Powerstroke 6.4

Ford changed to the powerstroke 6.4 liter diesel engine for the truck, van, and SUV (sport utility vehicles) models that use the powerstroke engine for the 2008 model year.  These models include the majority of the F series trucks, particularly the f-250, f-350, f-450, f-550, and f-650 (these engines are optional on the larger trucks), as well as the Ford Econoline series of vans, the E series trucks, particularly the E-250, E-350-E-450, E-550, and E-650, and also the popular and very large Excursion SUV.  The powerstroke 6.4 liter diesel engine is also used in the LCF (low cab forward) trucks, a truck which was also powered by the previous versions of the powerstroke engine series.  From halfway through the 2003 model year until the 2008 model year, the powerstroke 6.0 Liter diesel engine was used in the powerstroke series.  These engines were found to be extremely unreliable, mainly in the 2003 and 2004 models.  Unfortunately for Ford, the truck-buying American public was not at all willing to continue buying Ford trucks with these particular diesel engines.  This is despite the fact that the 2005, 2006, and 2007 model years of these trucks were actually much more reliable that the 2003 and 2004 model years, although the engine was quite similar on all of these model years.

Ford Powerstroke 6.4

The U.S. Congress also required all new diesel trucks sold in the U.S. as of January 1st, 2007 to meet tougher emissions standards, including the power stroke 6.4 diesel engines.  The older powerstroke diesels did not meet these stricter emissions standards. As a result of these problems, Ford changed to the powerstroke 6.4 liter diesel engine for the 2008 model year.  The company hoped, and still hopes, that the bad public opinion generated around the previous engine will not color perception of the trucks, vans, and SUVs that are powered by the newest power stroke engine, which is the powerstroke 6.4 liter diesel engine. 

Powerstroke 6.4 2007 Reliability

The powerstroke 6.4 liter diesel engines appear to have greater reliability than the older model engines.  However, the powerstroke 6.4 liter diesel engines have only been in service on the road for less than two and one-half years.  The owners of the truck powered by the powerstroke 6.4 liter diesel engine are much happier with this engine, as well as other aspects of these trucks.   Some owners have complained about the mileage per gallon of diesel fuel that they are getting from their diesel trucks that carry the powerstroke 6.4 liter diesel engine.  

Powerstroke 6.4 Emissions

Some owners recommend removing the DPF (diesel particulate filter) in order to improve the mileage per gallon on their trucks that have the powerstroke 6.4 liter diesel engine.  However, it is helpful to keep in mind that removing the diesel particulate filter that comes as standard equipment on trucks equipped with the powerstroke 6.4 liter diesel engine not only violates U.S. federal emission laws, but also voids the Ford manufacturer's warranty. Some owners still do remove the diesel particulate filter that comes as standard equipment on the powerstroke 6.4 liter diesel, but in doing so, are running the risk of failing their local and state emissions tests, and can risk not having the manufacturer's assistance with any under-warranty issues that may arise with the power stroke 6.4 liter diesel-powered truck that they own.

2008 Superduty 6.4 Powerstroke

The 2008 Super Duty came to the diesel battle armed with an extensively updated diesel engine option. The new 6.4 improves on several key areas where its 6.0 predecessor had problems. One of the biggest problem areas with the old engine were the unreliable HEUI (hydro-electric unit) injectors. In and of themselves, they're not an unreliable design, but in order to compete with GM's relatively silent Duramax, the engine software was programmed to do multiple "pre-injections" to quiet the combustion process. The dated HEUI design was not engineered for such a duty cycle, and injector failures were commonplace on early 6.0s. 

Ford Powerstroke 6.4 Piezo Injectors

Well, Ford took no chances with the 6.4, going straight to state-of-the-art Piezo injectors, which are capable of extremely high fuel pressures as well as multiple injection pulses. Add sequential turbos to the mix, and you've got a potent combination good for 350 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft. of torque. Unfortunately, this powerful new engine is still bolted to the 5-speed TorqShift transmission.