Guys, motorcraft oil filter from walmart is 9.99$. Oil is 10$ per gallon at walmart for delo400 so a big whoppin total of 50$ for an oil change every 5000 miles. This is not a big deal.
Can't really compare a 444 cubic inch diesel to a small block chevy. A closer comparison would be to a big block ford or chevy with similar displacement.
The fuel filter is not 60$. Shop around and you'll only spend half that. Figure that you're spending 100$ just to fill the fuel tank, don't qorry about 10 bucks here or there. The filter is right on top and is easy to change. No bleeding or special tools required.
The CPS was a weak spot. Guess what? Ford recalled them and the new grey one is no longer failure prone. I have been carrying a spare in my glovebox for a long time. The sensor is 38$, is held on by a single 10mm bolt and is easy to replace. The old sensors seldom left you stranded but were more likely to cause random stalls or hiccups when the old ones would go bad.
The big deal and only real issue worth consideration is that if something breaks on the engine it gets very expensive to fix compared to a gas engine. Head gaskets, turbo, or injectors are big ticket items. The normal maintenance stuff is cheap, more than a gas truck but still cheap.
I can scan a receipt for $18 and change that I paid for the Motorcraft oil filter at Walmart this weekend. Add 15 Quarts of Motorcraft oil at $15 and change / 5 quarts, that is $63 and change plus tax every 5k miles. Instead of $20 or so every 3k miles for the K20.
Air filter was just about $60, a standard one for the K20 is less than $10, the K&N was $45. A K&N for the F350 appears to be about $250.
Fuel filters were $59 and change for Hastings brand at my local auto parts store, you are right, I did not shop around, may be I can find them cheaper.
ONE of the fuel filters is right on top, BUT, there is another in the frame rail that sucks to change, and requires a 36 mm socket, not exactly a special tool , but not in the average homeowner box either.
I realize that my two trucks 06 F350 and 86 K20 ARE NOT an apples to apples comparison, just my experience. It does illustrate that the diesel requires more (and more expensive) maintenance, that is a fact. I am not saying that the maintenance costs are a big deal, but that my new F350 will and is costing more to maintain than my old small block gas job. And, that is of course if nothing breaks. That said the F350 is A LOT MORE TRUCK!!!!
Don't get me wrong, I love the new truck! (having trouble parting with the old one though!) and understand that the maintenance (and any repairs) will be higher.
