simple fix 6.0 powerstroke diesel smell for months then a visible leak

[firemanpat2910]

I know theres a lot of good and bad feelings about this motor. I have a good one. 190,000 miles on it. it had 12 miles on it when I bought it. for the longest time I have been getting a wiff of diesel.
it got steadily worse, next I could see diesel on the ground, from the front of engine area but no obvious leak. finally it started dripping when idleing, and I could find it. the upper fuel filter has the pressure regulator assembly mounted to it, there is a keyhole shaped gasket 3c3z-9c065-aa that dries out, gets brittle and leaks. this gasket by it self is less than $5.50 at the ford place. or you can do the blue spring upgrade for about $80.00. I just did the gasket, I have never felt the truck lack for fuel pressure. It took about 30 minutes in the front yard to fix. with simple hand tools. there are several you tube videos about the blue spring upgrade, that show exactly what has to be removed to gain access. I just love it when a simple fix cures a problem

 

[Diamondpilot]

I know theres a lot of good and bad feelings about this motor. I have a good one. 190,000 miles on it. it had 12 miles on it when I bought it. for the longest time I have been getting a wiff of diesel.
it got steadily worse, next I could see diesel on the ground, from the front of engine area but no obvious leak. finally it started dripping when idleing, and I could find it. the upper fuel filter has the pressure regulator assembly mounted to it, there is a keyhole shaped gasket 3c3z-9c065-aa that dries out, gets brittle and leaks. this gasket by it self is less than $5.50 at the ford place. or you can do the blue spring upgrade for about $80.00. I just did the gasket, I have never felt the truck lack for fuel pressure. It took about 30 minutes in the front yard to fix. with simple hand tools. there are several you tube videos about the blue spring upgrade, that show exactly what has to be removed to gain access. I just love it when a simple fix cures a problem

Good to know. Like you I have a 06 F350 diesel with about 2/3 the miles yours does. Only issue with mine was a bad fuel gauge at about 3500 miles. It's been 100% trouble free just as my 04 F250 6L was.

Chris

 

[HCJtractor]

My 06 has 205,000 and started recently burning coolant badly. I decided to have an EGR delete and added a chip to turn off the check engine light. Replaced a coupla injectors also. It runs better than ever now. Hopefully, I can avoid the dreaded head gasket issue! My problem is that I just don't trust the average shop to work on this complex engine. I ended up towing it 175 miles to a shop that exclusively works on these diesels. So far, I'm happy.

 

[Diamondpilot]

My 06 has 205,000 and started recently burning coolant badly. I decided to have an EGR delete and added a chip to turn off the check engine light. Replaced a coupla injectors also. It runs better than ever now. Hopefully, I can avoid the dreaded head gasket issue! My problem is that I just don't trust the average shop to work on this complex engine. I ended up towing it 175 miles to a shop that exclusively works on these diesels. So far, I'm happy.

Yes, good shop is the key. That's one reason the 6.0 got a bad rap due to them selling so many and Ford not training the techs to turn the wrenches.

Chris

 

[FTG-05]

Yes, good shop is the key. That's one reason the 6.0 got a bad rap due to them selling so many and Ford not training the techs to turn the wrenches.

Chris

It had a lot more to do with the crappy EGR coolant design along with the insistence to continue to use the Ford Gold coolant in an engine. The use of one time use 180ksi head bolts instead of studs didn't help either.

EGR delete, replace the Gold with CAT-1 rated ELC (or super ELC) and replace the head bolts with studs, it's a pretty good engine.

And don't forget to upgrade the crappy electrical system starting with the alternator. It will save you the +$400 FICM replacement/repair bill.

Good luck!

 

[Diamondpilot]

It had a lot more to do with the crappy EGR coolant design along with the insistence to continue to use the Ford Gold coolant in an engine. The use of one time use 180ksi head bolts instead of studs didn't help either. EGR delete, replace the Gold with CAT-1 rated ELC (or super ELC) and replace the head bolts with studs, it's a pretty good engine. And don't forget to upgrade the crappy electrical system starting with the alternator. It will save you the +$400 FICM replacement/repair bill. Good luck!

Yea. There are lots of low mile 6L trucks that can be had dirt cheap. Do a bullet proofing to it for 2 grand with head studs, egr delete, a tune, ect and you have a tough truck on the cheap.

Chris

 

[slowzuki]

Problem we see here is the low mile 6.0's that are cheap often have blown motors, I assume they run them with antifreeze in the oil for too long?

 

[Diamondpilot]

Problem we see here is the low mile 6.0's that are cheap often have blown motors, I assume they run them with antifreeze in the oil for too long?

Blown head gaskets are the main cause. I have been fortunate along with my friends that have the. One had injectors and one had a EGR issue but both mine were trouble free.

Chris

 

[FTG-05]

Problem we see here is the low mile 6.0's that are cheap often have blown motors, I assume they run them with antifreeze in the oil for too long?

AF in the oil hasn't been the main problem (could have happened to some, it's not impossible).

As slow said, the AF gets injected into the heads via a leaking EGR cooler, lifting the heads, blowing the gaskets.

The solution, prior to EGR leaking and head gaskets blowing out, is to install an EGR cooler delete kit, replace the head bolts with studs and install a coolant filter and replace the Ford Gold with CAT-1 ELC coolant.

If you have a 6.0 you need a coolant filter and ELC coolant.