Tips for a new diesel owner?
#17
Congrats!
Drive the thing. It needs to work. If all you do is haul groceries, you'll be in a constant loop of soot build up in the DPF and regens. You need to work it, keep the EGT up so it runs and performs as designed.
DEF is DEF. WalMart 2.5 gallon jugs are handy and cheap. You'll use about 5 gallons over 7000 miles, give or take.
Buy diesel at higher volume stations. Every town has one where the trash trucks, delivery fleets, and bro-trucks fill up.
Stanadyne at the recommended treat rate EVERY tank.
Drain the water separator every month, refer to the owners manual. Stanadyne makes the water drop out so the separator gets it. The common rail pump and system is VERY sensitive to water. Ford has denied warranty repairs if they see rust in the system. Cover your behind, run Stanadyne. Hopefully you are getting the message that diesel ain't what it used to be, and needs help for water control and cetane rating.
Oil change after the first 2000 miles. Then depending on use and oil, every 5 to 7500 miles after.
Donaldson P502503 oil filter. Better specs than Motorcraft and price is same.
Consider a bypass filter system to keep the oil clean. Minimizing wear particles is the primary goal in diesel lubrication. If the oil isn't working to keep those particles suspended and apart because they have been removed, avoiding agglomeration, it will last longer.
You'll find a million recommendations on oil. Just pick one off the list based on temperature you expect to be in.
List of approved oils
Drive the thing. It needs to work. If all you do is haul groceries, you'll be in a constant loop of soot build up in the DPF and regens. You need to work it, keep the EGT up so it runs and performs as designed.
DEF is DEF. WalMart 2.5 gallon jugs are handy and cheap. You'll use about 5 gallons over 7000 miles, give or take.
Buy diesel at higher volume stations. Every town has one where the trash trucks, delivery fleets, and bro-trucks fill up.
Stanadyne at the recommended treat rate EVERY tank.
Drain the water separator every month, refer to the owners manual. Stanadyne makes the water drop out so the separator gets it. The common rail pump and system is VERY sensitive to water. Ford has denied warranty repairs if they see rust in the system. Cover your behind, run Stanadyne. Hopefully you are getting the message that diesel ain't what it used to be, and needs help for water control and cetane rating.
Oil change after the first 2000 miles. Then depending on use and oil, every 5 to 7500 miles after.
Donaldson P502503 oil filter. Better specs than Motorcraft and price is same.
Consider a bypass filter system to keep the oil clean. Minimizing wear particles is the primary goal in diesel lubrication. If the oil isn't working to keep those particles suspended and apart because they have been removed, avoiding agglomeration, it will last longer.
You'll find a million recommendations on oil. Just pick one off the list based on temperature you expect to be in.
List of approved oils
#18
To help keep the EGR clean, use AR6200, BetterDiesel FBC or Enerburn with every fill up. They are mostly online order, but are sometimes available off the shelf at diesel shops. All three improve the diesel fuel combustion for a cleaner burn and less soot. Since the dose is only about an ounce per tank, a bottle lasts for months or years, depending on how much driving you do.
The number one tip, is make sure your wife knows to use diesel, not gas, at the pump. If that mistake is ever made, have it towed to a dealer without starting it.
The number one tip, is make sure your wife knows to use diesel, not gas, at the pump. If that mistake is ever made, have it towed to a dealer without starting it.
#19
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TJC1989
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
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12-17-2003 03:47 PM