Which powerstroke to avoid

A sensor's failure causes the ECM to command "Limp Mode," which renders a truck severely underpowered. Close Ad. Join MotorTrend. Most Common Ford 6.

KJ Jones Author. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter. The 6. Most of these problems originate from the factory design. The new EGR emissions system that was introduced to meet emissions standards at the time, is a big contributor to the 6. Head studs provide inadequate clamping force so blown head gaskets are common.

Other 6. Fortunately, once these problems are addressed, the trucks are much more reliable. Some of these problems can be avoided. If you follow a strict 6. Bulletproofed 6. Bulletproof kits for a 6. Installing a Bulletproof kit is very labor intensive, so expect to pay a couple thousand in labor costs.

While the 6. Our best advice is to look for a late model truck or a 6. Many of these problems occur early in these trucks lifetimes, so many of the 6. If you are considering performance modifications, you need to replace these studs. The addition of a tuner alone can cause cylinder head pressures to rise beyond the capability of the TTY head studs, ultimately causing head gasket failure.

TTY studs cannot be re-used and must be replaced after being removed from the engine. Aftermarket head studs from ARP are a must-have for your 6.

The stock TTY head studs can last a while under factory conditions. Because of the layout under the hood, changing the head studs on the 6. It can take a long time, even for an experienced diesel mechanic. Expect costs of a couple thousand dollars after parts and labor. The FICM supplies 48 volts to the two solenoids that control oil flow to the fuel injector. Excessive heat from the engine and vibration can cause the FICM to overheat or fail. Cold starts impact the FICM negatively by causing excess voltage to be drawn.

This can damage the capacitors in the fuel injection control module. You should replace factory fuel injection control modules with aftermarket counterparts. They are better at dissipating heat and more reliable. Reputable FICM rebuilding companies also typically offer a warranty on their products. Should an issue arise, they will send you a replacement FICM. Aftermarket FICMs also come available with custom tunes, allowing you to increase horsepower by adjusting fueling.

Many of the problems found on the 6. These trucks require the oil to be cooled significantly more than other trucks, resulting in Ford equipping the 6. Over time, sand and other large particles can clog the small passageways of the Oil Cooler, leading to EGR Cooler failure. You can identify faulty oil coolers by comparing engine oil temperature and coolant temperature. Here is a list of some of the worst used Fs that you should avoid buying.

The F had the potential to be one of the best Fs on the market. The interior is very spacious and comfortable. And the exterior is rugged yet stylish. The problem with the models is that there are a lot of mechanical issues that come with this truck. Many owners have had several complaints about the engine. There have been reports that the fuel injection pump breaks, making it impossible for the truck to start. The head gaskets have also been known to cause an oil leak on the starter.

Owners who have the V8 turbo engine in their trucks have also reported an issue with the engine ejecting spark plugs. When this happens, it could cause a pretty costly problem because it could damage the cylinder head which would then need to be replaced.