Following the catastrophic malfunction that was the 6.0 Powerstroke, Ford launched the 6.4 Powerstroke in 2008. It ran for two years prior to being retired. In the 6.4, Powerstroke included three models. The three models comprise:
- The 6.4 Powerstroke 2008
- The 6.4 Powerstroke 2009
- The 6.4 Powerstroke 2010
One of them is 6.4. The powerstroke year to avoid is 2008.
The three models of 6.4 powerstroke years to avoid, but 2008 was the best with regard to the amount of issues. It was the final Ford Navistar produced before Ford discontinued the partnership between the two companies. The challenges the 6.4 is confronted with are manifolds. A few of these include obstructions to the PDF and problems with the acceleration and cooling of the vehicle’s engine. Other issues include fragile pistons, radiator leaks from the up-pipe, and so on.
Another issue that people have spoken to me regarding is fuel that is contaminated and poor mileage. There are many other issues, too, which I’ll discuss in the next section.6.4 Powerstroke Years To Avoid
Table of Contents
Worst 6.4 Powerstroke Years: Most Common Problems
Ford and Navistar worked together for more than three decades prior to the development of 6.0 Powerstroke. The shaky performance of this engine, as well as the widely-publicized dispute between Navistar and Ford, led to Ford reconsidering its designs as well as the test results. Following the discontinuation of the 6.0, Ford introduced the 6.4 Powerstroke in a bid to rectify its previous errors.
In the end, Ford has succeeded in creating an engine that is reliable for diesel-powered trucks. Even so, the initial year of the 6.4 had some difficulties. It was one of the 6.4L Powerstroke years that was to be avoided. What’s the issue? We’ll look at the following:
Clogging Of The DPFs
The purpose of the DPF is to reduce emissions. However, things can go south once they’ve become blocked. If the DPF is blocked then the performance of the engine, along with the turbocharger’s performance, drops significantly. If this happens, the engine can’t remove gases from the exhaust properly, and this puts pressure on the various parts of the engine. This causes energy to cease abruptly.
Problems Regarding The Oil Cooler
The job of the oil cooler is to reduce the temperature of engine oil to a low level to ensure that the engine does not overheat. If 6.4 Powerstroke’s cooler is not functioning, it will cause the temperature of the engine to increase rapidly. The replacement of the cooler for oil, which is blocked, is the only option to solve this problem that will cost you a lot.
Issues With The Acceleration
The main issues that Powerstrokes 6.4 Powerstrokes that irks drivers the most are the issues with acceleration. If the speed of a vehicle is not consistent, this causes the driver’s experience to be unpleasant. There are two problems with the acceleration speed of 6.4. First, when drivers attempt to accelerate the vehicle, it emits unimaginable quantities of smoke. Then, the engine may stop working just when the driver prepares to accelerate.
Fragile Pistons
Specific drivers have complained about drivers have complained about the delicate pistons in the 6.4 Powerstroke, which cracks very easily. It is entirely on Ford’s shoulders because the design of the pistons is what causes this problem. The pistons are constructed of substances that aren’t designed to last for long. This can cause many problems in the process.
Radiators Having Leaks
A different flaw in design can cause the radiators of these 6.4 diesel motors to be leaking. The engine of a truck shakes quite a lot. The radiator, therefore, needs to be constructed from something that can stand up to this intense shake. However, Ford made their radiators out of plastic, which isn’t known for its strength under the most extreme conditions.
In the event that the radiator in the 6.4L engine leaks on it and the coolants in the radiator slowly leak out. The engine’s temperature will rise and can cause engine damage. There’s only one method to fix a leaky radiator: replace it with a new aluminum radiator.
Up-Pipe Leaks
Another element in the 6.4 Powerstroke engine that isn’t strong enough to withstand the intense temperature and vibrations produced by the engine is its exhaust pipes. However, this isn’t caused by any fault of Ford’s but instead happens with age as the engine wears out and mileage accumulates. As leaks begin to form at the top of the pipes this causes the soot to get deposited into the engine
Contaminated Fuel
Fuel can be contaminated once it comes into contact with too much oil. If this happens, the engine loses the capability to reduce temperatures. It also doesn’t correctly allow lubrication of the engine. If the fuel is dirty and the internal parts of the engine become worn out faster than they are supposed to. The engine can be damaged and wear down quickly.
Poor Mileage
The driver determines choices about fuel by evaluating how great the economy of their vehicle is. It’s a huge shock to learn that you aren’t getting the best mileage from their fuel due to the engine. It’s precisely what happens when it comes to this model of 6.4 Powerstrokes. If the vehicle is driven through traffic jams or moving slowly, the engine needs more excellent fuel. The more frequent incidents like these, the lower the mileage is likely to be. There’s no answer for this issue that’s legally enforceable, and resolving the problem is an enormous challenge.
Clogging Of The EGR Coolers
The primary function of EGR coolers is to cool the exhaust gasses before they are reintroduced back into the engine. If the EGR cooler is blocked, it is unable to effectively cool down the gases, and the engine will overheat. Even though Ford encountered precisely the same issue in 6.0 Powerstroke, they could not resolve the problem. The most effective way to address this problem is to put in the Coolant Filtration System.
Chafing Of The HPFP Wires
The HPFP, also known as the High-Power Fuel Pump, contains wires that are subject to chafing. The reason for this is that the engine is rocking so hard that the pump is unable to absorb it and thus exposes the wires. Once the chafing begins, it is possible for the risk of HPFP becoming shorted to increase and then increase. If this happens, repair can be costly.
Leaks In The Front Cover
When the engine gets older and wears out, the chance of leaks from the front cover increases. Leaks in the front cover result in coolants getting into the crankcase. This is an absolute no-no. The part that is on the cover’s front that is most prone to being damaged is the area around that of the water pump. Many believe that cavitation is the cause of the leaks.
Clogged-Up Fuel-Water Separator
The separator for fuel and water in the 6.4 is required to be flushed frequently. In the absence of this, it will result in fuel and water mixing and forming a sludge-like material. The substance is responsible for causing the drain valve that isn’t able to open. In the end, water is unable to exit the engine but instead enters the fuel system in the engine, leading to rust, which causes degradation.
Which Is The Best 6.4 Powerstroke Year?
Within its relatively short life span, The 6.4 Powerstroke has had its share of issues. However, not all 6.4 engines are bad ones. There are more 6.4 diesel motors than the bad. The top 6.4 Powerstroke year was 2010. Ford made a number of corrections to its errors in the 2010 6.4 Powerstroke before replacing it with the 6.7 Powerstroke.
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6.4 Powerstroke Years To Avoid Related (FAQs)
What Is The Life Expectancy Of A 6.4 Powerstroke?
The longevity of any engine is not just based on the design but the way it is maintained, as well as the frequency at which it’s maintained. The average lifespan of lifespan of a 6.4 Powerstroke lasts from 150000 to 200000 miles. If the engine is clean and well-maintained, it will last longer.
Is 6.0 Or 6.4 Better?
In general, when two engines are placed together when analyzing a comparative study, there is a positive aspect for each engine. However, that’s not an issue when the 6.0 is compared to the 6.4. The disastrous failures of 6.0 resulted in Ford thinking about its approach and creating 6.4. Additionally, being the most infamous of being the least reliable engine ever can do the 6.0 do it no favors.
Final Words
The 6.4 is the most stable Powerstroke engine, in general. For the three years, the engine was in production, apart from the 2008 version that received much applause. The flaws that plagued the 2008 model are what make it a 6.4 Powerstroke year to avoid. It is a fragile engine that can be susceptible to frequent leaks, issues with coolant and oil, exhaust gases that aren’t cold enough, and other problems.
The year with the highest score of the 6.4 Powerstroke is 2010, and it is also the final 6.4 Powerstroke year.