Hi, I just purchased a 94 F350 Powerstroke, this is my first Diesel and I dont want to overlook somethig, so I am looking for pointers and suggestions on what to check and keep an eye out for, what is the best oil to use? how often to change fuel filter every oil change? what is standard oil change interval?

 

You'll get a lot of opinions on maintenance. Some guys are religious at 3000, lots of us do 5000 miles, and there's people out there that do 7500+. Personally, I do 5000 mile oil changes and 15k fuel filters.

The reason I went to the 7.3 is so I could run conventional oil. I use delo 400 which so far I like. The thing I have against synthetics is the cost.

With the 7.3l make sure you keep track of your coolant. Napa sells SCA test strips to test it. You can also get them online.

Welcome to the wonderful world of diesel. Anything I'm missing the pro's here will cover

 

Get a CPS (crank position sensor) from FORD and keep it in your glovebox. Aftermarket ones are usually junk.

 

Thanks that was one of my next questions what should I keep on hand.. or in the glove box

 

I second the 5k oil changes. Since good oil is so critical to HEUI function I'd prefer to do it then, but 3k is nothing for modern oils, and 7.5k is pushing it. The health of my injectors is more important than an extra $70-$100 for an oil change.

 

The PO of my truck used Shell Rotella Synthetic 5W-40 (changed it every 3K) and changed the fuel filter every time. Kinda light for my taste.

Now I'm meticulous about maintenance but not quite that much.

I just put in DELO 400 15-40, and think once a year (10-15K) is sufficient for changing the fuel filter. And they are kinda pricey depending on which one you get. Unless you are suspicious of it, or get a bad tank of fuel, once a year is sufficient in my opinion.

I would carry a spare filter and the tools to change it, also some Power Service 911 in case you ever got some water in the fuel. Not sure where you live but it can be handy in the cold winter months where I live.

I had a Benz 300 SDL and did every 3K on oil (used conventional) and once a year on the fuel filters. Always carried spares just in case. Thankfully I never had to use them. But it was handy to have just in case

Also about every other tank Ill throw in a shot of Power Service Cetane boost to keep everything clean.

And +1 on the CPS (I have yet to get one, but it sounds like they are a common fail item)

I haven't been around this forum for real long, but these guys really know their stuff. And if you have any questions, someone around here will know the answer.

Just my 2 cents.

 

I'm experimenting with slightly longer oil change intervals using synthetic. You might get a kit from Blackstone that lets you send then an oil sample and they will analyze it for you. It would tell you if there was something in your old oil that shouldn't be there. I did that on my first oil change just to be sure.

Read the stickies one this page for tons of info. I try to search a lot before asking but sometimes it is hard to find stuff because it is buried in other threads. Have fun and glad you are on the site and in the diesel ranks.

 

I think I'll go back to synthetic after this round, but I had the DELO siting around for my Benz, but I'm selling that so I thought I'd put it in the PSD.

Seems good so far, defiantly sounds different with new oil in it.

Pry could go longer on the intervals, but its cheap insurance, and good on the injectors.

 

I think a lot here have covered what a person may want to have on hand and maintenance tips! The only thing I can add, is going ahead and buying a scan tool as well, even an on board one, like an AE. When these trucks have an issue, it can be really hard to diagnose any problems in depth, and being stuck somewhere without the ability to get the truck codes pulled can be a headache!

 

Thanks for the info, what obout a glow plug relay? I plan on leaving this parked in cold weather 10-30 degrees possibly for a few days at a time with no extension cords in sight while hunting.

 

I suggest you make sure your batteries, GPR, and glow plugs are all in good working order before you do that!

These things will have no issue starting if the system designed to help it start is maintained!

Carrying an extra GPR is a good idea. There are threads in the sticky relating to "cold starts/white smoke" that will tell you how to test them with a multimeter.