Ford’s 6.7 Powerstroke IPR Sensor has often been compared with the advanced version 7.3. It tends to last several miles as long as it’s maintained properly. However, some factors can still affect the sensor. Any issue with the valve or the injector may lead to damage to the whole system. And you’re left with some warning signs.
Some common symptoms of 6.7 Powerstroke IPR Sensor Failure include starting issues, stalling, surging, unstable idling, and smoke emissions.
Here, I’ll talk about these symptoms in detail, what causes the sensor to fail, and how to deal with the troubles.
6 most common 6.7 Powerstroke IPR Sensor Failure Symptoms
No matter if the issue is big or small, there will be signs to alert you. To help you recognize them, I’ve listed 6 symptoms of 6.7 Powerstroke IPR Sensor Failure.
#1- Engine Starting Issues
Engine not starting is perhaps one of the common symptoms of 6.7 Powerstroke IPR Sensor Failure.
The cylinder needs a finely-tuned mixture of fuel and air to ignite properly. Plus, the system requires at least a pressure of 5000PSI for the pumps to work. Here, the actual fuel pressure must meet the minimum level all the time. If the ICP sensor or IPR valve has any problem, the injectors might not be able to deliver enough fuel to the engine. Result, either engine won’t start or will crank for a long time before starting.
A very common cause is the debris in the injectors. Rust, particles, and grease can end up clogging the nozzles over time. Consequently, blocked injectors won’t have enough pressure to fire.
However, sometimes the situation occurs when there’s no fuel in the tank. So, make sure to check the tank first to know the exact reason. If you find it full, then IPR and ICP censor might have an issue.
#2- Engine Stalling
Engine stalling can also indicate failing 6.7 Powerstroke IPR Sensor. The two main reasons behind the failure can be clogs and leaks.
Blocked filter typically prevents fuel mixture from reaching the engine and leads to low fuel pressure. And leakage inside can contaminate or affect the mixture.
Although clogs and leaks can wear out the injector and regulator system, physical damage can cause both issues. Whatever the situation is, the injector can’t perform efficiently in such a case.
When this happens, the pump fails to push enough gasoline into it. And consequently, the engine stops running abruptly and experiences stalling.
However, this can happen accidentally. Then again, if you’re facing it frequently, then the injectors or IPR sensor might be at fault. Since stalling can result in other accidents, these symptoms are risky too.
#3- Illuminated Check Engine Light
As we all know, injectors are responsible for delivering the right fuel-to-air ratio to the combustion cylinder.
If they start going bad, it’ll affect other parts including IPR Sensor on 6.7 Powerstroke. And the whole situation can cause fuel delivery issues. The pump may supply too little or too much fuel to the engine. When it’s detected by the computer, it can trigger the Check Engine Light on your vehicle to illuminate.
Sometimes, ICP may not be able to reach the desired pressure when you run the trucks wide open and PCM commands the valve to close some. This can turn on the light too.
While yellow light notifies you of a problem to be investigated, red light indicates a serious fault.
Note that such signs pop up under certain circumstances. Check Engine Light is also known for illuminating mistakenly. So, I recommend you have the computer scanned for accurate trouble codes.
#4- Poor Idling
Idling is when the engine runs but the vehicle isn’t in motion. It should be smooth and the only way to tell this is that you get to control some basic systems of your car. These include power steering, cooling, and electrical system. In case 6.7 Powerstroke IPR Sensor fails, you can’t run a smooth idle. Your tachometer needle may get unstable jumping up and down even if you’re not driving.
It mostly happens because of carbon buildups on the nozzle. They clog the injectors and prevent the pump from supplying fuel.
#5- White Or Black Smoke
White smoke occurs due to insufficient amount of fuel entering the combustion chamber. Contrariwise, black smoke indicates excessive fuel getting injected into the chamber. These two can also be caused by a faulty injector of 6.7 Powerstroke.
#6- Injector Surging
Surging is another indication of IPR valve and ICP sensor failure. When the system starts failing, it can supply oil at a higher pressure resulting in inconsistent combustion. This leads to changes in engine speed, it can go faster while you try to accelerate at a steady pace.
Read also >> 5 Symptoms To Detect IPR Sensor Failure On 7.3 Powerstroke + Fixing Guide
6.7 Powerstroke IPR Sensor Problems with easy Solutions
Here’s a table showing 3 common problems of 6.7 Powerstroke IPR Sensor that can cause failure and the ways to fix them.
| IPR Sensor Problems | Easy Solutions |
|---|---|
| Clogs due to debris and grease | Clean up the areas |
| Leakage | Use stop leak additive or replace the damaged parts. |
| Physical damage | Get a replacement. |
Failure in any of the Ford engines can happen due to different issues. There are 3 major causes that can damage 6.7 Powerstroke IPR Sensor. You’ll also get solutions below.
1. Clogs Due To Debris And Grease – Clean up the areas
Different kinds of clogging can impair the function of 6.7 Powerstroke IPR Sensor.
- Jammed Nozzle: Fuel injectors can fail due to carbon buildups on the nozzle. This prevents the pump from delivering the fuel mixture and results in starting issue. In this case, you can buy a fuel injector cleaner to remove a variety of debris from different parts of the fuel system including the nozzle.
- Jammed HPOP: IPR inlet screen can also collect debris leading to failure of HPOP. This lets the dirt enter the valve blocking all the way and damaging the pump and IPR valve. As a result, it creates a number of visible issues. One of the clogged IPR screen symptoms would be engine halting. To avoid severe damage, clean it with oil or a thin solvent by lubricating the parts well.
- Jammed Piston: Dirt particles and grease can stick inside the piston region as well. Not only does it trap the motion but affects the sensors too. So, clean the parts properly with a specialized piston cleaning tool. In such a case, a groove cleaner should be useful.
2. Leakage – Use stop leak additive or replace the damaged parts.
Fuel injectors deal with a higher amount of pressure and heat. And these two can make the O rings brittle over time. The gasket is located between the fuel rails and injectors so if it wears out, it can result in leakage.
Not just that, damages due to corrosion in the pump can also make the nozzle leak. Once there’s a leak, it can cause a problem in the IPR valve as well as the ICP sensor on 6.7 Powerstroke.
Leaks in the system may also lead to oil dilution if it goes beyond the shaft seals on HPOP.
If it’s an internal leak, then you should get a new injector to replace it. In case it’s external, then perhaps you need to change worn-out O rings.
The damages in the fuel tank should also be replaced. Make sure to use stop-leak additives to prevent such issues.
3. Physical Damage – Get a replacement.
Sometimes the product may turn out to be faulty from the factory. And design flaws can impair the 6.7 Powerstroke IPR Sensor too.
If it arrives in proper condition, then as I mentioned, different external factors can cause damage to the system. These include corrosion, contamination, extreme heat, high pressure, clogs, and leaks. All of them can be the reason for failure.
No matter what the situation is, if it’s severe, have the sensor or the whole engine replaced depending on the condition.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Are The Most Common Problems With The 6.7 Powerstroke?
Engine cranks but doesn’t start is one of the most common problems with 6.7 Powerstroke.
Even if it does, the performance will be poor. Sometimes, you may experience stalling, misfires, unstable idling, and/or surging. All these can be caused by physical damage, clogs, and/or leaks.
What Is The Life Expectancy Of A 6.7 Powerstroke?
The average lifespan of 6.7 Powerstroke is between 200,000 to 300,000 miles.
However, it depends on how well you stick to the recommended service intervals of Ford. If you keep the engine well-maintained, it can even last up to 400,000 miles with a few repairs. Just make sure to keep changing oil whenever it’s necessary so the flow stays consistent without any contamination.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace A 6.7 Powerstroke Engine?
The replacement cost of 6.7 Powerstroke Engine can range from $5,500 to $15,000. So, the average cost can be $10,250.
However, the price may vary based on the cost of the actual engine, whether it’s new or used and the labor fee.
A new engine can come in around $1100 if you get it from the manufacturing store and can get lower to $8,000 if you go online.
What Makes 6.7 Powerstroke So Good?
6.7 Powerstroke benefits us with high-mile durability, improved drivability, cleaner emissions, and more power.
It’s often compared to the popular 7.3 and can last up to several miles.
Final Words
Make sure to perform 6.7 Powerstroke IPR Valve Test to know which one is the culprit. Because the valve and ICP sensor work together, if one is affected, the other may be too. Use diagnostic or scanning equipment to test the engine system. It should read the IPR values and the parameter IDs of ICP to help you find out the main issue.
In case there’s damage in any of the parts, have it replaced. It’s applicable to the entire engine as well.
I wouldn’t suggest you drive with failing 6.7 Powerstroke since it can make the problem more severe.
