Worried buyer

[zip04]

After selling my last truck to purchase a motorcycle, I finally got around to purchasing a truck again. I have always loved Ford trucks and come from a family that has always driven Ford trucks. Well, when I went to the dealership to trade my wifes SUV in for a new Eddie Bauer Edition Explorer, I noticed that they had an `04 F250 Club Cab with 4x4 and the 6.0L PowerStroke V8 Diesel engine. I have wanted a diesel for a few years now and like the price that they came down to on it so I pulled the trigger prior to doing any research on that particular engine model. The excited has started shifting to concern after seeing all of the doom and gloom regarding this engine. I have seen the bulletproofing website, etc. but do not have the $1-3k extra to replace the head gasket, head bolts, EGR, etc, etc.

The truck has just over 96k miles on it, runs great, and the heaviest item that I will be towing for the next few years will be my motorcycle (cruiser) in the bed of the truck and my wifes explorer on a trailer when we move from duty station to duty station. In a few years, I plan to get a horse trailer and a couple of horses.

I am not a mechanic, but am a smart guy and will do more research. Can you enlighten me on some things that I should look for/do immediately and any cheap upgrades that I should have done immediately (i.e. banjo bolts)? I am compiling a list and do plan to upgrade the EGR and head gasket/bolts over the next year or two, but need to start small.

Additionally, I did purchase the 2 year 24k mile extended warranty when I purchased the truck and it does feel great to be back in a Ford Truck.

[VTski4x4]

Oil Change/filter change
Change fuel filters
Drain the ford gold crap coolant and replace with a good silica free ELC coolant
Coolant filter mod

[dhanna6powerstroke]

The 1st thing to do is flush the cooling system and get that Gold Ford coolant out. Refill it with a good ELC EC-1 rated coolant and add a coolant filter system. Doing this will greatly improve the chances of not having EGR cooler, oil cooler and head gasket failures. www.dieselsite.com

The reason for flushing out Gold coolant
Replaced oil cooler still difference in temps

[zip04]

Is there a fuel filter you recommend? I usually switch to Amsoil but I'm not sure if they have anything for diesel (I can go to their website and find that out).

[dhanna6powerstroke]

Originally Posted by zip04

Is there a fuel filter you recommend? I usually switch to Amsoil but I'm not sure if they have anything for diesel (I can go to their website and find that out).

Only use MotorCraft filters. Your truck will Thank You

[zip04]

Originally Posted by dhanna6powerstroke

Only use MotorCraft filters. Your truck will Thank You

Thanks, that is actually the same filter that the dealership told me to use and they just did an oil change on it. I will have to look and verify that they used that filter when they did it.

[zip04]

NM - I was not paying attention and didn't realize that I was talking about oil filters (i.e. Amsoil) and you were talking fuel filters. I will replace the fuel filter.

[dhanna6powerstroke]

Originally Posted by zip04

NM - I was not paying attention and didn't realize that I was talking about oil filters (i.e. Amsoil) and you were talking fuel filters. I will replace the fuel filter.

MotorCraft for all

[zip04]

Roger, thanks.

[zip04]

If I post my VIN, can someone run an OASIS report for me? I don't care to pay for another forum so that I can run one report. Thanks.