F250 diesel w/ 140k miles?

[superbenk]

I've never had a diesel before. I've read many times that >100k miles on a diesel isn't a big deal. Should I consider spending $14k on a 2003 F250 with a 6.0L diesel & 140k miles on it? It's a crew cab that apparently had tranny troubles at 21k miles when Ford replaced it with a new truck for the original owner. I'm not aware of any other troubled history with it.

What are the pros and cons to owning a diesel? Is this a good fit for a daily driver in addition to a pulling powerhouse?

 

[foodfisher]

Re: F250 diesel w/ 140k miles?

Sleeping neighbors won't like your morning startup.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: F250 diesel w/ 140k miles?

If all of the maintenance was done on it, I would not suspect that it would have problems, there are a couple of things to look for, I know a buddy of mine just had to replace a part of his cooling system that has to do with the turbo charger and it was well over $1000 and he had to replace a little valve that is buried between the engine and the transmission about a year ago and the cost was about the same, in talking to the mechanic that did the work, those are common problems on the Ford Diesels.

I don't know how fuel costs are in your area, but around where I live, the diesel is running about .30 to .40 a gallon more than unleaded fuel..

 

[rbh]

Re: F250 diesel w/ 140k miles?

Those are a nice truck.
The thing's that I find with diesels is that regular maintance should be done, oil and diesel filters a must, as well use a couple of onces per fill of a good fuel enhancer/lubricator as the new fuel is very dry with no sulpher anymore.
Most of the time the only thing that will go wrong with the motor is glow plugs and injector pumps, or injectors.
glow plugs-3-5 years +-
injectors/injector pump 100.000 miles, or more if you use the fuel treatment stuff.

 

[superbenk]

Re: F250 diesel w/ 140k miles?

I don't know how fuel costs are in your area, but around where I live, the diesel is running about .30 to .40 a gallon more than unleaded fuel..

Deisels tend to be more fuel efficient, though, don't they?

I also assume regular maint. items like oil changes and filters are significantly more? Would overall cost of ownership be more (significantly?) than a half-ton? My needs are really more in the half-ton range, but the idea of having a truck that could do anything I'd ever want appeals to me too. Just wondering if this makes sense or if it's too much truck for me.

I currently to ~3500 lbs with an 03 Frontier Crew Cab, but would like more towing flexibility for potential bigger stuff in the future (don't know when, though).

 

[nasty79z28]

Re: F250 diesel w/ 140k miles?

Personally I would stay away from the 6.0L. We have one work truck with that engine and its in the shop at least once a month. My friends father also bought one brand new and had nothing but trouble, dealership ended up buying it back. Another friend works for a Ford dealership, he says they are the worst engine they have put out in a while.

You may also find some people that have had zero problems and think they are the greatest ever made. Not trying to stir anything up just giving my honest opinion and person experiences.

I'd stick to the 7.3L

 

[superbenk]

Re: F250 diesel w/ 140k miles?

Personally I would stay away from the 6.0L. We have one work truck with that engine and its in the shop at least once a month. My friends father also bought one brand new and had nothing but trouble, dealership ended up buying it back. Another friend works for a Ford dealership, he says they are the worst engine they have put out in a while.

You may also find some people that have had zero problems and think they are the greatest ever made. Not trying to stir anything up just giving my honest opinion and person experiences.

I'd stick to the 7.3L

Ya, that worries me too. This isn't the first time I've heard complaints about the 6.0L setup. I've also read a few reports about other tranny issues with this setup which worries me since it's already been in the shop for tranny repairs.

 

[woolznaz]

Re: F250 diesel w/ 140k miles?

I have an '06 with 105,000. I did not buy it new. Like you, I could have gotten by with a 1/2 ton, but I found a deal on the power stroke and bought it. I'll have to admit, I always wanted a diesel anyway.

I love having the extra towing ability. I absolutely love the truck and have no regrets. I did have a Ford mechanic check it out carefully before buying it. Here is what I expect. It'll run forever if I continue to maintain it. Maintenance as well as repairs will cost more on the diesel vs gas, but the longevity you will likely get out of the truck will make up for that. So far, I could not be happier with the truck and how it performs. I have heard the 6.0 got better sometime around '04 with some changes Ford made. I don't know if that's the case, but it is what I have heard on a few occasions.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: F250 diesel w/ 140k miles?

Deisels tend to be more fuel efficient, though, don't they?

I also assume regular maint. items like oil changes and filters are significantly more? Would overall cost of ownership be more (significantly?) than a half-ton? My needs are really more in the half-ton range, but the idea of having a truck that could do anything I'd ever want appeals to me too. Just wondering if this makes sense or if it's too much truck for me.

I currently to ~3500 lbs with an 03 Frontier Crew Cab, but would like more towing flexibility for potential bigger stuff in the future (don't know when, though).

I really don't know, I have never owned a diesel, I will ask my buddy, but it seems to me, he told me that the oil change with filters and such was pretty expensive, I will give him a holler, but I am sure someone on here could give you an idea of the maintenance costs for one..

 

[PBarrett]

Re: F250 diesel w/ 140k miles?

I have an 1997 7.3L F250 with 202,000 miles and it still tows my 6000# Bayliner with ease. Like others have said, you have to pay attention to oil changes, filters and fuel stabilizers to keep a diesel running properly. Oil changes are more expensive because the engine holds 15 quarts of oil and the filter is more expensive than a gas auto/truck filter because it's about twice the size. Also, you need to change the fuel filter at regular intervals and they too are about $21.00 each time you change them. Owning and maintaining a diesel is not cheap.....it's like having a second boat, but, if you take care of them, they will take care of you.

I too, have heard horror stories about the early 6.0L diesels, but I have no first hand info. Jump on a couple of Ford diesel sites and ask your question over there, those guys are pretty knowledgeable about Ford diesels.

http://www.powerstrokehelp.com/6liter/6-0_main.asp
http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/index.php

PB

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: F250 diesel w/ 140k miles?

Personally I would stay away from the 6.0L.

I'd stick to the 7.3L

Plus one one this ^^^^^^^^.
The 7.3 is a way better engine. Most of the 6.0's have had problems.
There are a couple of guys at our truck shop that have the 7.3's. They work on diesels all day long and say the same thing.
Thats the reason Ford has designed their own for the new models. Now we can see if they did their home work.

 

[45Auto]

Re: F250 diesel w/ 140k miles?

As others have said, do a search on the 6.0L Ford diesel (I think it was 2003-2006?) before you buy one. If it does have a problem, then International (the builder) says: "the engine is extremely complex and requires outstanding diagnostic capabilities to properly identify and repair the faulty parts." Another way to say extremely complex and outstanding diagnostic capabilites is "extremely expensive". I plan to wait until the 6.4L's get old enough to drop into my price range.

From
http://www.autosafety.org/fords-diesel-drama-drags

The 6.0-liter Power Stroke engine has been troublesome from the day it was launched in the fall of 2002. It replaced a somewhat unrefined 7.3-liter diesel.

The powertrain was built by a longtime Ford diesel supplier, International Truck and Engine Corp., of Melrose Park, Ill.

For this version of the engine, International Truck designed a unique high-pressure fuel-injection system.

Most automakers use only electronic controls to operate the fuel injectors in a common-rail system. But the Power Stroke's fuel injectors are operated by a high-pressure oil pump as well as electronics.

According to several of the 150-plus complaints posted on the Web site of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, some trucks never even made it home from the dealership before the fuel injectors or turbocharger failed.

The engine also has been plagued with leaky fuel injectors, oil leaks, broken turbochargers, wiring harness troubles, faulty sensors, defective exhaust gas recirculation valves and bad computers.

Since the engine debuted three years ago, Ford has issued at least 77 technical service bulletins. That is far above average, even for a new engine. These bulletins tell mechanics how to diagnose and fix various problems.

By comparison, there have been eight service bulletins for GM's Duramax diesel V-8 and none for the diesel engine in the Dodge Ram truck. Both engines debuted at about the same time as the Power Stroke.

After just a year on the market, International almost completely redesigned the Power Stroke's fuel system, replacing or redesigning nearly 500 parts. That helped reduce the number of problems, but did not cure the engine of all its ills. Ford has voluntarily recalled the engine at least twice to fix various problems.

The troubles have caused a rift in relations between Ford and International.

The engine can be repaired and made reliable, says International spokesman Bob Carso. Engineers from Ford and International have fixed the problems that plagued the early versions of the engine, he said.

But Carso says the engine is extremely complex and requires "outstanding diagnostic capabilities" to properly identify and repair the faulty parts.

 

[JAFO1]

Re: F250 diesel w/ 140k miles?

Personally I would stay away from the 6.0L. We have one work truck with that engine and its in the shop at least once a month. My friends father also bought one brand new and had nothing but trouble, dealership ended up buying it back. Another friend works for a Ford dealership, he says they are the worst engine they have put out in a while.

You may also find some people that have had zero problems and think they are the greatest ever made. Not trying to stir anything up just giving my honest opinion and person experiences.

I'd stick to the 7.3L

I concur! Love my 7.3!

 

[superbenk]

Re: F250 diesel w/ 140k miles?

45Auto - I think you just cinched it for me. I'm going to pass on this beast and look for something else. I'm sure after driving by it to and from work a few dozen times, the tinge of wanting it will wear off

I'm still not sure if a diesel is something I should even serious pursue in the future. Seems like a lot of truck/maint. for what I'd probably use it for. Maybe if I lived on a farm or pulled a camper or something it'd make more sense.

 

[109jb]

Re: F250 diesel w/ 140k miles?

As for diesel maintenance in general, I have a 2003 Duramax diesel and a 1/2 ton full size GMC Savanna van with a 5.7L gas engine. The D-max costs me about $50 to change the oil and filter compared to $30 for the van. I change my oil in both engines on a 5,000 miles interval and I cut open the filters every oil change. I also do an oil analysis about every 3rd oil change. Both engines are fine with that interval and I'm happy with it too. Both vehicles happen to get about 15,000 miles per year, so there are 3 oil changes per year each. So a years worth of oil changes costs me $60 more per year on the D-max.

The fuel filters for the d-max are about $25 and I change them every 15,000 miles or once a year. Thats another $25 per year against the D-max.

Fuel mileage. The D-max averages around 18 mpg. The van is at 15 mpg. Using todays prices for fuel in my area, $2.99 diesel and 2.79 gas (87 octane) and 15,000 miles meeans I'd spend $2492 on diesel and $2790 on gas for the year in those 2 vehicles. So the van costs $298 more in gas per year.

Air filers are pretty comparable in price for these 2 vehicles so that's a wash.

That means that in my situation , the D-max costs me $153 LESS per year than the 5.7L gas van for fuel, oil, and filters.

The D-max will pull a 12,000 pound tag trailer or a 15,000 gooseneck. The van can only do 5,000 pounds towing.

Whether you decide on gas or diesel iss up to you. I thought I'd just put this out there for you for added information.

 

[truckermatt]

Re: F250 diesel w/ 140k miles?

As for diesel maintenance in general, I have a 2003 Duramax diesel and a 1/2 ton full size GMC Savanna van with a 5.7L gas engine. The D-max costs me about $50 to change the oil and filter compared to $30 for the van. I change my oil in both engines on a 5,000 miles interval and I cut open the filters every oil change. I also do an oil analysis about every 3rd oil change. Both engines are fine with that interval and I'm happy with it too. Both vehicles happen to get about 15,000 miles per year, so there are 3 oil changes per year each. So a years worth of oil changes costs me $60 more per year on the D-max.

The fuel filters for the d-max are about $25 and I change them every 15,000 miles or once a year. Thats another $25 per year against the D-max.

Fuel mileage. The D-max averages around 18 mpg. The van is at 15 mpg. Using todays prices for fuel in my area, $2.99 diesel and 2.79 gas (87 octane) and 15,000 miles meeans I'd spend $2492 on diesel and $2790 on gas for the year in those 2 vehicles. So the van costs $298 more in gas per year.

Air filers are pretty comparable in price for these 2 vehicles so that's a wash.

That means that in my situation , the D-max costs me $153 LESS per year than the 5.7L gas van for fuel, oil, and filters.

The D-max will pull a 12,000 pound tag trailer or a 15,000 gooseneck. The van can only do 5,000 pounds towing.

Whether you decide on gas or diesel iss up to you. I thought I'd just put this out there for you for added information.

you drive a lot.

 

[109jb]

Re: F250 diesel w/ 140k miles?

you drive a lot.

If you think that's a lot, I used to put on 21,000 miles a year just driving to work (45 miles one way, 5 days a week). Now I have the luxury of working 4-10 hour days and I work 2 of them from home. That has really helped in the mileage department. My wife's drive to work is also 25 miles one way 3 days a week. Add on to that the running the kids around to different things and.... Well you get the point.

 

[xeddog]

Re: F250 diesel w/ 140k miles?

I used to have a 1977 Dodge pickup with a 360 v8 to pull my boat which is somewhere around 4500 lbs loaded. It got me everywhere I wanted to go but sometimes it could be slow. Like when going up the mountains. I now have a 1999 Ford F250 SD with the 7.3 diesel. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!

Now when going over the mountains I can do so at posted speeds for the most part. There are a couple of steeper places where I have to go down a gear, and a fewer still where I may have to go down 2 gears, (I have a 6-speed manual trans), but rarely ever have to go down below 50. All the while averaging 14mpg which is more than my old Dodge could get while unladen.

It's been about 10K miles since I looked at the Ford, so I guess I had better do that. But if I take it somewhere for oil changes it is nearly $90 with filter and 17 qts of oil.

From everything I have heard about diesels, you either buy the Ford 7.3, or a Cummins. Personally, I would prefer not to buy a DuraMax since they are not an American engine, but that is just my opinion.


Wayne

 

[109jb]

Re: F250 diesel w/ 140k miles?

To clear the air, The Duramax engine was a joint venture between Izusu and GM. DMAX is the actaul manufacturer of Duramax engines and is in Ohio. DMAX was the entity that was jointly owned by GM and Izusu, but now the majority of the DMAX is owned by GM including the design rights to the engines. GM has owned the majority since 2003.

 

[79Glastron]

Re: F250 diesel w/ 140k miles?

Most of the time with the 6.0 you should stay away from the 03-04. However, at that mileage, all the bugs have probably been worked out. I would get a 05-07 6.0, they are a more improved truck over all. I would stay away from the 6.4, more troubles than the 6.0 and worst fuel mileage by far.... After driving a few 7.3s in pre 99 bodies and post `99, the 6.0 is a much more refined engine, more power, better fuel mileage. I own a `06 with a 6 speed, love it.