Advice needed on the head gaskets for my 06

[Dan"gerous"]

I decided to run the vin# of the 04 F-350 6.0 I just purchased at my dealer. The report came back showing 4 visits to the original dealer over its 80,000 miles. Simple little things, nothing major. I asked them about the head gasket issue and if chances were good or bad that I might have it. They said to keep an eye on the coolant tank for white residue. I told them that there was some on mine and I had wiped it off only to find it again the next time I popped open the hood. At that point I felt a chill go up and down my spine when they said it was a 24+ hour job to repair. Not to worry he said, I still have 16,000 miles left of warranty and we setup a time Monday to take her in.

Here's where I need your advice; While they are in there is there anything else I should have them address even if it's at my cost?
I've read where some say to get these super Head bolts. I asked the dealer about that and they said the new kit they install has improved bolts.

[stump0331]

apr head "studs" is what you need to have put it

[Dan"gerous"]

Originally Posted by stump0331

apr head "studs" is what you need to have put it

How do they differ from the one's ford would use?

[stump0331]

i dont know the specs on them but i ,do know they are less likely to stretch than stock ones,

and the white stuff on the tank doesnt garuntee headstud issues either , it could be a mis diagnosis

[Dan"gerous"]

Originally Posted by stump0331

and the white stuff on the tank doesnt garuntee headstud issues either , it could be a mis diagnosis

I understand but hope it is coolant. Like I said, I wiped it off and it re-appeared. Looks just like water spots if you don't dry off your rig.

[stump0331]

oh i know all about it, its all over my engine compartment, all over my hood, batteries, everywhere and still runs like an ox

[Patrick]

It could be just the engine cooler plugged up.

[Stressed11]

Get APR head studs and make them install them. I had 7K worth of work including new heads/gaskets/and "Improved bolts". It did no good at all. I finally got rid of my 6.0 and got a 7.3.

[shu873]

Yeah, for less than $500 out of your pocket you can't NOT have them install the studs! A stud works much differently than a bolt, its threaded at both ends. One screws in to the block hand tight and the other takes a nut on the top end. Clamping pressure is MUCH greater than with using the factory bolts. If they do the job, you buy them and give them to the diesel tech working on your truck. It should make no difference to him labor wise installing either.

[barry1me]

Originally Posted by Dan"gerous"

I decided to run the vin# of the 04 F-350 6.0 I just purchased at my dealer. The report came back showing 4 visits to the original dealer over its 80,000 miles. Simple little things, nothing major. I asked them about the head gasket issue and if chances were good or bad that I might have it. They said to keep an eye on the coolant tank for white residue. I told them that there was some on mine and I had wiped it off only to find it again the next time I popped open the hood. At that point I felt a chill go up and down my spine when they said it was a 24+ hour job to repair. Not to worry he said, I still have 16,000 miles left of warranty and we setup a time Monday to take her in.

Here's where I need your advice; While they are in there is there anything else I should have them address even if it's at my cost?
I've read where some say to get these super Head bolts. I asked the dealer about that and they said the new kit they install has improved bolts.

I guess I see the glass half empty, but thats my view of the 6.0L. If you got a good deal on the truck I would sell it, if you dont think you can get out for what you paid for it, then get it fixed and sell it before the warranty is out. I may sound like debbie downer but realisticly Im scared to keep my truck outside of warranty. But maybe thats cuz I work with ford on a daily basis and they recogonise this engine is a POS.