By CarWhere Research · Updated
The 6.4 Power Stroke is the Navistar-built twin-turbo V8 diesel used only in 2008–2010 Super Duty trucks, rated 350 hp and 650 lb-ft. It was the first Power Stroke with a diesel particulate filter, and its known weak points are radiator leaks, fuel dilution of the oil during regeneration and cracked up-pipes.
The 6.4-liter Power Stroke replaced the 6.0 for the 2008 Super Duty. Navistar built it (as a version of the MaxxForce 7) with high-pressure common-rail injection, piezo injectors and a compound twin-turbo setup, and it was Ford’s first diesel pickup engine with a diesel particulate filter.
Its head clamping is stronger than the 6.0’s, but the DPF’s active regeneration injects extra fuel that can end up in the crankcase, and early radiators leak. Ford replaced it with its own 6.7 after the 2010 model year.
| Engine | Model years | Fuel | Peak hp | Peak torque (lb-ft) | Documented problems | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford 6.4L Power Stroke V8 twin-turbo diesel | 2008–2010 | Diesel | 350 | 650 | 4 | 2 |
CarWhere lists 4 documented problems and 2 NHTSA recalls for the 6.4 Power Stroke, each with a source.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 6.4 L (390 cu in nominal)[1] |
| Bore × stroke | 98.2 × 105 mm (3.87 × 4.13 in)[1] |
| Compression ratio | 17.5:1[1] |
| Block / heads | Cast iron / cast iron, four M16 head bolts per cylinder[1] |
| Valvetrain | Cam-in-block pushrod, 4 valves per cylinder[1] |
| Fuel system | High-pressure common rail with Siemens piezo injectors[1] |
| Turbos | BorgWarner sequential twin: variable-geometry high-pressure stage and fixed-geometry low-pressure stage[1] |
| Emissions hardware | EGR with dual coolers, diesel oxidation catalyst, diesel particulate filter with active regeneration[1] |
| Transmissions | 5R110W 5-speed automatic; ZF 6-speed manual[1] |
| Designed / built by | International (Navistar), MaxxForce 7 family[1] |
| Model years | Application | Horsepower (hp) | Torque (lb-ft) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008–2010 | Super Duty350 hp at 3,000 rpm; 650 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm | 350 | 650 | [1] |
"—" means we could not confirm the figure from a primary source.
| Model | Model years | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| F-250/F-350/F-450/F-550 Super Duty | 2008–2010 |
Early 6.4 radiators commonly leak where the end tanks are crimped to the core; later builds improved. Replacement is described as relatively expensive.[2]
Symptoms
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To regenerate the diesel particulate filter, the 6.4 injects extra fuel late in the cycle. Some of it can wash past the rings into the crankcase, thinning the oil and speeding wear. Short trips and idling increase regeneration frequency and fuel use.[2][1]
Symptoms
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If regeneration cannot complete, the particulate filter can clog, and using the wrong oil or fuel leaves ash that requires removing the filter for cleaning. Early trucks were recalled (07V-139) to change the calibration after excessive DPF temperatures.[2][3]
Symptoms
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Ford program: Ford recall 07S49 (NHTSA 07V-139)
The bellows-style joints in the up-pipes feeding the turbos can crack from heat cycling and vibration, causing an exhaust leak ahead of the turbos.[2]
Symptoms
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| NHTSA campaign | Reported | Vehicles | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07V-139 | 2007-03 | 2008 F-250–F-550 Super Duty with 6.4L diesel | Excess hydrocarbons could overheat the diesel particulate filter, causing power loss, white smoke or a visible flame from the tailpipe. |
| 07V-140 | 2007-03 | 2008 F-250–F-550 Super Duty with 6.4L diesel | The battery positive cable could chafe against a splash-shield bolt and short to ground, raising fire risk. |
The same engine shows up on these Ford known-issues pages, with model-specific details.
Confirm a truck or car really has the 6.4 Power Stroke.
Engine, transmission and axle options are recorded against the VIN. The CarWhere build sheet decodes a Ford VIN into its factory record — powertrain, equipment groups and options as built. $9.99, instant.
Only the 2008, 2009 and 2010 model-year Super Duty trucks, F-250 through F-550. Ford replaced it with the in-house 6.7 Power Stroke for 2011.
It is stronger than the 6.0 at the head gaskets but has its own weak points: leaking radiators, oil diluted by fuel during DPF regeneration and cracked up-pipes. Maintenance history and oil condition are the key checks.
It is rated 350 hp at 3,000 rpm and 650 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm in every year it was offered.
Yes. It was the first Power Stroke with a diesel particulate filter, which regenerates by injecting extra fuel. That process is linked to the engine’s fuel-dilution issue.
Ratings are Ford-published figures as cited; descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs appear only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.
Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Ford Motor Company. Ford, Power Stroke, EcoBoost, Coyote and the model names are trademarks of their owner.