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From: M.M. on 25 Feb 2010 23:58
I'm looking for a pickup to tow a fifth-wheel trailer. I'm looking at a
2008 F-350 with the 6.4L turbo. Anyone have any experience with this
model? Any known issues? How do the Ford diesels compare to the Chevy &
Dodge in reliability?
From: Pete C. on 26 Feb 2010 09:38

"M.M." wrote:
>
> I'm looking for a pickup to tow a fifth-wheel trailer. I'm looking at a
> 2008 F-350 with the 6.4L turbo. Anyone have any experience with this
> model? Any known issues? How do the Ford diesels compare to the Chevy &
> Dodge in reliability?

All current diesels, regardless of brand have some manageable issues due
to the new emissions requirements. If you want to avoid the new
emissions issues you'll have to buy a 2006 or earlier model.

As for Ford, the early 6.4L engines had some issues and the worst were
resolved by the 2008 model year. The 2008s still had some lingering
small issues and the 2009s seem to have few if any (I have a 2009).

The key things to keep in mind for a 6.4L (most apply to other brands as
well):

- Read the maintenance information in the diesel supplement thoroughly,
in particular the "special operating conditions" section where you will
find that the maintenance intervals listed in the "normal" section are
not applicable to nearly any typical use of these vehicles.

- These engines have fuel dilution issues that relate to the Diesel
Particulate Filter (DPF) regeneration process which causes some raw
diesel fuel to work it's way into the engine oil. With 15 quarts of
engine oil and the 5,000 mile oil changes specified in the "special
operating conditions" section of the diesel supplement, this fuel
dilution is held to 2-3% which does not present a problem.

- It is strongly recommended to send oil samples from each oil change
off for analysis (Blackstone Labs or similar) to confirm the fuel
dilution percentage as there are other potential failures such as fuel
injectors or the high pressure fuel lines feeding them that can
drastically increase this fuel dilution and lead to engine failure.
These failures would be covered under warranty (Ford ESP extended
warranty recommended), however you sometimes need to convince a clueless
"service advisor" that the issue is not from DPF regen, is not normal
and needs to be investigated per the diagnostic procedures in the Ford
service literature.

- Another commonly overlooked (even by the dealers) service requirement
is regular coolant testing and coolant additive addition. In the diesel
supplement, again under "special operating conditions" you will find
that the 100,000 mile max coolant change interval is not applicable, and
instead at 20k and 40k you must test the nitrite level in the coolant
with test strips (available from the dealer in 4pks), and if the nitrite
level is 800ppm or below, add 32oz (two bottles) of VC-8 coolant
additive (also available at the dealer). Failure to perform this service
can result in serious engine damage and potentially denial of a warranty
claim due to failure to perform required maintenance.

- The fuel filters should be changed at 10,000 mile intervals, and the
water separator must be drained monthly though most of the time you will
fine little or no water. The high pressure fuel pump and fuel injectors
are not at all tolerant of water so you don't want to risk any getting
to them (warranty claim denial, improper fuel or maintenance).

- Always use the Ford PM22-A (summer) or PM23-A (winter) fuel additives
or equivalent (such as Stanadyne Performance Formula) with every
fueling. These additives do make a noticeable difference, both in
overall performance, and more importantly in reducing DPF regeneration
frequency, as well as adding lubricity to the ULSD fuel which helps
protect the high pressure fuel pump and injectors.

These recommendations or their equivalent will also apply to other
brands of post-2006 vehicles, so it isn't a Ford issue, it's an
emissions issue. Pay attention to required maintenance on any of the
brands and you'll be ok.
From: M.M. on 26 Feb 2010 11:35
Pete C. wrote:
> "M.M." wrote:
>> I'm looking for a pickup to tow a fifth-wheel trailer. I'm looking at a
>> 2008 F-350 with the 6.4L turbo. Anyone have any experience with this
>> model? Any known issues? How do the Ford diesels compare to the Chevy &
>> Dodge in reliability?
>
> All current diesels, regardless of brand have some manageable issues due
> to the new emissions requirements. If you want to avoid the new
> emissions issues you'll have to buy a 2006 or earlier model.
>
[snip lots of good info]

Thanks, Pete, that's the stuff I wanted to know. Sounds like buying a
used one is a pretty big gamble unless you know for sure how well it was
maintained. Sounds like diesels are at about the same stage as cars in
the early 70's when they started with the emission control...lots of
problems until they sorted them out.
From: cuhulin on 26 Feb 2010 11:54
Does all of that go for diesel engine cars too?
cuhulin

From: cuhulin on 26 Feb 2010 21:41
Ford all new 2011 Diesel engine.
http://www.ford-trucks.com

New transmission too.
cuhulin

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