2004 6.0: Besides what I’ve done, how can u tell whether or not this is a good engine

[Big Bend Brian]

under these circumstances. I’ve done three different vehicle report searches for an Excursion I’m looking at. This 6.0 diesel has less than 23,000 miles and the Oasis report shows no claims as does a CarFax and an AutoCheck report. It seems like there are either problematic and non-problematic 2004 6.0’s and it almost seems your either lucky or not.

The engine manufactured date is 3/31/2004 and the vehicle manufacture date is 4/16/2004. I’m not sure what else I can do besides ordering an independent inspection from a diesel mechanic. The X is already at a Ford Dealership and has gone through their inspections & checkup prior to hitting their lot. I’ve asked for the previous owner contact information but they won’t let me have that info and the vehicle is over 1000 miles away so doing a road test is out for me.

From threads on this site (outstanding site I’d add!) I’ve learned that I should be concerned if the vehicle sat for extended times (that is for the 6.0 diesel)-unfortunately I’ll never get that information. As a safety consideration, for $3,995, I can get a Ford ExtraCare extended warranty for another 4 years/48,000. In my research on this website it seems it’s recommend getting an extended service plan for the 6.0.

I tend to keep vehicles for a long time (10 yrs) and am wondering if I should focus on finding a 2005 6.0 to avoid fewer 6.0 problems. Will be used for running kids around, trips pulling a 7,000 lb boat, not planning any high tech mods for increased performance. Not sure what else I can do to figure out if this will be a non problematic engine. Any suggestions?

Brian

[lightninmike]

In the latest Diesel Power mag that i got it seems in their break down that the 04's actually have the least amount of problems. I have an 04 and i have not one issue. But ask Ford for an oasis report. They should just give it to you. It will tell you everything that has been done by the dealer

[20046.0stroker]

Diesel extended care is only available to vehicles which have less than 100k and were first sold less than 5 years earlier. If you were told $4000 for diesel extended care forget it. Contact 5 star ford in Texas they will sell esp for around $1500 which covers 15 components in and on engine only no transmission.

[hpprose]

both above mentioned ideas are good. Just make sure that the extended warranty giving you another 3 to 5 years and not just extending the warranty to 100k and 5 years old.

But the Oasis report will tell you how often the truck was in for warranty. If you only see a couple things, it is a good truck. If it is in all the time, stay away.