Finally got around to some much needed maintenance. Changed the oil and fuel filters. Biggest swap were the completely toasted factory shocks at 45k miles. Swapped them and the stabilizer with Bilsteins. 1000% improvement in that aspect.

Only thing I hate about oil changes is that it brings back the "typewriter" tick immediately after changing it. I am going to get some XL-17 this go around to see if it will cure it. It stops ticking about 4-4500 miles into the oil change. This is usually right when the oil starts turning from honey to black. I feel like the added carbon in the XL-17 will get it stopped. Just some observations.

Another practice I may try is extended fuel filter change intervals. This last time I went from 10k intervals to 15k. Filter was extremely clean after being in from 30k to 45k. May try a 20k interval this time around. I only buy fuel at one station and have have never had any water in this truck or in my previous 6.4 and 6.0. Bottom of the housing didn't have any debris as well.

Anywho, thought I would share another Bilstein success story. Happy Maintain'n everyone!

 

I have not heard a sound tick ever after a oil change. I use 5 - 40 Valvoline. I notice you are using 30 weight oil. Have your tried 40 weight oil??

Also my oil is back as SIN after 50 to 100 miles.

Looks like you will have your fun, I see at one six pack.

 

I always used Valvoline 5w40 Syn in my last 2 trucks. I started out using it in this one and it ticked the worst with it. I still think it is good stuff. My feelings on it is that if the expensive oil won't kill the tick, I'll just use the cheaper oil that they actually come factory filled with.

 

No tick here after oil changes thankfully.


One of my planned things to do very soon is to test my shocks and see how they are doing.

 

Mine needed swapping way before this. It's amazing how riding down one choppy substation service road can turn your attitude from "maybe I'll get them at the 50k mile mark" to "This is John Doe from Summit Racing, how can I help you? Me: Do y'all price match Amazon?" No regrets after putting them on.

 

I would be cautious about extending fuel filter changes past the book recommendations. You may be exposing yourself to some grief if you ever need the warranty and the fuel system/engine is involved.

 

I noticed that you mentioned the oil going from "honey" to black @ 4000 to 4,500 miles. I just deleted mine and haven't changed the oil yet, I hope it is the same. Last time I changed it, before deleting, I prolly had 100 miles on the oil and is was black as sin as another poster had mentioned.

Nice looking shocks, BTW!

 

Oil stays cleaner longer thanks to the EGR delete. The 6.7 combustion process is also more refined so that helps keeping the oil cleaner. As for the fuel filter intervals, my service writer knows how well I take care of my truck. I have people that hound me wanting first shot at my trucks when I upgrade. I'll be fine on the intervals. If I start having to buy fuel at "new to me stations", I'll shorten the intervals.

 

UGA,
Can you post the Bilstein shock part numbers?


Thanks in advance...


BTW... I have always gone with 15k mile fuel filter change interval, but I believe the on board computer will notify a filter change at ~23k miles.

 

Fronts (24-186018)
Rears (24-186025)
Stabilizer (24-196284)

 

Hey UGA, thanks for the reminder, I need to get the bilsteins too. My 2015 has 29,000 on it already!

Just for kicks really look closely at your oil level. For some reason I have a feeling that the tick happens when the fill level is at the top of the range on the stick. I usually have the level on mine in the bottom third of the dipstick and I haven't noticed the tick. Just a thought...

 

Thanks for the tip, but I have already tried this and it wouldn't cure it.

 

Thanks UGA33.... Are these part numbers for a stock FX4 suspension?

 

Yes. Everything I read, these numbers were for 250/350 4x4 trucks. Fronts cover a stock truck up to one with a 2" leveling kit and the rears are for factory suspension 250/350 trucks with no lift.

 

Thanks.......