I've seen vague mention on other sites of the net about "routine maintenance" in the fuel injectors on Powerstrokes (I don't even recall if the info was specific to the 7.3, 6.0, or 6.4).

If anyone here knows of this, please educate me.

I'm a relatively new 6.0L owner (since last Sept), and am trying to do what I can to prevent problems, and also to get the best MPG I can.

Right after I purchased it, I had ALL fluids & filters changed except brake fluid (I'll probably do that sometime this year). My nephew is a Ford diesel tech, so I had him do the work (they have some kinda pump system for doing the transmission, so I I figured there is no point me trying that at home, and while he had it, I had him change everything else).

The only mods are an Airaid cone filter (I cleaned that right after purchase too -- was there when I bought it), and Evo Evolution (just using as a monitor), and an SCT X3 with Erics tunes -- currently running his "Tow Tune". I got the economy, tow, and street tunes, all there with the EGR disabled. I don't plan on doing the head studs, so I'm staying away from the extreme tunes. I am quite happy with the truck's performance, and don't need anything more. This is the family-trip vehicle, with a 9000lb travel trailer, so I have no plans of racing or otherwise beating on it. It also serves household hauling duty, including firewood, and does quite a nice job at that.

OK, back to the injectors. I'm getting about 16 mpg highway, 13 city, and about 10 towing the above travel trailer. This is all hand-calculated from fillups. I see posts here of people getting better, so I want to know what I can do to improve this (my Dodge/Cummins driving friends laugh at my MPG, while I laugh at the non-engine related problems they have with their inferior trucks -- IMHO, the Cummins 5.9L is the best diesel engine ever put into a LDT). I have read that the injector spray pattern is crucuial to effecient combustion. Is there some kind of service that should be done to insure this? The truck has 117k miles on it and came with no service records (price was right though).

I'm thinking about preemptively replacing the oil cooler, and doing the full EGR delete with one of the kits that keep it stock looking for emissions inspection purposes ( emissions inspections in PA include a visual check to make sure everything is installed -- PA currently does not emissions inspect diesels or vehicles over 8600 lbs GVW -- this one's 11,200).

Please share your MPG secrets.

When driving solo, I usually keep it around 65-70 on the highway, when towing, 60-65. For our up coming trip to the beach (Assategue Island), I'm going to try to keep it at 55-60 to see if I can get better MPG (it might be hard with the 5-year old in the back seat constantly asking "Are we there yet?"

Thanks in advanced!
Jay

 

Good luck and may luck be with you.

 

I am from pa also my 04 gets 10 towing 11.5 around town and unknown on highway. I used the ford additive from the dealer with evertankfull. Some do better than others from what I read. Where are you from in the state.

 

I use Power Service Diesel Kleen + Cetane Booster.

I'm in Palmyra (near Hershey). We were just camping up near you in May, at Locust Lake State Park.

 

I don't think there is any kind of PM you can do to change the spray pattern, or to even clean the injectors. The pressure at the nozzle is so high on these injectors that getting dirty really isn't an issue. Not like a gas engine that might benefit from Techron or the like. What does kill injectors is improper filtration of the fuel, including passing water, low fuel pressure due to filter issues, and poor lubricity of the fuel.

Regarding filtration, it is critical to use only OEM fuel filters. I would limit that to Racor (the actual filter maker and patent holder), genuine Motorcraft, or International (both licensee's). There are others that repackage Racor, but to avoid complication just stick to those 3 brand names. Change the filters religiously at 10k miles. Don't think you can neglect the fuel filter like you do in your gas cars.

Regarding lubricity, you can use an additive such as Motorcraft PM-22, Diesel Kleen, Stanadyne, and a slew of others that all have their following. Most of those will also boost cetane, which is also good. You can also just use a 2 stroke oil according to some believers. Just search this forum for "fuel additives" and read all you can sit still for and then make your own choice. I'm leaving my personal opinion out at this point.

As Joe alludes to, your mileage is in the middle of the common range for these trucks. Some get better, some get much worse. I don't believe there is much you can do to improve it without getting into tuners, which ALL include some risks that overshadow any MPG improvement.

A very popular choice. Readily available, proven benefit, good price point.

 

Synthetic oil and diesel kleen will do your inj good

 

I agree on that. I just got mine back after warranty work and the dealer changed me back to 15W/40 conventional. Just doesn't start as well or run as smooth as it does on the usual diet of 5W/40 synthetic. I guess I'll run it out for 3,500, but it's going back to synthetic.

 

One additional thing you can do for your injectors is keep the fuel pressure between 45 psig and 75 psig. You need a fuel pressure gauge for that though.

 

If you guys live near a "Harbor Freight", They have oil pressure gauges for $20. I use it for my fuel gauge and it works like a $10 at DFuser.com, or Puredieselpower.com

 

Locust lake I take the family biking there around the lake. I am 15 min from there. What other stae parks do you visit??

 

I run this for my injectors
Hot Shot's Secret

 

Pine Grove Furnace is the only other PA park we've camped in (just got the camper this year). When I was a kid (back in the 70's) my family would take an annual week long trip to either Cowen's Gap, or Parker Dam State Parks.

Assagteague State Park in MD is a favorite spot of ours. We've camped there (had a popup before the TT) for the last 4 years (this will be year five). We'll also be camping up at Kneobel's Amusement park in August.

How 'bout you, which ones do you go to (any recommendations)?


We really like Locust Lake, and will be back again.

Regards,
Jay

 

Knobels is very nice. My favorite tate park is promised land, it is very clean new bathhouses and paved sites. Little buffalo is small but has an awesome pool for the kids. Giffford pichot was also nice as wella s franci slocum. If you have any other question send me a pm so we don't keep hijacking his thread.
Joe