6.4 Powerstroke is a V8 diesel engine launched in Ford trucks in 2008 for the first time. Its maximum horsepower is about 349 hp.
Which 6.4 Powerstroke Years to Avoid And Why? You should avoid the 2008 6.4 Powerstroke because it has radiator leaks, steering lock defects, reduced acceleration, power loss, pistons damages, clogging of DPFs (diesel particulate filters), vibrational damage, and clogging of EGR (exhaust gas reticulation) coolers.
Many people avoid this engine because it has several defects. However, I avoid this engine to protect the Ford truck from sudden failure.
Which 6.4 Powerstroke years to avoid?
You cannot rely on 6.4L Powerstroke because it has several faults. It has models from 2008 to 2010.
2008 is the worst year for the 6.4 Powerstroke than other engine models because it undergoes various cracks, failures, and defects. All of its versions have a few defects.
But, the 2008 6.4-liter Powerstroke has various electrical, technical, and mechanical issues. For example, it has leakage problems, and its radiator malfunctions.
The pistons can break, and acceleration decreases from the threshold. Contamination of fuel is a significant problem that affects fuel economy.
The mileage decreases when the motor undergoes internal failures and surface cracking. In addition, its users have several complaints about its performance and efficiency.
You can avoid it because it has reduced reliability. Furthermore, its steering locks and stops the truck tires.
It is a significant defect and affects the steering. As a result, you cannot rotate it according to your requirements.
The truck stops anywhere, and you cannot move the wheels. Reduced control over the steering wheel, transmission, and tires are a few defects of this motor.
It has power loss issues and causes dangerous accidents. In addition, sudden seizing and power loss is a significant defect that makes its 2008 version less dependable.
Low fuel efficiency and poor mileage make it a non-reliable engine. Furthermore, it has higher emissions which reduce fuel levels.
The miles per gallon reduce, which affects the fuel economy. In addition, exhaust gas reticulation has different coolers.
They can reduce the temperature of exhaust gases. Also, they can push them back into the motor from the exhaust system.
The EGR coolers clog and cannot reduce the temperature of emission gases. As a result, the motor temperature rises and leads to overheating.
However, you cannot use the 2009 6.4-liter Powerstroke because it has injector defects and a turbocharger malfunctioning.
Its cooling system malfunctions, and repair is expensive. However, it has minimum issues than the 2008 models.
Its 2010 version is stable and works efficiently with minimum defects.
Why you should avoid 6.4 Powerstroke years?
I do not rely on the 2008 6.4 Powerstroke for regular or long-distance driving. However, you can avoid its 2008 model due to the following reasons.
Low acceleration
Low acceleration is a significant problem in this engine. The driver cannot maintain its acceleration at a steady range.
The acceleration changes while driving the Ford truck. As a result, driving becomes uncomfortable, and you cannot stabilize the wheels on the roads.
It reduces traction and leads to collisions. You can increase the acceleration by pushing the accelerator pedal.
In such circumstances, you can identify smoke from the truck engine. Sometimes, the motor does not respond to acceleration signals.
It does not rotate, and the truck remains stable. It frustrates the driver and reduces driving efficiency and comfort.
It has more acceleration problems, which decreases its reliability.
Reduced fuel quality
The 2008 6.4 liter Powerstroke has low fuel quality. The fuel has contaminants that reduce its efficiency.
The contaminated fuel cannot support the fuel injectors. As a result, the standard combustions alter.
The truck speed varies and affects the driving. The clogged filters and injectors can decrease fuel stability.
The low quality of fuel decreases the miles per gallon. The mileage decreases, which affects the fuel economy of the truck.
The miles per gallon decrease during city driving. The regeneration combustion cycle increases.
The combustion cycle consumes more fuel and reduces its level in the container. The contaminated fuel has low quality and minimum stability.
It is a significant defect of its 2008 version.
Leakage of radiator
It has leakage problems. The radiator leaks due to its high temperature, internal defects, and damage.
The broken head gaskets increase the leaks. The radiator has a poor layout which leads to leaks.
However, its radiator has plastic edges. Therefore, they are susceptible to damage and cracks.
Also, they break and separate, which leads to excessive fluid leaks. The coolant level reduces, which increases the temperature.
Overheating is a significant issue that increases leakage. High temperatures can damage the mechanical components of the motor.
You cannot repair the leaks. Replacing the radiator is essential to stabilize motor performance.
Broken pistons
The pistons of the engine produce stroke, and the engine produces horsepower. It has various complaints about broken pistons.
The pistons are soft and break easily. Their poor and fragile layout causes damage. They have low-quality manufacturing material, which breaks them under heat and strain.
The broken pistons cannot move according to their standard movements. As a result, they lose performance and efficiency.
Furthermore, they cannot support motor performance. Their broken parts can move toward other engine components and cause clogging.
Clogged DPFs
The Powerstroke engines have diesel particulate filters that can remove the unburnt gases from the tailpipes. The DPFs can remove unwanted hydrocarbons for engine stability.
However, it has the problem of clogged DPFs. They can clog with time and cannot perform.
DPF clogging leads to several problems in the truck exhaust system. The diesel particulate filters clog and reduce the emission of gases from the exhaust system.
The regeneration cycle fails, and the engine malfunctions. In addition, clogged diesel particulate filters leak.
The leakage affects the engine’s efficiency and functionality. The diesel particulate filters have internal sensors which regulate their performance.
The sensors fail due to electrical defects. In such circumstances, they cannot identify the input information.
They cannot read the signals and reduces the functionality of the diesel particulate system of the truck engine.
Vibrational damages
It is not a reliable engine because it undergoes various vibrations. Its vibrations lead to stalling and internal damage.
The mechanical components break and reduce the motor efficiency. As a result, the horsepower reduces, and metallic parts cannot support the truck’s performance, speed, and transmission functionality.
Vibrational damages are significant because they decrease engine efficiency. It does not spin at stable rotations per minute.
The engine vibrates, which leads to stalling and sudden breakdown. The truck stops, and you cannot restart the ignition.
When does 6.4 Powerstroke have more failures?
6.4 liter Powerstroke 2008 model has internal defects and several failures. However, you can drive the truck for about 155000 to 210000 miles before the damages and defects appear.
The engine undergoes catastrophic damages and performance failures after these miles. However, the miles vary according to the engine condition and type of use.
A few individuals drive their trucks regularly on different roads. In such circumstances, 6.4L Powerstroke fails at around 60000 to 70000 miles.
Sometimes, the engine stability increases when you clean and maintain it. Reduced usage can stabilize its performance.
In such circumstances, it can fail at about 115000 to 120000 miles. A few owners complain about its radiator leakage after a few thousand miles.
In some conditions, it undergoes catastrophic failures before 155000 miles and requires expensive maintenance and repair. Vibrational damages increase while driving the truck at high speed for several hours.
The 6.4 liter Powerstroke cannot withstand the acceleration pressure and stalls. In a few conditions, the vibrational damages become prominent after 120000 miles.
Increased mileages enhance the number of its damages. This is because the pistons break when the mileage increases.
The malfunctioning pistons can damage the engine and reduce its efficiency. They cannot supply power for stroke and combustion, which affects speed.
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