2017-2019 Ford 6.7L Powerstroke Starters

Starters on the 2017-2019 Ford 6.7L Powerstroke

The starter on a diesel Super Duty draws from two 12-volt batteries rated 750 CCA and 78 Ah each, and it has a big job: turning over a 6.7-liter V8 running 16.2:1 compression. A quick cold start depends on more than the starter, though. Ceramic glow plugs, one per cylinder, do their part, and a block heater was standard where required. Once it fires, the engine settles to a 625-650 rpm idle. Healthy batteries, clean cables, working glow plugs and a good starter all have to line up on the 6.7L Powerstroke.

What fails and why

The starter is rarely the root cause on these trucks. There is no documented starter failure pattern for 2017-2019. When a truck cranks long, the usual causes are glow plugs, batteries or corroded cables, or loss of rail pressure from the CP4.2 high-pressure pump. Corroded battery cables in particular can keep the glow system from working, which shows up as long cranking below freezing and white smoke on a cold start. If the batteries test good, the cables are clean, the glow plugs check out and the starter still will not turn the engine over properly, then it is time for a starter.

Stock replacement vs. upgrade

Whether you go with a factory-style unit or a gear reduction starter, it only performs as well as the batteries and cables feeding it. Replace corroded cables at the same time, and keep both batteries at the 750 CCA spec, using AGM group-65-class replacements and changing them as a pair.

What we carry

This page carries the Mean Green 6696 gear reduction starter, listed for 2011-2022 6.7L Powerstroke trucks, which covers 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Fitment notes

The Mean Green 6696 is catalogued across 2011-2022 trucks. Chassis cab F-350, F-450 and F-550 trucks use a 330 hp rating with a different turbo, and many parts differ from the pickups, so verify by VIN before ordering. While the starter is out, inspect the battery cables and terminals for corrosion.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know it is the starter and not the batteries?

Rule out the cheaper causes first. Load-test both batteries against the 750 CCA rating, clean or replace corroded cables, and check the glow plugs. Long cranking on the 2017-2019 6.7L more often traces to those items, or to CP4.2 rail-pressure loss, than to the starter.

Does the Mean Green 6696 fit all 2017-2019 trucks?

It is listed for 2011-2022 6.7L Powerstroke trucks, which covers all three model years of this generation's pickups. Chassis cabs differ in many parts, so confirm by VIN or call the shop for a fitment check.

Why does my truck crank long and blow white smoke when it is cold?

That combination points to the glow system. Hard cold starts on these trucks are usually glow-plug related, or corroded battery cables are keeping the glow system from working. A new starter will not fix either problem.

Not sure what fits? Call the shop at the number in the header, or use the fitment checker on any product page. We install everything we sell.