looking at a 09 superduty 6.4L powerstroke

[Builder]

I guess the thought never occurred to me that it might be a vacuum pump. The cylinder could well be a motor and the lines do look suspiciously like vacuum lines. Do the brakes on the PS models need vacuum for a servo or not ?

Westcliffe,
It's the vaccuum control for the auto hubs if you have them or the HVAC mode control motor.

 

[dstig1]

I was thinking the same as Builder. It looks like the vacuum solenoid for the auto-locking hubs, but I wasn't sure. Not knowing a ton about the diesels, I believe they actually have an electric vacuum pump since diesel engines don't generate enough vacuum like gas engines do (anyone feel free to correct me if this is wrong). On my gasser is it just a solenoid that switches engine vacuum to the hubs, but it's over on the pass fender. But it's a different year (05) and engine.

 

[Soundguy]

To change the battery in my wifes 97 Venture was a job that took more than half a day and cost most of my knuckleskin... The air filter box and PCM had to come out to allow the battery to be changed...

.

my mom has a caddy srx.. an dthe batery is in a ridiculess spot that requires some aprts to be removed to get at. I'm sure it is a revenue generator for the dealer..

soundguy

 

[dgl24087]

One of my friends has a Chrysler Sebring, front tire and inner fender liner must be removed in order to replace the battery.

 

[Soundguy]

sweet! gotta love that..

soundguy

 

[Duffster]

One of my friends has a Chrysler Sebring, front tire and inner fender liner must be removed in order to replace the battery.

Sounds like doing fuel filters on a Dmax.

 

[deerefan]

The contraption starts with the steel bracket to which the fusebox is mounted. On the front side (front of vehicle) of the bracket is a captive nut for 1 bolt that holds the outboard end of the plate to which the actuator is attached with 2 or 3 seperate bolts. The on the Inboard end of the bracket (after wrapping around the bottom of the fusebox) is a tab about an inch wide which has a slot in it. The plate under the actuator has a tongue which inserts into the slot and is then secured with the single bolt mentioned previously.

The way the thing has been made, it would probably have taken 100k or more of tooling to make the stamped parts and then the captive nuts (3 or 4 of them) have to be projection welded onto the different plates, and then someone has to be paid to assemble the whole mess.

Looks to me like it was something that was forgotten or added at the last minute and Ford decided ***that*** was the best place to put it.

To change the battery in my wifes 97 Venture was a job that took more than half a day and cost most of my knuckleskin... The air filter box and PCM had to come out to allow the battery to be changed...

I guess I will have to figure out what the device does and look for a better place to put it. There surely has to be a better place than right above the fusebox. Many people may never blow a fuse, but for the time that someone does, it is a real PITA. The other thing that I learnt was that about 3 different geometry of fuses were used, so I had better get a few spares to cover me while out on the road.

I have to admit, though I liked my 06 F250, everytime I popped the hood I found some other "engineering marvel." I like to service my own vehicles (oil, battery changes, headlight changes, etc) and only bring it in for big stuff or if it is under warranty. On my new truck, 2011 silverado, it was nice to pop the hood and be able to actually see the engine. Heck, I can even get to all 8 spark plugs. I did a tune up on my 97 F150 with the trition 4.6 and I had to disassemble the fuel injector system just to get to the plugs. Bet the new TT V6 will be a real pleasure to service.

 

[Duffster]

tampa is pretty south.. but I assure you it HAS seen below 30. and even in central florida just 1.5 hours north of holiday. I have had water freeze inside an oil sump on a tractor I had brought in to work on... it does get cold enough and stay cold enough for oil to get thick and water to freeze in florida.. despite popular belief. I had 2 risers in my pasture freeze and pop to prove it..

zero? can't say that I ever remember even single straight digits.. but 20's and low doubles are not even rare in florida.. we've already seen those the last week of december..

soundguy

Yesterday FL was the onlt state that didn't have snow on the ground.

 

[Soundguy]

had ice all over my windshield this am.. still there by 7:45..

soundguy

 

[Diamondpilot]

If you think "doing fuel filters on a DMAX" is tough, then you are VERY mechanically challenged. :laughing:

I do them with ease. Maybe just another negative DMAX internet story you read? :confused2:

I agree with you here. I had one and take care of my neighbors and the filter is easy. Not as easy as my 6.0 but I can do the job in 5 minutes. Just have a flex handle filter wrench, a 4' piece of fuel hose to drain it with first, and some oil to lube the O-Rings before it goes back in. Not a hard job and just like the Ford you can do it while standing.

I have only done this on 05, 06, and 07 Dmax but on them none had to have the inner fender removed.

By the way stay away from the Napa/Wix filters. I have had 2 in the last 5 years where the plastic threads were damaged. They are just made cheap. 2 bad ones out of maybe the 10 I have changed is just not acceptable. I went back to Fram and OEM on this one. Its a much better made filter.

Chris

 

[Duffster]

If you think "doing fuel filters on a DMAX" is tough, then you are VERY mechanically challenged. :laughing:

I do them with ease. Maybe just another negative DMAX internet story you read? :confused2:

Did I say it was tough?

 

[Diamondpilot]

Did I say it was tough?

Good point. You did not, you simply stated you must remove the inner fender.



Chris

 

[Builder]

Did I say it was tough?

Nope, you implied it was tough. Enough for me, Al.
:laughing:

 

[Duffster]

even Hawaii has snow capped mountains 365 days/yr.

I forgot to ask did you discover this when you were doing research looking for a state that doesn't get below 32. :laughing:

 

[westcliffe01]

Builder, I believe you are right regarding it being the vacuum pump. I had to look up what the autohubs were, and apparently mine work fine, since I have had cause to use them the last week with the patchy snow and reduced plowing and salting we have going on nowadays.

I will follow some of the advice I found which is to get out and manually lock the hubs if actually going off pavement. So far, I have only used 4wd high on icy roads where it dramatically reduces the tendency for the rear to break free and tracking is improved too. Makes me wokder how I survived several winters in the 2wd dodge.... High pucker factor I guess...

 

[JB4310]

Might be for you. I have owned a Dodge and just did not have good luck with it. Worst vehicle I have ever owned but funny thing is I still like them and would buy another. Dodge and the local dealer took very good care of me and my issues.

The big problem I see with Dodge right now is GM and Ford are so far a head when it comes to HP/TQ and tow ratings. Dodge makes a handsome truck but have not tapped into the Cab and Chassis market here at all. I know it may be different in other parts of the country but Ford still dominates in my area. They have a reputation for being a great engine with a not so great package. They seem to rust quicker than the competition and seem to have more small problems but they do have a pretty strong following, just not as strong as Ford in my area.

As for right now Dodge is just playing 3rd fiddle living off the Cummins legendary name. Don't get me wrong, I love them. The Cummins corp is just 50 miles down the road and I have many friends whom work for them. They have been a big supporter and employer of Indiana residents but right now they need to steep up and get on par or even better yet best Ford and GM.

Chris

I'm guessing you had a gasser?
I do love my truck, it's a pleasure to drive, you don't hear that much coming from someone driving a 12,000 pound utility truck around. I know Dodge is #3 and it will always be.

The economy killed Dodge's big plans to cut into that C/C market that Ford dominates, but I was in the market for a new truck, I had to get it right since I'm a one truck contractor and can't afford down time. Now I don't have the hard facts but from what I remember Dodge had the heaviest frame and brakes in it's class, the engine even being new and unproven is a pretty safe bet, the tranny is awesome with longest warranty in the industry (can't be had in a pick-up though).

I know the HP/TQ numbers are not the highest and as far as towing goes, Fords supposed to be highest but every one of those hot shot truckers I see with those huge loaded car carriers are driving Cummins powered Dodges. That's gotta tell you something, all Dodges every one I've seen. is it just the fuel milage? makes me wonder if the guy who needs to rely on a tow rig more than anyone else...... And I really mean rig, these things are operated like little over the road interstate long haul trucks. Gotta be something more than just manufacturers numbers that makes the right truck for the job.

John,

 

[MossRoad]

Thread closed pending pruning.

 

[MossRoad]

Thread opened after pruning. There is lots of good information in this thread. Please keep to the subject and drop the personal attacks, jousting, etc...

No PMs sent, as there were too many participants.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I'm guessing you had a gasser?


I know the HP/TQ numbers are not the highest and as far as towing goes, Fords supposed to be highest but every one of those hot shot truckers I see with those huge loaded car carriers are driving Cummins powered Dodges. That's gotta tell you something, all Dodges every one I've seen. is it just the fuel milage? makes me wonder if the guy who needs to rely on a tow rig more than anyone else...... And I really mean rig, these things are operated like little over the road interstate long haul trucks. Gotta be something more than just manufacturers numbers that makes the right truck for the job.

John,

I had a Hemi 2500 4x4. Not a single issue with the engine but in 68,000 miles 2 trannys, AC compressor, Radiator Cooling fans, Power Steering, numerous switches, rust on the doors after 2.5 years, ect. Just issue after issue. Like I said I must have just gotten a bad one but Dodge and the dealer were awesome and would consider them again.

I would say the Hot Shotters are 50/50 Ford and Dodge with maybe 1 in 25 being GM. I live right on the main corridor from Detroit Earhart and 3.5 miles from my home is a large area of 4 truck stops on I69. Its a major stop for these guys hauling cars and campers. When Katrina hit we had over 1000 campers staged there. I was asked to add my 2 trucks to the fleet but there was know way I was going to do that.

Chris

 

[Builder]

I'm guessing you had a gasser?
I do love my truck, it's a pleasure to drive, you don't hear that much coming from someone driving a 12,000 pound utility truck around. I know Dodge is #3 and it will always be.

The economy killed Dodge's big plans to cut into that C/C market that Ford dominates, but I was in the market for a new truck, I had to get it right since I'm a one truck contractor and can't afford down time. Now I don't have the hard facts but from what I remember Dodge had the heaviest frame and brakes in it's class, the engine even being new and unproven is a pretty safe bet, the tranny is awesome with longest warranty in the industry (can't be had in a pick-up though).

That's the one thing that kills me. I wish the Aisin could be had in the pickup.

I wouldn't worry about sales numbers. Let Ford have 'em. Eminem sold the most CD's last year. Any of you listen to that garbage? McD's sells the most burgers, but the were rated as having the worst taste. Sales figures are more a measure of the company's ability to MARKET a product more successfully than the competition. Give Ford credit for doing a great job with their brochures, but I have found the more you dig, the more you see that brochure numbers can hide the truth.
For example, Ford rates their new diesel as being 400HP. GM rates theirs at 397HP yet according to the first tests, GM puts out more rear wheel horsepower than Ford. Ford relies on their buyers being dumb enough to think that because their truck puts 400HP at the flywheel, it must put more power to the pavement than the 397HP GM diesel. Who cares about flywheel HP? Maybe kids do. I care about the power on the pavement.

Another perceived Ford advantage is front axle ratings. Ford will impress you with massive 5,200-5,800 lb front axle ratings while GM's are ~4,800-5,000lbs. You would think that means the Ford has to be able to carry a lot more weight on the front axle, but dig a little deeper and you find out GM's diesel engine weighs 300lbs less and their front axle componenets weigh considerably less. Suddenly the perceived GAWR advantage Ford had disappears.

I know the HP/TQ numbers are not the highest and as far as towing goes, Fords supposed to be highest but every one of those hot shot truckers I see with those huge loaded car carriers are driving Cummins powered Dodges. That's gotta tell you something, all Dodges every one I've seen. is it just the fuel milage? makes me wonder if the guy who needs to rely on a tow rig more than anyone else...... And I really mean rig, these things are operated like little over the road interstate long haul trucks. Gotta be something more than just manufacturers numbers that makes the right truck for the job.

John,

John I think it's because Cummins has traditionally had the longest B50 rating of the 3 diesel engines at 350,000 miles. This may have been equalled by Ford or GM recently, but the perception still exists. Cummins diesels have the least moving parts and have an excellent reputation based off the 5.9L platform. The long distance hauler boys like that type of reliability.

I bet you see a lot of the older 5.9L car hauler guys have the NV manual trannies in them too for even more reliabilty or if they have an auto, it's taken out and hardened-up.

Nothing I own is the "biggest seller", either, but I still manage to get the job done after nearly 25 years in 2 buisinesses.