Hey folks I just purchased my first diesel and I want to get some advice on what I should start looking to change soon. The truck is a 97 F250 with a little over 200k. 4x4 with a five speed. I already changed the oil and fuel filter. Any other recommendations? Thanks!

 

4wd? If so, you could do a diff and transfer case fluid swap.

Also, you might want to look into a 6637 air filter and a 3" downpipe, allowing the motor to breathe a little better and stay happy.

 

Change engine oil, trany, diffs, xfer case
Change coolant and filter if equiped
Change fuel filter and clean FPR screen in bowl
Make sure fuel pressure is at 40 PSI min in 3rd at WOT
Get this FPR spring instead of BB mod Ford Powerstroke Fuel Pressure Regulator Spring 7.3 FPR F250 F350 95, 96 Diesel | eBay
fix all intake/exhaust leaks and get an EGT Gauge
6637 mod or any S&B AIS
Turbo back exhaust or at a minimum the 3" down pipe
6.Doh trans cooler or anything better than stock
buy a scanner


https://www.amazon.com/Vgate-Bluetoo...rds=vgate+OBD2

Torque Pro
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...g.prowl.torque
Use the communication in the profile
SAE J1850-PWM
make sure you add in Ford PIDs

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...ch.CarGaugePro
people like it cause it will pull codes, buzz test and CCT

Some OLD PCM's have to be flashed before you can pull codes

 

Thank you I appreciate the responses.

 

Welcome and welcome to the diesel club.

 

Clean the engine very well and start looking for leaks. Check all the fuses both under the dash and under the hood. Check bulbs behind the dash. Test heat and AC. Test parking brake. Check pedal bushings. Check all lights including 3rd brake light. Grease any steering and u joints w zerks. Test 4x4. Check connectors under the hood and tighten accessible mounts. Lots of stuff you can do without spending a dime. But when you're ready to spend money you'll get plenty of help w that here too.

 

Hey knottyrope I got a Bluetooth scanner and downloaded that Torque Pro but it tells me that I can't pull codes from the ECU. How do I proceed?

 

Get the second app listed to pull codes

 

We'll damn that app doesn't support the scanner I bought. I read on my emissions sticker that my truck is not OBD2 supported which is strange. I guess I'll have to find a different way to scan codes.

 

which one did you buy?

 

PANLONG Bluetooth Scanner. I bought if off of Amazon for 12 bucks. It was cheap and had over 2000 reviews with 4.5 stars so I figured it was OK for the price.

 

Another question I had is how would I go about testing the fuel pressure? Thanks for your help!!

 

Crank manually via solenoid on firewall and use a 100 psi tire pressure gauge. Then check when running.

20 psi when cranking
50 when running
No less than 40 at WOT in 3rd gear but use a liquid filled gauge and a grease gun hose to get it out from under hood.