Ford 6.8 V10 Problems: 5 Of The Most Common Issues

ford 6.8 v10 problems
ford 6.8 v10 problems

A 35-foot recreational vehicle only feels heavy when powered by a small engine. If you want your RV to feel lighter and generate more torque and RPMs in each journey, you need a bigger, more powerful engine. But how do you choose one? It takes a few considerations.

Look into the engine’s performance, fuel efficiency, emission compliance, warranty, and other factors that show its quality. The problem is most high-end engines have almost similar specs. You need expert eyes to identify the subtle differences that set the suitable engine for your RV apart.

RVs come with an engine when introduced to the market. It’s part of the package. It reveals critical details about each make and model, from fuel economy to endurance to mileage. Of course, you can replace the engine if you like, but that might cost you more than buying an RV with the engine you prefer.

In that case, why not base your selection on the engine? After all, it all comes down to road performance. But, of course, we can’t deny that the engine isn’t the only component that will make your trips comfortable and safe.

Why Choose The Ford 6.8 V10?

One way to avoid the hassle of inspecting each engine on the market is to narrow your choices according to their manufacturers’ reputation. It’s always a good idea to go for established brands because they maintain a high quality standard.

They won’t risk tarnishing their hard-earned status for extra bucks. In short, they won’t offer you substandard products, and all you have to think about is specs.

I’m talking about brands like Ford. We all know Ford is one of the world’s leading automakers. This company makes superior engines that either come with their vehicles or are sold separately. One of their flagship engines is the 6.8 V10, the well-cultured fruit of a 35-year development, with each model exceeding the demand of its era.

Initially for Ford’s extensive truck lineup, this powerful engine had been proven countless times to work efficiently on RVs as well.

multi-cylinder oil

The Ford 6.8 V10 features a host of capabilities you won’t find in most heavy-duty engines in its era. It rivals even today’s multi-cylinder oil burners used in 40-foot rigs. Among its notable specs are its low-friction components, which do two things—reduce the usual heat generated by the engine and prevent overheating when the oil level is low.

This engine also uses a cam chain instead of a timing belt, which is more durable and less noisy when at work.

The engine’s fail-safe coolant system helps the low-friction components keep the engine’s heat in check. When the engine overheats, this feature kicks in with an automatic coolant flow. In addition, it doesn’t use the same spark plug wires that plagued its predecessors with high maintenance costs and short useful life.

ignition coil

Instead, the Ford 6.8L V10 combines a conventional spark plug and ignition coil design. The ignition coil delivers electrical energy to the spark plug via a spark plug wire, increasing the spark plug’s longevity.

Ford 6.8 V10 Problems

There’s no question about the unprecedented power the Ford 6.8 V10 brings to the table. The fact that it goes well with pretty much any fifth-wheel and luxury motorhome makes it even more appealing. Unfortunately, it isn’t the super-engine we are all hoping for. It has its share of inadequacies, just like other engines.

It can malfunction, too. Onboard diagnostics hint at most flaws, while others require more complex troubleshooting. Here are some of them.

1. Exhaust Manifold Failure

Exhaust Manifold Failure

The exhaust gases in your engine should go into the catalytic converter, where their toxicity is reduced, into the muffler, where the sound they make is absorbed, and out through the tail pipe. But to go there, they should pass through the exhaust manifold, which collects them from the cylinders.

Unfortunately, many RV owners using the Ford 6.8 V10 report their exhaust manifold being quick to corrode and malfunction.

A faulty exhaust manifold can let exhaust gases escape into the engine compartment instead of the exhaust system. These gases can cause misfires as they interfere with the air-fuel mixture and make excessive noise since they fail to enter the muffler. Carbon monoxide is among the exhaust gases that can escape.

From the engine compartment, it can find a way into your cabin and endanger your life and the lives of your passengers.

2. Spark Plug Problems

Spark Plug Problems

Despite Ford’s best efforts to protect their engines’ spark plugs by incorporating a coil-on-plug design, spark plug problems are still quite common. If you experience misfires more often than usual and feel a sudden decline in your road performance, your engine’s spark plug is likely fouled.

Fouling happens when dirty oil and gasoline cover the spark plug electrodes.

There are also cases when the Ford 6.8 V10’s spark plug would suddenly pop out, stripping its tread. This is often due to poor installation or improper removal. Spark plugs are also prone to corrosion, and the Ford 6.8 V10’s spark plug is no exception.

Always include the spark plug in your engine tune-up or maintenance checklist to ensure it stays rust-free.

3. Unreliable Longevity

Unreliable Longevity

Most RV owners look forward to many years of trouble-free travel when they shift to the 6.8-liter motor. And because it’s the Ford V10, they expect so much more. But unfortunately, prolonging the useful life of an engine takes more than just a trustworthy brand name.

We’re promised up to 300,000 miles, which is remarkably long, but why are there complaints about their Ford V10 only lasting around 200,000 miles?

An engine’s longevity relies on two things—correct usage and maintenance. Just because you have the Ford 6.8 V10 doesn’t mean you can hard accelerate or brake as you please. Overloading your RV while going on a trip dominated by uphill drives is also a recipe for engine disaster.

And lastly, you should maintain your engine regularly to maintain its peak performance.

4. Poor Fuel Economy

Poor Fuel Economy

The comforts of an RV don’t come cheap. You probably think all your usual travel woes will disappear once you own an RV. Mostly, they will, but there will always be bigger issues to deal with. For instance, while the Ford 6.8 V10 offers more horsepower than you need for long trips, it also requires more fuel.

This engine consumes 1 gallon every 6 to 10 miles.

If you’re camping at a site 100 miles away, you’re looking at around 20 gallons of fuel round-trip. That can go higher depending on your load. Most engines in this 6.8L range consume just as much, but it’s always expedient to go for a proven brand.

5. Going Fail-Safe Cooling Mode

Going Fail-Safe Cooling Mode

Some RV owners complain about their engine cooling system going into fail-safe mode all the time, even under a slight load. It’s one of the perks of the Ford 6.8 V10, but it can also be annoying, mainly because the fail-safe mode also means some of the cylinders are cut out to prevent further damage.

In short, you can’t run at full power in this mode. Imagine that happening every two miles.

If you dissect the cooling system, you’ll find two sensors that feed the cooling system with the information it needs to decide whether or not to go into fail-safe mode. The Engine Coolant Temperature sensor measures how hot the coolant is, while the Cylinder Head Temperature measures how hot the cylinder heads are.

If the coolant or cylinders hit around 140 degrees Celsius, the circuit will trip, forcing your engine to shift into fail-safe mode. Either sensor may be faulty.

Maybe Your Engine Needs A Performance Upgrade

A Performance Upgrade

 

One way to deal with some of the flaws of your Ford 6.8 V10 is to give it a performance upgrade. Or not an upgrade but a simple system reconfiguration. It’s likely your adjustments are based on inaccurate transmission point and tachometer readings, in which case you should consider using a five-star tuner to achieve precise measurements.

You might also need to replace or add more gear. Maybe the gear at the rear axle isn’t compatible with your engine, which is why you’re not producing sufficient RPM. Perhaps you need to downsize a little bit. All these modifications can help increase your Ford 6.8 V10’s performance and bypass some of its known imperfections.

But make sure to consult with a Ford technician to avoid causing your engine irreversible damage.

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