Hello all!

I haven't bought a SD since 2005 and am wondering what I should be watching out for in post 6.0L trucks (I will only look at gas motor trucks from 2003 to 2007)? Today I found a nice 2008 6.4L diesel F550 4x4. Anything in particular to watch out for and would you be afraid of getting into a 6.4L that has 68,000 miles and is out of warranty?

Thanks!

Chris

 

Only the "cab lifting" at $500-600 to look at the engine for anything, and then there's the $1500 "soot bag" replacement cost after the warranty runs out; oh yeah, the $200 oil & fuel filter changes. I also hear the 6.4 has terrible fuel mileage unless you spend another $3,000 to delete and fix. Go gassers.

Pap

 

The 6.4 isn't bad. Why is it out of warranty? It should have the 100K warranty on just the engine. I just sold my '08 6.4 with 125K on it. It was an early Job 1 that had all of the updates done to it. New turbos, intercooler, DPF, etc... All done under warranty.

If the truck is truly out of warranty (shouldn't be, still within mileage and years) then do a full exhaust and chip to turn off the regen function. Should be more than enough power...

My 6.4 in stock form was a good truck. Only sold it due to a divorcr and not needing a monthly note any more. I did get a nice '02 F250 gasser in trade so it's not that bad..

 

I guess I can call Ford and ask them what's still covered. The window sticker says 5yr/60,000 mile powertrain. Did they extend the engine warranty or does it have a seperate warranty from the engine? I was always told that they get around things like turbos and egr coolers saying they aren't covered under the engine warranty.

 

I forgot to mention the "regen" cycle. Maybe you could elaborate some on this important function for the wary buyer of the 6.4, thanks.

Pap

 

If you want real information on any given engine you are better off going to the forum specific for that engine. There you will find people who actually know the engine, instead of ones who just spout off crap they've heard.

6.4L Power Stroke Diesel - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

In one of the first two threads there you will find a tech folder with tons of valuable information.

 

My turbos were replaced at 96k under warranty. Go. Is it the 6.4 forum if you want the low down on those trucks. Real good trucks. But they do need more care than an old 7.3

 

Thread cleaned and moved to the 6.4L Powerstroke Diesel forum.

 

Look the motor over carefully. Look for signs of leaks at the radiator seams. They tend to leak. Never an outright failure so you won't be on the side of the road. Rather moisture dripping down to the frame.

Check the maintance records. 5K oil changes and 10K fuel filters. Ensure they are OEM filters only on this motor.

Pull the oasis on it to verify warranty coverage. Motor should still be up to 100K miles.

My oil changes only cost about 75 bucks to do myself or around 90 at the dealer.

fuel filters around 50 bucks to do myself.

 

The diesel engine warranty is 5 years from the date sold or 100,000 miles which ever comes first. Ford set a world record a few years ago by a F450 6.4 hauling a 18,000 lb. 40 foot tri axle 100,579 miles in 80+ days and 150,000 in 131 days driving non stop, and only stopping to do service and take on fuel. Driving was 7 days a week 24 hours a day, averaging 1,141 miles a day. The team didn't have time in their schedule to lift the cab. They went thru 49 states and 7 Canadian Providences in doing the trip.

 

Thanks, John!

And yes, turbos and emissions related components such as the EGR coolers and valve are covered under the engine warranty. So no worries there. Radiators have been a problem for these trucks though, some have replaced them multiple times and they are not covered under the engine warranty.

My local dealer charges $79 for a diesel oil change, and I can do it for $65 if I do it myself. Fuel filters cost around $50 for a set and can be changed in less than 15 minutes. Maintenance will be more expensive than a gas engine, but not as severely as Pappy would like us to think.

I have owned two diesel Super Duty trucks; a 6.4L and 6.7L. Both were great trucks, but if I had to do it all over again I would probably have gotten a gas truck. I would have to tow very frequently to justify the diesel, which is something that I did not do. I towed my car hauler maybe once a month, and therefore the expense was hard to justify for me.

If you desire the capability of a diesel engine the 6.4L is a great platform. Just be aware of the extremely expensive repairs that can arise once it gets out of warranty. Spend some time in the 6.4L forum and read the tech folder; it's worth knowing before you buy!

 

You can tell pappy really doesn't know anything about the 6.4L he called the DPF filter a "soot bag" lol, also $200 dollars for an oil change ( If you paying that much you are at the wrong place) mine only cost at most 80 bucks,To tune and delete all the EPA stuff dont cost 3 grand the top of the line racing package from spartan is 2 grand but the $1,400 dollar package is all you need and finally $500- $600 to pull the cab of the truck is bullcrap. You can get an extended warranty through ford I got my bumper to bumper warranty for 60 thousand/ 4 yrs for $2,100 and my 2008 6.4L had 70,000 miles. My truck is completely stock and now has 82k miles the only problem i had so far was the EGR valve needed to be replaced, and its covered under my warranty. I love my 6.4L its a great truck. BTW the regen cycle is a normal DPF cleaning cycle it happens any where from 150-600 miles and only last for at most 10 mins it only reduces your fuel mileage by like 0.1 mpg when its active. The DPF filter doesn't have to be replaced unless there is somthing wrong with it and will be covered under a warranty such as mine. People who don't have a clue what they are talking about shouldn't talk bad about an engine they have never tried or worked on.

 

You need to stick to your gas hog! I will put a 6.4 up anyday over your v-10. Unless you have a 6.4 why would you quote on one. Mine hase been great and yes I have had a gas hog in the past. What has happened to the 100,000 mile warranty on this truck.

 

The 5yr/100,000 engine warranty carries a $100.00 deductible each & every repair visit.
No big deal when your talking diesel repair but most people don't know this cause salesman & dealers FAIL to tell you this :-(

 

No need to turn this into The mine is bigger than yours thread.... To the original poster, Quite a few folks here own a 6.4L and can answer all your questions. So what are the plans for that stump pulling F550?