Are Ford 6.4 Diesels really all that bad??

Grodyman wrote:
This technology should never have been put into production. The fumes from this technology can only be highly toxic, and is the only thing I can smell traveling on the freeway nowadays. If someone can measure and quantify the toxicity/carcinogens emitted out the tailpipe of a diesel during regeneration, there would, I'm sure, be one heck of a class action suit. I had to sell my 09 due to fumes entering the cab through open windows and vents when stopped at a red light. If you only drive on the freeway, no problem, you won't breathe the poison, only the people behind you.
Gman

:S I would have just had a competent Ford tech perform TSB 07-7-7 on my truck rather than sell it. But if you think your truck was trying to poison you, your probably better off without it.

FishOnOne wrote:


Tuned and deleted these engines are a powerhouse and will dust just about any truck on the road.

So your suggesting the OP break US Fed Laws on removing smog equipped vehicles :H
Although I agree in that it will certainly help in the making of oil and regens, it's still the law. Maybe Texas can avoid such EPA requirements being it's own state and all :B
Bottom line is the first 3 or 4 years ( 2007-2010)of DPF was a real bell curve for ALL the diesel manufactures. The 6.4 PSD just happens to be one of them.

This technology should never have been put into production. The fumes from this technology can only be highly toxic, and is the only thing I can smell traveling on the freeway nowadays. If someone can measure and quantify the toxicity/carcinogens emitted out the tailpipe of a diesel during regeneration, there would, I'm sure, be one heck of a class action suit. I had to sell my 09 due to fumes entering the cab through open windows and vents when stopped at a red light. If you only drive on the freeway, no problem, you won't breathe the poison, only the people behind you.
Gman

Langley nailed it. Answered the question perfectly. The OP should re-read his post.

MONEY PIT!-RUN!-whsk

I had a November '09 build 2010 F350 King Ranch with a 6.4, bought new and used for mixed driving and towing an 8000lb trailer.

It was the biggest POS I have ever owned.

$20,000 of warranty work over 18 months and 24,000 miles, with it basically parked the last 2 months I had it until Ford and I called a truce and they bought it back and put me in an '11 6.7 F250 Lariat my dealer had in stock. That truck has been everything the 6.4 wasn't. The 6.4 had an undiagnosed loss of drive problem, it melted pistons due to leaky injectors and overboosting during regens, which were constant. The repairs included a transmission rebuild, a new short block, a new big turbo, several injectors, and a few other things.

We really like the 6.7 truck, but when its time to replace that, I'm going back to gas.

Agreed, that was sort of my point. I've been happy with the truck, and the maintenance to date has been not at all out of line.

OJ

a64armt wrote:


Since August 08, we have had the following problems.

@ 3k miles when towing, lost turbo pressure, but returned, dealer was unable to identify cause.
@ 16k, lost turbo pressure again when towing, dealer claimed hose clamp loose.
@ 20k, lost turbo pressure (not towing), dealer finally identified wiring harness shorted against hot exhaust.
@ 40k, rear camera stopped working, Camera replaced.
@ 46k, fuel/water separator drain lever broke, replaced.
@ 50k, fuel/water separator drain leaking, replaced.
@ 60k, replaced 4 tires
@ 62k, replaced shocks

OJ

It's hard to call shock and tire replacement at 60k + to be a "problem", especially on a tow vehicle.

As far as the rest of that, pretty much non-engine related wouldn't you think?

My cousin is a Ford/Cummins tech and back in the 6.4 days it was fairly common to see a damaged 6.4 in the black box waiting to be shipped for the reman plant at the shop he works at.

If you plan to drive a lot of city driving with the emission equipment in tack, this engine isn't for you. Although a guy at work has a 09 with nearly 200k miles and all that has been replaced was a idler pulling to date and is all stock. His driving is mostly highway.

Tuned and deleted these engines are a powerhouse and will dust just about any truck on the road.

We have an 08 6.4, bought new in August 2008. We currently have 65k on the truck. I am currently monitoring and concerned about high metal content in my motor oil in the last 4 Blacksstone oil reports. It prompted me to purchase the extended warranty out to 96k (3 more years).

Since August 08, we have had the following problems.

@ 3k miles when towing, lost turbo pressure, but returned, dealer was unable to identify cause.
@ 16k, lost turbo pressure again when towing, dealer claimed hose clamp loose.
@ 20k, lost turbo pressure (not towing), dealer finally identified wiring harness shorted against hot exhaust.
@ 40k, rear camera stopped working, Camera replaced.
@ 46k, fuel/water separator drain lever broke, replaced.
@ 50k, fuel/water separator drain leaking, replaced.
@ 60k, replaced 4 tires
@ 62k, replaced shocks

The truck has otherwise been good to us. I love the power and I get about better fuel mileage than most. We get 19-20 on highway trips and average 16.5 during normal mix driving (empty). Yes, this is hand calculated. The maintenance on a diesel truck was a bit more painful than I expected. You have to really stay up on the maintenance and oil changes are pricey. When things break they are EXPENSIVE. The regens are a pain in the rear, they always occur at the worst possible time and Ford's most recent PCM flash removed the warning.


All that said, I would buy another Ford Diesel, 6.7 or 6.4. Based on the research I have done on other brand's modern diesel engines, they are all prone to high pressure fuel pump failures, EGR problems, and other issues. None of the modern engines are as reliable as the Cummings 5.9 or Ford 7.3, but then again they don't have the power nor are they as clean (emissions).

My advice....

If you plan on driving short daily trips, buy the gas. The new diesels do not do well with short trips.

If you don't plan on making a lot of RV towing trips, go with a gas engine. If you do plan on making a lot of long distance trips, the diesel would probably be better. You will have to compare the fuel economy and determine if there is a cost advantage to the diesel.

If you are buying a used diesel, get oil samples, check the maintenance history and if possible, get a warranty. If no warranty is available, make sure the price makes it worth the risk.


Good luck,

OJ