Major problems with 08 F350 6.4L Diesel

[senix]

Originally Posted by candacedeweese

We purchased an 08 6.4 in Feb of last year. We are the second owner, and we were told by the dealership that the motor had been replaced because the 1st owner had busted an oil line and ran it low on oil burning up the motor. The truck looked brand new, had around 80,000 miles and the price was right. 3 weeks ago it just stopped, and we had to tow it in. I then find out that in 09 it had to have a new short block, in 2011 it had to have a new long block, and now after spending over $1000 there is no compression in the 7th cylinder. So it is looking like motor #4 will be placed in the truck. I called Ford and they informed me that under no condition would they buy back the truck. I am determined that I am getting rid of the truck; I believe we will be switching to a Dodge. Unfortunately, I am going to be losing money because of the trade in. Do you know if there is anything we can do to get Ford to admit a problem and buy the trucks back? I threatened that I was going to call the news, but if there are not enough complaints they will not report it.

This sounds more like a lack of maintance and service (maybe not on your part). What I would do is fix it! Ask for help on what needs to occurr to keeping it running in top shape. There are no inherent issues with the motor.

[westin06]

I'm back!!! and not with good news either. Came outside to the get ready to load the truck and saw a nice size puddle underneath the truck. Looked like oil from a distance, but upon further inspection, it was transmission fluid.

It was dripping out of the inspection hole (not sure if thats the correct term) on the bottom front of the tranny. Checked the fluid, still showed on the dip stick so it must of just happened on the trip home. Topped off with fluid and drop straight to our mechanic. Without tearing it apart, thinks it might be a front seal.

My mechanic also mentioned that this particular model year (08) has problems with the transmission overheated, expanding, and cracking. Any truth to this guys?

Does the diesel care extended warranty cover transmissions?

Keep you updated on what the issue is. Noticed it early enough in the day so we were able to get a spare truck so our business wont have to be shut down, but just another problem.

Never a good thing to see on the driveway!

[mrbtoy]

Westin06,
Since warranty is out the window you could and should make changes to the truck's drivetrain to insure longevity. Depending on what state you live, if EGR, DPF and CAT Converter can be removed without issues from DOT than continue reading.

You can also make subtle changes like adding the bypass systems and a programmer, cold air intake and "non-modified" exhaust and leave stock parts on the truck for emissions laws, but if it's not a worry than continue reading.


Just a few suggestions from a satisfied 08, 6.4 owner:

1. Replace the radiator with a "non-plastic" housing unit
2. Add a tranny bypass filter system to remove smaller contaminants
3. Add a coolant bypass filter system to remove small particles
4. Add a fuel system to maintain rail pressure and remove air and water
5. Add an oil bypass system to remove soot and contaminants - it also extends intervals for oil changes to 15k to 20k miles
6. Add a programmer - we like H & S mini-maxx
7. Replace the oil cooler with an exterior mount unit - One is available that also includes the oil bypass filter system
8. Remove the EGR system
9. Remove the CAT, DPF and exhaust system with a 4" or 5" downpipe back system - no bungs
10. Replace the air intake with a cold air system
11. Remove and relocate the trans cooler
12. Remove and replace the Intercooler air induction pipes from the Intercooler with a larger, custom unit that also replaces the intake elbow with a larger, less obstructive unit
13. Replace the tranny pan with a larger, "cooling" unit
14. Run only yellow coolant, recommended from Ford or equivalent
15. Run only Mercon SP tranny fluid or synthetic equivalent
16. Replace the Intercooler with an aftermarket brand for quicker turbo spooling times and lower EGT's

Approx $5k in parts and another $2k in labor for the above mods. But the engine tows our 12,000 lb 5th wheel or our 26 ft cruiser boat with ease. EGT's never run over 1,000, even in 90+ Florida heat. The average EGT temps are 650 to 800 when towing at 70+ MPH.

For bigger budgets and more HP and Torque - remove and replace the low and high atmosphere turbo's with larger diameter wheels and billet bearings units - multiple units are available - we like Elite Diesel's 59mm and 74mm twins (or larger) with billet bearings.

When doing so, you should also replace the head studs with aftermarket, stronger ones. Adding larger turbo's will increase the risk of stretching head studs.

For $3k to $10k + about $2k in labor you can add a lot of power with the new turbo's and head studs, depending on the power level(s) you want to achieve.

We changed out the low atmospheric turbo and did the head studs for reliability issues.

I hope these suggestions help. You've already spent a lot of $$ for out of warranty repairs so these suggestions may not apply. For anyone buying a newer 6.4, with less miles, we highly recommend these mods, or at the very least, doing the bypass systems and DOT emissions approved mods.

I'd be happy to answer any questions. Good luck

[Smokewagun]

Mrbtoy, are you serious? Not trying to be a smart ash, but how can that kind of cash be justified for all of those mods? I would like to know what kind of person would consider all those mods and why. It seems unrealistic unless someone drives 3,000 a year and can get 20 years out of a vehicle.


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[granty]

My experience is so similar to yours. it's scary. Bought my 08 brand new f350 dually with tow package and exhaust brakes from ford in Margate FL. Was hauling cars (3-car) trailer for approx 1 year. during this time, I went through 3 radiators and also had issues with the exhaust sensor. Vehicle would shut down when the exhaust got hot. Just paid approx $5900.00 to fix exhaust leak in the engine and redo rear diff. upon picking up my vehicle from dealer, my windshield washer hose/nozzles are damaged, battery dead, exhaust braking seems to stop working (I don't hear that whining sound coming from the exhaust when I take my foot off the accelerator pedal anymore) and they modified my EGR system...said this is a Ford requirement. Nothing connected to two small metal pipes on the EGR valve anymore????. Also trying to tell me I didn't have Exhaust Brake, and I have been listening to this Whining sound coming from my exhaust pipe for the past 5 years. This is totally different from the Tow/haul feature which I haven't used since I stop hauling cars in 2008. I am so mad right now...I hate to talk about it. I took the vehicle back and they are supposedly lookig into these issues. Based on what is on the invoice I got from them, they replaced exhaust inlet pipe-turbo and/or EGR oxidation catalytic converter and sensor-exhaust gas-temperature. they also removed and re-installed my turbocharger assembly. CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHAT THE MOST LIKELY ISSUE IS TO CAUSE MY EXHAUST BRAKE TO STOP WORKING? i KNOW THIS IS RELATED TO THE EGR AND TURBO IN SOME WAY...BASED ON WHAT I HAVE READ. i cant find anything in my manual about this...but I bought my vehicle brand new with this feature and I am 110% positive it was working up until they did these repairs.

[senix]

Originally Posted by granty

My experience is so similar to yours. it's scary. Bought my 08 brand new f350 dually with tow package and exhaust brakes from ford in Margate FL. Was hauling cars (3-car) trailer for approx 1 year. during this time, I went through 3 radiators and also had issues with the exhaust sensor. Vehicle would shut down when the exhaust got hot. Just paid approx $5900.00 to fix exhaust leak in the engine and redo rear diff. upon picking up my vehicle from dealer, my windshield washer hose/nozzles are damaged, battery dead, exhaust braking seems to stop working (I don't hear that whining sound coming from the exhaust when I take my foot off the accelerator pedal anymore) and they modified my EGR system...said this is a Ford requirement. Nothing connected to two small metal pipes on the EGR valve anymore????. Also trying to tell me I didn't have Exhaust Brake, and I have been listening to this Whining sound coming from my exhaust pipe for the past 5 years. This is totally different from the Tow/haul feature which I haven't used since I stop hauling cars in 2008. I am so mad right now...I hate to talk about it. I took the vehicle back and they are supposedly lookig into these issues. Based on what is on the invoice I got from them, they replaced exhaust inlet pipe-turbo and/or EGR oxidation catalytic converter and sensor-exhaust gas-temperature. they also removed and re-installed my turbocharger assembly. CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHAT THE MOST LIKELY ISSUE IS TO CAUSE MY EXHAUST BRAKE TO STOP WORKING? i KNOW THIS IS RELATED TO THE EGR AND TURBO IN SOME WAY...BASED ON WHAT I HAVE READ. i cant find anything in my manual about this...but I bought my vehicle brand new with this feature and I am 110% positive it was working up until they did these repairs.

Go to another dealer with your invoice.

[jake b]

We almost pulled the trigger on a 2013 f350 this week. decided to wait a week and read up on them. after reading this post all 6 pages of it there is no way we will be buying this truck now. I was leary to buy a ford but really like the look of the f350 figured buy new and get the warrenty. after reading this no way ever. will continue looking at other trucks in this class. sorry to hear of all your problems with these trucks. that said Thanks saved us at least from dumping 55k into a pit

[ptanner3]

@jake, different year, engine, and not everybody has these problems. if you find a perfect truck (and maker) please let everyone know so we can buy one.

[jake b]

yeah I know still not worth the gamble. I wish toyota would Jump past the 1/2 ton and go full size then there might be one.

[ptanner3]

I'm sure if you go on gm and dodge sites you would find just as scary information is all i'm saying. You hardly ever see posts about there truck running perfect. Good luck with your truck hunt.

[senix]

Originally Posted by ptanner3

I'm sure if you go on gm and dodge sites you would find just as scary information is all i'm saying. You hardly ever see posts about there truck running perfect. Good luck with your truck hunt.

My Post: It is running perfect. Just got done hauling 8 Mercedes cars...they are running so so.

[Rickeoni]

Mine has also run without a hitch in two years of ownership. Out of warranty as of last week, going in for cat/dpf/egr delete next week. Hopefully the last truck I will ever buy.

[zedd]

Ditto. No problems with mine.

My $0.02 worth...it's mostly how you maintain them, drive them, and how much you modify them.

All makes have the occasional lemon. You tend to hear the horror stories on these forums.

[mrbtoy]

Smokewagun, Thanks for taking time to read my post.
I can't agree with you more, except I expect to put 400k to 500k miles on my truck. With the price of new trucks approaching $70k today and imagine what they'll be 5 years down the road, it makes sense, at least for me, to do everything I can to maintain the cleanest, best running truck on the road.
As other people have mentioned on this forum, if you maintain your ride, it'll take care of you. For me, maintaining my ride means using the best aftermarket products I can find, have them professionally installed and hopefully it'll mean I'll get many years of low-maintenence use out of my truck.
Just the oil bypass system alone saves me about $500 a year in oil changes.
With the fuel filter bypass system there's no more worry about contamination getting into the engine and neither of the two fuel filters on the truck need to be replaced for at least 50k miles or more.
Those are the things I get excited about. I've been blessed with the ability to do the modifications over a 2 year period and still not broke the bank. I realize that for some, the money I have spent isn't realistic.
For those people I would recommend cutting back on the number of after market products and only install the ones that provide the biggest bang for the buck.

[kainedogg]

Was looking at an '08 F450 and after reading this post I am a bit (extremely actually) leary. Dealer wanted $26k fully loaded with 91k. I told him I would do 21k out the door and put the "savings" toward a USSA warranty. May have insulted him...but I can live with that.