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6.4L Power Stroke Diesel Engine fitted to 2008 - 2010 F250, F350 and F450 pickup trucks and F350 + Cab Chassis

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Old Jul 7, 2010 | 07:57 AM
  #1  
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What to Do First

First Ford Diesel for us. 2008 F250 KR with 28,000 miles. Previous owner used it strictly for 5th wheel towing during 2 or 3 times a year. Minimal usage between. Full factory services with last being oil change at 25,000.

This will be a daily driver for me (20 miles/day round city round trip) and eventually a 5th wheel puller for weekend and 2 week vacation type trips.

So my questions:

1. What immediate, if any, maintenance issues should I look at?
2. I've heard 5k oil changes, 10k fuel filter changes (bi-monthly water drain from lower filter), 30k tranny flush. Are these appropriate?
3. Fuel additives of any benefit? What kind?
4. I've used K&N air filters in all my gas engines. Any benefit for diesel?

Finally, the engine bay needs detailing to match the exterior job i'll do. Any suggestions, cautions, etc?

Thanks

Randy in Florida
 
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Old Jul 7, 2010 | 08:15 AM
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Drain the water separator monthly. those oil and filter changes done at the dealer? Need to ensure they used the motorcraft oil and fuel filters so that they are the correct fit.

Don't even bother with a air filter change. Only if you were going to run some tunes.

30K tranny flush if you have the external filter, 60K if you have the internal.
 
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Old Jul 7, 2010 | 08:22 AM
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Welcome to FTE floridarandy Follow the schedule in your owners manual for service, the guys will have other suggestions for service that work well. Fuel conditioners are a good idea to increase cetane and disperse moisture. The factory air filter is fine, oil from after market filters can cause problems with air intake temperature sensors.
 
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Old Jul 7, 2010 | 09:52 AM
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thanks for the quick replies.

i've seen discussion on the external tranny filter. where is it located so i can have a look? my build date is 5/31/07 which is apparently right around the time they may have switched to internal only. will the VIN tell us?
 
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Old Jul 7, 2010 | 09:56 AM
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Just look under the truck in front of the tranny and see if there is a round object. I beleive that is the location.
 
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Old Jul 7, 2010 | 12:30 PM
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Originally Posted by senix
Need to ensure they used the motorcraft oil . . .
C'mon. Other companies know how to make good oil. And MC does not even blend its own oil. Conoco does.
 
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Old Jul 7, 2010 | 12:34 PM
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Originally Posted by jschira
C'mon. Other companies know how to make good oil. And MC does not even blend its own oil. Conoco does.
My typo, was referring to the filters only.
 
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Old Jul 7, 2010 | 01:29 PM
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Keep an eye on the coolant level in the Degas bottle. 6.4's have coolant TSB's out. If the coolant goes above the high mark and or goes below the low mark you have to get to a dealer. Check there is a Venturi Tee in line from Degas bottle.
Most of us change oil by 5K because of fuel in the oil from regen's. I change it at 3K now after Blackstone said I had higher then normal fuel in oil. I idle in winter alot and this causes more regens and cold engines allowing fuel to get by rings I believe.
 
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Old Jul 7, 2010 | 01:56 PM
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Capt Caper - thanks. This actually explains more of what i'd been reading about the fuel in the oil issue.

The truck I'm buying has had the 08B06 which I assume is the Radiator diverter fix you refer to. Correct me if I'm wrong. Its also had the 08B07 fix which I think was some type of flash reprogram?

The coolant TSB looks pretty new (3/2010) but apparently isn't an issue on this truck yet as we just had the Ford dealer do an pre-sale multi-point inspection and this item was not identified. In looking at the TSP it appears an actual leak/repeat leak needs to happen in order for a fix?

Thanks to all for the input.

Randy
 
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Old Jul 7, 2010 | 02:40 PM
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just look that the venturi T yourself to ensure it was put on correctly. there is writing and arrows on it.
 
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Old Jul 7, 2010 | 03:30 PM
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Originally Posted by senix
My typo, was referring to the filters only.

OK. No harm no foul.
 
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Old Jul 7, 2010 | 03:49 PM
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If you plan on keeping the truck for a long time....keep it stock and buy extented warranties. You have a JOB1 truck....I also have a JOB1 truck and have kept it stock, I purchased the truck Sept 07,2007. I have recovered all the monies I have spent on the 2 extented warranties...The only warranty I have left is 7 year / 200k miles / 21 major engine components...and my truck has 117k miles . Use Motorcraft filters and keep very good records on service being done to your truck.
 
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Old Jul 7, 2010 | 07:27 PM
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and record your non-ford maintenance here

https://www.flmowner.com/servlet/Con.../Page/HomePage

then it will be all together for the record

Sam
 
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Old Jul 8, 2010 | 08:52 AM
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Originally Posted by Smoke2008
The only warranty I have left is 7 year / 200k miles / 21 major engine components...and my truck has 117k miles .
How did you get that 7yr/200k mile warranty? When I purchased my used '08 I purchased the ESP 7yr/100k, I asked about a 200k and the Ford dealership told me there wasn't a 200k ESP available. It is available on the new 6.7 diesels not the 6.4's.
 
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Old Jul 10, 2010 | 05:00 PM
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Originally Posted by hlozano
How did you get that 7yr/200k mile warranty? When I purchased my used '08 I purchased the ESP 7yr/100k, I asked about a 200k and the Ford dealership told me there wasn't a 200k ESP available. It is available on the new 6.7 diesels not the 6.4's.
I purchased the 7 year / 200K mile warranty from the Ford dealership...It's a Ford warranty....21 major engine componets abd 0 deductable...
 
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