Hey FTE!! New to site, read a lot of helpful info! Question about a recent issue with my truck...97 f350 7.3L XLT power stroke diesel..249000+ miles .. I've noticed lately that when I crank up the truck the engine chugs for a few mins then finally catches.. Seems to do it every time now hot or cold ..recent problem, I've had the truck for 7 yrs now.. Fuel filter and oil change about 7000 miles ago (usual oil change was every 5000 miles and fuel filter every other oil change-but was recently told that oil change can be every 7500-10000 miles) we lack good diesel mechanics in our town..any suggestions as to what the issue is?
Fuel pump changed at 239000 miles

 

Welcome to FTE!

Change the oil and see how it works. I don't know who told you that you could go 7500 miles between oil changes but they must be selling new engines. The oil in these truck runs the injection system so we need good clean oil for the truck to run correctly. This may or may not solve your issue, but it needs to be addressed. Change the oil every 3,000 miles if you don't drive the truck long distances, or every 5000 miles if you do.

 

x2 on the oil changes.

I had a IPR-related no-start issue happen to me a few times right at 5000 miles since the last oil change (my second since owning the truck). before messing with anything else, I changed the oil and have been fine since. I'm at 2500 miles since then and will be changing it ~3000-3500 to be sure not to get stranded anywhere.

 

Yeah without getting into specifics about oil 3000 miles is a good interval to change oil.

Synthetics, larger filters with better micron ratings, and bypass systems can allow you to do longer OCI(oil change interval).

and welcome!

 

Makes sense! This is the longest I've gone between oil changes, usually do it faithfully every 5000..
It was a diesel mechanic that said I could go 7500-10000, just as long as I didn't run him dry.. They are so hard to find around here, we have loads of gas engine mechanics but not diesels ones..
I'll get Bubba to the shop ASAP and hopefully it will solve the issue!
Thanks y'all !!

 

Do you know when the glow plugs were done last? Cause that was my first thought. Does it smoke when you start it? I was thinking if your glow plugs wernt' working (or all of them working) that would cause rough running.

Although that wouldn't explain when it does it hot.

IDK just thinking out loud. But I was also told ever 3K for the oil change. I just got my truck a couple of weeks ago, 355K on it now, wanna keep it going for a long time!

 

I run Rotella T6 synthetic and it's good to 7500 miles. I do oil analysis and the results support 7500-7700 mile OCI in my engine.

The next oil change I might do the extended test (costs an extra $10) that determines how much additive is left. as the engine wears the oil it breaks down the additive package and once that is gone then the oil needs to be changed.

So if I do the extended test and it reveals that there is plenty of life left in the oil, it means I can go longer.

Richard

 

If you're running a full synthetic, I wouldn't think that 7,500 is out of the question, but if it is a conventional oil, I wouldn't push it past 5,000. That's just me though. Honestly I change mine around ever 3,500 miles because I don't put a lot of miles on my truck and it takes me a while to get that mileage on it. And with much of the local (short trip) driving I do, I would rather be safe than sorry. Even at $60 some odd bucks an oil change using Rotella, it's cheap maintenance compared to costly repairs.

 

Im a weenie...i like good clean oil in my baby..it makes me happy when i check it and the oil is still clear on the stick.if mine gets dark or my mileage starts falling off tank to tank mileage im changing.especially at 325k...i need 400k+

 

Is it s chug or more if a lope ?

If its a auto trans try starting in neutral and see if it goes away

 

I do 5k on the the T6 full syn and big Dnaldson filter. My oil samples always come back great. I'm due for a change in a couple hundred miles and might push it some, but I know she runs better on fresh oil.

I know Jim has said that he sees guys buy the cheapest rated diesel oil you can find, replace at 3k and he's seen 250k+ on injectors that still work. I might be off a bit on my numbers, but you get the idea.

 

Still having issue..posted another thread because I wasn't sure if anyone that has responded to these posts get notifications when there's another reply?? So here's the next thread and I posted a vid of it too
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-part-2-a.html