliable. And they are excellent on fuel.
Run Caterpillar coolant, stud them, delete the EGR and reroute the crankcase ventilation and you're good to go. But if you don't do that, do not tune them for power.

Note that the VT365 version used in medium duty International trucks never had near the problems the 6.0 Ford version had. Why you ask? because no Motorcraft Gold coolant in the International trucks, and people weren't TUNING their medium duty trucks.

They were probably derated from the factory in the medium duty trucks. They were never built in anything close to the same numbers either so it’s to be expected they had less problems. I’ve only seen maybe 5 used medium duty trucks for sale with a 6.0. I have no idea how many they built but it couldn’t have been many.

 

[Snobdds]

I buy them all the time. Some are trouble free if left stock and you get rid of the horrid Motorcraft Gold coolant that is the main cause of them failing.

Otherwise, if you do have issues, it takes some money but they can be built to be pretty strong and reliable. And they are excellent on fuel.
Run Caterpillar coolant, stud them, delete the EGR and reroute the crankcase ventilation and you're good to go. But if you don't do that, do not tune them for power.

Note that the VT365 version used in medium duty International trucks never had near the problems the 6.0 Ford version had. Why you ask? because no Motorcraft Gold coolant in the International trucks, and people weren't TUNING their medium duty trucks.

I've been a big fan of 6.0 after the fixes have been done. They are dead nuts reliable and easy to work on...as long as you don't tune them. Also, I agree the coolant was the root cause of the problem. The gold coolant was great for cavitation, but bad for dropping out silicates out of suspension and plugging the oil cooler. We just changed the coolant every 30k and put a coolant filter on and it elimated all problems.

I like the 6.0 over my 6.7. At least I can work on the 6.0.

 

[Snobdds]

Every diesel that was developed early on during the transition to Tier 4 final had issues. They also had to transition to electronic systems to regulate all the systems that also added to the whoa's.

Because the systems are all electronic based, things can be fooled to think something is there when it's not. Since I live in Wyoming, diesel mechanics are adept to removing emissions and having the truck still run. If a person is having problems, most times the solution is to rip all the emission systems off.

That motor may be a turd with all the emission systems on, but if you can find someone that will give it an "enhancement", I wouldn't be scared of running it.

 

[Paystar]

I've been a big fan of 6.0 after the fixes have been done. They are dead nuts reliable and easy to work on...as long as you don't tune them. Also, I agree the coolant was the root cause of the problem. The gold coolant was great for cavitation, but bad for dropping out silicates out of suspension and plugging the oil cooler. We just changed the coolant every 30k and put a coolant filter on and it elimated all problems.

I like the 6.0 over my 6.7. At least I can work on the 6.0.

Yep, the silicates fall out, plug the coolers and cause flash boils and either blow the cooler or the head gasket.
I like the 6.0. Always got better fuel mileage than my 5.9 Cummins plus I hate the sound of the Cummins.
Two of my 6.0's were tuned. My F350 was done by a guy in southern Ontario. It was strong. And my F550 was Bank's.

 

[Hay Dude]

As far as your question Hay Dude, I can't help you there. I don't have any experience with those smaller engines.
I only ran class 8 stuff.

Those engines are pretty much like the 13 litre Maxxforce engines....a solid engine block with a horrible mass EGR emission system bolted on.

Not sure about it being “small”. This is a class 8 truck (60,000 GVWR) tandem axle.
20k front axle and (2) 20k rear axles. The engine is a 9.3L and the maxforce engines were offered in 10L and 13L, so this ain’t no 6L pickup or school bus diesel.

The maxforce trucks have been rendered as a lost cause. Parts are scarce and very expensive, despite being only ~10 years old.
That truck was offered to me for $30,000.
Seems like a steal.

 

[hiddentacocatneddih]

Y'all must of been smoking the silicates to like the 6.0

 

[Lineman North Florida]

This is a class 8 truck (60,000 GVWR) tandem axle
20k front axle and 2) 20k rear axles.


View attachment 1013345

The maxforce trucks have been rendered as a lost cause. Parts are scarce and very expensive, despite being only ~10 years old.
That truck was offered to me for $30,000.
Seems like a steal.

With or without the hi-line bucket?

 

[Hay Dude]

With the 100’ bucket on it-just like in the picture.
He was also going to deliver it to me (5 hours away) with a current PA inspection.

 

[Hay Dude]

When a maxforce hydrolocks (EGR failure intros coolant) its about $32,000 for the reman and the motors are only marginally better. I’ve heard of remans only lasting 6-12 months if they have issues.

It’s sad because the rest of the chassis is just what I wanted and it’d be in my shop yard if it were powered by anything else.

 

[Hay Dude]

Y'all must of been smoking the silicates to like the 6.0

I skipped over them. Heard the horror stories and never jumped in on one. I figured if my trucks are in the shop for months, I’d be out of business.
Personal use? Sure, I’d try one, but probably better off with Duramax/Allison.

 

[Rustyiron]

Not sure about it being “small”. This is a class 8 truck (60,000 GVWR) tandem axle.
20k front axle and (2) 20k rear axles. The engine is a 9.3L and the maxforce engines were offered in 10L and 13L, so this ain’t no 6L pickup or school bus diesel.


View attachment 1013345

The maxforce trucks have been rendered as a lost cause. Parts are scarce and very expensive, despite being only ~10 years old.
That truck was offered to me for $30,000.
Seems like a steal.

I can definitely see the temptation!

 

[Paystar]

Not sure about it being “small”. This is a class 8 truck (60,000 GVWR) tandem axle.
20k front axle and (2) 20k rear axles. The engine is a 9.3L and the maxforce engines were offered in 10L and 13L, so this ain’t no 6L pickup or school bus diesel.


View attachment 1013345

The maxforce trucks have been rendered as a lost cause. Parts are scarce and very expensive, despite being only ~10 years old.
That truck was offered to me for $30,000.
Seems like a steal.

Just meant I never ran anything under 855 cubic inch in my big trucks. So I have no idea how the sub 13L International motors have been.
They have a truck just like your pic at the mine I now work in. The linesmens bucket truck, a 6x6 with a Maxxforce.
I am the one that moves it around for them because the mine requires you to have an AZ license to drive the trucks.
All I know is every time I drive it, the check engine light is on and it's derated, LOL

 

[Hay Dude]

Just meant I never ran anything under 855 cubic inch in my big trucks. So I have no idea how the sub 13L International motors have been.
They have a truck just like your pic at the mine I now work in. The linesmens bucket truck, a 6x6 with a Maxxforce.
I am the one that moves it around for them because the mine requires you to have an AZ license to drive the trucks.
All I know is every time I drive it, the check engine light is on and it's derated, LOL

Dearated because of an engine fault? Or because the owner derated it?

 

[Snobdds]

Y'all must of been smoking the silicates to like the 6.0

Make sure to tell all your friends they suck.

Thanks

 

[Snobdds]

Yep, the silicates fall out, plug the coolers and cause flash boils and either blow the cooler or the head gasket.
I like the 6.0. Always got better fuel mileage than my 5.9 Cummins plus I hate the sound of the Cummins.
Two of my 6.0's were tuned. My F350 was done by a guy in southern Ontario. It was strong. And my F550 was Bank's.

People who know, know.

 

[hiddentacocatneddih]

People who know, know.

The Cummins aint the fastest, or the most efficient, they just work.

Had a 1992, all original. 400k+ miles. Truck rusted around it. Motors still good.

Have an 06 with a 5.9 with 300k+ all stock and still runs great



The Cummins generators we had on the flight line just worked. For ever.



Having to modify a stock motor out of the box shouldn't be the norm.

 

[Snobdds]

The Cummins aint the fastest, or the most efficient, they just work.

Had a 1992, all original. 400k+ miles. Truck rusted around it. Motors still good.

Have an 06 with a 5.9 with 300k+ all stock and still runs great



The Cummins generators we had on the flight line just worked. For ever.



Having to modify a stock motor out of the box shouldn't be the norm.

I would rather do engine work than body and front end work...

How many times have you had to rebuild the front end in those periods. Be honest, were not idiots here.

 

[hiddentacocatneddih]

I would rather do engine work than body and front end work...

How many times have you had to rebuild the front end in those periods. Be honest, were not idiots here.

The 92 I never had to

The 06 I've put a ball joint on

I have 2 f350s as well. They are the beater trucks. Cheap and disposable

 

[4570Man]

I would rather do engine work than body and front end work...

How many times have you had to rebuild the front end in those periods. Be honest, were not idiots here.

I could rebuild the front end which my dually needs with 257k miles a lot cheaper than doing much engine work especially a newer diesel with emissions.

 

[Hay Dude]

Well, I kinda knew this would devolve into a Cummins/Powerstroke war.

After owning both a 6.7L and an 8.3L Cummins and about 10 powerstrokes, I’d take a Cummins any day. Powerstrokes are OK, but when you want to tow heavy loads and want durability, Cummins is better. My current 6.7L Cummins tows so much smoother and at lower RPM. Rock solid, amazing torque at low RPM- even standard output.

The 8.3L in my Magnum was sick (good sick, not bad sick)