First-Time Diesel Owners Beware: Extra Maintenance Is Required

[OverFueled's_08_Fx4]

Everyone seems to have their own ideas about the performance and maintainance of a diesel engine. Personally I have been around diesel's since the mid to late 70's and alot has changed over the years. Does anyone in here know what the very first prototype compression ignition engine was ran off of???? From a history section in one of my engineering books, it explains that they were fueled by some type of solid matter. Rudolph Diesel used solids in some of his first prototypes, before finding liquids were better to use. It didn't go into great detail, but mentioned gunpowder being one of the solids that was used in the development stage. But at this time many developer's were experimenting with solids as a fuel for IC engines. But these engines were single cylinders that were very slow and extremely noisey. Finally in the 1920's, they were made small enough and multi cylinder to be used in automobiles.

This was a decent article, but I too found somethings that weren't quite true. He stated "The turbo-charger is a lot like a jet engine - there are compressor blades inside the turbocharger that can spin at 20k or 30k rpm." Yes the first part of the statement is true, but the second is wrong. 20 to 30k RPM is and understatement. When in fact these impeller wheels can reach speeds of 100 to 130 k RPM. Where as a jet turbine see speeds of only 20 to 30k. And when debris hits the blades / fins, they don't really shatter. They deflect and break. One fin breaking can start a chain reaction.

Well i'm going to sit here and nit pick this to death, over all there were some true statements and some not so true statements. There were some decent points near the end though. Read and learn all you can about scheduled maintainance and care for your diesel. But if you don't have a clue what you are doing take it to someone who does and have them show you or better than that do it for you. OR best of all ask some of the guys here at the ORG!!!!

[Johnny_Rage]

Good stuff for the first time diesel owners.

[Hank]

Good job Jason. Your article serves as a good reminder for all of us to not get slack with our maintenance, no matter what we drive.
I appreciate your effort.

CPA rules!

[rufusb]

On the cost of oil changes. Yes it costs more because it takes more to fill up the beast, but one can actually save money by using the best Synthetic oil and installing a dual remote by pass filter.

I use Amsoil's system and figure it will pay for itself many times over. Email me for details or if it is allowed to post a web site (Archer-Friend.com and under videos, I have a video on how to install the system on a 00 F350 with a 7.3).

Also, they are called oil burners cause diesels can burn most oils, IF THE OIL IS CLEAN. I also have a page on how to do that safely (same site as above under the Alternative Fuel page, email if the site name is not allowed).

[vwsrock]

I AGREE WITH ALOT OF THE ABOVE STATEMENTS. A WORD FOR THE WISE. KEEP THE AFTERMARKET INTAKE OFF YOUR TRUCK...UNLESS YOUR RACING...IN WHICH CASE YOU DONT SEEK FOR WARRANTY ANYWAY. I HAVE SEEN SO MANY VEHICLES TURBOS "MUNCHED" ( SMALL APRTICLS OF DIRT TAKING HUGE CHUNKS OUT OF THE THE TURBO FINS.) THUS DUSTING THE ENGINE. ALSO; IF YOU DRIVE A 6.0L POWERSTROKE, CHANGE YOUR FUEL FILTERS EVERY 15,000 MILES AT A MINUMUM, WHAT YOU HAVE TO CONSIDER IS YOUR FUEL QUALITY...CONSIDERING DIESEL FUEL IS SO MUCH NOW! WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING FOR 10 CENTS LESS? 6.4L I WOULD CONSIDER...SERIOUSLY CONSIDER CHANGING YOUR FILTERS TWICE AS MUCH. THE TOLERANCES ARE LESS THAN HALF AS MUCH AS THEY WERE ON THE 6.0L. KEEP UP THE MAINTENANCE! STAY AWAY FROM AFTER MARKET INTAKES! AND LOVE THE TRUCK YOUR IN!

OH AND TO THE ONE THAT IS CHANGING HIS OWN FUEL FILTERS IN A 6.4L JUST PREP THE SYSTEM WITH 5 OR 6 - 30 SECONDS WITH THE KEY ON. THAT WILL PURGE THE AIR OUT...IF YOU DONT...YOU WILL HAVE SOME SERIOUS ISSUES. THEN YOU MUST PURGE THE HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL. IF YOU NEED SOME HELP OR ADVISE. LET ME KNOW...THIS IS WHAT I DO

[rufusb]

I agree that many of the aftermarket do dads are nothing more than overpriced decorations that do more harm than good. The best decision is to look at long term tests if the manufacturer is honest enough and bold enough to publish. It is even better if those tests are done by an independent research company with several brands being tested. That is why I like the Amsoil Ea high efficiency filters (details at Click2Synthetic.com). The air filters have a 4 year, 100,000 mile warranty and have test results to prove the efficiency.

[yukondiesel]

Thanks! I have been driving GMC diesels for a LOOONNNNGGG time (6.2 and currently 6.5) and I am now going to give the Ford 6.4 a chance. Maintenance (diligent) got me over 200k miles on each of those...Scrupulous oil changes at 5k miles (even though GM recommended 7.5k) i think contributed to that longivity.. Great write-up! Thanks...joe

[SpringerPop]

Originally Posted by OverFueled's_08_Fx4

Rudolph Diesel used solids in some of his first prototypes, before finding liquids were better to use. It didn't go into great detail, but mentioned gunpowder being one of the solids that was used in the development stage.

If I recall correctly, the original target fuel was coal dust.

No, I'm not THAT old....

Pop

[hose4ya]

How long do I let the fuel filter run open?:

[19558077]

POWERSTROKEHELP.COM - The Information Source for Ford Power Stroke Diesel Owners has a video on top end oil changes and alot more helpful tips