Hi All

I think this forum is great and full of great info. Is there a place on this forum that talks about preventive maintenance or is there recommendations on things to stay on top of to prevent problems down the road. Not just fluid changes and filter changes but beyond that? Today I thought it would be a good idea to go clean and check electrical connections and wiring harnesses. Would it be a good idea to use dielectric grease on those connections? Things like that. I like stopping a problem when possible before it happens. Thanks

 

There are several threads which discuss various preventative maintenance routines developed by FTE members. These can be found using the search tool by entering preventative maintenance or recommended maintenance in the search box.

Follows is link to one I have bookmarked:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...intenance.html

 

Thanks and I feel like an idiot for not using the search feature to begin with. I will blame it on age since I have not used that excuse yet this week

 

go light on the dieletric grease. major thing is maintianing the cooling system. Also cleaning the egr valve is helpfull.
I dont know if you use it a but a good fuel system additive is helpfull too.
I use PM-22 from ford... But I pay next to nothing for it.
lots of guys uses other stuff. lots of threads on it.

 

Major yes, yes on the cooling system. Your oil and egr coolers will love you for that. Also the charging system and batteries. The ficm hates low voltage.

 

Thanks guys. Well I do have a battery that is leaking out the top from one of the tabs so that is due for replacement. Other battery was replaced about a year ago. Did find a wiring harness starting to rub through so I sealed it back up and relocated it. My EGR, cooler(I think) and head gaskets were all replaced under warranty about 2.5 yrs ago. They also did the TBS on the coolant bottle at the same time. Front end work was done under warranty due to the death wobble or whatever its called. Just recently had new rear brakes put on and a center shaft bearing replaced whatever that is. Decided not to do the dielectric grease. Thanks for that input Cheezit. I do have a strange only sometimes rattle that started after the local dealer (the one I wont go to again), did the brakes and the bearing. Its a rattle that I hear when stopped and while applying brakes. As soon as I release the brake pedal it goes away and I dont hear it all the time. Sounds as if its coming from under the truck. Having a hard time locating it. After this dealer did the all points check and got it back with two quarts low on trans fluid (he never checked it) a loose clamp from the air filter to the turbo and giving me two codes that he said it was a turbo problem when it indeed was a EBP sensor. I know because I replaced the sensor and the turbo is running great now. Anything is possible after being to this dealer.

 

Center spline shaft may need grease. Common noise complaint. Just a side note, the batteries should be replaced in pairs. a weak one will make short work of a new one and then the ficm follows.

 

Thanks and I will check the center shaft, I also figured what the heck and just replaced both batteries. Never hurts and might help.

 

Fellas,
Thanks for posting info on this topic. My truck is an 05 with 130k miles on it. Some of things you all have mentioned, I have neglected so far....should have found the damn FTE sooner!!

I am caught up on coolant flush, trany flush, coolant filter, power steering fluid (just ordered filter), transfer case change (did that one today for the first time..old oil is almost black), differentials (have the oil in my shop, first free day i get will be changing that out), oil and fuel filters (these have been overkill), new batteries this past winter. Never changed any belts or alternator....do you ever change these as a preventive measure, or just wait until the break ( i don't even like saying that)?

What all things have grease fittings and what type of grease should I use?

Thanks for the info

2005, FX4, F250, 130K Miles

 

I too would be interested in what type of grease? Was your transfer case bad or is it something that should be changed every so often?

 

I was not having any problems. Just figured that it was a good thing to get that old fluid out and some new in. A lot of the guys on here change the crankcase and diffs every 60k. That was my first time changing the TC and I've never changed my diffs. The fluid was very dark, however, it didn't smell bad or burnt. It only takes about 2.5 quarts of fluid and is about the easiest fluid to change on your truck..figured it couldn't hurt...its a piece of mind. Speaking of, my dad gives me a hard time..his 91 F250 (347k Miles) has never changed the diff fluid....and she keeps going like the damn energizer bunny...I DON'T RECOMMEND that tho.

 

I have a 4 X 2 and it has no grease fittings if all is stock. To lube the center spline you need to split the drive shaft. I would use a blue marine grease on the splines since it has a fibrous material in it that would help cushion the shock and it is water repellant as most greases are.