im looking into selling my truck in my gallery and getting a powerstroke. could anyone give me some do's or don'ts when buying and what is different in maintainance than a gas engine

any input is appreciated
thanks

 

cool1996,
a psd is an awsome vehicle in which the purchase should not be taken lightly. First of all I would seriously look at a used psd. May as well have someone else take the hit for driving it off the lot. Secondly I would consider gathering as much info on the difference between the newer 6.0L vs. the 7.3L. Personally I purchased the 7.3L for numerous reasons(problems with the 6.0, more power, ect.). You can expect the cost of maintence to go up but it is all relative. I'm sure some will disagree but changing the oil only needs to be done every 5-6000 or more miles. An oil change will cost you about $60.00. You have to change the fuel filter alot more often, seems like parts like the cps(cam position sensor) and vss(vehicle speed sensor) have a higher rate of going out, but all miner things that you can fix yourself. I love driving a psd and won't go back to a gasser. Hope this helps somewhat. The good definitely outway the bad when considering a psd, but I don't want you to be blindsided by the maintence cost if you do join the psd crowd. Good luck and remember that if and when you decide to purchase your first psd, you'll know she's the right one for you.
tex1313

 

Lots of differences
If you are buying used be sure oil and coolant has been changed regularly. Also ensure regular monitoring of anti cavitation levels in coolant. Then if you can pull the air inlet tube from the turbo and inspect the turbo for "dusting" sort of a frosted effect if you find it beware.

Know that an oil change will involve about 3 gallons of oil, not a few quarts like a gasser, and that the oil must be rated for Diesel service.

A well maintained PSD is a real gem and will give you years of dependable service 300 to 400 thousand miles is very possible.
A poorly maintained PSD should be avoided at all costs

One other point a stock truck is never gonna win a drag race so dont look for HOT performance. If you want that get a solid well maintained 7.3L PSD then post asking how you can improve performance and you will get tons of help.

 

Yes but it has brute strength, even unmodified it will pull your house off of it's foundations if you want it to!

 

Yup You're right Kwik

 

Read up on this!

http://pages.prodigy.net/stevebaz/_import/pages.prodigy...baz/index3.html

 

The PSD makes power differently than a gasser. Part of it is just the fact that it is turbo-charged and there is considerable turbolag - at least on the 2000 model with the EPA noise-reduced compressor wheel.

A friend recently drove my PSD. After a few miles he said that he was impressed at how solid it was and how effortlessly the engine cruised along. Then he said he wished it accelerated better as we were about to get on a freeway on an uphill ramp. As it finally started making serious boost at about about 2400rpm in second gear, he uttered a very loud exclamation of surprise. A curious thing you see, the more you load the engine (to a point), the more power it makes. First gear doesn't load it enough, but second gear up an inclined freeway ramp is enough to really feel it.

I want to mod mine for a little extra power, but am currently doing other things to it in preparation - like putting in a Factory Tech valve body and external spin-on trans filter. I do wish this one had the 6-speed manual, but when I needed a truck, this was the best one I could find. The two 6-speeders had not been well-maintained. Avoided them.

 

Make no mistake understanding the difference from a gas to the diesels. I had a guy pulling a boat the other day with a new Hemi truck try to out pull my old 95 while I had a 5th wheeler on and of coarse I flipped the switch from my regular trailer haul position for the task at hand LOL... This little short pull contest was from 60 too. Needless to say he want be so eager about jumping on the GWE again LOL...

The really cool thing with how the diesels are as compaired to a gas motor to me, they have way different pulling power. This can be from a dead stand still but loaded up heavy or running down the highway and simply want to pull around and pass someone.

You just wade into the throttle a little, or lot LOL, and the PSD just simply pulls around so effortless. Don't even have to get into a passing gear at all to do this either. Try passing someone from 60 in a gas motor without coming from OD, the PSD is awesome when you compair them and their pulling ability.

Most guys will not know their pulling ability which is real easy with a heavy trailer, which when test driving one is not going to happen. However, though you can play with passing on the highway. I must admit though my 95 was not so impressive when new as it is now with the mods I have, still though you could tell the pulling ability of the diesel is way different from the gas.

I thank as time goes on, we are going to see more and more of the diesels show up in cars and suv's, they just work better and way more fuel efficent from the gas. There is a learning curve with these as well, you will have to work through as you use one.
I do thank though if you look around here at everyone's gallery's and things we have done with our PSD's, you will see all of us here love them and have a lot of fun with them as we use them as well. You want see Rowdy move back to a gas, my wife right now has a new Expedition with the 5.4 that I would give anything if it had a new little V6 PSD in it.

I understand now that Ford has a new V6 diesel that they are starting to use in the Jaguar for now. Sure wish I could talk them into using my wifes Expedition for a test mule too LOL. You nose around here on the PSD's and the guys here with what they have, you will not find a better loved source of power from the gas motors...

Oh, edit here, forgot to mention too; when I am going up the entrance to the freeway and stand on my PSD now from say 30 to 40 I leave two rear wheel slip marks on the asphalt from where I am slipping thew tires bad. I don't have to wait for the boost to do that pull and get on the freeway and out of the way at all. To get to 80 is almost ridiculas at how easy it is. Got ta love it too. Except if you get into the driving like that much around town with a hot foot from each stop and go, say goodbye to the rear tires and soon. The first time you rotate them you will know exactly what I am talking about too LOL... The power of the diesel is right from the start if setup to pull and run.

 

Hey cool I just got a psd in the last two months. I went from a 1996 150 to 250 diesel. Im gettin 18-20 MPG regularly. 2003 Reg cab. I love the truck. It rides almost as good as my 150. The MPG has impressed me as much driving as I do. I just changed the oil and it took 15 qts with the new filter. I think you would like this truck I love mine. I have a 7.3l. Good Luck.

 

what do you have to do to the injectors (o-rings) and how often do you have to drain the water out of the gas? also, is there any maintainance to the turbo that has to be done?

heres the truck i want: 1999 f-250 powerstroke (has to be the 444) 6-speed 4x4...and it has to be a super cab longbed and BLACK!!!

im havin a little trouble findin one. and findin what my truck is worth and how much i should expect to pay for the 250

p.s. the guys are nicer here in the powerstroke forum then in the 87-96 forum!!!

 

also...if you take the cats off...do you have to put a MIL eliminator on the o2 sensor like you do on a gasser? does it even have o2 sensors?

 

Cool the cat question depends on where U live I doubt the sensor you are talking about will do any good cause the "Cat" on a diesel is not really a Catalytic Converter like on a gaser, it is a particle trap. Diesels do not make the stuff Cats convert.

The Turbo is in the engine oil system the only thing you really have to do is let the truck idle until it gets back to normal operating temp before you shut it down so the oil doesnt get cooked in the turbo. It takes 10 mins or so after truck has been working hard like heavy tow or load uphill etc.

 

i guess i owe everyone here an apology. i went outside to look at my truck and got a lump in my throat thinking about selling it. i can't do it. i guess ill have to stick to the ol' 5.0 for now

sorry to waste your time

 

Hmm, he obviously hasn't driven a PSD, one day we'll be reading his threads about how he's been converted and can't figure out what took him soo long. I can't imagine driving a gasser, let alone a 1/2 ton gasser. First PSD I road in was as a back passenger in a 97 PSD F350 CC. Because of that ride during a week long bird hunt, I looked for 2 years and finally found my 02 CC 4x4 PSD. I can't explain it, and Cool1996 can't understand it, but I know you guys that took the time to offer info get it.

Cool1996, remember these guys and how you noticed their hospitality. I read this forum everyday, 2, 3, 4 times a day because they pass on info just to pass on info. I hope you come to the PSD world soon you won't regret it buddy.

 

this forum has the nicest people out of all of the forums and they are so eager to help. i have driven a e-350 powerstroke from detroit to the upper peninsula (900 miles) and loved it. then i go outside and look at my truck in which i have probably over 100 hours into getting it to look how it does and i just can't bear the thought of ever getting rid of it. you'll read my posts here hopefully soon about how lucky i am to have a 3 car garage with my old red truck, a powerstroke and an AC cobra...lol

Thanks for all your help...i'll be back soon enough