Ever since I could drive I always wanted a F250 Diesel, and finally I got one. About a month ago I traded in my 03 Z71 on a 06 F250 Lariat Crew Cab FX4 Long Bed. I didn't really want the log bed but once I put my toolbox on the new to me truck I am glad I got it. This is my first diesel, and I love it more than I thought. It has plenty of low end power, but it has taken a little getting used to waiting for the turbo to spin up when I punch the it but boy when it kicks in this thing flys. Every morning when I start my truck it smells like a Mardi Gras parade, and sounds like a garbage truck. Anyway, I have a few questions:

First thing in the morning when I go to start the truck, it seems to turn over about 4 to 5 times before it fires, once it fires it runs great. I am used to a gas engine that almost always fired on the first turn over. I am thinking this is normal for a cold diesel, is it?

It didn't come with a manual but am I correct in waiting for the glow plug light to go off before starting? I am going to download one from the Ford fleet website.

I also wait for the oil pressure the come up before backing out the driveway, did that on my chevy to but it came up much quicker. It seems like there is about a two to five second delay before the high pressure oil pump gets the pressure up to normal, but when it kicks in it jumps from low to normal. Is that normal?

It will be used mostly as a daily driver, I am planning on upgrading my boat from a 19 foot to a 24 to 30 foot in the future then I will actually have somewhat of a load to put on it. I have been lurking for about a month soaking up all the info on the board and thought I should make my first post.

 

Welcome here! Yea this place is a wealth of information. I got my '05 6.0 about 8 months and its a little intimidating to begin with but its a great truck. What you do sounds pretty close to what I do. Cold start takes a few seconds longer than hot starts so that sounds pretty normal. I use regular Shell Rotella 15-40 oil and from what Ive read this is partially what makes it sound like a garbage truck in the morning (after waiting for the glowplug light to go out), but a lot of folks here use a 5-40 synthetic and say its a bit quieter. I dont look at my oil pressure at startup but I normally wait 30secs to a minute to leave and just drive it easy till all the temps are up at normal. And at the recommendation of most people here, dont baby it, but dont abuse it! Every once in a while, drive it like you stole it helps keep the turbo clean and veins from sticking! But again, everything you describe sounds normal to me. Again welcome here!

-Torsten

 

About once a week, I drive home like I stole it. I do love to see that little puff of smoke out the back when I really nail it! I was wondering about the oil, I was thinking of going with the 5-40. the dealership I bought it from did a full service, Oil, Fuel and air filter so I have a little while before I make that decision. I think they used Rotella.