'06 6.0 eating alternators, cooling woes

[KevinA]

Truck with 45k miles, just dropped it off for alternator #4, it's been replaced twice already in the last year. This one only lasted about 2 months. The dealer keeps fixing it under warranty, but they are slow to get to it. Everytime it goes in, they keep it for a week.

They are also supposed to check for the coolant loss. I keep having to top it off a couple times a week. The EGR cooler was replaced a couple months ago, same time as the last alternator.

I'm getting sick of this POS. When they quit fixing it for free, I'm screwed. 6 trips to the dealer in a year? Ridiculous, I want my Tundra back.

[choctaw]

Originally Posted by KevinA

Truck with 45k miles, just dropped it off for alternator #4, it's been replaced twice already in the last year. This one only lasted about 2 months. The dealer keeps fixing it under warranty, but they are slow to get to it. Everytime it goes in, they keep it for a week.

They are also supposed to check for the coolant loss. I keep having to top it off a couple times a week. The EGR cooler was replaced a couple months ago, same time as the last alternator.

I'm getting sick of this POS. When they quit fixing it for free, I'm screwed. 6 trips to the dealer in a year? Ridiculous, I want my Tundra back.

What's holding you back?

If I were you I would try a different dealer, sounds like there is more to it than just an alternator.

[kinghawg98]

yep...maybe a dead battery in there...maybe a leaking circuit

Sounds like its time for a different dealer obviously the tech working on your truck is not putting any effort into it. Just like the ones that I have gone to in Chucktown.


maybe the scuffster could look at your truck....he works at a dealer too I think? (someone will smack me if i'm wrong.)

[KevinA]

Aren't these alternators a pretty common problem though? I've replaced the one on my '03 F450 a couple times in the past year, and the one on my F550, too- different motor 7.3, but the alternator is mounted in the same spot and appears to be the same.

'scuse my earlier rant, I'm just frustrated with this thing.

[jhaddox]

Originally Posted by kinghawg98

yep...maybe a dead battery in there...maybe a leaking circuit

Sounds like its time for a different dealer obviously the tech working on your truck is not putting any effort into it. Just like the ones that I have gone to in Chucktown.


maybe the scuffster could look at your truck....he works at a dealer too I think? (someone will smack me if i'm wrong.)

scruff isnt a dealer. he owns his own shop and is powerstroke certified.

if your anywhere near winston salem id take the truck to Trucks Unlimited (scuffy)- hes a tech on here and really knows his stuff. it will get fixed right and be taken care of for ya

[KevinA]

I wouldn't mind taking it to somebody else, but the dealer keeps fixing it for free. I'd have to pay an independent shop.

So, nobody else is having alternator issues but me? I'll have them check the batteries out, but they were reading 12V +/-.

[ponyponer]

sorry that you've had so much bad luck with this truck. i never had a problem with the alternator on my 6.0.

[kinghawg98]

you'd have to disconnect both batts entirely to see if one was crappy. dont forget to let it sit for a while (or have it load tested) before testing voltage

Its just a thought, no idea if it is right.

[KevinA]

Originally Posted by kinghawg98

yep...maybe a dead battery in there...maybe a leaking circuit

ding ding. We have a winner. The dealer just called, said one of the batteries has a bad cell. As for the coolant loss, they said it was just the reservoir and cap.

[kinghawg98]

Yaay! Do I get a prize?
haha