Ford 6.2L Engine Problems
And how to spot & avoid them
Ford F-150 Raptor 6.2L by Order_242 - CC-BY-SA-2.0
Did you know that Ford’s internal designation of the 6.2L V-8 is “Boss”?
Yes, that’s right: this big bruiser of a motor is called the Boss, and it lives up to its reputation by providing most owners years and years of service while producing some impressive horsepower and torque figures. The 6.2 engine utilizes a single overhead cam design with aluminum heads and a cast-iron block for ultimate durability. Whether in stock form or modified for extra power, the 6.2L Boss is ready for whatever you can throw at it.
Although it’s available in E Series chassis configurations, this engine has seen its primary duty in Ford’s best-selling lineup of F series trucks. From the off-road monster that is the Raptor to the hard-working Super-Duty line, the 6.2 V-8 has become a stalwart in this diverse lineup. If you’re interested in purchasing a truck with this legendary motor under the hood, you should first know the most common problems with the 6.2.
We break down the most common severe problems with Ford’s 6.2L engine, repair costs, warning signs, etc.
Quick Answer: Are Ford 6.2L Engines Reliable?
Yes, absolutely. The 6.2L engine is built like a tank, and we had to dig quite a bit to find problems common enough to discuss in this list.
However, when problems do arise, they can be costly - if you’re shopping used, keep reading to learn how to spot the most significant problems.
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Most Common Problem: Broken Valve Spring
Users on sites like F-150 forums mention that a broken valve spring is one of the most common issues with the 6.2L V-8. This is a serious issue that will cause more damage to the engine than the broken valve stem itself.
Typically, once the valve spring breaks, the valve stem itself can slip down and enter the engine’s cylinder. Once that happens, the piston will strike the valve stem and cause damage that must be repaired for proper operation.
Symptoms include:
- Hesitation.
- A knocking or clattering noise from under the hood.
- A lack of power from the engine.
When brought into a mechanic, the most telling diagnostic symptom is a misfiring cylinder which will then cause the mechanic to do a visual inspection to confirm the broken valve spring is indeed an issue.
While the vast majority of the 6.2 engines on the road do not suffer from this problem, there are enough owners out there to make it a concern for people looking to purchase a used truck with this engine. Repairs can range from repairing one cylinder to complete engine replacement - so this is not to be taken lightly.
How to spot a broken valve spring
The most common indicator that your valve spring is broken is a sudden decrease in power or sudden hesitation. If you hear cylinders misfiring, this can also signify a broken valve spring. A mechanic can confirm the issue with a visual inspection.
Cost to fix: $350
Other sites are quoting $1,000-$1,600 as the cost to fix a broken valve spring - they either made those numbers up or got ripped off. The average price to fix a broken valve spring should be $300-$400 for parts and labor.
A user on the F-150 forums confirms this:
“I just found out it will cost $325.00 parts and labor to replace the [valve] spring. I hope this is the source of the problem.”
The valve spring is not an issue that should be ignored - it’ll cause more significant (and more expensive) problems down the road if not fixed.
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Also Common: Leaking Oil
If you’re not used to regularly checking the ground where your vehicle is typically parked, then you may have never had to deal with a pesky oil leak. Since the engine is full of recirculating oil, there are dozens of places where oil may leak out and cause issues. On the 6.2L Ford engine, the most common spots for oil leakage are the rear main seal, valve cover gaskets, and the rear main seal.
How to spot an oil leak
As with other vehicles, an oil leak can be hard to diagnose because, by the time the oil has made its way to the ground, it could have traveled across several engine components to get there. Most newer vehicles also have an underbody shield that can block access to the engine and catch any oil leaking out. The bottom line is that this is a tough one to diagnose, and you’ll have to be diligent to detect the issues as they happen.
Cost to fix: Varies, $150+
Depending on the source, most leaks will cost around $150-$300 to fix. However, some leaks can be much more costly to fix, especially if they’ve been leaking for a while.
Not all leaks need to be handled immediately, especially since replacing something like the rear main seal can cost thousands of dollars.
However, if you’re buying something used, you don’t want to start with a leak that could blossom into something worse - make sure to check the engine compartment & underbody for signs of oil leaks or get a mechanic to give it a pre-purchase inspection (they’re worth it).
Also Common: Rough Idling
Rough idling points to many different potential causes, and it’s relatively common with the Ford 6.2 V8 engine. Many people hypothesize that this problem may be due to faulty spark plugs. For the uninitiated, Ford’s 6.2-liter engine utilizes 16 spark plugs and two per cylinder (8 cylinders). These spark plugs are instrumental in controlling the spark and ignition and improving fuel efficiency and performance.
There are plenty of chances for a plug to malfunction and cause problems with that many spark plugs. Therefore, this highlights the importance of maintaining and replacing spark plugs. Ford has rigorous instructions for removing and replacing the spark plugs on the 6.2L V8 engine. If the procedure isn’t done correctly, it may lead to catastrophic engine failure.
Symptoms of Faulty Spark Plugs
Below are the most common symptoms of potential spark plug problems:
- Hesitation or stuttering
- Loss of power
- Engine misfire
- Rough idling
Cost to fix: $191-$250
Spark plugs may cost between $8 to $50 apiece. With 16 sparks, it will require quite a bit of money plus labor to replace them all. Fortunately, you can save a lot if you go the DIY route.
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How To Avoid Buying A Used Truck With These Problems
It’s reasonably difficult to find consistent issues on the Ford 6.2 V-8, and that’s an excellent thing! Ford built these engines for duty in extreme applications and in fleet vehicles where owners would potentially see hundreds of thousands of miles with ease. No motor is perfect, and you need to be on the lookout for issues before purchase.
The 6.2L V-8 is a powerful engine and should pull with authority even with substantial mileage on board. When road testing, make sure that the truck responds well to throttle inputs and does not hesitate. Keep in mind that this engine has noisy injectors by design, and they will rattle and click, but this is normal. However, squeals and whining are not typical and should be further investigated.
Your best line of defense is to have a certified mechanic run a thorough diagnostic and perform a thorough visual inspection on your potential new ride. This will flush out any diagnostic issues and allow the mechanic to do a visual inspection and road test to ensure there are no issues. This step could save you grief in the long run and potentially costly repairs for a few hundred bucks.
The Easiest Way To Search For 6.2L Trucks In Your Area
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