looking at buying
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1
looking at buying
Im looking at a 2003 f250 with 100,000 miles and a 6.0 powerstroke i was wondering if anybody could help me out. let me know of any engine problems transmission problems or any other problems that i should look for
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 72
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RE: looking at buying
probably the biggest thing is ask about the service record the older 6.0 destroys injectors if you dont keep up your oil changes, since the oil fires the injectors. they also had some troubles with chafing wires so just do a thurough inspection
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,555
RE: looking at buying
Whats the build date? On the data tag in the door jam or the engine build date on the left (drivers) rear of the valve cover..
FIRST...
Get the VIN number, and have your local Ford Dealer run an OASIS REPORT on it.. It's free...It'll list the history of all the dealer warranty repairs done, programming/calibration changes, and recalls that were done.. Also anything still open.. It 'may' also give you an idea or tip as to how it was driven by what was repaired under warranty.. May ease your mind or help with a decision as to if it's a 'good one'.. I always liked that statement.. And for sure any docs that the previous owner has for services done and at what intervals..
Early build 03 6.0's had C94 injectors that were originally fired with/for 'pilot injection' for quiet idle but would side load the injector plunger and cause a failure by design and possibly causing 'larger' problems.. Although the PI was removed, the C94 isn't the injector of choice when shopping for a 6.0.. Pilot injection has been removed/canceled to date.. The later built 03 engines with C95's were a better design, but have had some issues even without PI, but seem to fail at a lower rate than earlier units..
Rear main seals (some a hanging drip, some more severe) were a problem early on, injectors, turbo, turbo moan/drone for some, occasional bedplate leaks, wire chaffing, headgasket/s at times but not specific to 03 (look for 'abnormal' white crusty tracks/deposits 'pressured' out/around the degass bottle cap area or further) especially if HP'd beyond factory spec. as some are with flash tuners, performance chips ect, and may be witnessed/verified by a closer look for EGT probe fittings/plugs left over in the exhaust manifold/s or down pipe, or even gauge mount evidence that might shed any light as to mods.. And other various issues/leaks or running conditions problems... Not all MY's escape the problems as to any specific build date, but more so on the early builds especially for leaks and injectors.. Quality of fuel was a contributing factor as well for injector failure.. When the 04 motor came to be, it was thought to be the 'good build'.. It was better, but seems to have had it share of past/current issues as have 'all' the following MY's although much improved..
Long story short,,, Get all the info available as for this build/year, work done, look it over well, both with a tech and yourself and make an informed decision..
I've owned both,, an early 03 that was a 'solid' runner (other than 2 rear mains/ I hate oil leaks) one bad starter when new, and 'did' actually have the annoying turbo moan/drone that was corrected later but not a critical mechanical problem, and no real engine/running issues .. My current 05 has had no engine problems at 30K.. I wouldn't have a 'real' problem with an early build, but they do have a history.. If an auto, the 5R110 trans is adequate build unit with a few problems, most for later units for snap ring failure/planet failure/s.. My 03 had the 2-3 MPH rollaway 'clunk' that was a disapointing occurance/sensation for a 38K truck, as well as the 2-3 upshift clunk that are 'both' now concidered a normal operation for this unit.. The 05 has only the 2-3 upshift concern.. Manual trans trucks seem to suffer from clutch/pressure plate holding pressures under load or severe/heavy pulling.. Also somewhat low power on launch/pulling from a start under low turbo spool/speed and boost pressure due to lower engine RPM off start compared to an auto....
Alot of satisfied 03 owners out there, and more than a few not... Goes for most/all of the MY's 6.0's.
I enjoyed the 03 as well as my current 6.0... MY .02.......
FIRST...
Get the VIN number, and have your local Ford Dealer run an OASIS REPORT on it.. It's free...It'll list the history of all the dealer warranty repairs done, programming/calibration changes, and recalls that were done.. Also anything still open.. It 'may' also give you an idea or tip as to how it was driven by what was repaired under warranty.. May ease your mind or help with a decision as to if it's a 'good one'.. I always liked that statement.. And for sure any docs that the previous owner has for services done and at what intervals..
Early build 03 6.0's had C94 injectors that were originally fired with/for 'pilot injection' for quiet idle but would side load the injector plunger and cause a failure by design and possibly causing 'larger' problems.. Although the PI was removed, the C94 isn't the injector of choice when shopping for a 6.0.. Pilot injection has been removed/canceled to date.. The later built 03 engines with C95's were a better design, but have had some issues even without PI, but seem to fail at a lower rate than earlier units..
Rear main seals (some a hanging drip, some more severe) were a problem early on, injectors, turbo, turbo moan/drone for some, occasional bedplate leaks, wire chaffing, headgasket/s at times but not specific to 03 (look for 'abnormal' white crusty tracks/deposits 'pressured' out/around the degass bottle cap area or further) especially if HP'd beyond factory spec. as some are with flash tuners, performance chips ect, and may be witnessed/verified by a closer look for EGT probe fittings/plugs left over in the exhaust manifold/s or down pipe, or even gauge mount evidence that might shed any light as to mods.. And other various issues/leaks or running conditions problems... Not all MY's escape the problems as to any specific build date, but more so on the early builds especially for leaks and injectors.. Quality of fuel was a contributing factor as well for injector failure.. When the 04 motor came to be, it was thought to be the 'good build'.. It was better, but seems to have had it share of past/current issues as have 'all' the following MY's although much improved..
Long story short,,, Get all the info available as for this build/year, work done, look it over well, both with a tech and yourself and make an informed decision..
I've owned both,, an early 03 that was a 'solid' runner (other than 2 rear mains/ I hate oil leaks) one bad starter when new, and 'did' actually have the annoying turbo moan/drone that was corrected later but not a critical mechanical problem, and no real engine/running issues .. My current 05 has had no engine problems at 30K.. I wouldn't have a 'real' problem with an early build, but they do have a history.. If an auto, the 5R110 trans is adequate build unit with a few problems, most for later units for snap ring failure/planet failure/s.. My 03 had the 2-3 MPH rollaway 'clunk' that was a disapointing occurance/sensation for a 38K truck, as well as the 2-3 upshift clunk that are 'both' now concidered a normal operation for this unit.. The 05 has only the 2-3 upshift concern.. Manual trans trucks seem to suffer from clutch/pressure plate holding pressures under load or severe/heavy pulling.. Also somewhat low power on launch/pulling from a start under low turbo spool/speed and boost pressure due to lower engine RPM off start compared to an auto....
Alot of satisfied 03 owners out there, and more than a few not... Goes for most/all of the MY's 6.0's.
I enjoyed the 03 as well as my current 6.0... MY .02.......
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