Can the rod and main bearings be replaced with the engine still in the truck or does it have to be removed? I have 287K miles. The oil pressure still shows good through all RPM range.
Can the engine be unbolted from the mounts and tilted up to do the replacements?

 

To get the oil pan out the engine needs to come out... OR... you could be daring as hell and cut the cross member into three pieces like some one did for an oil pan replacement...

 

Is there some reason why you want to change the bearings? Have you sent an oil sample in for analysis? If so, what did the report say?

 

With this many miles, I wanted to spot check the bearings to find out their condition. This truck hasn't been worked hard at all. The most it has ever towed is 6K pounds and that very rarely. However a lot of the early years miles were in short trips (less than 25 miles as my contractor vehicle). My son has used it for the last 6 years as his personal transportation vehicle in Las Vegas. He changes the oil every 5K miles with Rotella (mostly synthetic).

 

Don't worry about it. Just drive it.

Seriously, if the oil pressure is fine then it's a good bet that the lower end bearings are in great shape. The trouble you'll go through to get the oil pan off is reason enough to not want to tear into the engine.

 

When the next oil change comes due, I'll try to get an oil sample and have it analyzed.

 

Yup, oil analysis makes a lot more sense. Pulling the pan means pulling the engine.

The bottom ends on these things are built "for the long run", so it's HIGHLY unlikely things are out-of-spec.

Pop

 

Thanks for the help and information. My other two trucks are Cummins powered and I know they are good for more than a million miles if fluids and filters are done.

 

Glad we talked you out of tearing into the engine.

I think you will have similar experiences with your Powerstroke. These engines are quite reliable as well if you keep up the maintenance. If you send out for an oil sample you'll probably be satisfied that you have a lot of life left in your engine.

Here is an example of the oil report that I recently received. The slightly higher than industry average for silicone is normal for the Phoenix area, especially during the summer. It's just so dry and dusty here. This report has the TBN test as well. It is supposed to measure how worn out the oil was when it was tested and predict the next oil change interval.

Welcome to FTE and I hope you enjoy your truck!

 

Blackstone is a good company for analysis. I use them on both my Cummins powered, my VW Jetta TDI and my motorcycle. I used them several years ago when my son lived close by, but when he moved to Las Vegas I couldn't get him to do it. Now that he is within 3 hours drive, I should be able to get samples. On my 2000 Dodge using Rotella synthetic Blackstone has recommended 12K miles between changes. I am using 10K however as it is easier to remember these intervals. The Powerstroke has gone a max of 7K but normal is 5K miles.