OK so I have read until I'm sleepy :-).

I have an '07 with the specs (and pic) in my signature but am about to tow much more weight so the lifted truck needs to go. This is my second 6.0 and I've enjoyed them both. I did have to replace the FICM on both of them but other than that I've put fuel in them, changed the oil and drove'em.

I'm looking at an '08 with same miles as mine (70K) but after reading here I'm a little bit leery of it. are they really that much of a head ache?

When I moved from my 7-3 to the 6-0 I had the same concerns, but after reading here then about 6-0's I felt OK with buying one and as stated I liked them both very much...

So, please let me have it 6-4 fella's... Can you put fuel, change the oil and just drive them or is there all that hand full of crap with them that I've been reading? The last thing I need is a truck with issues. If ya know what I mean...

 

The last thing ANY of us need is a truck full of issues! I have a 6.4. Bought it with 116,000 miles on it. Had it deleted and tuned. With over 160,000 miles on it now, I have had now issues with it. Having said that, people that have had issues with them, are usually pretty major ones. Contaminated fuel will ruin the fuel system, the Fords response to it cost 10 to 12 grand, requiring a total fuel system replacement. Injectors, HPFP, lines, pump on the frame, and dropping the tank and cleaning it. Usually, it's the HPFP that goes, and talking with a friend yesterday, they have done HPFP replacements on 5 trucks when Ford wanted to do the entire system. No comebacks on any of them. So, it certainly is possible. No replacing that pump is no easy task as it resides under the turbos, and most shops lift the cap when removing the turbos. Though not necessary, if you have the lifts, and done enough of them to get quick at it, lifting the cab is the easiest and quickest.

I believe the best things to do to avoid that from happening is get your fuel from reputable places. Places that sell a lot of diesel. Add a good fuel additive to each tank. Drain the fuel/water separator regularly, and use Ford fuel filters.

 

Thank you for the response... Yeah the one I'm looking at has 74K on it which for a diesel is nothing but with the noted issues it seems a bit of a gamble. I assume when you say "deleted" you mean wiping the computer and then tuning it??? I am a firm believer in programing them as I've done it too my 7.3 and both 6.0's and think it a part of the success I've had with them. When you "tuned" it did you get a tuner or was it a Ford deal tune?

 

Deleting means removing the DPF and EGR cooler system. I did just DPF myself.

 

its not a headache if you buy new, let the dealer do all the services, and sell it before the warranty runs out.

if you do not over monitor and over maintain.....to include adding lube agents, anti gel agents, water displacement agents, etc to the fuel, you will be in for some bug ticket repairs.

no, you can not just gas and go with the emissions systems equiped deisel of today.

check youtube for good videos from folks who make a living working on these desiel engines....just google ford 6.4 issues , ford 6.0 issues, etc.


if you want more power and want to gas and go, find a v-10 dually.

 

Personally if you are comfortable with the 6.0 and understand how to monitor and buy them... Its an easy choice. The 6.0 is way more forgiving especially if you like to tinker in your driveway. If you want to maintain the truck and do repairs yourself, stick with the 6.0s.


For a DD you can't beat a 6.4 that has been well maintained and deleted. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one as long as I have maintenance records. If the seller can't prove that oil was changed every 3-5k miles and fuel filters every other oil change along with coolant drain and fill every 20-30k... Its not even worth considering. Compared to a 6.0 the 6.4 will eat your lunch the moment something goes wrong.


The comment about google and the 6.4, please please please don't do that. There is so much misinformation out there about these trucks its not funny. The problem with the 6.4 is it was never designed to be run at the hp/tq levels that Ford sells it at. The pistons, lifters, and fuel system all combine to make for some nasty repairs in these trucks. But a well cared for 6.4 at 70k miles is nothing to be afraid of. Delete the dpf and change oil/fuel filters like your life depends on it and drive it like a truck... It will do everything you need, just don't load a 250-300hp tune and race every cummins/duramax out there and expect it to last.


Overall, don't buy a 6.4 without having a shop inspect it first. Even if you know what you are doing (having owned 2 6.0s you already know what to watch on a monitor and how to test head gaskets I am sure) its ALWAYS good to have a second opinion. That $60 you spend to have a diesel tech give her a good once over is the difference between a good truck and a headache. But, that goes for the 6.0 as well...






Just like a 6.0 you will read nothing bot horror stories, but we all know that a properly maintained 6.0 will live a very long life even in stock form... The 6.4 needs deletes to truly be reliable, but after that its business as usual.

 

Speaker - Of course I didn't mean Fuel it and go literally... Anything that lasts has to be taken care of. My Jeep and Harley are no different, they serve me as I serve them.

Crazy - Awesome reply and exactly what I was looking for. I had heard every bad thing you can imagine about 6.0's and even having to have to change the FICM in both of mine I say Poppy-****... Both of my 6.0's have run better than my 7.3 did. They don't have the raw power but they run better, if that makes sense. As for having it checked out well that's a crap shoot as well... I live in a very small town in Southern NM and will have to go to Tucson or Phoenix to buy and know no one in either place. I drove my current one (that I traded my first one for) for a good while and brought a creeper along and checked everything I could think of. I didn't do that on my first one, I just bought it and hoped...lol.

The '08's and '09's happen to fall into my price range other wise I'd love to have the 6.7. I drive a '13 6.7 at work and love it. It seems like the perfect balance between the 7.3 and the 6.0's, least for me it seems so. Except for that damned exhaust fluid crap??? lol

Any way, thank you all for the responses, Like I said I came here before I bought my first 6.0 and got sound advise then as well. Tis what has kept me being a Supporter. We'll see where I end up, heck might even bite off one of the others (Chevy/Dodge) and see what they offer... Thanks guys...

 

Bring a monitor and check deltas. Watch rail pressure make sure it keeps up and stays consistent.

Test head gaskets (4 wot runs 40-80mph after being warmed up) and check for puking.

Pretty much the same as the 6.0... Also check blow by, make sure the cap stays put if you set it in the hole. There will be blow by... All 6.4s have it. Don't be frightened when you see white vapor out the oil fill.

I would still do some looking near wherever you are buying to see if you can find a shop.