Maintenance - Yourself vs. dealership - Diesel Forum

caldwell3110 · 05-31-2003, 02:40 PM

I have heard alot about how much this diesel is going to cost me for maintenance. Being as how I have never owned a diesel I wondered what were the big things to MAKE SURE I did? Who is doing it themselves and what part are you doing or are you letting the dealership make some dollars off you?
I heard something like 15 quarts of oil and that it is a big deal to make sure you change out the fuel filters often?
Any coments?
Thanks

jschira · 05-31-2003, 03:32 PM

Not much different in a diesel from a gasser, just more of it, 15 qts. oil, 34 qts. coolant. If you have worked on a gasser, the diesel will not be a problem.

What kind of truck? How many miles? What equipment? Do you tow? Chipped? Lifted? Big swamper tires? 7.3L or 6.0L?

Ya got to help us out here a bit.

Yes you have to change oil, generally 5000-7500 miles.

Yes you have to change coolant.

Yes you have to change tranny fluid.

Yes you have air, fuel and oil filters to change.

Same as a gasser.

None of it is hard, if you like working on your truck. If you don't, it can be a PITA.

Dealer oil changes can run $80. Dealer radiator flush and fill can run $130.

DIY oil changes can be as little as $30. Coolant change can be as little as $30. Fuel filters are $15 and can take 10 minutes or 1/2 day, depending on your level of skill.

Personally, I don't let anyone else touch my truck if I can help it. No one does as good of work as me, because nobody cares about my truck as much as me.

caldwell3110 · 05-31-2003, 04:32 PM

Thanks for the info

2003 X with 6.0L

I would be described as little to no mecahnical skills. I can however perform simple tasks (oil change, plugs and such)
Is there a different kind of oil with diesels - if so what is the preferred kind. I have switch over to synthetic in my high performance motorcycle but don't know if that is something you do with diesels.

Thanks again for the info...

Texas Tank · 05-31-2003, 05:42 PM

This forum has tons of info on oils etc. The maintenance is not bad but you will need a few tools. A 4X4 helps as it is higher up for sliding under. The info on the forum will help you with the tranny flush. Go to FAQS and then 99 and up. Everything is at least as easy as on a “rice burner” except you will need more of everything. I do admit I purchased a topside creeper as it helps to get to the top back of the engine. I have found DIS to be an excellent source of all the filters you will need. They have been fast and very competitive on price.

I run synthetic oil on my VW TDI as it only needs 5 quarts for 10,000 miles. I just run Shell Rotella on the Excursion as with 15 quart for 5K I’d go broke with synthetics. I do run a bypass filter and am very happy with it. Can you tell I’m an engineer that has driven tractors all my life?

You definitely want diesel rated oil in you vehicle. Don’t consider anything else.

Don't change the spark plugs. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/phoney.gif[/img]

jschira · 05-31-2003, 06:10 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the info

2003 X with 6.0L

I would be described as little to no mecahnical skills. I can however perform simple tasks (oil change, plugs and such)
Is there a different kind of oil with diesels - if so what is the preferred kind. I have switch over to synthetic in my high performance motorcycle but don't know if that is something you do with diesels.

Thanks again for the info...

[/ QUOTE ]

I think the oil change interval on the 6.0 is 7500 miles.

The API ratings for diesel oil are different from gasser oil. Gasser is rated SF, SG, SH, SI, SJ, but diesel is rated CG, CH, CI. The best rating is CI and that is what you want to use. Probably 15w40 in the summer and 10w30w in the winter, depending on where you live. I think that there is a synthetic 5w-40 now. Look in your manual for what weight is recommended, but not every oil will have the CI rating. It has only been out for 9 months.

The 6.0 is easier to service than a 7.3. The oil filter is a cartridge unit and sits on top of the engine. The tranny filer is a spin on filter similar to an oil filter.

CHPMustang · 05-31-2003, 11:03 PM

Actually we've found regular maintenance not all that bad,change oil and filter 3,000 miles elapse change oil filter add a couple quarts at 5,000-6,000 miles depending on clarity of oil,change oil and filter.The K&N I tend to evaluate for cleaning at every oil change,have only had to clean it once.

We changed the fuel filter at 10,000 miles and that took just a couple minutes.

We're at 12,500 miles after 12 months of ownership probably do a tire rotation Sunday.

BILL

JOE_M · 06-01-2003, 12:04 AM

Jeff you are right Rotella T syn 5-40 is $19/gallon at Wally World,I have it in for 6,000 now w/ the bypass filter and it looks great[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img].Just changed the racor FF $30.00 locally,I allmost lost my cookies[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/vomit.gif[/img]!These dang basted thangs whet up 40% since January [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img].Joe M.

jschira · 06-01-2003, 07:04 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Jeff you are right Rotella T syn 5-40 is $19/gallon at Wally World,I have it in for 6,000 now w/ the bypass filter and it looks great

[/ QUOTE ]

I heard that WW lowered the price to $12.88/gallon

[ QUOTE ]
Just changed the racor FF $30.00 locally,I allmost lost my cookies[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/vomit.gif[/img]!These dang basted thangs whet up 40% since January [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img].Joe M.

[/ QUOTE ]

Buy your FF here -----> Shopdiesel Racor Fuel Filters

I bought 3 of them a couple of months ago when they were only $13.

WetWork999 · 06-02-2003, 12:56 PM

ByPass Filter??? Help a newbie please.

~A

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Jeff you are right Rotella T syn 5-40 is $19/gallon at Wally World,I have it in for 6,000 now w/ the bypass filter and it looks great

[/ QUOTE ]

I heard that WW lowered the price to $12.88/gallon

[ QUOTE ]
Just changed the racor FF $30.00 locally,I allmost lost my cookies[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/vomit.gif[/img]!These dang basted thangs whet up 40% since January [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img].Joe M.

[/ QUOTE ]

Buy your FF here -----> Shopdiesel Racor Fuel Filters

I bought 3 of them a couple of months ago when they were only $13.

[/ QUOTE ]

jschira · 06-02-2003, 02:47 PM

A bypass filter is a filter in addition to the oil filter already on the engine. The factory oil filter is a full flow filter, 100% of the oil goes through it (except in extreme conditions). A bypass filter is usually of a higher quality that the factory filter (filters out finer particles) but does not filter 100%. The bypass filter has to be plumbed into the engine. Not sure where on a 6.0.

Many site sponsors sell them. Click on the "links" button above, and then on "Sponsors".

I do not have one and do not plan on adding one. Others swear by them. You need to weight the cost/benefits yourself and make up your own mind.

Here are some links:

Amsoil Bypass Oil FIlter

rheaman · 06-02-2003, 04:53 PM

Might check around with various Ford dealers in your area and see what they charge for a oil change instead of just assuming its going to be overpriced.

My local Ford dealer http://www.friendshipford.com/ charges $49.95
For that price I get the oil and filter changed. Tires rotated, air pressure checked, all fluids checked and topped off if needed, and the truck washed. They do a few other things. Takes about an hour and a half, no appointment needed.
A lot of other dealers have the same offer.

JimmyDee · 06-02-2003, 05:16 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Buy your FF here -----> Shopdiesel Racor Fuel Filters

I bought 3 of them a couple of months ago when they were only $13.

[/ QUOTE ]
They went up. They are now $15-$16.
DIS had a sale I took advantage of late last fall and I paid, (I think) $10.50-$11
Jim

Todd T · 06-03-2003, 02:01 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Personally, I don't let anyone else touch my truck if I can help it. No one does as good of work as me, because nobody cares about my truck as much as me.

[/ QUOTE ]

I couldnt agree more! the only thing i cant do is tranny rebuilds but i still pull and reinstall them myself.

Tailgate · 06-04-2003, 09:45 AM

WHOA!!! $12.88 per gallon for Shell Rotella T 15/40 at Wal-Mart?!?!?!? I think I pay something like $6 per gallon for it there. My oil changes are about $25 for Shell Rotella T 15/40 and $12 for a K&N oil filter.

Someone mentioned to me that Wally World will do your oil change for you for about $55...but I think they use those POS Fram filters. But that's not a bad price considering the labor.

However...I don't trust anyone with my truck. Recent story: Had the tires rotated at a tire shop (big national chain) and asked them to air the tires to 55 lbs. or factory spec. whichever was greater. I come back and the kids says, "I put the fronts at 35 and the rears at 40 per the specs." I said, "WHAT?!?!?" He showed me on the driver's door what the factory specs where. I looked at him and said, "See that line underneath that says DIESEL...this is a diesel, as you could tell by the loud knocking sound when I pulled it in and the badges on the doors!" Then I pointed to the tires and said, "They are load balance D." He looked at me like he had no idea what I was saying. HE WORKS FOR A TIRE SHOP! Sheesh.

Don't trust ANYONE with your truck...

JADFPE · 06-04-2003, 09:51 AM

"WHOA!!! $12.88 per gallon for Shell Rotella T 15/40 at Wal-Mart?!?!?!? I think I pay something like $6 per gallon for it there."

The number quoted was for synthetic Shell Rotella T 5W-40 not the normal Shell Rotella T 15W-40 which is around $5 to $7 per gallon.

Hope this clears it up,
John [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]