6.7L Power Stroke Engine - In-Depth Look at Design and Reliability (2024)

6.7L Power Stroke Engine - In-Depth Look at Design and Reliability (1)

The 6.7L Power Stroke is a 6.7-liter V8 turbocharged diesel engine. Starting with a clean sheet, in 2008 Ford Motor Company began to develop a new diesel engine for the Ford Super Duty in-house. During its developmental stage, this new product has codenamed the Scorpion, and when Ford officially introduced it in 2011, the engine was already designated as the 6.7 Power Stroke. Ford's 6.7L Power Stroke replaced the 6.4L Power Stroke and became the first Power Stroke engine not manufactured by International Navistar (nearly 30 years of partnership).

While the majority of current diesel engines use heavy cast iron, the 6.7L Power Stroke has a cylinder block made from compacted graphite iron (CGI). Its deep-skirt block also has nodular iron six-bolt main caps highly common on the 7.3L Power Stroke instead of the 6.4L's bed plate. This block layout in addition to the CGI material provides significant weight savings over the 6.4L predecessor. The 6.7 Power stroke also features a steel crankshaft, powdered-metal cracked-cap connecting rods made by Mahle, and Federal Mogul cast-aluminum pistons. The connecting rods have an end cap that is rotated 45 degrees to increase strength. The engine was equipped with piston cooling jets for lower piston and combustion temperatures. This affects positively on engine longevity. All 6.7L blocks are manufactured by American foundry company, Tupy.

First for the truck segment, Ford's 6.7L Power Stroke uses cast-aluminum cylinder heads. They feature the reverse-flow design. Each cylinder has for valves (two intake and two exhaust valves; 32 valves total). Every valve is equipped with its own rocker arm and pushrod. The intake air goes through ports inside the valve covers, while the exhaust gases into exhaust manifolds located in the lifter valley (in a traditional V8 engine, the exhaust exits from the outside). In engine valley, there is also a Garrett GT32 DualBoost variable geometry single sequential turbocharger (SST). The exhaust volume of this system is smaller, providing a much more dynamically responsiveness of the engine. The compressed and hot intake air is cooled by a water-to-air intercooler which is connected to a secondary cooling system of the engine. This powertrain secondary cooling system is also used for cooling of EGR circuit, transmission fluid, and fuel cooler. The primary and powertrain cooling systems have their own water pump, thermostats, degas bottle, and radiator.

The 6.7L Power Stroke is equipped with a high-pressure common rail direct injection. The Bosch CP4.2 fuel pump supplies fuel under a 30,000 psi for the 19 mm Piezo actuated Bosch injectors with 8 hole nozzles. The fuel injectors are capable of pulling off five events per combustion cycle.

In 2015, the GT32 SST turbocharger was replaced by the Garrett GT37 with single VGT. The GT37 features a larger 88 mm compressor wheel as well as increased turbine wheel to 72.5 mm up from 64 mm in the GT32. The fuel system also was upgraded with a higher-flowing Bosh CP4.2 high-pressure fuel pump with a larger stroke and optimized injector nozzles. With made improvements, the engine is able to produce even more power.

Engine Specs

Manufacturer

Ford Motor Company, Chihuahua, Mexico plant.

Production years

2011-present

Cylinder block material

Compacted graphite iron

Fuel type

Diesel

Fuel system

Common rail direct injection

Configuration

V

Number of cylinders

8

Valves per cylinder

4

Valvetrain layout

OHV

Bore, mm

99.1 mm (3.9 in)

Displacement, cc

6,700 cc (406 cu in)

Type of internal combustion engine

Four-stroke, turbocharged

Compression Ratio

16.2:1

Power, hp

270-450 hp (201-335 kW)/2,400-2,800

Torque, lb ft

675-935 lb-ft (915-1268 Nm)/1,600-1,800

Engine weight

970 lbs (440 kg)

Firing order

1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8

Engine oil weight

CJ-4 or CJ-4/sm;
SAE 10W-30 - normal use;
SAE 5W-40 or 15W-40 - for severe duty or biodiesel applications.

Engine oil capacity, liter

12.3 l (13 qts) - with oil filter

Oil change interval, mile

7,500 (12,000 km)/12 months

Applications

Ford F-250, Ford F-350, Ford F-450, Ford F-550, Ford F-650, Ford F-750

6.7 Power Stroke Engine Problems and Reliability

Ford's 6.7L Power Stroke diesels are solid engines, extremely durable, and reliable, with only a few problems/issues. One of the big improvements in term of reliability is that the 6.7L Power stroke no longer would rely on four bolts per cylinder holding down the cylinder heads. There are six bolts per cylinder now. That will reduce the risk of head bolt stretch and head gasket failure - blown head gasket and coolant/oil inside cylinder.

Turbocharger failure is the biggest what can happen to the 6.7 Power Stroke. The first years of production, engines have a fairly complicated turbocharger with ceramic bearings (the tiny GT32 SST), which were prone to premature failure. Latest engines are fitted with another turbocharger unit, which has more reliable steel ball bearings on the turbo shaft. Turbo failures are reported so far mostly on 2011 and 2012 models.

Engines produced in 2011 had weak glow plugs, which can potentially break off and lead to massive engine damage inside the cylinders. It is safe to replace them with the updated ones. There are also problems related to some soot clogging on the EGR cooler and EGR valve, issues with EGR temperature sensor, and plugged DPF filters as well. Coolant leakages are possible around the turbocharger area and from the primary radiator of the cooling system.

Overall the 6.7 Power Stroke engine has proven to be a very robust engine. It is highly important to do regular oil changes and using high-quality motor oil that meets Ford's lubricity requirements for this diesel engine. With proper maintenance, the engine will last hundreds of thousand miles.

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6.7L Power Stroke Engine - In-Depth Look at Design and Reliability (2024)

FAQs

What year is the most reliable 6.7 Power Stroke? ›

But if you're in the market for a 6.7-liter Power Stroke and you want to avoid developing pesky maintenance issues or paying for repairs, your best bet is to search for a 2015 or newer model and avoid model years 2011 through 2014.

What year 6.7 Power Stroke to avoid? ›

Issues with the Ford 6.7-liter Power Stroke are most pronounced in the first generation (2011-2014), but some problems have transcended generations. The injection pump could be trouble in pre-2020 engines.

What is the biggest problem with 6.7 Power Stroke? ›

Injection Pump Failure

Your engine's injection pump regulates how much fuel is sent to the engine. Injection pump failure is a well-documented concern with Ford's 6.7 Powerstroke.

Is the Ford 6.7 Power Stroke reliable? ›

The vast majority of 6.7 Powerstroke diesel engine owners never experience any problems. Most of the engine issues stem from its Gen 1 model and were fixed in the following generations. If you're experiencing a problem with this engine and need a quick fix, this guide will give you easy answers.

What is considered high mileage for a 6.7 powerstroke? ›

In general, 6.7 Powerstroke diesel engines are known to reach 200,000 miles or more with only the most basic repairs along the way. However, some engines have racked up 400,000 miles or more with proper maintenance.

What power stroke diesel to avoid? ›

The 6.4-liter Powerstroke engine was very short-lived. It was put in Ford trucks beginning in 2007 for the 2008 model year and the last production year was 2011 for the 2010 model year. The 6.4 Powerstroke came after the 6.0 Powerstroke, which was widely panned for its problems and poor performance.

What year does 6.7 have a bad turbo? ›

This is a common problem in the early 6.7s. They decided to put ceramic bearings in it from what I've heard. As a result, under hard load, they will come apart and the turbo will fail. These turbo chargers are prone to bearing failure on the '11 and '12 models.

Which is more reliable, 6.7 Cummins or 6.7 Powerstroke? ›

Cummins Reliability. The Cummins Turbo Diesel is considered the more reliable of the two engines. Ford model trucks are still known for being more reliable and longer-lasting than RAM pickups.

How many miles per gallon does a Power Stroke 6.7 get? ›

Efficiency. The latest 6.7 Powerstroke gets a combined average fuel efficiency between 12-18 MPG, giving it a narrow win. The Ford 7.3 gas engine is comparable, getting 8-14 miles out of every gallon, with some drivers getting up to 17 MPG on the highway.

Which is better Cummins or Power Stroke? ›

Ultimately it comes down to your own wants and needs. Even though the high-output Power Stroke is the most powerful, the non-high output Power Stroke, the non-high output Cummins, and the Duramax are all fairly close in terms of power production.

What is the life expectancy of a 6.7 Power Stroke CP4? ›

What is the life expectancy of a Ford 6.7 diesel engine? Functional Ford 6.7 diesel engines can last over 200,000 miles. Some Ford customers say their Ford engines can last over 500,000 miles.

What is the most reliable Power Stroke engine? ›

The 6.7L Power Stroke V8 and the 7.3L Power Stroke V8 stand out as top choices for their exceptional power, reliability, and aftermarket support. The 6.9L V8 International Harvester IDI holds historical significance and remains a reliable option for those seeking a workhorse engine.

Is deleting a 6.7 Power Stroke worth it? ›

Overall, deleting the EGR and DPF systems can provide many benefits for your 6.7 Powerstroke engine. Not only can it increase power and torque, but it can also improve fuel efficiency, enhance engine longevity, and improve engine sound.

Why is the 6.7 Power Stroke so good? ›

Its reputation for reliability and high-mile durability is often compared to the venerable 7.3L—although the 6.7L racks up its miles with significantly more power on tap, cleaner emissions, and vastly-improved drivability.

Is 6.4 or 6.7 Power Stroke better? ›

For an engine that can endure heavier abuse, you may prefer the 6.4L motor. The lighter 6.7L motor makes your vehicle much more efficient and easier to control. For many car enthusiasts, it all comes down to the fuel pump.

What year F250 diesel to avoid? ›

The worst years for used Ford F-250 include: 2002 Ford F-250. 2006 Ford F-250. 2008 Ford F-250.

Which is more reliable, 6.7 Cummins or 6.7 Power Stroke? ›

Cummins Reliability. The Cummins Turbo Diesel is considered the more reliable of the two engines. Ford model trucks are still known for being more reliable and longer-lasting than RAM pickups.

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