Should the Glow Plugs be Replaced? 2011 Ford ‘Powerstroke’ 6.7L Diesel - F250 & F350 TSB

[@Ranger42]

Outstanding! Best explanation of this major issue on KZbin. Thank you1. Now I have to find someone to do the work for me because San Juan Capistrano Ford quoted me $1,200 for the job.

[@NatalieTaekwondo]

Ranger42 Wow, that is really high - even for a dealership! My regular mechanic was able to do the work. He is not a diesel mechanic but felt very comfortable replacing the plugs. I believe it took him around 3 hours.

[@Hoofer001]

Dave Collin

[@royratley607]

I have 11 F350. Build date 01/11. Pulled out one glow plug stamped fu24a. Bought motorcraft zd17 and the stamp on them is fu24a. Nowhere on them is a stamp of zd17. Confused? How do you know they are zd17 and not just the originals because motorcraft is probably overstocked on original plug

[@NatalieTaekwondo]

Sorry, just saw. I read recently that Motorcraft specifically has gone back to a listing of FU24a on the plugs. Others have questioned it, too. My assumption is Ford simply updated the plug but didn’t change the individual stamped part number. Seems like a bad idea to me. 👎 But based on what I’ve read, if the box says ZD17, you are ok.

[@flmmaz]

The build date of the truck is not a good deciding factor because the engine could have been replaced and it will have the updated plugs. The most accurate way to ensure correct plug replacement for correct cylinder head is to look at the insulator on the glow plug. If it is white go with white, if it is orange go with orange. Just don't mix them up.

[@NatalieTaekwondo]

I understand what you're saying. If an engine was replaced in, say, 2014 then it would be different on a number of levels. I hope this video helps anyone who definitely knows the history of the truck. But the crazy thing is all of this discussion has been a bit clandestine. It's hard to tell if there were very many 2011 engine failures at all since only Ford would have that information. I can say I have not read about very many firsthand occurrences on the various forums. And even then, a lot of mechanics are saying the issue was not the glow plugs but actually a broken valve. What we do know, however, is Ford changed the style of the plug for a reason and that the original style glow plugs are not being manufactured at all. Thanks for your input on this!

[@beinggrownupsux8040]

Good video. I’m just curious where you found out that the ZD-17 are an updated plug? There are a few videos on here mentioning the tip breaking issue but nowhere does anyone mention the plugs have been updated. Kinda sounded like to me they recommend you replacing a ticking time bomb with another ticking time bomb.

[@NatalieTaekwondo]

Beinggrownupsux 80 I’m not 100% positive I can fully answer your question in that much of my research comes from reading forums and input from Ford techs. But my understanding is the original 2011 glow plugs are a two-piece design in how the tips connect into the body of the plug. Ford reportedly updated the replacement glow plugs (and all others from 2012 and later) by manufacturing them as one piece. When there has been catastrophic engine failure, a number of mechanics have described the defective glow plug not as “broken off” but as the tip having “come off” or “come apart”. I can tell you that there seem to be no reports of similar damage occurrences in high-mileage 2011 6.7’s that have been fitted with the new style plugs. On the other hand, there is a lot of debate that in many of the trucks, it’s actually the exhaust valves that are breaking instead of the glow plugs.

[@beinggrownupsux8040]

Dave Collins Thanks for replying. Mine has a build date of 1-20-2011. I have 8 of these sitting in my garage ready to go in when I find the time. There isn’t much info on the plugs being updated. I called several Ford dealerships in my area and non had heard about the issue (or at least that’s what they told me). Your video was the first thing I’ve seen where it was mentioned they may be updated plugs. I know they changed the heads on the newer ones and those plugs are a ZD-18 with orange ring on top. I don’t think this was a common problem. Would be nice to know if the effected trucks were cab and chassis rigs as those seemed to have the lions share of issues. Thanks again. Take care.

[@NatalieTaekwondo]

Beinggrownupsux 80 I agree. Specific information has been hard to come by in all respects. My thinking was (probably like yours) that changing them would at least be “insurance”. But there’s so much disinformation out there on the subject, I was hoping to at least set the record straight on a few aspects of the TSB. 🧐

[@jordanbrongo1793]

Mine 5/11 am I good

[@BeaudoinMotorsports]

Good to know good to know

[@RandyLFroehlich]

So I contacted ford because I have a 2011 F-450 with only 4,400 original miles I’m concerned about this.my build date is 05/10 Ford claims to know nothing about valve issues or glow plugs with these truck they looked up my vin and said they see nothing . Which I know is BS. I see to many people talking about it . So is glow plugs or valves or both ? Not sure what to do.

[@NatalieTaekwondo]

modracecar8 Sorry, I didn’t get a notice for your question. Yes, dealerships and manufacturers always play dumb on TSB’s. And they are only issued for the sake of mechanics working on a related problem unlike a recall which affects all owners. Something that may put your mind at ease is I’ve been a member of a few 6.7 forums and we just aren’t hearing a lot of tales of blown engines once the plugs are updated. On the contrary, just last week an owner was warning everyone that he had NOT changed his plugs and was then spending $12k for a rebuild. I think it’s good insurance on a known flaw (2-piece plugs)... one less thing to worry about. Overall, the 2011 engines are holding up VERY well. 👍

[@michaelbeilsmith794]

Buy a Duramax... Ha... Just some light humor..... Call Ford corporate Customer Service with your VIN and the name of the stealership that told you they knew nothing about the glow plug issue. Normally they will get the dealership lined out and "educate" them.. Years ago our local dealership was ripping off the local police department replacing the plastic intake manifolds that were cracking on the Crown Vics and charging a grand a piece for them. When a new Lt was put in charge of the fleet he questioned the local dealership service manager about the issue. He stated there was no one else having the issue and that it was a customer pay responsibility. The Lt. then called Corporate who respectfully advised that "Yes sir, we have had an issue with that and Ford has extended the warranty on the intake manifolds for xxxxx miles or 10 years. Ford will replace the manifold under a customer satisfaction program at no charge to the customer." The Lt. thanked the representative and ended the call. Thirty minutes later the local service manager called the Lt. and told him that he had researched and found that there was a program covering the manifolds and that they would be reimbursing the city for more than $8000 dollars. "Coincidental".