3 Flex Plates Failed-Being told it needs new engine?
Thread Starter
|
4wd High
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
3 Flex Plates Failed-Being told it needs new engine?
We have a 2008 F450 with 202,000 miles. Long block was replaced at 97K with OEM. Turbos replaced about 40K ago. We are the 2nd owner since the new engine. We purchased it 3 yrs ago with 168K. We've had normal kinds of repairs on a truck this age, but nothing catastrophic.
2 weeks ago towing our 5th wheel and suddenly engine revved and no longer would drive. Towed to a diesel shop. Center of flex plate was gone and took out starter. Had both parts replaced with Ford OEM. Next day driving to our new campground we made it 150 miles when the same happened, although starter was fine this time. Towed to a different diesel shop as we were too far from original repair place. Replaced flex plate and plate stiffener, both OEM. Also replaced torque converter with a rebuilt. There was slight play in the TC so shop recommended it be replaced.
Next day headed to a campground and made it 100 miles before the same thing happened. Had it towed to a Ford dealer in hopes they could truly figure out what is going on. Their initial assessment is the crank shaft bearing is bad allowing movement of the crank shaft within the block. They say we need a new engine. We have not experienced any of the typical items associated with the 6.4L failures. Our truck is not deleted
We are very skeptical of this diagnosis as we are in TX and our experience is that Ford dealers do not want to work on this age truck. We had it towed there without them realizing it was a 2008. They knew it was a F450 but we conveniently forgot to mention it was a 2008. It was Saturday afternoon and diesel shops were closed so this was our best bet of not sitting on the side of the road all weekend.
Thoughts on whether this truly is an engine replacement situation? They haven't really taken anything apart to verify this. It was the determination of their diesel mechanic. Could it be something in the transmission causing it instead of the engine?
The truck is in Madisonville TX and we are at an RV park in Woodville TX. Anyone have recommendations for a quality diesel shop, that works on 6.4L engines, that we can get another opinion from? Maybe the Houston or Beaumont areas or anywhere in between.
If we need an engine we would go aftermarket. I know there are some companies that have changed a bunch of things to eliminate or drastically improve the typical failure points. Any recommendations of whose engines to look at for aftermarket?
Our use is 90% towing a 42' 17K 5th wheel. It is not driven hard. We do oil, oil filter, fuel filter and air filters every 5K religiously. We drive 65 mph when towing and max 70 when not. We purchased the truck for $17.7K in Oct 2019. Investing in a new engine is not out of the question due to condition of the truck and our relatively low investment to date. What we could buy in a dually for the cost of an engine, and what the truck is worth without a working engine, would not buy us anything newer. At least we know where this one stands.
I'm not interested in hearing about how the 6.4L is a piece of junk and get rid of it. Everyone has an opinion. We would like to try and work with this truck but also do not want to put an engine in for something that could be fixed for much less.
2 weeks ago towing our 5th wheel and suddenly engine revved and no longer would drive. Towed to a diesel shop. Center of flex plate was gone and took out starter. Had both parts replaced with Ford OEM. Next day driving to our new campground we made it 150 miles when the same happened, although starter was fine this time. Towed to a different diesel shop as we were too far from original repair place. Replaced flex plate and plate stiffener, both OEM. Also replaced torque converter with a rebuilt. There was slight play in the TC so shop recommended it be replaced.
Next day headed to a campground and made it 100 miles before the same thing happened. Had it towed to a Ford dealer in hopes they could truly figure out what is going on. Their initial assessment is the crank shaft bearing is bad allowing movement of the crank shaft within the block. They say we need a new engine. We have not experienced any of the typical items associated with the 6.4L failures. Our truck is not deleted
We are very skeptical of this diagnosis as we are in TX and our experience is that Ford dealers do not want to work on this age truck. We had it towed there without them realizing it was a 2008. They knew it was a F450 but we conveniently forgot to mention it was a 2008. It was Saturday afternoon and diesel shops were closed so this was our best bet of not sitting on the side of the road all weekend.
Thoughts on whether this truly is an engine replacement situation? They haven't really taken anything apart to verify this. It was the determination of their diesel mechanic. Could it be something in the transmission causing it instead of the engine?
The truck is in Madisonville TX and we are at an RV park in Woodville TX. Anyone have recommendations for a quality diesel shop, that works on 6.4L engines, that we can get another opinion from? Maybe the Houston or Beaumont areas or anywhere in between.
If we need an engine we would go aftermarket. I know there are some companies that have changed a bunch of things to eliminate or drastically improve the typical failure points. Any recommendations of whose engines to look at for aftermarket?
Our use is 90% towing a 42' 17K 5th wheel. It is not driven hard. We do oil, oil filter, fuel filter and air filters every 5K religiously. We drive 65 mph when towing and max 70 when not. We purchased the truck for $17.7K in Oct 2019. Investing in a new engine is not out of the question due to condition of the truck and our relatively low investment to date. What we could buy in a dually for the cost of an engine, and what the truck is worth without a working engine, would not buy us anything newer. At least we know where this one stands.
I'm not interested in hearing about how the 6.4L is a piece of junk and get rid of it. Everyone has an opinion. We would like to try and work with this truck but also do not want to put an engine in for something that could be fixed for much less.
Thread Starter
|
4wd High
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
I agree. We have not experienced any of the bearing failure symptoms I found in my search. I'm guessing it was a process of elimination as all other parts that could explain the flex plates failing have been replaced. Looking at trying to find a diesel shop that has access to aftermarket engines, with the upgrades for known issues, and get a max price from them for a crate engine. Then have them tear into the problem and see if it truly needs a new engine. I don't know any other way to know for sure.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,804
Likes: 113
If the main bearings in this engine was bad you would have oil everywhere. I think you need to have the transmission checked out. If the front pump bearing surface on the torque converter is trashed (worn or rough) this will allow for the torque converter to whip like a jump rope. That would cause a flexing of the flywheel (flexplate) and cause the very issue you are having. I am surprised that the transmission wasn't leaking though. Another issue is the front pump stator shaft could be bent or cracked and again, causing the flex plate issue.
Whatever the cause is you can be assured that the torque converter is being slung around and out of balance causing the problem.
Whatever the cause is you can be assured that the torque converter is being slung around and out of balance causing the problem.
Thread Starter
|
4wd High
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Thank you for your ideas of what to investigate. We will be towing the truck to a diesel shop closer to us to see what he finds. We just are not convinced it needs a new engine. This mechanic also finds it hard to believe the engine is shot based on the lack of symptoms we have.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,804
Likes: 113
One other issue could be a cracked bedplate on back of engine. That would be rare but possible. That would be putting the torque converter out of alignment and again, flexing the flywheel causing your problem. If the bedplate is cracked it is replaceable and you won't need a new engine. It might leak oil and it might not.
Thread Starter
|
4wd High
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Thank you. We will mention all of these things to the mechanic who will be looking for the true culprit.
Trending Topics
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 12,258
Likes: 770
From: Houston, Texas
Howdy, not sure if this ever got sorted out but I'd recommend STP Diesel in Houston. Benito and his crew do things right the first time and are not folks to misdiagnose something. As former Ford tech's, they have an extensive background on the 7.3, 6.0, 6.4, and 6.7.
They'll get to the bottom of the issue and provide a solution if you haven't already been taken care of.
They'll get to the bottom of the issue and provide a solution if you haven't already been taken care of.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Cole94
6.4L Power Stroke Diesel
8
Dec 18, 2020 10:30 PM
DUBCCAT51
6.7L Power Stroke Diesel
79
May 13, 2019 06:26 PM