Ford V10 6.8 fuel mileage?

Iraqvet05 · 05-10-2014, 06:56 PM

I'm in the market for a 3/4 ton gasser and have been looking locally for a Silverado/Sierra 2500 but ran across an F250 with the 6.8. For those of you with the 6.8s,what kind of milage are you getting with the big V10s empty and towing? Did they have the same problem with the spark plugs blowing the threads as the early 5.4's did?

Parcany · 05-10-2014, 08:27 PM

Have a Excursion, empty around 12-14, towing about 8-9. Going up hills don't even want to know. Total with trailer is close to 17,000 pounds. Does good

Boss Wagon · 05-11-2014, 07:38 AM

I get 11-14 mpg empty with the 3.73 rear and like most gassers get the standard 10 mpg towing. Mine just turned 85K and I have not blown out a plug. My understanding is that in the early 2000's a running change was made to eliminate the problem.

I bought mine used in 2006 and it has been trouble free, although we only put about 3K a year on it.

Firefighter78 · 05-11-2014, 12:40 PM

I owned an F450 with a 6.8 V10, mileage loaded was 9-10mpg. Problem was as mention earlier had a spark plug blow out of the head costing 8k, plus a very expensive towing bill. The head couldn't be repaired with the repair kit. I haven't heard of a 5.4 having that problem. I owned two of them, 2002, and 2005, put many thousands of very hard towing miles on them with no real problems.

Paulx213 · 05-11-2014, 01:12 PM

Up until 2005 when they went to the 3 valve design the 5.4 had the same problem. However if the plugs are torqued to the right spec it's not normally an issue. From what I've read the solution is worse then the problem as the new design caused the plugs to snap off in the head making for a very expensive spark plug change. That problem was fixed too but I don't remember the year.

Firefighter78 · 05-20-2014, 08:32 PM

Paulx213- that's great feedback on the 3 valve 5.4, being a true Ford user I haven't ran across the spark plugs breaking off. Cant buy a good TV motor like we could years ago. The best towing motor I ever had was a 1986 F350 with the 650 CFM carbureter 460 CID, 4 speed manual. That motor endured loads, rpms, abuse beyond comprehension, never burnt a drop of 15w-40 after 140,000 miles. Thinking back, it got better MPG while towing than the two 5.4 I owned after that.

Bassdogs · 05-21-2014, 07:03 AM

Up until last summer I had never owned a diesel and had no desire to get one. Long story but I added a 2010 silverado 2500HD w/ duramax. Tows my WH 30dsre at about 12mpg and I just checked that it got 20+ mpg on an interstate run of 200 miles.

I mention this because you are looking at the biggest gassers and at the end of the day, they are still gassers. The biggest give up might be the non towing milage.

Iraqvet05 · 05-21-2014, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassdogs

Up until last summer I had never owned a diesel and had no desire to get one. Long story but I added a 2010 silverado 2500HD w/ duramax. Tows my WH 30dsre at about 12mpg and I just checked that it got 20+ mpg on an interstate run of 200 miles.

I mention this because you are looking at the biggest gassers and at the end of the day, they are still gassers. The biggest give up might be the non towing milage.

I failed to mention I was looking at older vehicles due to budget constraints. I'd entertain an Duramax but for the budget I have would put me in the ball park of 200k plus mileage diesels. There are some nice looking older 2500s for under $16k but none of them in my area. Two 2500s I fould locally had heavy frame rust. The F350 I saw locally has a salvage title so I'm passing on it too.

clubhouse · 05-21-2014, 10:34 AM

Around here (farm country) in Q4 the inventory of used diesels goes up considerably. Many are in good shape still, but the farms replace equipment then for tax reasons and the fact they have most of their harvests in so they know their revenues.

2 years ago I bought my first diesel, don't know what took me so long to get on board with it. I suggest you take you time searching, the deal you are looking for will come up. I really think you would be happier with diesel...I am.

Boss Wagon · 05-21-2014, 03:59 PM

BTW, factoring in the economics, my tow vehicle cost me $7000. in 2006. That translates to $875 a year. Not bad huh?

tinlizzie23 · 05-21-2014, 07:03 PM

We have a 2003 F350 crew cab with V10, and the only problem we have had is the alternator quit at around 30K. We get around 11-14 not towing, and 10-12 towing an 11,000# 5er. Has 68K on the odometer, and tows very well. We love the truck, and would not think about trading for a diesel.

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