Well it happened again. The Turbo failed on my low mileage 2012 F-250. The first one lasted 5 years, and failed right before the warranty expired. So, it was replaced at no cost to me. This one failed after 3 years. And, there is no warranty coverage. I called Ford Customer Service, and they said there was nothing they could/would do because of the age of my vehicle. The low mileage has nothing to do with anything apparently. The second turbo did not last 11,000 miles. So, it is at the dealer and the cost to replace it is not cheap. But it is trailer pulling season and I need my truck. So, I will pay the grossly inflated cost and get it back on the road.



The lesson learned is that these early 6.7’s do not like to be started, backed out of the garage, shut off, and then started and put back away. They need to be run with frequency and under load. Unfortunately, with my garage situation I have been doing this way too often. Sadly, the mechanic who replaced the first one warned me of this. He said these trucks do not like to be started and then shut off before they get a chance to warm up. He also said they do not like to just sit an idle either. They need to be run, and run under load, with some frequency. So, I need to do something different to see if I can get this one to last at least another 5 years. And, when it fails again - and I know it will - I will not be going to the dealer to replace it. I will be looking at aftermarket turbos that can stand the rigors of repeated starts without failure. Hopefully some product exists, or will exist when this one fails, that is a drop-in replacement that resolves all of the issues of these earlier model turbos. Of course, I will also need to find a competent diesel repair shop that can install it. But for now, I will just kick myself for not heeding the warnings of the mechanic and pay the price for my lackluster approach to diesel ownership.

 

Sorry about your troubles, but...............
Sounds like you just need a good excuse to take that beotch for a 20 or 30 mile drive down the freeway once in a while.......like a couple times a month.....Just burn up a little fuel and keep the boyz n gurlz in the good old US oil patch working, and give that turbo a little exercise at the same time.

 

Curious to hear what the turbo looks like when the shop pulls it. What exactly failed, what does the turbo look like, is it sooted up, etc.

 

Why not replace it with an after market one now? Or install a 2015+ turbo? The first gen turbos are know to have issues.

 

I was told that the secondary vanes freeze open. Which throws the code, which puts the truck into Limp Mode. I guess the early turbos 2012-2015 used a two stage turbo, and in 2016 they went back to a single stage. Longer to spool - but less prone to issues (or so I was told). I do not know if repeated starts and shutdowns without any warm up or spin up of the turbo effects the bearings or what. I am no diesel mechanic or turbo expert by any way shape or form. But this is the second failure in less than 30000 miles (yes - it hardly gets driven). I did ask the dealer what my options were for replacements. And I specifically asked that they use the latest and greatest Ford turbo in their repairs. I kinda doubt a 2016 and later turbo will just bolt right into a 2012. If it would, that would be great. But, I am not optimistic it will happen. And a Dealer does not go outside the book. If Ford says use Turbo X as the replacement, then that's what I will get.

 

Mine is a 2013 with zero problems because when I drive it I run it and tow with it. I have had zero issues. Also before stopping I let the EGT's cool down, thus the turbo too. Don't want it spinning without oil either.

 

The single stage turbo came in 2015, not 2016.

It is not a direct bolt on to upgrade to a 2015+ turbo, and I believe it requires a new upper intake manifold to accomodate the different turbo, but it is somewhat of a common mod to do the get rid of the failure prone early model turbo. You'd probably have to take it to a diesel specialist shop or do it yourself though. I doubt a Ford Dealer will do that type of modification for you.

 

11-14 turbos were known to have their problems and If you install another 11-14, chances are it'll happen again. I know you want to go through the dealer for another 11-14 turbo, but they're probably not the best long term option. Keeping it as simple as possible (assuming you don't want to do compound turbo, bigger turbo etc), a 15+ turbo retrofit will be a good choice. It will require different parts and custom tuning to properly run. Fortunately they sell kits specifically with all the parts (minus tuning) needed to do a conversion. Search "15+ turbo retroft 6.7 Powerstroke" and you'll get a ton of info.


11-14 61mm Turbocharger 15' Style Retrofit Kit
https://kcturbos.com/products/oem-20...fits-2011-2014

In terms of installation, if you're out of warranty, there's somewhat of a good chance your dealer will install what you want because you'll be paying out of pocket. If definitely doesn't hurt to ask if you source the kit and tuning, could you pay the dealer to install. Worse case, they say no and you just go to a local diesel performance shop and they'll get you right.

Good luck.

 

I will ask if they can install that Ford Racing upgrade kit shown in that video (and what the cost difference would be). And, if they can update the programming. They have had the truck for 4 days now, so it may be a moot point. But, that sounds like exactly what I need. More reliability. I have not researched diesel shops in the area, so until I do that - I would not trust anyone else to pull the cab and replace the turbo. I am sure they are out there, just not sure who yet. It may be something that I need to take to a larger city to get done. And, I agree, it will happen again unless I do something about my garage situation (or just leave it parked in the sun).

 

What state are you in?

 

Colorado. Colorado Springs to be exact. And unfortunately my Service Advisor is out of the office today. So, I cannot get the current status of the repair in any detail (other than it is being worked on). But, as I indicated, they have had it four days now - so I doubt it would be cost efficient to change what I previously authorized mid stream. I will search for a competent/qualified diesel repair shop in either the Springs or Denver, and prepare for the worst three years from now (the current repair is warranted for 2 years and some number of miles that will not apply to me anyway).

 

I once found this site for a dude at work with a 14. But he never bought one. This place replaces the ceramic ball bearings with a conventional ball bearing setup. Just FYI.

https://www.pdrdiesel.com/product/20...emanufactured/

 

Colorado Springs..........that would be real easy to get out on the I-25 two or three times a month, maybe even more often, and warm it up real good, instead of just driving it in and out of your garage. Just sayin’!!

 

ATS Diesel Performance
https://www.atsdiesel.com/ats2/
Arvada, Colorado

Maybe check them out if things don't work out. Good luck and keep us posted.