03 Excursion

[rcarp25]

I'm looking at an 03 Excursion with 155xxx miles. I have a 7.3 but what should I be concerned with the 6.0. Thanks in advance

 

[79jasper]

Not a lot, realistically.
You posted this in the 6.0 section.
If you can, try to have them let it set a couple days or at least overnight without starting.
Also restarting after up to temp and siting for 30 minutes or so.
Once warm, take the oil cap off and flip it upside down on the spout. See if it blows off or rattles off.
Maybe look at/smell the trans fluid.

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[rcarp25]

Ok I was saying I already have a 7.3 but it has a 6.0

 

[79jasper]

Ah, gotcha. Lol
Look at the degas bottle for signs of oil.
See if the egr and cooler are deleted.
See if its studded.
Tuned?
Air filter? If it's a k&n, that's not good.
Definitely see how it starts from cold and hot.

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[rcarp25]

Ok the guy at the dealer just wrote me back and said it was all stock except for the exhaust and rims

 

[F350camper]

Not 6.0 specific, but look really close for rust on the inner rockers where the running board brackets mount.

Also, its fairly easy to lift up the door weatherstripping in the rear lower corners of the rear side door openings and check for rust. Neither is a deal breaking IMHO, but if its there, you would want to know, and how bad.

 

[rcarp25]

Thanks for that tip

 

[bismic1]

In addition to comments above .....

Get a scan tool so you can look at certain engine parameters and pull codes (if any)

i-phone, download Forscan Lite, buy a $35 BAFX ELM327 wifi adapter
or
Android, download Torque Pro, buy a $35 BAFX bluetooth adapter

The Torque APP is OK at pulling PCM codes, but the Forscan App will pull any codes from ALL of the modules. It does a GREAT job.

Once you have one of these scan tools, you can look at the cranking pressures in the high pressure oil system (ICP psi), the coolant and oil temps, and the FICM (Fuel Injection Control Module) voltages.

Starting it cold is very important as mentioned above. Watch the ICP pressure and the IPR % duty cycle when cranking. Also, watch FICM MPower, LPower, and VPower.

Drive it until it gets fully up to temperature and watch what the oil and coolant temps do. Coolant should settle in around 190-194. The oil should NEVER get more than 10 degrees hotter than the coolant. If it does, you have an oil cooler that is plugging up. This is the most common thing to find when looking at used 6.0L's.

After fully checking out the performance when fully warmed up. Shut it down and check out how it starts with a hot engine. Watch the same ICP and IPR numbers when cranking.

Try to find out what coolant it has in it, what the oil is in it, and what the oil ad filter change frequency has been. Also ask about the transmission fluid change frequency and how often the transmission external filter was changed (book calls for a 30k interval). Also ask how frequently the fuel filters were changed and what filters were used.

OEM filters are the best. Some aftermarket filters (fuel and oil both) can slowly cause problems.

 

[greenskeeper]

set aside a couple thousand for when things break if you buy it. Seriously. I tried to persuade my BIL to buy a 7.3 but he went with the 6.0 and has put money in it year after year. Might finally have it to where he can drive it a fair amount before another repair.

 

[hoodshauler]

If it is completely stock that could be a good thing as long as it has been maintained properly. Leaving it stock really helps with longevity.


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[snicklas]

set aside a couple thousand for when things break if you buy it. Seriously. I tried to persuade my BIL to buy a 7.3 but he went with the 6.0 and has put money in it year after year. Might finally have it to where he can drive it a fair amount before another repair.

They are not all like that. My 03 6.0 Excursion has been the most reliable vehicle I have owned. Routine maintenance with good oil and Motorcraft Filters are EXTREMELY important. I've only had a few minor repairs. I had a set of batteries go bad and take out an alternator and the FICM and a water pump. I'm at 175,000 miles and just now having my first issue with an injector. My other vehicles have needed more repair than my 6.0.

 

[snicklas]

If it is completely stock that could be a good thing as long as it has been maintained properly. Leaving it stock really helps with longevity.


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Yes, keeping them stock helps greatly. If your not in an inspection/smog area, if it hasn't been done, and EGR Delete is one of the better things you can do for a 6.0. The EGR Cooler puts a ton of heat in the cooling system, even just in normal driving.

 

[DaveBen]

I am with Scott on the 6.0. My 2004 6.0 has 135,000 or so miles and the only thing I have had to do to the truck is replace the FICM at 96,000 miles. I do the regular maintenance like clockwork and I am completely stock. This truck has been one of the most reliable vehicles I have owned, and I have owned a few...

 

[greenskeeper]

They are not all like that. My 03 6.0 Excursion has been the most reliable vehicle I have owned. Routine maintenance with good oil and Motorcraft Filters are EXTREMELY important. I've only had a few minor repairs. I had a set of batteries go bad and take out an alternator and the FICM and a water pump. I'm at 175,000 miles and just now having my first issue with an injector. My other vehicles have needed more repair than my 6.0.

I am with Scott on the 6.0. My 2004 6.0 has 135,000 or so miles and the only thing I have had to do to the truck is replace the FICM at 96,000 miles. I do the regular maintenance like clockwork and I am completely stock. This truck has been one of the most reliable vehicles I have owned, and I have owned a few...

Of course there are some that haven't had any problems, but that is the minority. It's been documented.

The plus side of buying a 6.0 is that it's such and old platform now that chances are the issues have already been addressed by the previous owner.

 

[bismic1]

Of course there are some that haven't had any problems, but that is the minority. It's been documented.

The plus side of buying a 6.0 is that it's such and old platform now that chances are the issues have already been addressed by the previous owner.

Since it has been documented, please post links to where that documentation exists. I would love to see numbers and statistics.

No doubt that there are specific weaknesses in various components (as is the case with every vehicle). My 97 OBS powerstroke is touted as being a very reliable engine and truck. I feel that it is, but individual issues w/ the CPS, valve cover pass-through wires, transmission, etc are well documented, and I have experienced all of them. Bottom line - all makes and models have components that are issues.

The 6.0L may very well have more of these issues than most makes and models, but proving it is a tall order .............

btw - my truck has been the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned (currently at 200k miles). I did proactively address the dummy plugs, STC fitting, the fuel pressure regulator spring, and the coolant. None of these required a significant expenditure.