Diesel versus gas maintance

   / Diesel versus gas maintance #11  
When a cps sensor goes bad it can leave you stranded. I have replaced one in my driveway and had 2 replaced by dealer by factory recalls. No prior warning at all, truck will crank and crank just won't start. Remove a couple of little bolts replace sensor and fires right up.
Bill at powerstrokehelp is entertaining and has some good information. Take some time and watch his videos he explains how the systems on these trucks function and how they should be maintained.
 
   / Diesel versus gas maintance #12  
I just bought an '06 F350 Diesel to replace my '86 Chevy K20 gas.

Diesel maintenance is PRICEY compared to my old Chevy:

Quarts of oil: F350 15 / K20 5
Oil Filter: F350 $18 / K20 $5
Air Filter: F350 $60 Every 15k or so / K20 $45 for lifetime K&N
Fuel filters: F350 $60 Every other oil change / $5 can't remember the last time I changed it!

Cooling system is about twice the capacity and I have to use gold antifreeze (and may be some anti cavitation additive from Ford?

Still have to service the trans on the new Ford, but I bet it holds more fluid and I know that there are 2 filters.

No doubt that the F350 is more truck and I hope to get in the upper teens for fuel mileage, where the K20 gets 10 MPG best case (TH400 / 4:10).
 
   / Diesel versus gas maintance #13  
I just bought an '06 F350 Diesel to replace my '86 Chevy K20 gas.

Diesel maintenance is PRICEY compared to my old Chevy:

Quarts of oil: F350 15 / K20 5
Oil Filter: F350 $18 / K20 $5
Air Filter: F350 $60 Every 15k or so / K20 $45 for lifetime K&N
Fuel filters: F350 $60 Every other oil change / $5 can't remember the last time I changed it!

Cooling system is about twice the capacity and I have to use gold antifreeze (and may be some anti cavitation additive from Ford?

Still have to service the trans on the new Ford, but I bet it holds more fluid and I know that there are 2 filters.

No doubt that the F350 is more truck and I hope to get in the upper teens for fuel mileage, where the K20 gets 10 MPG best case (TH400 / 4:10).

Yes, the oil changes are more but you go 5K instead of 3K. As for the air filter put a K&N on the F-350 also and you are good for life.

I run MAC air filters and intakes on both my 6.0's and it really livens them up but not as much as the Quadzilla boxes.:laughing:

Chris
 
   / Diesel versus gas maintance #14  
I have seen a front diff, that was dripping oil from the bottom half, and rusty on the top half; whoever had it never used 4x4... Saw it at a shop some time ago.

Also, if its 4x4 use it once a month. I have never had a 4x4 issue other than a failed transfer case in a 89 GM at about 30,000 miles. I have owned 4x4 trucks since the mid 80's and never had even a bad hub. I use my 4x4 weekly and contribute it to that.
 
   / Diesel versus gas maintance #15  
Yes, the oil changes are more but you go 5K instead of 3K. As for the air filter put a K&N on the F-350 also and you are good for life.

I run MAC air filters and intakes on both my 6.0's and it really livens them up but not as much as the Quadzilla boxes.:laughing:

Chris

Chris
Don't mean to hijack , I think this is still relevant to the OPs question.... If not I apologize.

Does MAC make a "drop in" filter or do you have to change the intake? Looks like it is a complete intake. K&N requires changing some of the air intake parts and $250 or $350 depending just what is replaced.

Are these intake replacements (either MAC or K&N) OK with stock everything else?

This is not only my first diesel, it is my first truck newer than '86 without a Chevy 350!?!?!?!? Consequently, I am chicken to change anything!!! As I know so little about it.
 
   / Diesel versus gas maintance #16  
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.
 
   / Diesel versus gas maintance #17  
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.
 
   / Diesel versus gas maintance
  • Thread Starter
#18  
Just to compare apples to apples, what does Ford (or International?) Recommend as the oil change mileage? My 2001 Chevy is not 3000 but 7500 just for example. Quickie Oil change companies have everybody thinking 3k is the absolute max or the engine will fail at 3001 miles. I change my gasser at 5 to 6k, which has worked for the last 4 trucks. I know diesels require a no nonsense maintance plan which is what I am learning about, so I don't miss anything. 5k shouldn't be too often as that works now.
David from jax
 
   / Diesel versus gas maintance #19  
The 7.3 Powerstroke only had one fuel filter and the oil filter was a canister type under the engine that's cheaper than the filter for the 6 and 6.4.

I wouldn't go over 5000 miles on a oil change. Also, the worst thing you can do to these engines is extended idling. When you stop to get fuel or go in the store shut it down.
 
   / Diesel versus gas maintance #20  
You can get the 36MM socket on line for $10 or less to your door. As for the filters I get them on line also for about $8 each to my door also.

Shop around for a good aftermarket air filter. All I have seen bolt right up with no modifications and include the air intake tube and filter for about $200 to your door.

A quick google search also shows for the OP's truck, a 2000 7.3L, you can get a K&N, AFE, or other brand drop in replacement filter for around $50 to his door.

Chris
 

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