I've been reading threads from this and another F250 forum trying to educate myself on diesel ownership. I've read the F250 diesel supplement manual.
1) The manual gives you options for various weights of oil. I live in East Texas where winters might consistently see as low as 20F. I do have a block heater on my truck if that makes a difference. Do any of you run a specific weight of oil year round? The manual on page 56 calls for the following weights: 10W30 Super Duty, 15W40 Super Duty, 5W40 Full Syn, 0W40 Full Syn. Looks like 5W-40 and 0W-40 has the best expected temperature range (page 43)
2) I've got a guy at work that sells Amsoil oil and he owns a F250 diesel. He said he would sell it at cost ($21/gallon). What is the best diesel oil at the best price? I saw the thread concerning oil analysis.
3) I've heard about water in fuel potential especially with the DEF tank near the fuel tank. On page 8 it talks about a fuel and water separator. There is a warning light that will come on if you need to drain it however do any of you just drain it on a monthly basis?
4) I've always used a top tier gas station such as Shell or Chevron for my gas engines. I'm planning on using Shell for diesel fuel. Have any of you experienced a better fuel somewhere else?
5) On page 17 it says the truck is equipped with two fuel filters. Didn't know that. (this is not a question. lol)
6) Is it better to fill the DEF tank on a weekly or monthly basis instead of waiting for the message to appear? I'm planning on only driving about 1500 miles/month.
7) Is there a specific DEF fluid that is better than others? I've seen the blue def box at Walmart for $11 for 2 1/2 gal.
8) When the dealer filled up my truck before I took ownership I noticed that there was foaming as the tank became full. Is there a way to eliminate this?
9) On page 36 it states that the truck has engine braking when Tow/haul mode is activated for grade descent control. Anyone use this feature and how did it work?
10) On page 53 it says to inspect and clean the exhaust. Evidently there are holes in the exhaust tip that need to be inspected. How often if at all do you do this?
11) Page 59 gave me the answer on monthly inspections for fuel and water separator, tail pipe hole inspection. ;o)

 

I will answer the questions that I feel knowledgeable about.
1) From my research, the MotorCraft 10W30 from your dealer is one of the best HDEO available for your area. I live in VT and use T6 or Valvoline PBX due to sometimes extreme cold. I read a blog about motor oils based on wear protection and MC 10W30 was at the top of the HDEO list.
4) Many brand name gas stations just sell diesel provided by a local supplier. It is more important to get it from a busy station with good diesel fuel sales as it will be fresher. There is now a Top Tier diesel fuel standard and almost no one has it yet. Check out the Top Tier site for information.
6) and 7) DEF usage depends on the work done by the engine and isn't used at any specific rate. Just driving around gets a message at 5K or more. Long tow trips, I see it at about 3500 miles. I wouldn't even buy ahead as you can get it a lot of places. The Walmart brand is cheaper, but as good as the Blue Peak.
8) Diesel foams. After the pump clicks off, I let it sit for 30 seconds, then pull the trigger again which adds another half gallon or so. When it clicks off, another 30 second wait for the foam to settle, then pull the trigger one last time.

 

1) I run 5w-40 year round, but don't tow much in the winter.
2) That's a pretty good price on oil, especially for AMSOil. I get Valvoline Premium Blue Extreme like SkiMuggs does. I used to use AMSOil in my prior truck and nothing else. But I got tired of having to order it and get enough in an order to make the shipping work. AMSOil wasn't on the Ford approved oil list last time I checked and I doubt that it ever will be. I read just about anything Blackstone Labs produces. They had an article on the "best" oil within the last year or so. Their conclusion: All oils within the same class are good enough that you can shop based on price and there will be almost no difference in results.
3) Yes, drain the fuel/water separator on a periodic basis. It's actually easy to do if you pay attention. I don't make any mess when I do it. The biggest problem is disposing of the drained fluid.
4) Top Tier diesel is very hard to find. I'll use it if it is convenient but nobody near me has it. I've been getting my fuel at my local Sam's Club and have zero water in the fuel/water separator.
5) When you order the fuel filter _kit_ be sure you get it for the right year. 11-16 won't work on the 2017+.
6) I fill my DEF tank when it gets below half. Don't wait to get the warning. Waiting for the warning was a 11-16 thing.
7) Use whatever DEF you want, it's all the same. I use the Wal-mart brand. No problems.
8) Diesel fuel foams. The faster the pump the more foam.
9) There are a number of threads on engine braking. Rather than rehash that here, do a search. Lots of good info and a lot of speculation too. I use mine whenever towing.
10) I haven't done any cleaning of the exhaust tip yet. I'm hoping that when I run through the car wash the water jets hit the tip.

There are different versions of the online/PDF manuals. Your page numbers may not match if someone is looking at a prior or newer version. Should be the close but maybe not exactly the same.

 

1) I run Schaeffer's 5W-40 year round. I don't care about saving a few bucks for oil.
3) I drain the water fuel separator the first weekend of each month.
4) I generally get fuel at the same place near my house if I can. It's a Sheetz, and I've never had a drop of water in my tank from there. I don't know what tier fuel Sheetz is.
6) I always waited until I got the 100-50 miles to empty before filling with all 5 gallons of DEF. All the sensors stayed happy that way.
8) Never had any foam while filling up. I don't see a need to fill the tank and filler tube slam full with fuel. When it cuts off the first time, I pull it out and leave.
9) The engine braking requires higher RPMs to work correctly. Just let her eat.
10) I've never inspected the exhaust tip. I clean it shiny every time I clean the truck. It's nothing to worry about. After deleting, mine collects A LOT more rubber bits.

 

The cleaning of the exhaust is to make sure those "holes" don't get plugged as they're needed to cool exhaust during a regen. You don't have to take a q-tip to them to make sure they're spotless.

 

 

1. Shell Rotella T6 5w-40
2. Opinions on oil are endless.
3. I drain the DFCM quarterly. I used to do it monthly but it was pointless. If you like being cautious, drain it monthly.
4. I buy a lot of Shell diesel but have spent $5,000 at Sam's Club as well and a few other places while traveling (Pilot, Petro, Loves). It depends on the station. I won't use a Shell station if it appears old (one old pump out back) or not taken care of. Stick to busy stations, fuel quality is important.
5. DFCM and engine mounted. Purge the air more than it says to after changing (if it's six, cycle 8 times or so). I have found there is still air at times with 6 cycles.
6. Wait for the message to appear or it's possible to cause additional headaches filling early (such as a warning that won't go away). Fill it full but don't overfill, especially in colder climates. DEF is a non-issue, fill it when it tells you.
7. DEF needs to be API certified (I've never seen non certified DEF but doesn't mean it doesn't exist). (WSS-M99C130-A or ISO 22241). I used Blue DEF until a local station installed a DEF pump. Much cheaper buying DEF at the pump. Avoid distractions when filling DEF at the pump to avoid DEF in the fuel tank.
8. Diesel fuel foams a little, especially with fast pumps.
9. What year? Prior to 2015, the 6.7L only had engine braking. Ford said let the RPM's do the work. I try to keep it under 3,100 RPM though. 2015 I think is when the exhaust braking switch was added. I mostly use manual when towing.
10. Never other than normal washing which is maybe twice per year. Unless you jam it into a mound of wet clay.

 

Do yourself a favor and go by the nearest Ford dealership and buy the nozzle for the DEF bottles. It will fit any DEF bottle, but will not spill out and stops when full.

 

They also sell it on amazon!

 

2014 Ford Lariat. Has 126,000 on it.

 

This one?

 

I only use Motorcraft oil. I only use full synthetic because its a better oil. $21 a gallon for Amsoil is a smoken deal but make sure its diesel oil. Never change the oil until the truck says to change it. The truck calculates how you are driving your truck and lets you know when it's time. No sense in wasting oil with life in it.
I only have had do drain the fuel filter when changing the filter. Never seen any water in the housing.
As for the DEF i never fill it until the miles message comes on the screen. I have filled it when it said under half full and it wouldn't take a 2 1/2 gallon box. I hate having a little Def left in the bottle.
You should just enjoy your truck and not sweat the small stuff. If you worry about every little thing you will not enjoy having a diesel truck.

 

Thanks for the replies. Never owned a diesel and I want to learn everything I can to keep the truck running great.

 

Risky business.....

 

1 & 2) For oil, I just stick to the owners' manual on viscosity. For best oil, I don't think anyone can name the best oil without spending literally 100's of thousands of dollars in engine testing so I put Motorcraft in all my Fords....it's available everywhere.
3&4) Rarely get water in fuel. I check before filling and have only seen watery fuel a couple of times...both times at big name nationally known fueling stations. I wouldn't worry about it too much unless you plan to store your truck weeks at a time. In that case consider treating to prevent bio-growth...it happens in all diesel tanks, heating oil tanks, etc if left to sit for weeks/months. Not a big deal if you drive regular and put fuel through the tank.
6&7) My truck is too old for DEF.
8) Yep, diesel foams. Fill up to first shut off and forget it or take your time and get the last gallon or two in...which ever you prefer.
9) I like tow/haul...use it whenever towing. I just make sure my diesel engine doesn't rev past 3000 or so rpms.
10) Never considered my tail pipe...can't help there.