2010 Ford F250 6.4 Diesel - Opinins? First Hand Knowledge?

[jjdavis2222]

  Hey All, I'm looking for some first hand knowledge from some of you ford and deisel guys. I am looking at a 2010 Ford F250 with the 6.4 powerstock deisel. I have never owned a deisel but with owning a boat and planning on getting a camper someday its time to upgrade. I really like this truck but dont know much about the engines. The one I am looking at has around 85000 miles on it. So if anyone has any first hand knowledge about these engines and the truck it self please school me. I appracite any advise!

[MountainWalk]

My bro in law has one. Its a dog. Only diesel I'd buy would be 5.9 cummins or the 7.3 stroke

[Woodchuck]

Good motor after upgrades/deletes are done. Not so hot in bone stock form. Basically a slightly bigger 6.0. 

[jackelope]

Truck is ok. Engine is not so ok. The cost of repairs I see was enough to scare me away. If you buy one, stash about $5k to do the mods/upgrades/repairs Woodchuck is referring to. It would not be abnormal for a 6.4 to need a large repair or 2 in it's life. Keeping things cool and maintained is a huge part of the 6.4's best attempts at success.

[2labs]

Or find a clean5.9 or7.3 and save 15k. Put that 5k breakdown account into an older truck. Doesn't sound like its going to be a daily driver. 1999-2003 era

[jackelope]

Or find a clean5.9 or7.3 and save 15k. Put that 5k breakdown account into an older truck. Doesn't sound like its going to be a daily driver. 1999-2003 era

But then you've got a truck with a hundred million miles on it and you'll have problems with it.

[2labs]

Yea none of my buddies 60k trucks have problems.

[DRobnsn]

I have an 08 6.4 powerstroke, Its far from being a dog but its not stock either 

By themselves DPF systems SUCK and ruin any chance a diesel has at decent fuel economy and a long life.

[jackelope]

Yea none of my buddies 60k trucks have problems.

I'm not arguing. I see your logic....but the old 7.3's break down too, and they're not cheap to fix either. And they're 12-15 years old, which would be enough to make me worry about reliability. If you figure on the laws of averages, you're looking at trucks with 150-200k miles on them. If you can find a clean, low mile 7.3, then go for it. They are a unicorn these days.

[DRobnsn]

Yea none of my buddies 60k trucks have problems.

Don't they have a warranty though?

[2labs]

I guess I just think different. I've been limped along thru warranty crap.

[jackelope]

Warranty work is easy money. Not sure why anyone would limp along any factory warranty work. There is a protocol to follow, but it's not difficult. I do it all day every day.

[2labs]

88 G.M.C 5 speed manual. 3 transmissions 1 transfer case rebuild. 52k on it. Still wasn't right.traded in on a f-250 never looked back.
The fuel injected 350 is awesome tho. We've all had are issues, it's just the way it is

[Mxracer532]

A good freind of mine lost the motor in his at about 120k. It nocked sooo freakin loud for about 6 months or so before it let loose. Tranny was also shot. Rebuilt both at a cost of 18k if i remember right and 3 months later someone put dirt in his fuel tank and lost another motor and everything with the fuel system.
I myself would stay away from any ford deisel unless its the new 6.7.
Cummins or Duramax.

[DRobnsn]

I will say. If I didn't need to tow more than 10k, know how to work on diesels, and didn't enjoy having a hot rod diesel to play with, I'd just buy a Tundra, drive the wheels off of it and never look back. 

[Mxracer532]

I will say. If I didn't need to tow more than 10k, know how to work on diesels, and didn't enjoy having a hot rod diesel to play with, I'd just buy a Tundra, drive the wheels off of it and never look back.

Haha, funny you say that cause i was considering a diesel, but my Tundra pulls my Desert Fox Toyhauler pretty dang good. (7-8mpg) at 70mph but i own the tundra and only has 38k on it.

[jjdavis2222]

Thanks for the input guys! Why are deisel's so scary? Are these things breaking down all the time?

Maybe I'll stick with a gas F250 with the 6.2L. Any knowledge of that engine? Would there be enough power to tow a 20 foot boat and haul a camper?

[Woodchuck]

It isn't that they break down ALL the time. It is more that when they do break it can be a bit of a surprise in comparison to a gas rig. Factor in the cost of more expensive regular maintenance and it often comes out that a gas rig is better in the long run.
The gas pickup will do the job, it will just likely be a little slower trip with a few more dollars escaping into atmosphere through the tailpipe. 

[Rick]

The 6.2 is more than capable of towing a 20' boat and carrying a camper.

[MagKarl]

If you're looking at used that new, I'd give the 6.7 a look.  My uncle has an '11 6.7 that he has been really happy with. 

[MHWASH]

Thanks for the input guys! Why are deisel's so scary? Are these things breaking down all the time?

There is nothing scary about diesels, it's mostly just scare tactics by guys who drive Tundras and think they have real trucks. Those 4' beds are perfect for hauling around a Lab and a couple of Huffys.

[TVHunts]

Here is my experience with the 6.4 power stroke, I drive one every day for my work truck. 

If you are lucky and,  you won't know it until you own it, you will get one that doesn't go into the dpf regen every 2-400 miles like mine.  It will lay a plume of smoke like a James Bond movie for up to 4 miles long doing 60 MPH.  It is quite embarrassing to be in when its doing that.  As far as the dealers are concerned that is acceptable and within spec's.  Some do it less and lots of them are like mine.

This truck is driven in town and hi way mix, averages 150 miles per day and gets between 13 and 14 mpg tops and has 187k on it now, 2004 model auto trans.  They have twin turbos which means double the cost if one or both go bad.  Marysville Ford just tried to convince me that my lower turbo was bad and would be happy to replace it for $2700.00 and the upper was about $3400.00 (this was a month ago so I may have them backwards).  In Ford's genius design you almost can't replace the turbos without removing the cab from the chassis to access them as well as other repairs on the back of the block. 
After having it to Marysville Ford 3 times for a "chirping" noise I gave up on them and took it elsewhere. There,  I was finally convinced that the real problem is the lifter(s) contacting the camshaft where no lubrication is getting due to a faulty part and basically it will give out soon.  Could be 200 miles and could last several thousand miles, but sooner than later.  We're talking a new motor for 16-18k and then, it will come with the genius EPA forced upon us DPF system.   I am not badmouthing Ford or the dealer at all, simply stating facts.

I currently also have a personal truck which is a 2007 Dodge 6.7 Cummins and this is my 3rd Cummins, 1998 auto trans, 2001 Manual, 2007 manual.  In between the 01 and the 07 I had a 04 auto trans Duramax.

Of all of these trucks I enjoy the creature comforts and ride of the Ford the best. It does not ride like a car and haul loads like a car as the GMC did.  It doesn't ride like a tank like the dodges have and do, the Ford is between the two for ride.  All of the trucks have been loaded packages with all options except the first 98 Dodge which had everything but leather.

If your going to go with a diesel be prepared to spend twice as much on oil changes and, if you don't use fuel conditioner every tank you will be doing injectors it's just a matter of when. The conditioner isn't cheap either.   Don't get me wrong, I love these trucks.  But, if your going to dive in you need to be prepared for all of this. 

I will run my current personal 2007 Dodge until the truck falls apart around the motor, which with a dodge is probably going to happen.   I personally won't buy another diesel with the DPF system on them and will switch to a gas motor when my dodge is not worth fixing any longer. 

Long winded opinion but, I hope it helps you be a little more informed.

Best of luck!

[Pnwrider]

I had an 08 f350 dually. I had a turbo go around 80k. Traded it in on a cummins and never looked back. That f350 towed awesome and I love the look of the newer fords, but they keep changing engines every few years.

[baker5150]

06 - 07.5 cummins manual trans.
If you don't like a rough ride get a Carli 2.0 system under it and you'll be
Set for the next 20 years.