A guy that has been full timing near me for the last couple of months has a 2008 Ford 6.4, He is towing a 28 foot Dutchman trailer with one slide so he is not heavy towing. He was mainly staying the Virginia area and had planned on a trip to Michigan. So when he was coming from the Virginia Beach area and was coming back thru the panhandle of West Va area. When I saw him again been about a month, I said good to see you but thought you were going to Michigan, He said he was. Broke down in this area, White smoke out the exhaust and had to shut it down. Had trailer towed back here and truck to good shop in the area. Shop thought it was most likely Head Gasket or cracked head. Saw him yesterday and ask what they found. He said coolant destroyed the engine and he had it towed to a ford dealer and had it replaced there. $17000 was it total cost with labor and his truck has less than 150K miles on it.You guys with the 6.4's check them good when they get over 100K miles, seeing more and more reports of issues with this motor when the are above 100K miles. Just passing info. From the short time I have know this gut he keeps his stuff well maintained.

What do you mean "coolant destroyed the engine"? How?

All he said was coolant in the oil and everywhere inside, and that they said the engine was destroyed. Coolant in the oil can do lots of bearing damage rather quickly. All I know his problem came on suddenly and was having no problems with the truck until this event. It was a Hot day when he was towing but other then that, and his trailer I would guess has a GVWR of about 8000 lbs and he does not have anything in the bed.Wish I could provide more more info but I don't have it. He is not a Car guy like I am so getting more specific details from him may be hard. He could have bought my truck twice and still have money left over for just what this motor replacement cost.

I do believe a blown head gasket would have that effect.Jim

I agree, Wish they would have told him the cause. I will ask him again that is if I see him before he leaves for Michigan. He did say the new motor has 3 year warranty. He also said the motor cost 10K and rest was labor and tax. He also said it did a regen this weekend and now has check engine light on, He is taking it back to the dealer today or when the diesel tech can look at it.

There's so much info missing here. Was the coolant ever serviced, was there any power adders, etc.

2008 Ford 6.4 Diesel Info, Coolant Killed Motor 148K Miles

Vanished
Explorer
Jul 30, 2013
Thats what we did... :(

But yes it's sad when you take your $20k truck in for service and leave it for dead.
Jarlaxle
Explorer II
Jul 30, 2013
45Ricochet wrote:
OMG
$17k repair bill??? I did a quick Kelly blue book on it. Excellent shape trade in price was $14k for a F350 with leather.

LINK

Think I would just leave it there

That!
FishOnOne
Nomad
Jul 29, 2013
Turtle n Peeps wrote:
Trail-Mate wrote:
I agree, Wish they would have told him the cause. I will ask him again that is if I see him before he leaves for Michigan. He did say the new motor has 3 year warranty. He also said the motor cost 10K and rest was labor and tax. He also said it did a regen this weekend and now has check engine light on, He is taking it back to the dealer today or when the diesel tech can look at it.

I will bet anyone on this site a half a warm Miller Lite that this was the problem.

It happens all the time with the 6.4. :E

It could be other things with this engine, but this is the main problem when you see water in the oil with the 6.4.

Another problem high on the list when this happens to this engine is the cooler. But it will usually take out #8 cylinder and when that happens it makes one hellofa mess and goes BANG because it will hydro #8. :E

On edit I see Bryan brought up a really good site. His list is longer than mine so I will leave it at that. :B

Bingo... However this guy claims this problem doesn't always require an engine replacement. Because of the front plate cavitation problem, it's critical to check your fluids and maintain the coolant system maintenance. A little prevention will go along ways!
Turtle_n_Peeps
Explorer
Jul 29, 2013
Trail-Mate wrote:
I agree, Wish they would have told him the cause. I will ask him again that is if I see him before he leaves for Michigan. He did say the new motor has 3 year warranty. He also said the motor cost 10K and rest was labor and tax. He also said it did a regen this weekend and now has check engine light on, He is taking it back to the dealer today or when the diesel tech can look at it.

I will bet anyone on this site a half a warm Miller Lite that this was the problem.

It happens all the time with the 6.4. :E

It could be other things with this engine, but this is the main problem when you see water in the oil with the 6.4.

Another problem high on the list when this happens to this engine is the cooler. But it will usually take out #8 cylinder and when that happens it makes one hellofa mess and goes BANG because it will hydro #8. :E

On edit I see Bryan brought up a really good site. His list is longer than mine so I will leave it at that. :B
carringb
Explorer
Jul 29, 2013
Anyone skeptical of the OPs claim should really take just a few minutes to do some outside reading. Major problems with the 6.4L are not uncommon, and is probably the sole reason for the lower residual values for trucks with that motor.

Here is a good rundown of common problems:
http://www.fleetservicenorthwest.com/Pages/64powerstroke.aspx

When you factor in the reliability, the poor fuel economy, and performance of the 6.4L to the V10 (pickuptrucks.com found the V10 could outpull the 6.4L on both 7% and 15% grades), its amazing people buy them still. I guess it must be the "Its a diesel so its better" mentality.

Not to mention... $17k would more than pay for a Cummins conversion.
nremtp143
Explorer
Jul 29, 2013
My bet is that the oil cooler went bad and the coolant and oil mixed totally ruining the engine. My work truck, a 2008 6.4 did the same.
woodhog
Explorer
Jul 29, 2013
Ford 6.0 owner coolant help...
rhagfo
Explorer III
Jul 29, 2013
atvanish wrote:
x2 - my GF's 6.0 Ford went from a $20k truck to a $3k boat anchor overnight once...
One of the reasons why I've been hesitate on a used diesel truck..

There is a pattern here Ford/IH 6.0/6.4!
Vanished
Explorer
Jul 29, 2013
x2 - my GF's 6.0 Ford went from a $20k truck to a $3k boat anchor overnight once...
One of the reasons why I've been hesitate on a used diesel truck..
45Ricochet
Explorer
Jul 29, 2013
OMG
$17k repair bill??? I did a quick Kelly blue book on it. Excellent shape trade in price was $14k for a F350 with leather.

LINK

Think I would just leave it there