While the 6.4L Powerstroke offered some improvements over the 6.0, they are still largely unreliable. There are a number of common Ford 6.4 turbo diesel problems that owners of these trucks consistently encounter. What’s worse is that like the 6.0L Powerstroke, repairing the 6.4 often requires raising the cab to easily access the engine. This makes any repair more expensive.
Thankfully, because these 6.4L Powerstroke Problems are so common, we now know many of their causes, as well as how to fix them. Most 6.4L Powerstroke Problems are attributed to a poor factory design and new emissions devices. Here’s a list of the most common issues found on 2008-2010 Ford Superduty trucks with the 6.4L Powerstroke Diesel engine.
Now that you know the most common problems found on these trucks, it’s time to dive deep into every specific problem and how to fix them. If you want to skip to a section, simply click on one of the bulleted links. If you’re not looking for a specific problem, simply scroll down. Let’s get in to it!
Oil Dilution
Oil dilution is an extremely common problem that 6.4L Powerstroke owners face. Have you ever changed your engine oil on your 6.4 by yourself? You might have been surprised that after draining the oil out of your truck, you found a ton of extra oil. Several quarts and sometimes even over a gallon of extra oil can be removed when changing your engine oil.
Oil dilution is an unfortunate by-product of this emissions process. What problems can oil dilution lead to though? Diesel doesn’t offer the same lubricating properties as your engine oil does. This can lead to increased wear and tear on crucial engine components because of a lack of lubrication. So how do you prevent this problem from happening?
The Fix For Oil Dilution
First and foremost, check your engine oil frequently. Once a week take a look at your dip stick. If you’re over max oil capacity, change the oil and oil filter immediately. Don’t use the 10,000 oil change intervals recommended by your owner’s manual. Instead, change the oil and filter on your 6.4L Powerstroke every 5,000 miles. Also make sure you use high quality oil that meets or exceeds OEM specs. If you’re over 5,000 miles, here are some high quality 6.4L Powerstroke engine oils and oil filters that you can use to do maintenance immediately.
Motorcraft SAE 15W40 Diesel engine Oil
Can’t go wrong with OEM when it comes to maintenance. One of the best 6.4L Powerstroke engine oils to use is Motorcraft 15W-40 Diesel Motor Oil. This is the preferred engine oil viscosity for climates above 20 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are in a colder climate, your truck may require a different viscosity. Check your diesel supplement manual or your owner’s manual for more information.
Motorcraft FL-2016
Motorcraft Filters are the ONLY filters you should ever use in your Powerstroke diesel truck. The 2008-2010 6.4L Powerstroke uses the Motorcraft FL-2016 engine oil filter which provides OEM quality filtration and reliability.
Leaking Radiators
Unlike the 6.0L Powerstroke, a puddle of coolant underneath your truck isn’t because of a blown head gasket. 6.4L Powerstrokes are notorious for developing radiator leaks because of the poor radiator design. The crimps on the plastic ends of the radiator tend to separate, causing them to leak. When you’re losing coolant, you’ll often experience overheating which could lead to major problems if not addressed as soon as possible. You might also notice visible signs of the radiator leaking.
Oil dilution is an unfortunate by-product of this emissions process. What problems can oil dilution lead to though? Diesel doesn’t offer the same lubricating properties as your engine oil does. This can lead to increased wear and tear on crucial engine components because of a lack of lubrication. So how do you prevent this problem from happening?
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