Neglected 6leaker.....

Cruiseomatic

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With everything I have going on with the '87 now that I have time and cash, I got to thinking about my 6 liter. My father bought it brand new off the lot in '04 so I know all of its history. He has the "old school" mentality I guess and only does oil and tire changes for PM.

Now, He never put off oil changes. Every 5K it was done. He hardly ever drove it and when I bought it thinking I would need it, Deal fell through and the business was never started so it just sits now. My question is, other than oil and one change of tires, This thing is as stock as you can get for its age. I heard the Ford gold coolant "solidifies" after a while. Is this true? If so, given how tight the oil cooler passages are, how can that junk be flushed out?

I got a quote from the local ford garage for a total PM and even though I told the ******* shes 2WD he included 4WD services, I got a quote of $1600. And that is supposed to include EVERYTHING under the sun.

I asked how much for just oil, coolant, trans, and brakes. He said $600-ish. I didn't even ask about fuel system....

She only has 38K original highway miles.... Does 6 bills sound right? The only other shop I trust to do work I either can't or don't have time refuses to touch the 6.0....
And I only "trust" the ford garage is because I used to work there so all the managers know me and I can go into the shop and watch them kids do the work and make sure its done and done right. I'm already on to the BS they try and they know I'm not one to "up-sell" their crap to.

And the last time I drove her, something has come loose in the undercarriage and now when a bump is hit, something is rattling hard enough to feel it in the floorboards and hear it. And it doesn't matter, front or back, its there. Tried it on a speed bump. It WAS tight and not now.... Either way, I'm going to be out about a grand on this truck with wrecker bill, repair and PM. Even though I have a friend who owns a wrecker, he swears his wheel lift unit can't handle this truck. So......

In closing, does the coolant get solid chunks after a while and what could the rattle issue be? Its front or back it happens....I haven't looked yet. To low to the ground in front to crawl under.
 
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79jasper

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You can do the flush yourself. Use the ford vc9 stuff.
Coolant type seems up and down. Some prefer the gold, some cat elc, some fleet charge, some green, etc.
But we do have a couple 6.0 owners.We'll see what they say.
Probably be a good idea to just replace the oil cooler.

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Cruiseomatic

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I was thinking just keeping "ford branded" coolant in until I find who the supplier is or something proven better. Just like how Motorcraft oil is really Mobile just different name. Main reason is, Same with filters. Aftermarket has a reputation for **** poor quality while looking great and sounding great while doing it.
 
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DaveBen

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I have been using Ford Coolant in my 6.0. No problems yet. I have the coolant flushed about every 60,000 miles and replaced with Ford Gold. I have not heard of "solid" bits falling out of the coolant. If you are going to keep but not use it, take it out for a drive every week and get her up to operating temperatures.
 

Dsl_Dog_Treat

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I'd honestly just change the fluids and filters yourself. Much cheaper. Install a coolant filter and grab a scan tool setup to monitor ECT and EOT's. If they're within their <15 degree deltas, let er rip taterchip and enjoy.
Most oil cooler failures I see start happening around the 100k mark due to the block casting materials clogging up the passages on the coolers. That will start off setting the deltas at that point. The only other issue of age I'd be concerned with it that worthless fabric HPOP sump screen. The replacement oil coolers come with the updated mesh screens that will protect the IPR valve and keep crud out of the HP oil system.
As far as the clunk goes, could be something as simple as a rotted off sway bar end link bushing, but would definitely address it.
 
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lotzagoodstuff

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Before you do anything, go do some reading on the 6 liter temperature delta that Ron is referring to. If the deltas are high, regardless of mileage/time/coolant type, you are in for some pretty invasive maintenance. There's no flush that fixes a plugged 6 liter oil cooler. If the delta comes back low, do the fluid changes and as Ron stated: let her rip.

Good luck to you
 

Cruiseomatic

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Will do. Honestly, Buying all those gauges and whatnot, Changing screens and everything seems a bit much for it right now. Not saying those aren't good ideas just can't see justifying the money for a truck driven 100 miles a year right now.

If the cooler is plugged, Thats an automatic R&R. Hopefully not if the right tech is on it like the one who used to be on youtube, Ron. He knew his ****. The other one, "powerstroke specialties", Its a mix of sales tacts and trying to provide useful information. Or so I've gotten. This truck does have sentimental value and it wouldn't bother me if it sat the rest of my life. As long as I had it. Just like the '89 also in my sig.

Late on, when both the older trucks are done, I'll look into the sct and others.
 

Dsl_Dog_Treat

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Blue tooth OBD2 adapter and the torque pro app for your smart phone are cheap.
Always good to have someone who knows the 6.0l working on it. Makes night and day difference. Seen plenty of hack jobs over the years by people who've attempted to work on them. But of your local dealer has a good diesel tech, then you should be ok if you chose that route.;Sweet
 
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Cruiseomatic

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Had a chance to crawl under her last night. Sway bar bushings are gone. Steering joints are leaking and the linkage can be moved by hand. That was just a quick look. Also seen the trans pan is wet. Screw it. Let it sit and fall apart. Exhaust is rusted, Engine componets are rusted, chassis is starting too. After 30 minutes of idling, Barely moves off C on temp gauge, Can't believe it. $40K truck with less than 39K miles looks like it has 100K....Cheap POS.
 

Dsl_Dog_Treat

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Letting any vehicle sit for a long period time without proper prep or maintenance will degrade in time. Too bad that's happening to such a low mileage truck with lots of life left. If I had the opportunity to do so, I'd be all over getting that one brought back to life and enjoy it.
 

Cruiseomatic

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Lets say I wanted to "bring it back to life", What would I need to do given what I said is wrong with it? I just can't believe its in this shape when its not even driven much or hard.
 

SebastIDIan

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Most if not all the service she'll need can be done on your driveway. Fluids and filters are extremely easy on the six o. I replace fluids bumper to bumper on every new (to me) vehicle I buy.
Get all synthetics and make sure the filters are either motorcraft or international. The knockoff brands have slight differences to them that cause improper filtration and bypassing.

I like rotella t6 and have had good luck with it.
Don't be afraid to get your hands on & get know her.
Drive it like you stole it and that 6er should stay happy.
 
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