I'm looking at buying a used Super Duty, most likely an F250 and want a diesel. I don't want really old nor really new, I'm thinking 2004 - 2010-ish... I know that there is a period of time to avoid because these trucks were having a chronic problem with the head gaskets blowing... what year trucks had this problem and was it an issue in the diesel engines or gas engines, or both?

 

20031/2 to 2007. head gaskets, among many other issues.
2008 to 2010 many serious issues.
Early 2011 serious issue, valves.

 

I never heard of issues from 2011. And as far as I know, head gasket problems ran throughout the years of the 6.0 and 6.4. So basically from 2003-2010
EDIT: Read too fast initially. Thought you said head gasket issues. Yeah, there were valve issues, and issues with dropping glow plugs in 2011. Glow plug issue was fixed with a recall. Valves remained an issue.

 

 

Spun cranks are more prevalent in 2015+motors.

2003-2007 f series have a 6.0. While they have their issues. I think they are better then the next gen of trucks.

2008-2010 fseries have the 6.4. This was rpund 1 of the dpf and regens. Neither international nor ford had good luck with that motor. A large percentage of the issues follow the emission equipment. (Similar to the 6.0) honestly currently owning a 05 6.0 (and a few previous 6.0 trucks) and also owning a 2016 6.7. If it were me id look to a 2011 or newer. A xl base model has nearly everything the lariat and king ranch type 2003-2007 trucks had minus the leather seating which can economically be retrofitted. The power the 6.7 makes stock is far better. They are more reliable and when compared to a 6.0 truck the price point might not be that far off given comparable miles. I would not consider a 6.4 and they to me look like a very expensive hobby and not something i would rely on. But likely someone will come to the 6.4's defense.

 

for the money..

2012 and UP... even getting and "XL" or "XLT" to help with the price...
and if you do not need 4x4 .. even more savings...

also check into the turned in Fleet/lease pickups.... find a used Semi truck lots.. better price .. many with all records..
REMEMBER to check the hour meter... very useful to determine its past life.
check the rear hitch pin hole.. it a lot of heavy towing.. the hole will be out of round...
.

 

Thanks for the feedback, but geez, sounds like I should just avoid Ford all together... Let me ask this way: what year is the most bullet proof Ford power stoke diesel truck that had the least problems, from the mid 90s to 20 mins ago?

 

Check this out. Looks like 2012-2014 and anything 98 and older.
https://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/F-250/

 

A 99-03 7.3 powerstroke is probably the strongest (mechanically) motor ever fitted to a Ford. I might be a bit biased though lol! The only weak points are age, sensors & possibly the transmission, especially if tuned.

 

Why do you say the golden ones start at 2013? What's wrong with 2012?

Really haven't heard many cases of this. I'd argue the 2015+ motors are even better than the already awesome 2012-2014 motors. They have a more reliable turbo, and make more power.

I'd say, overall, find yourself a good 7.3, a bulletproofed 6.0, or a 2012+ 6.7 and you'll be just fine. Don't be scared away from any of these engines, because in this thread, you're asking for what the issues are, and not how common they happen. Any 6.7 (2012+) will serve you very well if you take care of it.

 

I believe the 2012's had the less than reliable turbo's.

 

2012's have the same turbos as 2011-2014. They are failure prone, but nothing too crazy. They use a ceramic bearing that is constantly being pushed to its limit at higher turbine rpm. (Also the regens don't help it, but I'm deleted so....) And as long as you keep an eye on it, if it goes out on you, swap a 2015+ turbo in there and you're good to go.

 

 

The 6.2 liter GASOLINE engine - which came out in the 2011 model year - has no known issues and is my choice for a Ford Superduty powerplant.

{Rant Mode ON} The gas engines have more-or-less the same horsepower as the diesels, but only half the torque. Honest to God, if you aren't dragging heavy trailers up and down mountains, I don't know why you think you need or want a diesel. The old style diesels had an awesome reputation for running forever, but that was BEFORE they started throwing turbos and emissions control stuff on them. Now they're just expensive headaches waiting to happen. {Rant Mode OFF}

 

Ill take it one step further and say this. If they would mount a turbo to the 6.2 then your tq numbers would almost double with a lot less maintenance issues then the diesel. That being said Im on the fence as to whether Im going to go back to a diesel or not. This week will be the tell all. Im sure my v10 will pull my 11k pound dump trailer just fine.