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Call or Text (352) 722-5295Air intake on the 2018-2021 Ford 3.0L Power Stroke
The 3.0L Power Stroke is the F-150's diesel: a 250 hp, 440 lb-ft V6 that was never offered in the F-250 or F-350 Super Duty. Outside air enters a factory airbox with a flat panel filter, Motorcraft FA1883, then passes the mass air flow (MAF) sensor on its way to a single variable-geometry turbo. From the turbo, the charge runs through an air-to-air charge-air cooler and on to the intake. Ford paired that cooler with radiator shutters and a viscous fan, and said the package moves much more air across the radiator and intercooler in extreme conditions. For the rest of the engine, start at our Power Stroke hub.
What fails and why
Not much, and that's the honest answer. The one documented intake-side service concern on this engine is filter neglect. Ford's schedule calls for a new filter every 30,000 miles in normal service, but says to check it frequently in dusty environments. Florida sand, dirt roads and job sites all qualify. A choked filter shows up as restricted MAF readings, reduced boost and soot. Beyond the filter, our research found no intercooler, charge-pipe or MAF failure pattern for 2018-2021 trucks in Ford, NHTSA or forum sources. So if the truck feels down on boost, pull the filter first, and get a real diagnosis before you buy hard parts.
Stock replacement vs. upgrade
If you want the truck to stay stock, the job is simple: keep a clean filter in the factory box and replace any worn coupler or clamp with the right size. If you want more airflow, the S&B 75-5126 cold air intake is listed for 2018-2021 F-150 3.0L trucks. It's a fully enclosed airbox with a clear lid, the silicone parts are rated to 400 degrees F, and it moves the MAF down the intake tube with an included extension harness and bracket. S&B claims 20.41 percent more flow than stock with its cotton cleanable filter, or 16.67 percent with the dry extendable filter. Pick cotton if you don't mind cleaning and re-oiling it. Pick dry if you'd rather skip the oil.
What we carry
S&B supplies the 75-5126 cold air intake, the Precision II air filter cleaning and oil kit for its cotton media, and a 4-inch silicone coupler with clamps. BD Diesel offers the 1036756 E-PAS emergency engine shutdown, listed for 2018-2021 3.0L trucks, plus a high torque hose clamp. Pacific Performance Engineering makes the 515303088 3-inch silicone hump coupler. No Limit Fabrication makes the NLRF cold air intake filter, and XDP makes the XD1027 mass air flow sensor. Intakes for other diesel platforms are on our intakes page.
Fitment notes
The 3.0L went only in the F-150, never in a Regular Cab and never in a Super Duty. The 2018-2020 trucks are the 13th-generation body, and 2021 is the first year of the 14th generation, with the diesel carried over unchanged. Read every product's year range: the XDP MAF sensor's listing names 2018-2020 3.0L trucks, so a 2021 owner should confirm it before ordering. The S&B 75-5126 carries no CARB Executive Order, and S&B will not ship it to California. When in doubt, verify by VIN or run the fitment checker on the product page.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I change the air filter on a 3.0L Power Stroke?
Ford's schedule says every 30,000 miles in normal service, and to check it frequently in dusty environments. The factory part is a Motorcraft FA1883 panel filter. If your truck sees dirt roads, sand or job sites, look at the filter well before the 30,000-mile mark.
Will the S&B cold air intake fit a 2021 F-150 diesel?
Yes. The 75-5126 is listed for 2018-2021 F-150 3.0L trucks, so it covers the last 13th-generation diesels and the 2021 14th-generation truck. The kit relocates the MAF with its own extension harness and bracket. Confirm your year and engine with the fitment checker before you order.
Can I run the S&B intake on a California truck?
No. The 75-5126 has no CARB Executive Order, and S&B will not ship it to California. If your F-150 is California-registered, keep the factory airbox and stay on top of the filter.
My truck feels down on boost. Is it the intake?
Check the filter first. A restricted filter is the one documented intake-side problem on this engine, and it shows up as restricted MAF readings, reduced boost and soot. We found no known pattern of intercooler, charge-pipe or MAF failures on these trucks, so anything past the filter deserves a proper diagnosis before you spend money.
What does the BD Diesel E-PAS do?
It's BD Diesel's emergency engine shutdown, part 1036756, listed for 2018-2021 3.0L Power Stroke trucks. The product page covers how it mounts and works, so read it before you order. Call the shop if you want help deciding whether your truck needs one.
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.