Single Mom needs some help! Maintenance Advice???

[julycover96]

Other than an oil change, what are some basic maintenance issues I need to be sure to get taken care of?? Thanks guys!

97 F250 4x4
4:10 gears

Also - took truck to a garage today because of clutch problems. They said, without leaving the lot, that it needed to be replaced. I asked how they knew so quick...30 years experience he said. Do I trust that or go somewhere else? Can a person know without getting in there? Anything I need to know about replacing the clutch.

[lamarmathis]

whats the clutch doing?

[bigcountrysg]

Take the truck somewhere else. If that guy can tell your clutch is bad with out test driving the truck. Then he must be the best mechanic in the world. Because even a great mechanic can not be 100% sure the clutch is the problem. At least with out test driving it. Alot of the syptoms of a bad clutch can also be bad synchronizers, or shift fork, or other things inside the tranmission.

Oil change, Fuel Filter, Air Filter, diff fluid changes, just the normal maintenance that normaly gets done.

[BryanH]

Change the fuel filters at every other oil change, Some do it every change, I think every other is fine. Use Diesel Glen in your fuel, You can find it at Walmart, I use the Grey bottle.
And just follow the Maintenance manual and your set.

Good Luck. If you have any questions or problems, Just use this site and search the forums for your answer. Obie is a small state, There are PLENTY of great power stroke.Org members around you that would be more than happy to help.

[julycover96]

Thanks guys.

The clutch doesn't feel "tight" but it doesn't go straight to the floor either. Started a slight grind into 3rd about 15k miles ago. Then got bad going into 2nd gear after it was warmed up. REALLY grinds putting into reverse and into 2nd at stop signs unless I shift down at just the right time. I have to hold the clutch in for a couple of seconds and listen to the engine before I shift or there will be a grind. Trans / Engine sound fine to me. Oh, sometimes when I shift out of gear into an idle stop I hear lots of "rattling" - that lasts for just a sec or unless I give fuel to increase RPM just a bit seems to help.

I SOOOOOOOOOO appreciate all of you who answer. I definately trust people on this site more than the guy who want $1500 to replace my clutch & flywheel.

[bigcountrysg]

Originally Posted by julycover96

Thanks guys.

The clutch doesn't feel "tight" but it doesn't go straight to the floor either. Started a slight grind into 3rd about 15k miles ago. Then got bad going into 2nd gear after it was warmed up. REALLY grinds putting into reverse and into 2nd at stop signs unless I shift down at just the right time. I have to hold the clutch in for a couple of seconds and listen to the engine before I shift or there will be a grind. Trans / Engine sound fine to me. Oh, sometimes when I shift into 2nd I can hear lots of "rattling".

I SOOOOOOOOOO appreciate all of you who answer. I definately trust people on this site more than the guy who want $1500 to replace my clutch & flywheel.

It could very well be your clutch. But before I gave someone 1500 to replace my clutch and flywheel. I would drain the lube in the trans. Look for metal shavings and metal pieces. How many miles are on the truck. Do you know if the clutch has ever been replaced before. If so do you know how many miles are on the clutch since it has been replaced.

[julycover96]

??? I can find out about the clutch. I bought the truck from a guy like you'all who babied it. I thought he was going to cry when he sold it to a girl.

What will the metal shavings mean? I think that sounds like something I can do myself. I changed the CPS & the alternator already on my own so not scared to at least try.

[bigcountrysg]

Originally Posted by julycover96

??? I can find out about the clutch. I bought the truck from a guy like you'all who babied it. I thought he was going to cry when he sold it to a girl.

What will the metal shavings mean? I think that sounds like something I can do myself. I changed the CPS & the alternator already on my own so not scared to at least try.

The metal shavings, can tell you alot, like worn out bearings in the transmission, synchronizers worn out, shift fork out of alignment or loose, basically if you have an internal problem with the trans. Now you most likely will have some metal filings due to the grinding you sometimes get. But the main concern will be if you have metal pieces coming out of the trans when you drain the fluid.

I suggest you change the fluid when it is warm. Because gear oil is thick and can take a long time to drain.

There should be a drain plug on the trans either on one of the sides real low near the bottom of the trans. Or it will be on the bottom of the trans.

Then there should be a fill hole at the top of the trans or on the sides near the top.

Oh and I don't baby my truck. It is a truck not a show or trailer queen.

[farmboypowerstroke]

if you find metal shavings in your tranny oil, it means you have internal problems

[julycover96]

ok - i have my job for tomorrow. thanks. i'll let you know what i find.