2012 vintage Ford 6.7L diesel engine? Good, bad, other?

[Sid Post]

With modern high-pressure 'common rail' diesel engines being problematic with self-inflicted fatal injuries due to metal particles in the fuel, I am a bit skittish today. Then there are the diesel pump failures due to weak design issues related to fuel pump failures, I have specific knowledge of Electronic Dodge fuel injection pumps failing with a weak fuel pump.

For general background, I grew up on a farm with all manner of farm diesel engines. This included everything from the Chevy abortion called the 350-Diesel through the 6.2L and 6.5L variants. The 7.3L Fords carried a good reputation but, transmissions tended to fail early. The Dodges have their own well documented histories. Generally, the John Deere, Massey, etc. were solid high endurance options but, the "Big 3" seemed to lumber along from one failure to another questionable attempt to ...

This takes me back to Ford options! In the early 2000's, I considered a Ford with the 6.4L Cat derived powerplant but, passed due to its weak performance off idle at a stoplight pulling a trailer.

Today, I am looking at a 2012 F-450 with a 6.7L diesel power plant.

What sort of concerns should I have with this particular vintage of Ford diesel? Does it have emissions problems? Will it kill itself with a simple fuel system failure? How are reliability and durability? Is this powerplant a good option today?

TIA,
Sid

 

[DirtWhiskey]

6.7 is a solid platform. It can have turbo issues due to ceramic bearings that were solved by 2014. Fairly simple swap but not cheap. Great tranny.

Emissions stuff is an issue but they have those largely under control across every platform now. Just make sure you're running hard and on the freeway and under load regularly to get it hot.

The fuel pump failures you're talking about are mostly due to the Bosch CP4 and CP4.2 HPFP. It is a thing across all the big 3. Ram went away from the CP3 (no issues), went to the CP3, then back to the CP3 after 2019 and 2020. There are companies that claim to have solved it with modified pumps. YMMV. Primary concern is whether those modifications void the warranty.

Being a 2012, you are well out of warranty. I'd look into the above or buy an extended warranty that covers the fuel system if you're worried. I also know of plenty of 6.7s that have gone 400k with narry an issue.

 

[Ole Chipper]

Never tried a newer 6.7l. Had one 6.0 and couldn't give it away. Love my 7.3l and will stay with it.

All I can say is FB and CL is full of 6.7l diesel trucks needing engine repair. Almost impossible to find one running. Which brings me back to my first point.
Hate to say if I wanted a newer truck I'd get a dodge. Kills me to says that but no way would I get a newer 6.0,.4 or.7 liter Ford.

 

[Sid Post]

Had one 6.0 and couldn't give it away. Love my 7.3l and will stay with it.

The Ford 6.0 Diesel is why I bought a Toyota Tundra! That motor in a Super Duty was terrible IMHO.

7.3L Ford Diesels in reasonable condition are extremely hard to find around me. Sorry, I'm not paying ~$20K for a pickup that looks like it has been through an F5 Tornado and a Demolition Derby or two.