So I've been told all 6.4's experience extensive rocker wear by 100k miles. And they should be replaced before major damage occurs. Is this correct? I have 120k on my truck and it seems fine.

 

Not all, my motor is fine at 122k.

 

I had a peak at mine at 80,000 miles. They looked new.

 

In speaking with my tech at my local dealer he had only worked on two or three 6.4 engines with this issue in the past several years. I was shocked as they are a large super duty dealer. Which brings me to this thread. Based on this forum and several post I thought this was a much larger issue than apparently it is.

 

Mine has 110K miles and is ok. It probably has to do with how hard it was driven. Mine was used as a horse hauler. I expect they pulled gradually.

 

The rocker arms are a trouble spot on these engines. I am sure there are lots of engines that go without trouble, but do you want to gamble it? I look at it like the timing belts on zero clearance gas engines. It is recommended to change them every 60k miles. Many people go without it and have no problems, while others break their belts and trash their engines and then wish they had.

I think 100k miles for rocker arms is good preventative maintenance.

As far as the local Ford dealer tech only seeing a few in the last couple years makes sense. 2008-2010 trucks 5 year warranty ended 2013-2015. It seems many owners tend to stay away from the Ford dealer after the warranty expires and seek out independent repair facilities.

 

my truck needed new rockers and push rods at 85K. which is what I bought with.

some folks have good luck....different theories....low idle time, oil flow less impacted by cold so folks running 15W40 vs 5W40 in the cold couuld have more wear....trying to extended oil drain itnervals....fuel dilution....etc.

450's have 4.x rears and tend to run higher rpms, espeacially in tow haul mode.

there have been cases of repeat rocker failures on the same truck which lends itself to thinking that there is some oil passage crud or other low oil flow issue going on.

oil psi at idle on a 6.x PSD is only 12 PSI so theres not a lot of pressure to start with.

clues that you have rocker wear or frequent regens, low MPG, and drive train noise.

 

I wonder if there's any correlation to deleted trucks vs ones not deleted?

 

I need mine to last until warmer weather, not doing this much work in freezing temps.

 

ok don't have any of that so I should still be good.

 

Me either saw. 120k and as quiet as a sleepy kitten.

Denny