Let me start off by saying I am new to this forum and have little to no mechanical knowledge of engines. I have a 2008 f-250 4x4 crew cab 4door with the 6.4L. Bought it new in '07. It currently has 110K miles on it. I have never had any trouble at all with this engine, until now, and have always done required maintainence.

I was driving 60mph on the highway and the truck started vibrating and running rough. At first, it felt like the rear end. When I pulled over and put it in park, I realized it was the engine. Thinking it was a sensor or something that went bad, I limped it to the nearest ford dealer for a look. When it was plugged up, it showed no compression in 1,2, and 5. They told me there it would need a short block...$9000 at the ford dealer. I had the truck towed to my local deisel mechanic and he initially said the same thing. However, after tearing into it, he realized a rocker arm had come apart... which it is my understanding this will cause the cylinders to show the compression readings I was given.

This mechanic told me he thought he could fix it. He replaced the entire rocker arm assembly, as he said the other rocker arms looked worn and while he was in there they should be replaced. I agreed. After this work was complete, he started the truck. It ran just fine...but now there is a lifter knocking bad. Now he is telling me the same as in the beginning...although he recommends a complete swap since it will cost about the same if I buy a used engine. I found one with 8k miles on it for $6750 w/ a 12mo warranty. So...now I owe him $3k for the new rocker arm assembly and a new engine. I have contacted ford about assistance with this and was denied. I am numb. Who has $10k just laying around for this? Not sure what to do..... any ideas? All help is appreciated.

 

Ouch...

Do you have any idea what caused the engine to fail? Who performed the maintenance? Did they use Motorcraft filters?

 

No, I have no idea what caused this failure. I was wondering if this is a common issue. All maintainence on this truck has been at my local ford dealer. So, I am assuming all of the filters etc. that have been used are approved by ford. Ouch....yes....this sucks big pecker.

 

Hopefully one of the diesel techs(cheezit, vloney, etc.) will chip in here and offer some insight as to what may have caused this.

Otherwise please let us know how it turns out and what caused it, if you ever find out. Sorry to hear about your troubles, but learning how it happened may help others.

 

Topnotch-You are the first one i have heard to have the dreaded cam/lifter issue with the 6.4. The 6.0(same basic design as the 6.4 in mechanical design) was very very know for this. I replaced in 1 year 20 6.0/vt365 engines casue of cam wear and lifter issues. Yes this is common. Im sorry to hear what happen to your engine. The tappet and cam seem to wear weird even with regular maintenence. Probably had the bearing come out it wore down and ate the cam up. Run a relative compression test this will show you your bad cly. Take the head off and inspect the lifter if its bad and cams good throw alifter at it and call it good. If you live in pittsburgh area i can help you.