Pre Trip Preventive Maintenance
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Pre Trip Preventive Maintenance
I have an 05 F350 PSD that has 61,000 miles. Previously I had a 96 F250 PSD that I purchased new and use it of pull a fifth wheel for a bit over 200,000 miles. I traded the 96 for the new 05 I mentioned above. I have religiously kept up the Ford recommendation maintenance. Most all my maintenance has been done by Ford mechanics. The problems I have had with this engine have been 1. replaced a rear oil seal at 1,050 miles. 2. Blew a turbine and it was replaced at about 20,000 miles and 3. another rear oil seal replacement at 51,000 miles. All this has been done under warranty.
I am planning a 5,000 mile cross country trip this summer pulling our 30 foot fifth wheel. I have been thinking of some special maintenance I might do that would help forgo any on-the-road problems. Perhaps some here could give me some recommmendations. I was thinking of having the egr valve and cooler cleaned, but don't know if that is a good idea.
I would be most appreciative of any help short of telling me to get a new truck.. grin.
I am planning a 5,000 mile cross country trip this summer pulling our 30 foot fifth wheel. I have been thinking of some special maintenance I might do that would help forgo any on-the-road problems. Perhaps some here could give me some recommmendations. I was thinking of having the egr valve and cooler cleaned, but don't know if that is a good idea.
I would be most appreciative of any help short of telling me to get a new truck.. grin.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,369
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From: Stuttgart, Ar
You can do the EGR cleaning yourself quicker and cheaper than going to the dealership. Takes a lady's foot crowbar and a can of carbuerator cleaner and 10 minutes. Not worth the cost of fuel to drive to the dealership over.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
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Have you flushed the coolant system and kept up w/ the tranny fluid changes (you should have flushed or changed tranny fluid twice by now)?
Charge the batteries and then load check them.
I would pull the EGR valve and clean it (and make sure the EBP tube and MAP hose are clear). (Oops - you beat me Tim)
I am planning to flush my brake fluid soon (65k miles). Might be a good idea for you.
Checking the FICM voltages would not be a bad idea, but if you haven't had issues w/ hard starts, you are probably OK.
At 65k miles, my factory tires are starting to get bad. New tires needed soon.
Check for play in your wheels - Jack one side up at a time and see if each wheel moves top to bottom only, if so, it is the ball joints. If it moves in all directions then probably wheel bearings.
Might be worth checking your brake pad thicknesses, but they should still be good.
Charge the batteries and then load check them.
I would pull the EGR valve and clean it (and make sure the EBP tube and MAP hose are clear). (Oops - you beat me Tim)
I am planning to flush my brake fluid soon (65k miles). Might be a good idea for you.
Checking the FICM voltages would not be a bad idea, but if you haven't had issues w/ hard starts, you are probably OK.
At 65k miles, my factory tires are starting to get bad. New tires needed soon.
Check for play in your wheels - Jack one side up at a time and see if each wheel moves top to bottom only, if so, it is the ball joints. If it moves in all directions then probably wheel bearings.
Might be worth checking your brake pad thicknesses, but they should still be good.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Middle Tn.
All the above and since this is a 5,000 mile trip I would change the oil, oil filter and fuel filters. The oil/oil filter will be due for changing again when you get back. These are good motors but demand that you keep up on the maint. Don't forget the ext. tranny filter. Many do.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Oregon
Still need to go to the dealership to get the two (2) o-rings and gasket for the EGR.
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Thanks so far for your recommendations. I have done most all the things mentioned. I change the frame mounted fuel filters myself. My oil and filter changes have been regular and on schedule. My transmission fluids and trannie filters and coolant have been changed according to Ford's maintenance schedule. The only thing I did not opt for was a trannie flush that Ford asked me if I wanted as I was afraid that might cause more problems than it might solve. I haven't changed the air filter as it seems to be clean as a whistle. I have new batteries and 3,000 miles ago I put on new Michelin tires.
I will have the EGR valve pulled and clean it (and make sure the EBP tube and MAP hose are clear). I have heard that the EG cooler and oil cooler can cause problems too.. Any thoughts on preventative maintenance vs cost on that?
I will have the EGR valve pulled and clean it (and make sure the EBP tube and MAP hose are clear). I have heard that the EG cooler and oil cooler can cause problems too.. Any thoughts on preventative maintenance vs cost on that?
Last edited by Ford Runner; Apr 24, 2010 at 10:54 AM. Reason: correct grammar
< Samantha...my Co-Pilot
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 768
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From: Fallon, Nevada
Flush and refill the cooling system, and then install a coolant filter(Dieselsite.com has a good one). Use the Ford VC-9 cooling system cleaner and distilled water for flush, and Ford Premium Gold coolant(or equivalent) along with distilled water for refill. It would be prudent to install a Edge Insight ( or something similar) so you can monitor ECT and EOT(indication as to how well oil cooler is working), along with EGT's. Although it is not really pre trip maintenance, it is preventative maintenance and helps with 6.0 longevity(if you intend to keep for a while). I think that you are at a good point for the cooling system maintenance...the heat from the EGR cooler has a big effect on the condition of the coolant. You can do a search on the forums here to get more info on all this, or just ask. Good luck.
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An update. After I got some of your ideas I called my local Ford truck dealer. As a result, they are going ot give me a new EGR valve, a new oil cooler and a new Exhaust Gas cooler all under warranty. My warranty on these expire at the end of May.
I forgot to mention that over a year ago I installed a pre turbine exhaust temp gage and a tranny temp gage.
Do you still think I need to flush the cooling system even tho I have had that done on schedule?
I will install a oil and coolant temp gage....
I forgot to mention that over a year ago I installed a pre turbine exhaust temp gage and a tranny temp gage.
Do you still think I need to flush the cooling system even tho I have had that done on schedule?
I will install a oil and coolant temp gage....
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< Samantha...my Co-Pilot
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Fallon, Nevada
If the dealer delivers as promised then you probably don't need to worrry about flushing...especially considering that you have already done so ( I did not know that ). The easiest way to monitor the EOT and ECT is via the engine diagnostics connector (OBDII port) under the dash. There are many devices that can do this and you might find them easier to install compared to guages.
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bismic I do need to stand corrected. I did the cooling flush and coolant change at the advice of the Ford Service manager. I thought that it was in the trucks service manual. I did this at 50,000 miles.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Middle Tn.
An update. After I got some of your ideas I called my local Ford truck dealer. As a result, they are going ot give me a new EGR valve, a new oil cooler and a new Exhaust Gas cooler all under warranty. My warranty on these expire at the end of May.
I forgot to mention that over a year ago I installed a pre turbine exhaust temp gage and a tranny temp gage.
Do you still think I need to flush the cooling system even tho I have had that done on schedule?
I will install a oil and coolant temp gage....
I forgot to mention that over a year ago I installed a pre turbine exhaust temp gage and a tranny temp gage.
Do you still think I need to flush the cooling system even tho I have had that done on schedule?
I will install a oil and coolant temp gage....
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Thanks for the info 69GJ. They said that they were going to replace the EGR cooler, perhaps I did not make that clear when I put that they were going to replace the Exhaust Gas cooler. I do hope there aren't two exhaust gas coolers.
In fact, I thank everyone who responded to this thread. You have helped me make some decisions as well as firm up my own thoughts on this matter. One thing that I have decided is to invest in a DashDaq I think it would be cheap insurance and could, perhaps, help me detect little problems before they become big problems. I decided on the DashDaq as I believe it will give me fuel pressure along with all the other temps and pressures.
As I mentioned before, I already have gages to tell the temps of the exhaust gas going into the turbine and to tell my transmission oil temp. With the DashDaq I will get a lot of other useful information. Now I just have to figure out where to put the readout screen.
In fact, I thank everyone who responded to this thread. You have helped me make some decisions as well as firm up my own thoughts on this matter. One thing that I have decided is to invest in a DashDaq I think it would be cheap insurance and could, perhaps, help me detect little problems before they become big problems. I decided on the DashDaq as I believe it will give me fuel pressure along with all the other temps and pressures.
As I mentioned before, I already have gages to tell the temps of the exhaust gas going into the turbine and to tell my transmission oil temp. With the DashDaq I will get a lot of other useful information. Now I just have to figure out where to put the readout screen.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 26
From: Middle Tn.
Thanks for the info 69GJ. They said that they were going to replace the EGR cooler, perhaps I did not make that clear when I put that they were going to replace the Exhaust Gas cooler. I do hope there aren't two exhaust gas coolers.
In fact, I thank everyone who responded to this thread. You have helped me make some decisions as well as firm up my own thoughts on this matter. One thing that I have decided is to invest in a DashDaq I think it would be cheap insurance and could, perhaps, help me detect little problems before they become big problems. I decided on the DashDaq as I believe it will give me fuel pressure along with all the other temps and pressures.
As I mentioned before, I already have gages to tell the temps of the exhaust gas going into the turbine and to tell my transmission oil temp. With the DashDaq I will get a lot of other useful information. Now I just have to figure out where to put the readout screen.
In fact, I thank everyone who responded to this thread. You have helped me make some decisions as well as firm up my own thoughts on this matter. One thing that I have decided is to invest in a DashDaq I think it would be cheap insurance and could, perhaps, help me detect little problems before they become big problems. I decided on the DashDaq as I believe it will give me fuel pressure along with all the other temps and pressures.
As I mentioned before, I already have gages to tell the temps of the exhaust gas going into the turbine and to tell my transmission oil temp. With the DashDaq I will get a lot of other useful information. Now I just have to figure out where to put the readout screen.