Hello All, Trail Rider here...New Member...Here is my worry. In 2008 My husband and I purchased our dream truck a New 2008 F-350 Dually, 4X4 crew cab. We love the truck, and use it for our camping, horseback riding. We haul the Lance camper with the three horse trailer. It has all the power we need! We have only 37,000 miles on it. So far all is well, however, we have several friends that have had their same model ford truck engines seize on them with similar low miles. Anyone out there have any news on this.

Trail Rider

 

Not sure what the point of this post is?

 

I guess the point is .....Has anyone out there heard of others having this issue with engines seizing in this model year? Or is it just coincidence that we have heard of three engines seizing in our area?

 

A seized engine is a pretty generalized term, it would help us calm your nerves if you had more information on what happened to these three engines so we could tell you exactly what happened and most importantly WHY it happened.

But at any rate...... you said you know of three truck's engines within your social group that catastrophically failed?? I don't know how big your social circle is but unless it's huge I would say that is an extremely high rate of failure and is not anything more than a coincidence.

Take good care of your truck, do all the required maintenance and enjoy your truck. Dont let paranoia get you down. I'm sure it will be fine.

 

what engine is in the truck? Ford had most of the issues with the gas engines worked out by then and they all were pretty reliable. The 6.4 diesels were kind of a headache, but mainly because the DPF system had issues. I know a lot of people with 6.4's and other than crappy mileage and a quirky DPF system on some of them none of them have any major engine issues.

 

Thanks Ford Man, the engine is the diesel 6.4. Yes, seem to not get so good fuel mileage, but never expected much from such a big engine. Pardon for my ignorance but what is the DPF? We have had problems with the exhaust filter cleaning system, but got that repaired and as long as we maintain the oil changes by 5000, all is ok. We do find the turbo whirls a lot at altitude driving (Tahoe, Calif area) not sure if that is normal. Since we are in low country, it is hard to duplicate that sound for the mechanic. This is our first diesel, so always unsure of the sounds and such this engine produces.

Trail Rider

 

The DPF(diesel particulate filter) is the exhaust filter you had serviced and that is the biggest issue with the 6.4's, along with the poor mileage which is mostly the cause of the DPF. Everytime the exhaust filter self cleans, diesel is injected into it to help cause the burn that cleans the filiter and that makes the mileage drop. The more the filter has to self clean(called regenerate)the more fuel is used for a purpose other than to run the engine. People who actually take the truck out and run it long distance and work the engine seem to have less issues with the DPF than people who do a lot of short distance driving and basically use the truck as a car. My only guess about the turbo whining more at high altitudes is that since the air is thinner the engine has to work harder and the turbo is putting out more boost which will make the turbo louder. My only experience with diesel engines is with my 18 wheeler, but when I'm working the engine hard and the turbo is putting out a lot of boost it really screams compared to when it is at low boost. you should check out the 6.4 forum a little farther down, you'll find out all you need to know.

 

Superb explanation! Thanks.

Trail Rider

 

We have a wealth of engine specific info here:
6.4L Power Stroke Diesel - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

What has been said so far is great info.

Strict severe maintance schedule with under the hood fluid checks weekly and at fuel stops when traveling will help to prevent or catch the small things before they become big.

I have 82K of hard and heaving towing with mine and it does well.