If you own or have owned a 6.4, how problematic has it been? Coming from the 6.0 world, after I threw some money at it to fix the EGR stuff, it was actually a pretty good truck. Just wondering if the 6.4 is the same way.
No, the 6.4 is a pretty flawed engine. Issues with HPFP, cracking pistons, and poor oiling are common. The emissions system also contributes to engine damage during DPF regens. They’re very fast and can make 600+ HP with just a tune, but unless you have $20k saved for a new engine, I’d avoid it.
I currently own a 6.4 with 230k miles. It’s been good to me, but I’ve been religious about maintenance—oil every 5k miles, good-quality parts, and not babying it. Not everyone has the same luck, though, so proceed with caution.
The 6.4 is the definition of ‘here for a good time, not a long time.’ They’re fast and powerful, but the emissions system and poor oiling make them unreliable in stock form. If you don’t mind spending for rebuilds, go for it.
The 6.4 is prone to catastrophic failures like cracking pistons and EGR issues. Repairs often require lifting the cab, which isn’t cheap. Some people swear by them, but they’re high risk without extensive preventative work.
I’ve worked on plenty of 6.4s and would never own one myself. Even with deletes and upgrades, it’s a coin flip if they’ll last. If you’re not a gambler, spend the extra money on a 6.7 Powerstroke—it’s far more reliable.
The 6.4 is a money pit. If you’re serious, you’ll need to replace turbos, head studs, and timing components right off the bat to have any chance of reliability. Otherwise, it’s not worth the headache.
Cracked rear pistons on mine, and it was deleted and tuned. Unless you have deep pockets, I wouldn’t recommend it.
A deleted 6.4 is more reliable, but past 140k miles, you’re on borrowed time. The emissions system on early diesels is a real weak point.
Mine ran away after 230k miles and threw oil everywhere. Loved it before that, but the DPF probably caused long-term damage before it was deleted. Now I drive an older 6.9 IDI—slow, but reliable.
I’ve got 200k on my 2010 6.4. Major repairs included a radiator, HPFP, and pinion seal. It’s a work truck, and while it’s been reliable with regular maintenance, I wouldn’t buy another one.
I’ve owned my 6.4 for over 10 years, and it’s been great. I’m meticulous about maintenance—oil every 5k, fuel filters every 10k, and always letting the EGTs cool before shutting off. However, I’d only recommend buying one that’s already been built and has receipts for all work done.
Deleted mine, and it’s a powerhouse at 160k miles, but it does leak oil. I’m planning to rebuild the engine for peace of mind. If you’re considering one, expect high maintenance costs and common failures like cracked pistons and HPFP issues.
Thank God I found this thread before buying a 6.4!
I drive a 6.4 work truck with 100k miles. It’s been reliable because it’s well-maintained and not driven like a race car. Most problems come from poor maintenance or aggressive driving.