Too Good To Be True

[dieselgman]

Is there such a thing? Probably.......this one seemed too much like a dream on a test drive, and now I'm uncovering potential gaps in maintenance schedule.

The Good
2004 Excursion - 105K.
EOT/ECT = high 180s, with a delta of <=5 degrees (via Edge Insight CS)
FICM replaced (and @ 48.5v)
EGR valve replaced
No blow by
No white smoke
About 10 seconds of light smoking on startup (after having sat for a week without running)

Aside from some clear coat cracks on the hood, this thing is in extremely good shape. Never been chipped. Primary use was highway/interstate for towing a fishing boat.

OASIS has zero entries, though I'm double checking w/guys here as I think the technician may have read it incorrectly.

Carfax = no erroneous entries.

The bad
The dealership where the owner claims to have had all maintenance done only has 6 records dating back to 2005, which nets out to one fluid change/year. The owner kept many of his receipts, but unsure about the regular maintenance.

I don't want to play the "if it hadn't been serviced there would be more problems with it" game, but it's a great price ($17K) and in immaculate condition. Thoughts? Thanks!

[SierraStroker]

Sounds like a good deal, don't be afraid of that. People are hungry with the current economy and the first thing to go are always the toys. Just do your homework.

[Six0~Stroker]

And it does look like you did your homework
One last thing I would check is give it a HARD WOT run and after the run, check the degas bottle for any puking... If it is a healthy motor, it will have no problems doing so.
If the HG are in any way compomised, it will puke!
Good luck, and jump on it

[dieselgman]

Originally Posted by Six0~Stroker

And it does look like you did your homework
One last thing I would check is give it a HARD WOT run and after the run, check the degas bottle for any puking... If it is a healthy motor, it will have no problems doing so.
If the HG are in any way compomised, it will puke!
Good luck, and jump on it

The price is definitely right, and the thing is in immaculate condition save the clearcoat cracking on the hood. That wouldn't be from excess operating temps, would it?

I didn't do a WOT run, but did bring it up > 3K rpm w/turbo @ 14PSI (didn't know boost pressure fed to Edge w/o pyro). No degas puking on prelim enging check and no degas puking after bringing it up to OT. After bringing it up to OT the radiator hose didn't feel abnormally stiff. Did notice the coolant level was below the min line on degas, though. Wasn't there a TSB that changed the acceptable coolant level so that the "min" marking on degas was the new "max" level? Thought I read that on a 6.0 forum here.

[Six0~Stroker]

The clear coat, just from sitting in the sun nothing to "orry" bout... just visual.

Before you make that final decision/purchase, give it a full thorttle run

And you are correct, the min line is teh new MAX line... it can be a bit lower, thats fine

[dieselgman]

Originally Posted by Six0~Stroker

The clear coat, just from sitting in the sun nothing to "orry" bout... just visual.

Before you make that final decision/purchase, give it a full thorttle run

And you are correct, the min line is teh new MAX line... it can be a bit lower, thats fine

Ever hear of someone conducting WOT HG eval and actually causing a HG failure? Now there's an awkward situation......

[Six0~Stroker]

Lol

No, I run my 03 business truck (completely stock) full throttle once a week...
If it is a good motor, there is nothing to worry bout.

[dieselgman]

Good news - found some more valid maintenance records, so my comfort level has greatly increased. Picking it up at 9AM tomorrow! (and yes, I'll do the WOT test )

Now the first question is.....what's the first mod?? Leaning the direction of coolant bypass since the EOT and ECT deltas are good. No reason not to try and stretch the stock EGR and Oil coolers a little longer, eh? After that........switch to Cat coolant? So much to do!

[Six0~Stroker]

I assume you have gauges right?

First thing after that would be coolant filter yes!

The I would look into an EGR delete/BPD egr cooler. (this might very well prevent all future HG problems..)

Exhaust and a tuner would be next

[dieselgman]

Originally Posted by Six0~Stroker

I assume you have gauges right?

First thing after that would be coolant filter yes!

The I would look into an EGR delete/BPD egr cooler. (this might very well prevent all future HG problems..)

Exhaust and a tuner would be next

Already have the 2012 Edge Insight CS.
Coolant filter and likely switch to Cat coolant + full synthetics.

on the BPD cooler.