Why so expensive?
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From: Isanti, MN
Why so expensive?
I just bought my first diesel truck, however this is my third Ford truck. I've always done all my own maintenance on my vehicles, so I never gave it a second thought about the increased cost of maintaining a diesel over a gas motor.
For the most part, the maintenance seems similar; oil changes, fuel filters, air filters are all similar to maintaining a gas motor. The catch here is the price of everything!!!
Can someone tell me why an air filter for my PSD is $60.00, where I could get one for my '07 5.4 for $15? Why is an oil filter $20.00 when I used to be able to get one for $3.99? Why are fuel filters $52.00 for two when i could replace one for $15.00?
I get the larger capacity of some things, like how we use 4 gallons of oil vs. less than 2 for the gas V8s, but why are the individual components so much more expensive???
For the most part, the maintenance seems similar; oil changes, fuel filters, air filters are all similar to maintaining a gas motor. The catch here is the price of everything!!!
Can someone tell me why an air filter for my PSD is $60.00, where I could get one for my '07 5.4 for $15? Why is an oil filter $20.00 when I used to be able to get one for $3.99? Why are fuel filters $52.00 for two when i could replace one for $15.00?
I get the larger capacity of some things, like how we use 4 gallons of oil vs. less than 2 for the gas V8s, but why are the individual components so much more expensive???
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Capacity and flow capabilities. A $15 air filter on a diesel would need replaced far too frequently. Your Powerstroke, unless operated in extremely dusty conditions, should easily go 100,000 miles or more on the OEM air filter element.
Its very possible that some owners would never have to change the air filter during the time they own the truck.
The Powerstroke diesel is also a heavy duty engine with medium duty truck roots, its components must be capable for uses that the 5.4 is not intended for.
Its very possible that some owners would never have to change the air filter during the time they own the truck.
The Powerstroke diesel is also a heavy duty engine with medium duty truck roots, its components must be capable for uses that the 5.4 is not intended for.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Greenwood, SC
My ideas: Diesel fuel does not flow as well as gas, filters are bigger and made for low restriction. Air filter is also a high flow/low restriction, massive CFM on the air flow I'm sure. Oil filter, maybe temperature has something to do with it too. My engine oil reaches 220 degrees at times. I'm sure it's very thin liquid at that point but also really hot.
All the other stuff posted by origcharger also rings true.
All the other stuff posted by origcharger also rings true.
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From: CA
PSD is not a heavy duty engine. Light-medium duty as with the other manufacturers TD truck engines, as much as this may surprise some.
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From: Frederick, MD
light to med duty, capable of the occasional over achiever. Components are a little more costly I think because of the developmental costs and availability factor.
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From: Oceana, WV
Capacity and flow capabilities. A $15 air filter on a diesel would need replaced far too frequently. Your Powerstroke, unless operated in extremely dusty conditions, should easily go 100,000 miles or more on the OEM air filter element.
Its very possible that some owners would never have to change the air filter during the time they own the truck.
The Powerstroke diesel is also a heavy duty engine with medium duty truck roots, its components must be capable for uses that the 5.4 is not intended for.
Its very possible that some owners would never have to change the air filter during the time they own the truck.
The Powerstroke diesel is also a heavy duty engine with medium duty truck roots, its components must be capable for uses that the 5.4 is not intended for.
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From: Jeffersonville , Indiana
Are you changing it by the filter minder or by looks? You should use the filter minder. The stock air filter can hold alot of dirt before it needs changing and the filter minders are usually real accurate.
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Now back to the regularly scheduled program.
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The filter minder has collapsed about half way a couple of times. The dealer has changed the air filter a couple of times (with my permission). While at the dealership for a flash, recall, etc. the diesel service writer comes out to the waiting room with my dirty airfilter in hand and suggests that this is the reason I have sooty tailpipes. So, I tell him to go ahead and change it. Of course my truck still smokes like a 7.3 but runs great so I will wait a while before I start getting serious about having the DPF replaced.
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From: Frederick, MD
The filter minder has collapsed about half way a couple of times. The dealer has changed the air filter a couple of times (with my permission). While at the dealership for a flash, recall, etc. the diesel service writer comes out to the waiting room with my dirty airfilter in hand and suggests that this is the reason I have sooty tailpipes. So, I tell him to go ahead and change it. Of course my truck still smokes like a 7.3 but runs great so I will wait a while before I start getting serious about having the DPF replaced.
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Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">Originally Posted by origcharger
The Powerstroke diesel is also a heavy duty engine with medium duty truck roots, its components must be capable for uses that the 5.4 is not intended for.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
All of ours are labeled as "Light-Heavy Duty".
Regardless, in the context of comparing pickup truck engines if the Powerstroke diesel is not heavy duty then the 5.4 gasser must be ultra light duty.
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">Originally Posted by origcharger
The Powerstroke diesel is also a heavy duty engine with medium duty truck roots, its components must be capable for uses that the 5.4 is not intended for.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Regardless, in the context of comparing pickup truck engines if the Powerstroke diesel is not heavy duty then the 5.4 gasser must be ultra light duty.
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