Today my truck took a nosedive on a trip to Fairbanks. Started blowing clouds of heavy white smoke and started running really rough. Took it to a mechanic right away and got the bad news.

Diagnosis: One injector is dead and 2 or 3 more are weak. Compression on 2, maybe 3 cylinders is down to 80%. (Mind ya'll...I don't know what I'm talking about here, just relaying the "facts".) His conclusion: the engine will have to be replaced. He also pointed out a couple of other Fords on his lot waiting for replacement engines @ a replacement cost ranging around $20K.

No warning on this. The truck's been running fine since the DPF/EGR delete last fall and we've been gearing up for a VERY LONG road trip south with our RV in tow.

Background: Bought the truck used in TN in 2014 with 109K miles on it. Currently has 156K miles on it. Our diesel mechanic considers us as "besties", we've seen him so often in the last 3.5 years. The list of challenges on this truck vs our 2001 F250 7.3L has been overwhelming.

Bottom line: We'll be heading out with our 2001 F250 7.3L running as "lead dog".

 

 

labor is a big chunk of that 20k....and new engines are not put in...they use reman's...which concern me because things like lifters dont necessarily get replaced. the last time I checked..a complete drop in ford reman under 1 part number was 13k before tax and core charge.

the injector problem is common on 6.4's. today's low sulfur fuel just doesn't provide sufficient lube. and new injectors are actually "reman's" as well with questionable rebuild standards....so replacing all the injectors before touring the USA would not necessarily prevent blown injector problems.

do these injectors blow because of wear or high temp as a result of high power demands....seems like there;s no set pattern.

although we do get a lot of blown engines with 6.4's while towing what should be an easy load.

 

I would not put a dealer reman engine in it, there are a couple of good engine rebuild places that specialize in the Ford power strokes that would give you a better product than a dealer engine at probably a cost savings, only problem is your up in Gods country and although it might be beautiful, it does have it's drawbacks, and any mechanical diesel service for a reasonable amount of money is not going to happen.

 

 

Find a warranted engine from a rollover. No core. Keep yours for spares. Hire a competent individual to Remove and replace the engine.

Spend 6 grand or walk away. The truck is 10 years old. You'll be money ahead.

Denny

 

 

SUE,

any intelll at all?

 

Lots of wishful thinking here. 6.4s that fail usually have nearly nothing reusable. The remanufactured engine from Ford runs around $20K and that does NOT include labor.

I don't think there's an easy way out of this mess. Sorry!

R.

 

Wonder where this went?

 

Have you tried talking to your insurance company? When I needed an engine for my 02 my friend called his dad who is an insurance adjuster. He had access to a nationwide database and found me an engine with fewer miles for my 02 that was close.

 

Unfortunately the 6.4's are a ticking time bomb and a pile of junk. It was a bridge motor for Ford built on the 6.0 platform but was never as strong as a 6.0. Also the fuel deliver method on the 6.4 is unreliable. Best to check your oil daily as they are prone to filling the crank case full of diesel once the high pressure pump which is in the valley of the engine fails. If you like the rest of the truck and it's in good shape there is a Cumings conversion for it which utilizes the Ford 5R110W transmission if you're willing to spend the $$.