F250 Oil Change Question

hunterridgefarm · Dec 7, 2005

I have an F250 Power Stroke that I average 70 miles or less a week driving with most weeks being around 40 miles. The reason being I drive a company car during the week.

Oil changes are scheduled every 4-6000 miles with the fuel filter being changed everyother oil change. So I could basically go a year and a half to two years between oil changes. Now I DON'T plan on doing this; and in the past on my F150 I would change the oil twice a year averaging the same mileage.

My question is how often should the oil and fuel filter be changed on a diesel truck, time verses mileage?

Right now I am approaching one year since the last oil change but still have about 3500 more miles to put on the truck.

I plan on going in and getting the oil and fuel filter changed in the next couple of weeks. Any diesel mechanics out there that can offer advice?

QueBota · Dec 7, 2005

You can have an oil analysis done for between 10 and 20 dollars, should help you decide on the time vrs mileage oil change interval.

Dave

HGM · Dec 7, 2005

Good question....

I havent actually heard a recomendation on that. However, I would recomend at least 2 per year. If you do any idling, dont forget to count that time as well. 1HR idle time is equal to 33MI of driving. The oil analysis would be a good idea to let you know whats in the oil and if it needs changing. It seems that you would need to do it before each change and that would add $20 to the oil change. I'm a bit lazy on this and would likely just change the oil every 6mo, and not worry about it.

Just my $.02 /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

RobertN · Dec 7, 2005

I change at least once a year at a minimum, independant of miles or hours. Over time, especially with diesel, all kinds of icky gunk and acidic stuff builds up in the oil. Figured it's best not to let that stuff sit forever in the crankcase. Those buildups are worse in vehicles that see few miles, especially where the engine does not heat up enough to vaporize/vent off mositure that builds up.

_RaT_ · Dec 7, 2005

The fuel filter gets changed that frequently on a Powerstroke? Does it call to be changed every 10,000 to 12,000 miles? That seems excessive. Is it anywhere near as big in size as the one on the old IDI's? I don't change mine but maybe every 50,000 miles.

HGM · Dec 7, 2005

You may be able to get away with that on an older Powerstroke, its all dependant on fuel quality though. The 6.0L recomended interval for fuel filters is 15kMI. Lack of fuel pressure will whipe out the injectors, $800ea, dont skimp here...... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

EddieWalker · Dec 7, 2005

Interesting delima. Reminds me of the story my shop teacher told about the little old lady who only drove her car to church. Said that her car motor was in worse shape than one driven everyday on the highway. An engine that is rarely driven creates condensation that increases wear on a motor much faster than steady highway driving.

Don't know about modern diesel engines or how bad the condensation issue really is, or if it even exists. Just one of those things that stuck with me from High School.

Eddie

_RaT_ · Dec 7, 2005

Lack of fuel pressure will whipe out the injectors, $800ea, dont skimp here...... 

Wow, thats unbelievable. So running out of diesel is about a $6000 mistake? My next truck won't be a Ford, the very reason you mention pretty much eliminates it as a contender. My current F250 IDI has a great running engine, its everything else that is coming unglued. It's nickel and dime'n me all to frequently. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

HGM · Dec 7, 2005

HAHA!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Thats funny, the fact that you might neglect your truck will make your decision not to buy a truck that will serve your purposes as good or better than Brand X.... I like that.. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

If you really pay attention to what you are supposed to do for maintenance, maybe you wouldnt have to spend as much time fixing it(this is a general statement RaT, not directed to you in particular). I see it every day, guys abuse their trucks, take them to the dealer and say "fix it. No, I didnt do anything wrong, your product sucks".. I promise you, Ford isnt the only one that will cost you to maintain.

BTW, you may be able to get by with 50kMi fuel filter changes on a 6.0L... My point was, do your maint do you dont have to worry about it breaking. Then you can really say WhooooooooooCares. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

HGM · Dec 7, 2005

Eddie, your right,it is still a factor...... You need to drive the vehicle like it was intended to be driven. Another idea, might be to keep the block heater plugged in if he doesnt drive it much..

Bird · Dec 7, 2005

( An engine that is rarely driven creates condensation that increases wear on a motor much faster than steady highway driving. )

Yep, I sure believe that. When we bought a new Plymouth Roadrunner in '68, it was a fine car when I was using it because I drove it 20 miles on the freeway to work. But when I quit driving it to work and my wife just drove it to the grocery store and school occasionally, it would foul the plugs in 2k miles or less and get to running rough. I could take it out and stomp the gas pedal and blow black smoke out the tailpipe and I'd have to change the plugs at 3k miles.

In '91 I bought a new motorhome with a 460 gas engine. As long as we were driving it every couple of days, it would go 3k miles between oil changes and never need any oil added, but if we let it sit more than a week or so, when we took off, I'd have to add a quart of oil after the first 400 miles.

JerryG · Dec 7, 2005

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_RaT_ · Dec 7, 2005

That depends on what one calls neglect. I follow the maintainence schedule Ford gave me with the truck, that and paying attention to the obvious problems is what I have done. I have yet to bring it to the dealer for their maintainence. The items that are failing have no maintainence associated with them. I was told at the time I got the truck by a mechanic to be religous about changing the transmission oil, its the one oil that got changed more frequently then the manual called for. My latest problem was the transmission E4OD going out. After shopping for a rebuilt E4OD, I was told the same by all the shops, that transmission was never very good. Once I get the clutches on the windows replaced, the ignition key spring replaced, AC repaired, front leaf springs re-arched, radiator replaced, RPM sensor replaced, tailgate placard glued back on, and change the oil I might just sell it but then again, I might just forgo all that and trade it in... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I really like the new trucks from Ford, easily the nicest looking, I'm just ready to try another brand. This is my second F250 diesel. The 1989 I had with over 200K had a C6 transmission with a Gear Vendors overdrive. I much preferred that transmission.

HGM · Dec 7, 2005

OK,
The prices have definitly come down in the last year or so. The list price is $287ea. Thats $2300 for 8, still alot to pay for neglect. The 7.3L inj lists for $315. So, maint is still important. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

HGM · Dec 7, 2005

I can understand if your luck was poor on this truck, you have a bad tast in your mouth over it. Cant blame you. I was really refering to the failures I have seen in the 6.0L injector. 99% have been from low fuel pressure and poor fuel quality, steming from neglect.

The E4OD had some issues. Mine is in a '94 F-150 5.8L. Not as much Tq, but still worked from time to time. It has 157kMi on it now, with no troubles(shouldnt have said that huh /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif).. There have been alot of upgrades over the years for it, if the rebuild shop you used doesnt do the upgrades, this could explain some of the troubles.

I prefer to use the FQR(Ford Quality Reman) trans, just for the fact that Ford authorizes the rebuilder. They have the newest parts in them and provide a waranty. To each his own there, I would recomend the GM version if I needed GM parts.. MFG specs are different than the aftermarket, I trust them a bit more.

I think If you were to drive a 6.0L, youd be really impressed with the engine/trans combo. Its strong and the trans has been nearly flawless.

hunterridgefarm · Dec 7, 2005

RaT,
I think you are correct on the mileage for the fuel filter change. But since I don't put alot of miles on mine I thought it may be better to change it every other or third oil change. My reasoning being the diesel fuel residue in the filter may be higher since it is not driven as much (may be wrong on this).

I always drive the truck on the weekends and try to drive it a couple of times during the week. And the truck runs great, smooth and quiet on the open road.

It is a 2002 model with 42,000 miles, bought used from someone I know who took excellent care of it. He moved up to the 350 dually for pulling a bigger horse trailer.

I could let my wife drive it to work a couple of times a week but I am afraid she might get attached to it. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

_RaT_ · Dec 7, 2005

I would think getting the truck out once a week would be sufficient to keep things in check. Battery charged, engine oil replensished to all the areas that get lubricated or coated. I would suggest also trying to keep the fuel tank full to lessen the chance of moist air causing condensation.