I’m considering buying a 2008 Ford 6.4 Powerstroke with 160k miles. The truck looks clean, and the price seems fair. I’m okay with investing in it down the road, but right now, I need something reliable for my daily commute. Is this one of the good ones, or am I asking for trouble?
They’re great if you have a 5.9 Cummins ready to swap in when the 6.4 inevitably dies.
Remy said:
They’re great if you have a 5.9 Cummins ready to swap in when the 6.4 inevitably dies.
Exactly. You’ll need that backup plan!
Are they really that bad? What makes them such a headache?
Cody said:
Are they really that bad? What makes them such a headache?
Oh yeah. Pistons love to shatter, the injection system likes to self-destruct, and valves drop into the cylinders like they’re playing a game of tag. It’s not pretty.
Nope. Those engines are grenades waiting to explode. The 6.4 is a bored-out 6.0, and its weak points are the pistons and cylinder walls. You’re better off finding a 6.0 and bulletproofing it.
Blake said:
Nope. Those engines are grenades waiting to explode. The 6.4 is a bored-out 6.0, and its weak points are the pistons and cylinder walls. You’re better off finding a 6.0 and bulletproofing it.
If you go the 6.0 route, get a blown head gasket or oil cooler cheap, then stud it, bulletproof the EGR and oil cooler, and you’ll be good to go. Add a tow tune and it’ll last forever.
I’d only recommend it if you have $10k saved for the inevitable repairs. These trucks are notorious for failure, which is why they were only made for three years.
I’ve owned one for two years, and it’s been great. Took it from 130k to 170k miles with zero issues. It’s all about maintenance and not beating on it too hard.
Keir said:
I’ve owned one for two years, and it’s been great. Took it from 130k to 170k miles with zero issues. It’s all about maintenance and not beating on it too hard.
Glad to hear it! I just bought one. Hope it holds up for me.
@Bailey
I sold mine after an accident, but the guy who bought it is still driving it. It’s a good truck if you take care of it.
They’re basically throwaway engines. Known for breaking down right around that mileage.
The trucks themselves are solid. The engine? Not so much. If you’re up for a challenge, consider swapping in a Cummins. Otherwise, maybe look at a Duramax or something else.
Unless it’s free, I’d pass.
Stay away. They’re poorly built, expensive to fix, and often can’t even be rebuilt.
It’s worse than the Oldsmobile 5.7 diesel, if that tells you anything.
If you know what you’re getting into and can handle the maintenance, it might work out. But if you’re just gambling on this one, I’d say don’t risk it.
I appreciate all the feedback! Sounds like it might be smarter to pass on this one unless I’m ready for the headache.