FordExcursions.com Forums
Mark Ferguson
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• Lafayette, CO, USA |
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• Registered on 11/6/2003 |
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• 2 posts |
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 Posted:11/6/2003 16:27 |
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Hi,
I'm new to the forum and have read just about everything here trying to figure out if I should buy a 6.0 X for my family. I've driven an new 03 Eddie Bauer edition and really liked it but have a couple of questions that I hope you can answer for me (many thanks in advance):
+ Other than driving conservatively are there any modifications I can do to maximize gas mileage? Most of the use will be solo (no towing) and a mix of highway/city mileage. Given this is it possible to increase gas mileage through a larger diameter tire, chipping, air intake, exhaust, etc.? I realize that it all is dependent on how aggressively I drive it but I'm just trying to get an idea of what others have found to improve their mileage. (My goal is to find a gas mileage equivalent to my other option...a minivan...yikes  )
+ For those of you living in cold climates....any problems or special procedures to follow when you don't have the ability to use the engine block heater for a day or two?
+ Since I haven't owned a diesel before any special self-maintenance items to keep in mind? One of the things I've heard of is bleeding the water separator filter when the light comes on. How difficult is this procedure? If it comes on I'd like to make sure my wife can handle it as well if she is using it.
Thanks again for any information you can provide.
Best regards,
Mark |
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JohnBoy
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• DFW, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 9/3/2002 |
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• 972 posts |
• 2 Vehicles
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Posted:11/6/2003 18:19 |
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Hi Mark !
Let me intersperse my $.00002 worth of knowledge 
| Quote: | Hi,
+ Other than driving conservatively are there any modifications I can do to maximize gas mileage? Most of the use will be solo (no towing) and a mix of highway/city mileage. Given this is it possible to increase gas mileage through a larger diameter tire, chipping, air intake, exhaust, etc.? I realize that it all is dependent on how aggressively I drive it but I'm just trying to get an idea of what others have found to improve their mileage. (My goal is to find a gas mileage equivalent to my other option...a minivan...yikes )
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Actually, both my diesel Ex's - an '02 7.3L 4x2 and the current '03 6.0L 4x4 - do all right compard to ANY other vehicles other than the gas-mileafge-at-all-cost vehicles....
The '02 was supershiped (Microtuner) and the '03 is bone stock...
The '02 would get 16 city and 22 hwy with the Microtuner and a moderate right foot...
the '03 gets a lot less because I enjoy the extra power too much...about 17 around the DFWi area if I'm not BLASTING around in a hurry emjoying the pwoer... and on a recent 1000 mile round trip I got 16 and 17 - but I was going VERY fast both ways!
My wifes '02 Lincoln LS gets about 19 or 20 mpg around town - Which is mostly interstate from and to work....
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+ For those of you living in cold climates....any problems or special procedures to follow when you don't have the ability to use the engine block heater for a day or two?
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I've gone thru two winters (low's about 10 degrees) and never used the heater and never had a problem with starting - it has two LARGE batteries ! And the remote starter is GREAT for warmup in the winter and cool down in the summer!!!
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+ Since I haven't owned a diesel before any special self-maintenance items to keep in mind? One of the things I've heard of is bleeding the water separator filter when the light comes on. How difficult is this procedure? If it comes on I'd like to make sure my wife can handle it as well if she is using it.
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Never had to drain the water in fuel - this is more of a function of going to places that 'turn over' ther diesel rather than places that don't sell a lot and the diesel is 'old'....
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Thanks again for any information you can provide.
Best regards,
Mark |
You won't be dissappointed in the Ex - it is the BEST travelling vehilce I've ever been in !
2005 6.0L 4x4 Eddie Bauer Ex
2003 6.0L 4x4 Limited Ex - traded in (BooHoo )
"The Republicans should back off and let men marry men, women marry women, and legalize abortion. In three generations there would be no Democrats." |
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gearman
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• los Angeles, CA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/22/2003 |
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• 336 posts |
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Posted:11/6/2003 20:47 |
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Velcome  
JohnBoy is known for his eloquence and solid knowledge you can take to the bank. BUT,aint you getting a little cheap with that. .00002? JohnBoy!  I cannot do it for that price you whore  j/k
regards, mike
01 excursion psd hellwig rear stabalizer 285 michelins suncoast converter transmission custom built with Transgo shift kit,by me.
TTS computer chip,next mod-TTS exhaust system
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JohnBoy
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• DFW, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 9/3/2002 |
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• 972 posts |
• 2 Vehicles
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Posted:11/6/2003 21:22 |
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WATCH IT, Big Boy
That's about how much MY opinion is worth !
It's just an opinion of a few years of experience - like all of us
2005 6.0L 4x4 Eddie Bauer Ex
2003 6.0L 4x4 Limited Ex - traded in (BooHoo)
"The Republicans should back off and let men marry men, women marry women, and legalize abortion. In three generations there would be no Democrats." |
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DENNIS ACOTT
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• FORT COLLINS, CO, USA |
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• Registered on 9/16/2003 |
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• 7 posts |
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Posted:11/6/2003 22:42 |
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I have an early 04 6.0 x. I like it so far. I had test driven an early 03 before I purchased. I now think that the 04 is a bit noiser, maybe due to the changes to the engine since the early 03. The towing capability is dramatic compared to the surburban I had. The x is more "truck like" tho in my opinion. Good luck! |
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FamilyRideII
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• Flower Mound, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 8/7/2003 |
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• 51 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:11/7/2003 23:39 |
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| Quote: | | I have an early 04 6.0 x. I like it so far. I had test driven an early 03 before I purchased. I now think that the 04 is a bit noiser, maybe due to the changes to the engine since the early 03. The towing capability is dramatic compared to the surburban I had. The x is more "truck like" tho in my opinion. Good luck! |
You're right. Late '03's and early 04's along with any getting reflashed loose the pilot injection or what some call "split shot". Some say at idle they are louder, some say it's not much difference. Most say it runs much better
2004 Eddie Bauer Excursion
4x4 6.0 PSD, all the goodies, Superchips 1704, Magnaflow, Isspro Gauges, 285 REVO's |
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Dave Sullivan
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• Kitchener, XX, Canada |
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• Registered on 2/27/2003 |
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• 199 posts |
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Posted:11/8/2003 02:01 |
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Make sure you have the right oil for the temperatures your dealing with.
This is mostly for starting reasons. -16C is the lowest you want to go with 15W40 and only if you have to. Ford recomends 10W30 for 30F down to -24F ish and I recomend it from my own experiences.
The Block heater works great. 20 min to an hour before you start it seems to work fine in moderate temperatures and any real cool temps I leave it overnight. IE: Anything below about -16C.
I've only drained my seperator once and that was only to try it out.
If you do, make sure you have the drain hose that's supposed to be there. Otherwise it makes a mess and washes off the protective gunk they put on the frame.
Dunno about the 6.0 but my 7.3 gets around 21 and would do better if I ran it on longer trips. I have a fairly soft foot and rarely tromp it .
If you live in an area where you need to use the 4x4 be sure to check your hub locks regularily to see if you can still turn them manualy. (not one of fords better ideas.) Another thing you might like to check regularily is that the hubs do lock up in auto mode. They suffer vacume leaks. (Another one of Fords not so better ideas) 
Tink Is an 00 so perhaps ford has fixed these problems by now. 
Dave.
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