I ran into a guy today on a job that has a Job 1, 2008 with 210,000 miles. Deleted since 150,000 and hasn't had any major issues. Says he does severe schedule maintenance, runs additive, drains water seperator monthly and doesn't fill up at run down fuel stations.

 

There are 6.4's around that are stock, and higher mileage than that.
You can find diesel mechanics that are very impressed with this engine.

I think the reason that it suffered a bad name, is that the emission system is hard on it, and when people buy tuners, the tunes are able to make more power than the engine can reliably handle.
If you took a new 6.4, got the EPA junk off it, and found a tuner that can control the timing for fuel economy, and add 150 HP or so, the thing would last forever, IMHO... and still perform great.
There is no reason on a vehicle with such a sophisticated engine computer, that you should need a racing tune to get good mileage.
All they needed to do is adjust the timing higher to get economy, and retard it when accelerating harder.

 

96,000 on mine. I do a oil analysis every other change. I expect to see over 300,000 on a maintained diesel. If I can get 250,000 and counting out of my 4.0 Ranger 300,000 should be easy for the diesel. Maintenance is the key. Only issue to date was the radiator. Also no CAT/DPF

 

My son had a Ford Ranger 4 cylinder 5 speed with 318,000 on it, hit a deer with it and decided it was time junk it. I had a 1994 Ford Explorer that I racked up with 287,000 when I got rid of it, it's amazing how long today's vehicles last when maintained. The best one I seen was a 2004 Dodge Cummins 2500 for sale on Craigs list last year. 562,000 miles for $6,000

 

I don't want to scare, or offend anyone. MY experience was a good one for 138,000 miles...(2009 6.4l Screw) then it flat died. I noticed it smoking when I'd give it some pedal at any speed, then that turned into a steady stream of black smoke about 500 miles later. I bit the bullet and took it to the shop for a new DPF. That turned into a DPF, DOC's, and EGR Cooler needed. A while later they called me and said it appeared a head gasket was blown also. I traded it in and got a F150 5.0 (which I love at the moment) and went by there today. They are also replacing the turbo. The nitrates are good in the cooling system, but they noticed a leak on the front of the timing cover too, so they are going to yank it and diagnose. The service writer said "good timing on your trade, this is costing us a pretty penny every time we look at it". I got lucky, and not everyone will experience a rapid failure like I did. However, it has scared the bejesus out of me when it comes to a newer diesel. I took EXCELLENT care of that truck! I tested the nitrates monthly, drained the HCMF weekly, changed the oil every 5000-6000 miles, Fuel Filters every 10000, and did the air filter 3 times in 2 years, which is how long I had it. It still smelled new on a hot day if the windows were left up.

I honestly don't know what to say as some people have more miles than I did with no problems, some have way less. If you have unlimited funding, then, go for it. I loved the size of the truck, and the power. (However, this little 5.0 I've got growls real pretty when you nail it) If dropping 9k or more on it when the warranty goes out will hurt you, then I'd stick with a gasser. There's not much to do that's easy on a 6.4. They have the cab off of it as I'm typing this which is tying up one of their bays. Guess I'll have to go to another dealer from now on as I'm sure they'll soak me on anything in the future...lol

Hope that gives you some insight. P.S. It didn't throw a single code, either which amazes me. For those running the new 11B23 programming or whatever it was, there's another one out also, but no letter for it this time. The dealer was telling me about it, and claims I would have popped a code or two if I'd had it. I have no idea what is in it though.

 

How did you use that truck?

All highway, mixed, all in town? ......

 

Oil changes every 5 to 6000 is probably what did it. Especially in town driving. The amount of fuel that dumps into the oil is amazing. I don't go past 3500 miles on mine.

 

I owned (past-tense) an HVAC company and drove all over the place towing a trailer. I did VERY little in-town driving, as evidenced with 138,000 miles in 2 years. Lots of trips in the mountains, Denver, etc. My oil changes were fine at 5-6k, too.

 

If I changed mine every 3500 miles at peak season doing HVAC work, I'd be changing it every 2 weeks. My truck got worked in the summer when I'd average around 7-8k a month.

 

Yeah. I noticed mountain driving also needs oil changes more often too until the dpf came off. Just dilutes the oil too much.

 

I've personally never seen so much stuff go wrong, all at once, with any vehicle. But, like I said, it's not the same experience for everyone. I never had a problem with my fuel system, but many others have. I loved the truck, but I don't think I'll do another diesel. I only bought it because some of the stuff I tow(ed) is/was pretty heavy. I had ZERO issues for 137,500 miles or so, and then it just went to crap.

 

That's what happened to our 05 work truck too. But we didn't maintain it as well as we should have. Unfortunately more regens means more oil dilution which obviously affects everything. I like the new f150s too but I haul way too much.

 

I've changed mine every 5000 km, and the times I checked my oil, it never grew.
Most of the problems on these 6.4 fords, I definitely blame on the emission junk.
If I lived somewhere that smog testing was mandatory, my diesel days would be done, for sure.

 

I keep thinking of making a system that drips engine oil into the exhaust manifold when EGT's are high, to get rid of engine oil, then leaks fresh oil into the engine also, so you just keep filling a resevoir with fresh oil, and change the filter whenever.

Kind of like a constant oil change.

Plus that would be easier than climbing under to drain the oil, plus you wouldn't have to get rid of the oil... just carry an extra filter.

 

Mine no longer does it after I removed dpf. It wasn't noticeable when normal driving occurred. When towing a lot I noticed it made oil. More regens obviously.

Parkland is your dpf still on?