6.7L Powerstroke Engine: Preventing Catastrophic Engine Failure
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Posting Guru
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From: Edmonton, AB
6.7L Powerstroke Engine: Preventing Catastrophic Engine Failure
Howdy folks
I don't know if anyone else has heard of the tips of the glow plugs failing in some of the early 2011 6.7's. This is the first I have heard of it but listening to Brian the Ford Tech apparently it has occurred.
Anyways he put up a video talking about it, so I thought some of you might be interested in hearing the how's and why's and what can be done.
I don't know if anyone else has heard of the tips of the glow plugs failing in some of the early 2011 6.7's. This is the first I have heard of it but listening to Brian the Ford Tech apparently it has occurred.
Anyways he put up a video talking about it, so I thought some of you might be interested in hearing the how's and why's and what can be done.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 526
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From: New Jersey
Sadly, Brian is very mistaken. The early 6.7L engine "problem" was related to the cylinder heads; exhaust valve seats and broken exhaust valves. The bulletin description 6.7L DIESEL - RUNS ROUGH - NO CRANK - GLOW PLUG CIRCUIT DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) - BUILT ON OR BEFORE 3/29/2011 is misleading. The diagnostics were simple as glow plug damage was deemed sufficient to diagnose and warrant the replacement of the long block assembly. As a matter of fact we were told to not disassemble the engines, just replace. The other point of confusion is that the revised cylinder heads have glow plug bores with a seat that is machined at a different depth than the original cylinder heads. While the new revised glow plugs are the same overall length, they are dimensionally different from the seat to the tip by 4.5mm. Installing the old plugs in a newer cylinder head will cause the pistons to strike the glow plugs and cause internal damage.
I think that about covers it.
I think that about covers it.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Edmonton, AB
Sadly, Brian is very mistaken. The early 6.7L engine "problem" was related to the cylinder heads; exhaust valve seats and broken exhaust valves. The bulletin description 6.7L DIESEL - RUNS ROUGH - NO CRANK - GLOW PLUG CIRCUIT DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) - BUILT ON OR BEFORE 3/29/2011 is misleading. The diagnostics were simple as glow plug damage was deemed sufficient to diagnose and warrant the replacement of the long block assembly. As a matter of fact we were told to not disassemble the engines, just replace. The other point of confusion is that the revised cylinder heads have glow plug bores with a seat that is machined at a different depth than the original cylinder heads. While the new revised glow plugs are the same overall length, they are dimensionally different from the seat to the tip by 4.5mm. Installing the old plugs in a newer cylinder head will cause the pistons to strike the glow plugs and cause internal damage.
I think that about covers it.
I think that about covers it.
Well how about that. Thanks for explaining that Keith...I know you had to go in depth with your explanation, but there is some info that is valuable. Appreciate you posting that and sharing it. Reps added
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: New Jersey
Would I replace the cylinder heads as a precaution? No? My reasoning is that failure is not inevitable and the engine has a warranty. If my truck made it to the end of the warranty term I would think that failure is not likely. If it's on your dime, you might just be better off trading the truck in for a new one if it has you that worried.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: New Jersey
Yep. Replacement engines should have a service decal on both valve covers and the on the under hood decal area warning of this should glow plug replacement be necessary in the future. Knowing this information and keeping it in the back of your mind if you own one or are a technician is good, always compare the parts removed from the engine with the new parts to be installed. There is a noticeable difference.
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Post Fiend
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From: DFW, TX-GoldCanyon, AZ
Might want to check out Vloney's posts from #35 onward on this thread below where he states that there are problems with the glow plugs:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post15085538
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post15085538
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Louisiana
Might want to check out Vloney's posts from #35 onward on this thread below where he states that there are problems with the glow plugs:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post15085538
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post15085538
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 526
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From: New Jersey
Valve seats and broken valves. Well documented and Technical Service Bulletin Supported. The only known published info on glow plugs is related to the valve concern I mentioned. Don't know what else to tell you. Here, read it for yourself:
TSB 14-0127 2011 - F-Super Duty - 6.7L Diesel - Runs Rough - No Crank - Glow Plug Circuit Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) - Built On Or Before 3/29/2011
Some 2011 F-Super Duty vehicles equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine and built on or before 3/29/2011 may exhibit a runs rough or no crank concern due to a broken exhaust valve. DTCs P0671, P0672, P0673, P0674, P0675, P0676, P0677 and/or P0678 may be stored in the powertrain control module (PCM) from a damaged glow plug. The glow plug circuit DTCs may also be accompanied by cylinder misfire DTCs, cylinder contribution DTCs or other engine performance DTCs.
TSB 14-0127 2011 - F-Super Duty - 6.7L Diesel - Runs Rough - No Crank - Glow Plug Circuit Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) - Built On Or Before 3/29/2011
Originally Posted by Ford Motor Company
Some 2011 F-Super Duty vehicles equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine and built on or before 3/29/2011 may exhibit a runs rough or no crank concern due to a broken exhaust valve. DTCs P0671, P0672, P0673, P0674, P0675, P0676, P0677 and/or P0678 may be stored in the powertrain control module (PCM) from a damaged glow plug. The glow plug circuit DTCs may also be accompanied by cylinder misfire DTCs, cylinder contribution DTCs or other engine performance DTCs.
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Joined: Dec 2014
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Valve seats and broken valves. Well documented and Technical Service Bulletin Supported. The only known published info on glow plugs is related to the valve concern I mentioned. Don't know what else to tell you. Here, read it for yourself:
TSB 14-0127 2011 - F-Super Duty - 6.7L Diesel - Runs Rough - No Crank - Glow Plug Circuit Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) - Built On Or Before 3/29/2011
TSB 14-0127 2011 - F-Super Duty - 6.7L Diesel - Runs Rough - No Crank - Glow Plug Circuit Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) - Built On Or Before 3/29/2011
Think its the old what comes first, the chicken or the egg... What caused the failure,,? the valve breaking off and damaging, breaking, the glow plug/piston/cyl, or the glow plug breaking off and damaging the valves pistons, etc...
Just have to look at all the head pics all over the net with cracked valves ready to drop, with perfect condition glow plugs.
Think its been proven in the majority of cases the valve failure came first...
jmo
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 526
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From: New Jersey
Funny thing is I cant say I have heard of a 6.7L glow plug failure of a physical nature. As a matter of fact, I have NEVER heard of a glowplug failing in such a way. (but I do subscribe to the never say never concept because I am sure it has to have happened somewhere at some point. When you come across a glow plug that is damaged its always due to a base engine failure or they are melted away or distorted by a fuel injection concern. I was under the impression that excessive voltage could damage the Power Stroke glow plugs. Quite a few years ago I took a 6.0L glow plug and connected it a battery with a battery charger on it. Got it up to 17 volts for several hours before I realized I was wasting my time. The plug? It was fine. I expected it to melt at the very least but I was disappointed. LOL!
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Joined: Aug 2018
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I just purchased a 2011 F450 with 11,300 miles on it. The build date attached to my VIN is: 04.05.2010
I'm looking into what I can do to help prevent catastrophic failure. For this issue, it sounds like it's not necessary to replace the glow plugs? Instead it might make more sense to replace the valves? What is the general consensus on how to prevent this type of failure?
I'm looking into what I can do to help prevent catastrophic failure. For this issue, it sounds like it's not necessary to replace the glow plugs? Instead it might make more sense to replace the valves? What is the general consensus on how to prevent this type of failure?
New User
Joined: Aug 2018
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Thank you for the advice!
The previous owner ONLY used it to tow his toy hauler for camping. He had several other trucks as his daily drivers. He retired, and was liquidating his estate. Hopefully he gave me a good enough deal to cover the cost of replacing the heads, valves, and glow plugs....
The previous owner ONLY used it to tow his toy hauler for camping. He had several other trucks as his daily drivers. He retired, and was liquidating his estate. Hopefully he gave me a good enough deal to cover the cost of replacing the heads, valves, and glow plugs....