I think the injector can quickly go sour, and if its hung open, maybe even ruin a cylinder, so best to address soon. A good bulletproofing may be around $5k, which is half price of a short block, so that's a decision you make. Not many of these trucks have 260k. Also, not many rebuild the engine but will send for a long or short block and turn their engine in for a core.

There is nothing new manufacture on the market like an excursion now, so you will not be in a SUV and tow 10k if you replace it with a new vehicle.

For about $210 a year I get AAA towing, which includes a separate tow for the trailer if I break down with 100 miles on each vehicle. Depending on where you go, you may want to think of something like that if Bulletproofing or a short block is not an option.

I think you are doing a lot of towing now.

 

Took my 2006 to 289k modded and deleted when I sold it. No issues.

 

I second the AAA membership. A must for 6.0 owners! ROFLMAO!! Seriously though, I'd get that injector fixed up and just start saving up some dough. Something will probably come up. It's not that bad if you're prepared.

k

 

Hopefully you have switched to a diesel rated ELC coolant already.

Also, hopefully you have upgraded the STC fitting, the EGR cooler, the standpipes and the dummy plugs.

After that, install a sensor and gauge and monitor fuel pressure. It is VERY important to keeping the injectors working. So is good fuel, OEM fuel filters, good oil, OEM oil filters, and a proper oil change interval.

Keep your alternator and batteries healthy so your FICM doesn't fail. I had mine upgraded proactively AND watch system voltages. Had a FICM fail early on at around 50k miles, haven't had one since upgrading the FICM and alternator and being better at maintaining batteries.

Do all that and clean your turbo at first sign of it sticking and you should be pretty darn reliable.

That said, at some point the injectors will need to be replaced. That is $1700 in parts alone. It is just part of owning a high mileage diesel. I am at 205k and have the original injectors. Hopefully will make it to 300k.

 

I’m at 268k, I just replaced my injectors with 155’s and added a regulated return. I had the same sticking as you, but at idle. If you’re going to do injectors, might as well do studs too, it’s not much more money if you have access to a lift, plus it gives you an opportunity to look over things and replace things that are easy to get to. Rebuilds will run you 800 or so for stock size, depending who you get them from.

 

Thanks for the info

Have had AAA for years. Don't think it's a requirement for 6.0 drivers. I was marine diesel mechanic in a former life, I think the 6.0 is as reliable as any engine I have owned. Correct me if I'm wrong but if you leave it stock and do the basic maintenance on it, it will last. You start tweaking on it and bad things will happen, I don't think that is specific to 6.0 engines.

Am seriously thinking about doing all of the injectors(It's been over 130k since I had Ford change 2 injectors) and pondering " bullet proofing " and EGR deleting the engine. My thought is that I can use the bullet proof on a new block when this one finally goes.

 

I answered my own question. The answer is 258,685.5 miles before failure. TO be fair it was a failure of the fuel system, the 6.0 is still working. The suction pipe rotted out and the system started sucking air when it got below 3/8s. I just assumed that the fuel gauge was reading high.

The truck was going great at 70 mph and all of a sudden it could not go over 40 with the foot all the way to the floor. I jumped over 4 lanes of Norfolk rush hour traffic and was trying to gracefully exit the highway. I was forced to resort to driving with 2 feet to keep it running. Strangely it died at the exit for the Ford dealer. Depending on your view of Ford dealers it was lucky or not. Unfortunately the Prius in front of me chose not to run the yellow light, after an emergency stop the truck stalled 3 lights from the dealer. So I blocked the road for 10 minutes before I got it barely running and limped it into the service department.

Total damage was fuel piping, fuel pump, fuel sender, 2 injectors, fuel press regulator, filters, ect, ect ect So all the money saved for bulletproofing is gone. New plan, keep stock and keep it on the road.

 

That's a pain, switching one lane on 64/264 with a working truck at rush hour is hard enough. Glad I don't make that drive anymore. If the dealership doesn't pan out powerstroke performance and a few other diesel shops are near you also.

 

I have good sam truck trailer rv towing. used it on my 1995 7.3 4 times.

 

Here is the moral of the story kids, if you own a 14 year old truck remember it needs preventive maintenance.

If you plan to "floor" it on the interstate you should make sure the documented issues with the truck are resolved, like the 1/4 tank issue.

 

Thanks for the offer but I went ahead and had the dealer fix it.

 

This truck is a member of the family and as such I will defend her honor. She’s an old girl but dependable.

My truck is well maintained, that being said I did not see anything in the fuel filters when they were changed in July. How exactly would preventative maintenance find a hole in the suction pipe inside of the tank? It was unrealistic for me to park it until everything was perfect, I have to get to work. Until the big breakdown it had never failed me and would only run rough momentarily and then be fine.

70 is the minimum speed to keep from getting run over in VA Beach morning traffic. It's only 2000 RPM for me not "flooring it" even when it was having issues (when I started the post). Now it has more power than ever and is getting 22 mpg even when "flooring it" at 70 mph.

Anyone else had a problem with condition of the fuel suction pipe?

 

you are in a safe space here.... Certainly defend away, but she is an old girl. Like I said luckily ALL of the 6.0 issues are well documented.

As for the "anyone else had a problem" only 382 thousand results: https://www.google.com/search?q=6.0...2US772&oq=6.0+pick+up+&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l5.4889j1j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

 

you are in a safe space here.... Certainly defend away, but she is an old girl. Like I said luckily ALL of the 6.0 issues are well documented.

“The old (to be safe insert color here) mare just ain’t what she used to be”
Little Debbie