6.4 Engine Life Expectancy
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,375
Likes: 1,860
From: Frederick, MD
Hello all. I want to tell you first how useful I find all the posts on this forum. I have a question. I currently have a sick F-150 with the 5.4 3V issue. Thinking of upgrading to a Super Duty and looking at something 08 and newer. On a budget so I found an 08 that is in my price range but it has 121K miles on it. I am seeing some thoughts on this motor lasting upwards of 300K. What are your thoughts on getting one with this kind of mileage. THanks in advance.
But before any of this you should know that this motor does not like stop and go city traffic. It works best on the hwy due to the emissions.
Suggest you start your own thread with a link and some pictures of the proposed truck. We will try to help.
New User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland
Thanks senix. I have started a new threat yesterday with the same question. I will post a link. The only pics I have are from the dealer. I have not gone to look at the truck. It is about 45 minutes away and wanted to get an opinion or two before driving over to look at it. I will post a link in the new tread. BTW, love that 5th wheel in your pic.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: Utah Currently
Its all about the maintenance. The core engine should have no trouble going 300k+ if you follow the rules. Im not even worried about the electronics on these trucks. The emissions scares me though. Already we have seen problems with the DPF. they are supposed to be good for 150,000 but I have a hard time seeing that happen. I had mine replaced with less than 3k on the clock. I have a hard time thinking it will make it to 150k now.
In the 70's people wouldnt order power windows because "its just something more to go wrong, anything electronic is going to break". How ridiculous does that sound now?
In the 80's when fuel injection got popular people said "any time a computer is involved its going to fail". Lets see a show of hands how many of you would go back to a carburetor on your daily driver.
Plastic degas/overflow bottles have been standard since at least the early 80's (I had a 79 mustang and a 82 LTD that both had plastic).
In the 70's people wouldnt order power windows because "its just something more to go wrong, anything electronic is going to break". How ridiculous does that sound now?
In the 80's when fuel injection got popular people said "any time a computer is involved its going to fail". Lets see a show of hands how many of you would go back to a carburetor on your daily driver.
Plastic degas/overflow bottles have been standard since at least the early 80's (I had a 79 mustang and a 82 LTD that both had plastic).
New User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
You usually only hear of problems on the internet. I bought my 08 with 246,000 miles on it a year & a half ago. It was bone stock, unmodified probably maintained well (owned by oil well company) but I got no service records. The truck ran as well as a new 6.7 that I test drove. I have since deleted it & tuned it and it is at 276,000 miles.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 4
From: Redford, Mi.
You usually only hear of problems on the internet. I bought my 08 with 246,000 miles on it a year & a half ago. It was bone stock, unmodified probably maintained well (owned by oil well company) but I got no service records. The truck ran as well as a new 6.7 that I test drove. I have since deleted it & tuned it and it is at 276,000 miles.
And I think most agree, you hear of mostly the bad things on a forum with people looking for fix's and not so much of the high mileage no problem trucks.
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Reading this forums I'm about to reverse course and keep my 7.3 and hope that Ford does something different in a few years? I could never bring myself to drive the 6.7 model trucks just because of those awful rear fender flares....
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,375
Likes: 1,860
From: Frederick, MD
Because of the emissions systems the 6.4 seems to work best when it is up to operating temps and kept there. Running down the road for 12-14 hours with a heavy load or on the hwy keeps things nice and hot. This allows for the DPF to work the best.
The heat and the expansion of the rings creates the best seal. therefore when you regen it pushes the fuel to the dpf the most efficiently in can.
MPG's are not the strong suite for the 6.4 because of the emissons but it will work and work hard all day long, just not so good stop light to stop light.
The heat and the expansion of the rings creates the best seal. therefore when you regen it pushes the fuel to the dpf the most efficiently in can.
MPG's are not the strong suite for the 6.4 because of the emissons but it will work and work hard all day long, just not so good stop light to stop light.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,267
Likes: 5
It would be nice if in the future,
The PCM had a GPS chip in it, so that the truck could stay out of regen in traffic, and once you head for highway, it would go into regen if needed.
The PCM had a GPS chip in it, so that the truck could stay out of regen in traffic, and once you head for highway, it would go into regen if needed.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 211
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
Mine has 74k on it, did radiators once, and a exhaust temp sensor, that has been it so far.
New User
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
A ford f350 high miles
Im looking at a 2009 f-350 super duty diesel 6.4l 4x4 lariat.http://www.freedommotorsks.com/mobile/mdetails.aspx?VID=10026750
Here is the truck. Can you guys help me out in deciding if i should buy it. It drives like a cloud everything works.
Here is the truck. Can you guys help me out in deciding if i should buy it. It drives like a cloud everything works.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,375
Likes: 1,860
From: Frederick, MD
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,375
Likes: 1,860
From: Frederick, MD
The value seems right but there are a few things to check on a 6.4.
Is the exhaust still in tact. Does it have all the emissions stuff.
Need to scan it and make sure there are no codes.
Any kind of history of maintance on it?
Any motor work?
Is the exhaust still in tact. Does it have all the emissions stuff.
Need to scan it and make sure there are no codes.
Any kind of history of maintance on it?
Any motor work?
