Ford 6.0L PowerStroke Diesel Top 5 Issues | Should YOU BUY This Engine??

I Discuss the infamous Ford 6.0L Powerstroke Diesel Engine as a diesel mechanic and talk about the top 5 issues and problems this 6L Powerstroke diesel engine faces and how to potentially avoid them like head gasket failures, EGR cooler problems, Engine Oil Cooler problems are much more.


What I Use:
7.3L POWERSTROKE
Engine Oil - https://amzn.to/3ZLIWBD
Engine Oil Filter - https://amzn.to/4gHTwRb
Fuel Filter - https://amzn.to/3VPim9H
Gear Oil - https://amzn.to/3DAdWx1
Grease - https://amzn.to/3BpoHBW

6.4L HEMI
Engine Oil - https://amzn.to/4aEbtNE
Engine Oil Filter - https://amzn.to/3J1nDUM
Engine Air Filter - https://amzn.to/3JMmMVV
Cabin Air Filter - https://amzn.to/3JMZAHh
Gear Oil - https://amzn.to/3PoIcxa
Penetrating fluid - https://amzn.to/3EOclkx
Rust protection - https://amzn.to/3Zo0Rh6

Towing Gear:
10 ton Pintle hitch (2.5" receiver) - https://amzn.to/3r7Axvm
7 Ton Adjustable hitch (2" receiver) - https://amzn.to/46i2iAf
Adjustable Pintle hitch mount (2.5" receiver) - https://amzn.to/3RqHGS3
15 Ton Pintle hitch - https://amzn.to/45SaCqv
10,000lbs Tie Down Straps - https://amzn.to/3ZBnxeh


the 6L powerstroke replaced the legendary 7.3L powerstroke engine in mid 2003 for really one reason only and that is emissions. the EPA now requires a large reduction in nox gases and manuafacturers were forced in implement EGR systems which the 7.3L powerstroke was just not meant for.

so international/navistar and ford teamed up once again the make another engine platform the 6L engine. This engine was a large upgrade in terms of power but as we'll find out it was no where near as reliable as the 7.3L powerstroke.

the biggest issue in my opinion is the oil coolers getting clogged and this resulted in high oil temps causing a ton of issues. this is largely because of the poor design for this oil cooler.

the next big issues these engines faced were EGR problems including the EGR cooler and the EGR valve. both of which could become clogged with soot. the EGR cooler was also prone to cracking and causing loss of coolant and pressurizing the cooling system.

Next and most talked about is the head gasket failures on this engine. ford went from a 6 bolts head design to only 4 with the 6L engine and this is why some folks think the headgaskets are a big weakness of this engine.

the VGT turbo is another weak point, the veins are prone to getting full of soot and getting stuck or breaking off, causing a complete turbo failure.

lastly is the High pressure oil pump these engine use to maximize fuel pressure. any debris in the engine oil can cause damage and potentially cause the pump to fail.


00:00 - 6.0 Cold Start
01:13 - Ford Ditching the reliable 7.3L
02:25 - Engine Oil Cooler Problems
04:34 - EGR Cooler Problems
06:17 - EGR Valve Issues
08:06 - HEAD GASKET FAILURES
10:00 - Fuel Injection Control Module (FICM) Failures
10:35 - VGT Turbo Issues
11:28 - High Pressure Oil Pump (HPOP) Issues
13:53 - Steps To PREVENT Problems