troutwest66
6.0- The Dark Side!
Had the coolant flushed and replaced Thursday. The shop I go to has had good results with Zerex G-05. One more thing down. Next will be the gear lube in the axles.
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In the past month, I ended up dropping some major cash into my 6.0l. Started with fuel in the coolant from a cracked injector bore on the driver's side head and went downhill from there. Seems there is a somewhat common spot in the head castings just above the injector cups that cracks and provides a path for fuel to get into the coolant passages. Typically happens on the two center cylinders on either head where it is weakest. The shop I worked with pulled and inspected the passenger side head (dye penetrant) also and found cracks in the valve seats so now I'm in for two new (reman) heads. Then, the oil cooler, thermostat, etc. that I just replaced a year and a half ago needed replaced again because they were completely gunked up with the fuel/coolant sludge. I figured while we are that deep I might as well do the ARP studs so I'd have some more confidence if I kept it and maybe better resale if I sold it. So this along with all the gaskets, seals, multiple flushes, etc. it takes to go this far added up to an obscene amount. I've always tried to do all the work on my trucks myself but I wasn't up to dealing with the heads at this point. If I could have gotten a decent price with it in this condition I would have sold it right then. On a more positive note I did find that the HPOP STC fitting had been replaced before I bought the truck at 80K so one less thing on the upgrade list to worry about.
Now I'm afraid to hook my 5er to it for fear the next big thing will eat my lunch. Now I understand better why people buy new vehicles with warranty on them and sell them when it expires! Actually started looking at 2015/2016 trucks a few weeks ago but finally decided I really didn't want the payments that go along with them right now and most of the known issues on this engine have now been addressed. Going to put it to the test this next week pulling some big passes with the toy hauler. Wish me luck!