Trouble with 6.4 Powerstrokes

[rbmaxey]

I have read several times on the Forum that few people have heard about problems with the new Powerstroke. I guess I must be running into people that others aren't. We dropped off our granddaughter at dancing when a guy pulled up in a new model F450 with a work bed with tool boxes. Since the DW and I have been talking about possibly getting a truck with more towing capacity, we struck up a conversation to see how he liked it. He said it was his company truck and hated it. It only has 69,000 miles. He said it has had the engine replaced twice, the radiator replaced four times, sixteen injectors on the first engine were replaced and he said it has been in the shop so much that he can't remember if it has had the turbo replaced two or three times.  He said the truck weighs about 15,000 pounds loaded and he only gets about 7.5 mpg. He looked at our GMC Duramax and told us we had better keep what we have. He added that he can't see how a individual could afford to have one. The cost of his repairs were paid for by the company he works for. It seems like all of this would be warranty, but that is what he said.

This is the third guy we have talked to in six months that are having trouble with the 6.4 Powerstroke. The first was a guy with an F350 on its third engine and the other was from an Escapee full-timer at a campground with an F450 that couldn't stay out of the shop and had the radiator replaced twice and numerous other problems.

I hope that Ford fixes it with the new 6.7 Powerstroke or we won't have any choices for greater towing capacity except a MDT.

[Jeff Collingwood]

I hope TallTexan doesn't read this.
...Jeff...

[Hut]

Dodge 5500

[rbmaxey]

Yes, I know! We talked to John the day before he bought the new one. He is part of the reason we were thinking of getting a truck with more towing capacity. Our GMC does a great job of pulling our Premier, but we are right at the upper limit of towing capacity. I wish I had asked the guy today if he had a 2008 or newer. I assume that it was a 2008 since it had 69,000 miles. We sure hope Ford has the problems fixed on the 6.4s that they are selling now.

[Newt]

I've a Ford guy.  I had an 88 F-250 7.3, 99 Ranger, 05 F-150.  Our new truck for the fifth wheel is a 09 Dodge/Cummins.

Ford has lost too many peoples trust in their diesels.

As the only one of what used to be the "Big Three" that didn't take the Government money.  I hope this doesn't cause them financial trouble they can't survive.

Newt

[Jeff Collingwood]

That is what I thought when I bought my 05.  Sounds like the same stuff I went through with my Ford.  I know nobody wants to spend the money, but in the long run, a MDT is cheaper.  
...Jeff...

Yes, I know! We talked to John the day before he bought the new one. He is part of the reason we were thinking of getting a truck with more towing capacity. Our GMC does a great job of pulling our Premier, but we are right at the upper limit of towing capacity. I wish I had asked the guy today if he had a 2008 or newer. I assume that it was a 2008 since it had 69,000 miles. We sure hope Ford has the problems fixed on the 6.4s that they are selling now.

[wengreg11]

no problems with mine, dealers diesel guy says they have been very good, I'm thinking they are not 6.4s

[jma1120]

Yup there were problems.  I follow http://www.ford-trucks.com/ to keep current.  I sure hope Ford gets the 6.7 correct.  I have had my 6.0 engine pulled 3 times, oils leaks, and I am not sure I have the confidence that it will make 100,000 miles without a major failure.  The 6.0 likes clean fluids, hates to idle, and is not your commuter truck. 

[HHDreamer]

After the 6.0 issues I had, I would touch the new 6.7 with a 50 foot pole...       I know of one friend with a 6.4, lost 6 injectors at 45k miles, cracked head at 53k and lost a turbo charger...  He just bailed on this truck before anything else happens... 

Wes

[rbmaxey]

no problems with mine, dealers diesel guy says they have been very good, I'm thinking they are not 6.4s

[rbmaxey]

no problems with mine, dealers diesel guy says they have been very good, I'm thinking they are not 6.4s

These were all 2008 or newer. You cannot mistake the badges on the front fender of the new models!

[talltexan]

The way I look at it is that any vehicle can break down.  We were fortunate with our 2003 truck that it lasted longer than most before it started using antifreeze.  We had no warranty at that point either.  I have friends who have Chevys who have had repeated injector problems.  I have talked with loyal Dodge owners who have had problems as well.  We are all taking chances with the mechanical reliability of any man made product.  I had heard of people who had problems with their trucks, but, the more I talked with them and heard how they treated their trucks, it was no wonder they had problems.  I see people everyday who abuse their trucks, especially, with commercial applications.  Most of the time the truck does not belong to them...it belongs to the company.  The way they accellerate and brake tells me alot about how they treat the truck they are driving.
Bottom line we "baby" our truck.  We did our F 550 and will this new one as well.  We expect it to perform up to it capability, not to exceed it.
In the short time we have towed with our new truck (from central Texas to Mesa, AZ) it is performing quite well.  It is pulling inclines better, at this point, than our previous truck did, and braking with the tow haul mode, as well as our old truck, too. 
And we are getting better fuel mileage with each tank of fuel.  First tank-8.4, 2nd-8.9, 3rd-10.1, 4th-14.1.  Now, the last tank had about 110 mile of solo driving.  The best thing I like about it is how quiet it goes about "doing it's business."
I believe we all need to be adequately informed before making any purchase, but, in the end, there are no guarantees on any truck.

[RetiredGuy]

Every time I read one of these threads I count my lucky stars we got rid of our F-350 PSD with the 6.0l engine before it broke down too many times. Like Wes, I wouldn't touch another Ford on a bet. Maybe some day Ford will come up with an engine that doesn't break down so often. Of course if they ever do, they probably will change it for a new engine after 2-3 years. I think the brain trust at Ford thinks the buying public wants a new model engine every year or two. How many different diesels have they had over the last 10 years? Maybe those who buy a PU to be cool want that but those who want a TV to run for thousands of miles, don't want the opportunity to buy a garage queen. I do see a number of PUs that look like they never haul anything more than a six-pack of beer from the 7-11 to home. They are pretty with all of the fancy paint jobs, metal bed covers, extra lights, extra chrome, etc.

If peace of mind is worth anything, then our MDT is way cheaper than a new F-350 with any engine.

Robert

[talltexan]

From what I read the reason Ford is making a new engine in 2011 is to please the Federal Govt and the EPA.  That is also fine and good, but, I agree with you Robert....it would be great if they would keep a good engine when they find one.  Most of the people we talked to had problems with the 6.4 in its earlier years.  Did not find as many problems with 2009 and 2010 models.  Hopefully, they corrected the earlier problems.  We will find out.

[Newt]

From what I read the reason Ford is making a new engine in 2011 is to please the Federal Govt and the EPA.

Of course their problems with Navistar/International had nothing to do with it. 

Newt

[Hut]

The reason they are building the new engine is because after years battling in court over warranty issues their relationship with Navistar was terminated.
I wish Cummins and Ford would/could get together with an L6. 

[xtravel1979]

How many " bugs " and recalls will there be with the new engine? That will be something to watch,I would assume.

[Hut]

I think you would have to be a fairly brave person to invest in the new one. Most likely it will be a better engine but after the last few years I dunno...

Why did they ever go away from the 7.3 again 

[xtravel1979]

I agree, the 7.3 was the best to me.Why they would want to leave that engine is puzzling. A person would think they could have improved it, rather than redesign it. This 6.0  I own with 69000 miles on it, is scary. I don't trust it any more. I feel insucure traveling. I am not sure what to buy. Time will tell, but I myself,am leaving Ford after 40 years.

[Hut]

I just don't understand why we don't hear about more 5 wheelers looking at the Dodge Chassis cabs. They are a nice option and probably more practical than the big MDTs

[xtravel1979]

I am looking at the 3500 Dodge. I think the 2010 is a good looking truck. I feel it will do the job, without a doubt. I have been looking on line tonight and reading about them. I think I will take a chance on the Dodge. I am concerned with the Duramax, having injectors in the valve covers. They had a lot injector problems, I am told.I am seeing more Dodge's in the RV Parks. I think they are pentrating the market.

[Newt]

I just don't understand why we don't hear about more 5 wheelers looking at the Dodge Chassis cabs. They are a nice option and probably more practical than the big MDTs

Maybe this is why. http://www.dodge.com/bodybuilder/2009/docs/dcdm/dmmlup.pdf

Dodge  just doesn't rate them for a very high tow rating.

Newt

[Hut]

I just don't understand why we don't hear about more 5 wheelers looking at the Dodge Chassis cabs. They are a nice option and probably more practical than the big MDTs

Maybe this is why. http://www.dodge.com/bodybuilder/2009/docs/dcdm/dmmlup.pdf

Dodge  just doesn't rate them for a very high tow rating.

Newt

Wow! That seems extremely conservative, 18K max trailer. A 5500 will tow anything NuWa builds with ease.

[Donr827]

I have had my 08 F350 for almost 2 years and have not had any problems.  It is the best running truck that I have owned.  Towing mileage run betweens 9.2 and 10 mpg.   The service manager told me that they see very few coming back for warranty work.  All brands will have some problems with some trucks.  Would buy a GMC, if they survive, but would never own a Dodge due to problems with a Dodge I owned many years ago.
Don

[HHDreamer]

The 7.3 was redesigned due to the new EPA restrictions for LSD (500 ppm of sulfer)...   Due to EPA restrictions again, all engines were forced to go through a redesign again except for Cummins, it already meet the 2011 restrictions...  So, Navstar would have had to do a redesign if they would have been still working with Ford...  

As for towing capacity, GM and Dodge have always under stated their capacities and Ford has always been high...  

Wes