I purchased a used 2008 F250 6.4 L diesel with 59,000K and put 4,500 k on it and it has been in the shop 4X's for a total of 37 days so far with warranty problems. Not a good first impression for a Ford diesel as my first diesel. I think all is fixed now on the 2008-Two new tubos, new ERT and hoses, ceased brakes all replaced .......


I've had Ford trucks for over 35 years and all have been good other that the rust and paint problems in the 70" 80's . Just sold my 1986 F150 which was redone-wish I had of kept it. Ran great, looked excellent with 285,000K and second 302 motor and transfer case. Great truck PS love this FTE website.

Anyway- Looking after this new 2008 diesel truck
I heard so much about fuel additives for these diesel trucks ( I've had diesel tractors for yrs and no problems like I am heariing with these trucks. With tractors desels as long as maintenace is good and good fuel no such problems).
I am a little confused about additives for these trucks. I have used the Ford performance additive+ cetane boost but I also hear about fuel lubrication as well due to ULS diesel and one should be using Stanadyne or Optilube etc to reduce wear- Also read the report on diesel fuel additive and the reduce wear test

Is it ncessary to run both Ford's performance improver with cetane boost AND and fuel lubrication enhancer or just one? If one one additive which one of the two is best ? I can't obtain every type of additive here in Canada so I have the Ford additive and the Standyne for now
Any advice- Use just one or both?

 

I use Diesel Kleen, 20oz to each fill up, usually about 50 gal. (60 Gal after market tank on the truck). I have done so since 4000 miles. No problems with the truck except CAC replacement. Now at 30,000. I can't justify the diesel Kleen except it should add some centane boost and some lubrication as well as help clean the injectors. It should do those things because it says it will. I've had the truck since June 08. Bought it used with 4000 miles. I've logged a lot of hours on this forum and I've read most every post since June 08. Before that, I spent 7 years on the 7.3L forum. Based on my experience with these trucks and on the posts on this forum I believe that tight maintainence is the key to getting good service from any diesel and even more so from the 6,4L. Welcome to the forum, there is a lot of info on here and some smart guys who will add some wisdom to this thread I'm sure. They will tell you to follow the heavy duty maintainence schedule, to check your water filter often (at least monthly) and to use oil anaylsis to keep track of what your motor is doing and, that It's a good idea to track your exhaust cleanings and note deviations. Anyway, I don't want to tell you everything so welcome and good luck with your truck.

 

X2 on the Diesel Kleen...

 

Thanks guys for ths tips I will try and find some Diesel Kleen.
Some great info on here the FTE site and great guys with lots of helpful tips. Great site for us Ford truck users. I've been on this site getting tips on rebuilding my 1986 F150 4x4 truck for quite a few yrs and as mentioned thought I would get into a diesel as we bought a 33' V Cross Trailer to tow.
I will run the Stanadyne as I have two bottles and see it I can fined the Diesel Kleen here at some outlets here in Canada.

 

Maintance is key and run it hard and long. Stay away from bio fuel. Welcome aboard.

 

Well THAT'S good news! (really!)
I read on another diesel truck forum about the Diesel Kleen spreading out Regen frequency as well. WHoever it was indicated, that with the Diesel Kleen, Regen frequency decreased to about once every 1,000 miles or so.
How does that relate to folks here on the 6.4 Forum and the experience with their trucks?

Love the site and the Forums - this is my first Diesel and am beginning to think I'm a sponge given all the new stuff I gotta learn about the motor, mileage and driving style.
Its all good though - have wnated one 9secretly) for a long time.

Sportster
...nuthin better than harleys an diesels

 

I use DK in the recommended dosage of 80oz/250gal. I don't know about spreading regens out to 1K miles, but it does seem to make mine more 'regular' and consistent at around 250miles +/- 50 depending on my driving. Most of my driving is probably 60/40 city/fwy and isn't very DPF friendly.

It does quiet the engine down a bit. However, I find use of good branded-fuel makes a big difference. When I tried using some truck-stop fuel and some no-name diesel over a period of about 2000miles, my regens were all over the place and my mpgs suffered

 

regens will not be spread out to 1K. around 600 miles the pcm will command a regen regardless.

 

Just hit 2,000 miles. Should I wait till my first oil change to start using additive or just start now? I'll be doing the trucks first heavy haul this weekend (14,000lbs). Figured I'd see what you guys thought about additive during the break-in process.

 

I run a 50/50 mix of diesel kleen and stanadyne at 16 oz per 30 gal of fuel ,regens about every 200 miles of 45 mph city driving hardly any smoke and regen done in about 8 miles

 

use it, you wont do any harm

 

Senix - You mentioned avoid bio-diesel for this 6.4 L Ford. I know the Ford literature mentions to avoid it. (Although the new 6.7 allows some percentage ). At the pumps -I have not seen % bio-diesel listed at the pumps here YET and is it law to list the percentage similar to the percent ethanol in gasoline? Did note that 2-5% bio-diesel does substantially help out on the lubrication so you would think it would be a benefit? I guess it may damage the 2008 -2010 DPF system?

Also agree- the better the diesel fuel the less regens and the better the truck runs- Mine regens are about every 500 Km
Also good to read other comments about the additive and mixtures. Diesel Kleen and Stanadyne, but I have not heard anything about Ford additives though. I initially started using the performance improver + cetane booster from Ford but I have heard so much more on the FTE site about the DK and Stanadyne I think I will switch.

Just past my first 5,500 km and all seems good now.

 

6.4 is allowed to burn up to 5% bio. Trouble with bio is it will make your truck regen more as it is harder on emissions. More regens=more fuel dillution.

In addition, you can expect worse mpgs and the energy content is lower as well.

They are suppose to list the bio % on the pumps but don't count on it and even then it may not be accurate. So best to shy away from it all together if you can.

Only place that I have ever been forced into it is Ill. They are in love with it there so fill up just before the state line and then go as far as you can. I can usually get accross the state without a fillup.

 

[QUOTE=Bruce P;10088354]Senix - You mentioned avoid bio-diesel for this 6.4 L Ford. I know the Ford literature mentions to avoid it. (Although the new 6.7 allows some percentage ). At the pumps -I have not seen % bio-diesel listed at the pumps here YET and is it law to list the percentage similar to the percent ethanol in gasoline? Did note that 2-5% bio-diesel does substantially help out on the lubrication so you would think it would be a benefit? I guess it may damage the 2008 -2010 DPF system (quote)

I suggest you read the EPA report on bio and DPFs. There is a copy or a link under my signature on or around 18 december. It's not directly aimed at the 6.4L but it does apply.

 

In our 7.3 which has 280,000 miles we run a quart of general all purpose automatic transmission fluid to about 50 gals of fuel. It adds more lubrication to the fuel and gave us about 1 more MPG. I dont know if it would be alright to run it in the 6.4s with the dpf and there picky fuel system, i havent tried it yet.