hey guys, I've been around here for awhile on the IDI forum, I currently have a 1988 f350 7.3l 4x4 5 speed, the ol beast is getting...well old.. and I've been looking for a newer truck. found a 2008 f250 extended cab short box 4x4 6.4l 6 speed manual 90k miles and is going to need a clutch. the truck appears to be stock with no programmers or deletes done to it yet. my old man currently has a 2010 250 ccsb automatic and he likes it, except for the emissions and poor fuel mileage. so here's my question while I've been wrenching my whole life, im still in the stone ages with my mechanical injection and my lack of emissions BS and the like. so what is there to look for when your looking at these newer trucks. what about wrenching on them, up till now I have been able to do anything I've had to in our shop at home. I do have a buddy with a scan tool, but I don't want to have to bug him every time something arises. and finally how about reliability. my dad has had no trouble, but he only has 18,000 miles on his 6.4. also what are some real fuel millage numbers. dad gets around 14mpg out of his bone stock. ill be deleting the dpf and egr for sure if buy one.

 

Read the tech folder for this forum is the best advice. Download the bible. I think that is the first link.

Emissions and city driving don't work too well with this motor.

On the other hand hwy and towing is where this motor works great.
Pay attention to the radiator and look for leaks.

Maint records need to be looked at and OEM only fuel and oil filters.

 

ok I got some new information. the dpf has been deleated and its got a hs xrt programmer and an air dog on it.

around here its all country and highway driving.
why only oem filters?

 

oem for fitment and filtration levels. some aftermarket can cause starting issues or low oil pressure, i would be interested as to how long the truck has been tuned and deleted. i have heard a truck on high hp tunes can cause the stock clutch to slip witch i would bet this truck has if it has a aftermarket lift pump on it.

 

even with a good brand of filter such as Wix? Ive only used wix filters on all of our equipment with no issues.
id honestly rather find one that hasent been messed with so I know where I stand, I don't care for undoing other peoples mods.
I talked to him today, going to look at it this weekend. hes the second owner, the PO did the dpf deleat tuner and fuel pump.

What are some real life fuel milage numbers. my dad gets around 14 out of his 2010 country driving.

 

If he has been using wix filters then move onto another truck. More than likely it has been oil starved.

 

What is it about Wix filters that would cause oil starvation? do they filter too much? I recently purchased a wix filter that had the cap attached to the filter, only because that was all they had besided cheapo stuff..I understood Wix was a good brand. I have not installed the filter yet, should I take it back>

 

They don't fit and depress the spring by pass. So you will starve the motor of oil.

 

[I]They don't fit and depress the spring by pass. So you will starve the motor of oil.


Thank you Senix, I am glad to hear that now as opposed to later..I will be returning that sucker and going somewhere else to get a motorcraft filter...I'm making a trip to texas in a couple weeks and was going to change oil before leaving...that would not have been good having that filter on there and hauling about 10k or so pounds of loaded trailer!

 

wow id have never guessed that, ive been using wix filters for a long time on our other equipment with no issues. I wonder who makes motercraft filters for ford?

 

Racor makes them for ford.

Same with the fuel filters. OEM only.

don't forget to use the factory cap. Hope you still have it.

 

ok good to know, hopefully I can test drive it Saturday, anything else to look for?

 

maint records, radiator seems, ford gold coolant only.

Shine a light on the motor and look for anything out of the ordinary is about it.

 

Elc cat1 coolant is good as well.

 

when i got our truck it had a non oem oil filter and it would set the low oil light upon start up.

i get very similar fuel millage in my 2008 as i did in my 1994 both in my sig.
winter idling 10-up to-18 summer highway
9 when towing enclosed snomobile trailer