bed plate oil leak

While under my truck this past weekend doing a coolant flush, I noticed oil on the tranny bell housing. Since my powertrain warranty expires this week, I figured that I better get it in to the dealer and have it looked at. Dropped it off this morning and waited by the phone... finally got a call at 5pm with bad news - the oil is leaking at the bed plate. Service adviser told me it's the biggest job that can be done on a 6.0 and would take three full days. Funny thing is that I was in a different Ford dealer two weeks ago helping my dad drop his car off for some warranty work, and I noticed a SuperDuty frame out in the shop. I wandered out there and saw the cab on the lift, transmission and t-case on a pallet, wiring harness splayed about, and motor on the stand. I started talking to the tech, and he said he was fixing a bed plate leak. My first thought was 'holy hell, I hope that I never have to have this done on my truck!!!'

How many of you have had this repair done? Did you have any other issues come up due to the shear size of the job? I'm usually of the thought process that once something is taken apart to that degree, it never really goes back together as well as it was done at the factory. What about the accessories that I've added? I've got an Amsoil bypass setup, EGT probe, coolant filter, transmission filter and various wires running from the cab to the frame for accessories. How do I ensure that all of that gets put back together correctly? I'm sure that these guys have seen some/most of this stuff before, but I'm pretty meticulous and spent a LOT of time installing all of this stuff neatly and correctly

What would happen if I choose not to have this fixed? I guess the leak could/would just get bigger, but what would be the negative, other than having oil on the ground (assuming that it doesn't just start spewing)? If this wasn't covered by warranty, I wouldn't even consider having it fixed, based on the labor cost.

To really kick a man while he's down, this happened directly after I did a coolant flush... I spent an afternoon and $120 that will now be wasted. I didn't have the dealer to it from the start because I couldn't be sure that they would use distilled water. Now if they do this work, they'll throw out all of the brand new coolant that I just filled it up with. I also have Amsoil synthetic running through her now, which will need to be drained. I think I'm going to cry.

The truck runs perfectly and is in EXCELLENT condition, with the exception of its tendency to leak oil. This is the 4th time I've had it in for leaks since I've owned it... had a couple of sensors replaced (camshaft was replaced twice) and the rear main, as well as something that was leaking in/on the rear engine cover.

Anyhow, I just want to hear some real world experience from you guys that have been through this before. Talk me through this!!!

Call your powertrain warranty co and see what it will cost to add another 5 years on to your powertrain warranty. It may be the best money you spend on this truck.
About having the work done on your truck with all of your add-on, some dealers charge labor for taken them off and putting them back on. Good Luck.

Doug

Thats the exact reason I got rid of my 05! Couldn't stand all the oil leaks!

She's paid for though, and I like the look of it better than the new trucks. That, and I don't have an extra 50k laying around to get the truck I'd want!!

In regards to warranty, the only Ford warranty that covers the EGR system is the full blown premium extended warranty, and that would cost me ~$4k. With any other warranty, if the EGR went and took out the top half of the motor, nothing would be covered.

The extended PowerStroke only warranty would only go for another two years, and it wasn't cost effective either. It covered the turbo and a couple of other expensive items, but not the EGR system, which is the one I'm most concerned with.

Thankfully this repair is covered under warranty. Next time I'll just have to live with the leak, unless it's a sensor or something that I can replace myself.

I had it done on my 03 and 06. No big deal for the right tech. I don't think my dealer does cab off work though, they just pull everything out the front. It must be overwhelming to see all that laid out on the shop floor. Probably better if you didn't watch them do it to your baby. But I wouldn't worry. Out of my 2 trucks the motors have been pulled 4 times. Never had an issue.

I had to google what a bed plate is and found a good video of the leak repair procedure. All I was seeing the whole time I watched was dollar signs. The engine having to be removed to fix the leak really sucks.

YouTube - Powerstroke 6.0lit Bedplate Seal Replacement HD

I just found out that my 2009 has this problem too. Dealer told me they will need it for at least 3 days and yes the engine is coming out. YIKES!

I have dealt with alot of 6.0 oil leaks...are you sure it's the bedplate?. or are they, the dealer sure?. I'm not saying a bedplate leak is not common but I have seen very few leak in the nine years I have been working on the 6.0. when i have a 6.0 oil leak, the engine gets a powers steam wash,die added to the crankcase and i blacklight the engine. some things that can fool you to lean to the bedplate? front oil pump cover gasket,dipstick o ring,cam/crank sensor o ring,rear main seal(,especially if the original one has been replaced) rear engine cover gasket,glow plug harness' oil regulator valve, oil pan gasket. and is the engine valley dry? if it is the bedplate, it's a big job that any '' good'' 6.0 technician can stroll right through like nothing

Yep, had mine under the knife for the bed plate seal leaking.. Found it and took to the dealer and my 5yr 100K powertrain warranty expired the next day!!! Had to pay the $100 plus I bought ARP studs, and the dealer installed them with a hrs labor..

After I got the truck back, the fog lights didnt work, they fixed that, and I also have a vibration in the dash now.. Once they are apart, they dont go back 100% orginal I guess..

Dropped the truck off that morning, and by 5pm it looked like this!! Here are some pics...







Some of the parts along the wall, rest in the bed!!

Man you were lucky, one day to go, wow. Hope they get all the kinks works out for you.
Doug