I just got a new 6L diesel F350 on Friday. I've put about 300 miles on it so far and I love it. Average fuel economy is 17 mpg combined city / highway driving. So far no problems, no oil leaks, no rough idle or engine dying, just awesome smooth power. I'm anxious to start towing with it, but I want to get at least 1000 miles on it before I do. The truck was built on May 17, 2003. I made sure I bought a truck that was newly built in hopes that Ford had worked out all the kinks by then. There were many trucks from late 2002 and Jan/Feb 2003 still for sale as new. I had a friend who is a Ford mechanic run reports for me on the VIN's of trucks that met my profile. Of the older ones we checked, they all had been in for warranty work (before even being sold) due to known problems. I'll let you know how the continued performance on this truck goes.

 

Hi AndyU Welcome!

Congrats on new ride. I know the feeling.

Only 1150mi. on mine.. trouble free. Only dilema for me at this time..when to change (1st time) factory oil. I want to tow soon.

You mentioned towing at maybe 1000mi? Its my understanding these engines 6L come w/10-30 oil. 15/40 required if temps over 50deg. F. for towing.

Even if you dont tow...10/30 only rated to 90 deg. F.

Have you seen- www.thedieselstop.com Good site.

Good luck...OT

 

I see you live in Nevada Old Timer... I think you'd want to run 15W-40 year round. A lot of people up here in Milwaukee run it year round too although I believe it's not recommended below 0 degrees.

 

Andyu wrote There were many trucks from late 2002 and Jan/Feb 2003 still for sale as new. I had a friend who is a Ford mechanic run reports for me on the VIN's of trucks that met my profile.

isn't the manufacture date also on the window sticker? would you check 'cause i was under the assumption when I've been looking at stickers that the the long string something like for example [/I] 05032003 [I] after the vin is the manufacture date. Let me know this would help me as I also want to make sure I get a fresh one and I know no mechanics like that.


congrats on your new ride

 

Hi AndyU

I was just passing on. When you read the oil specs. for your 6L i think you'll see what i mean. Owner guide tells about it.

Hope i can run 15/40 yearly. Ill be finding out. Dosent get really real cold here in Sparks. Winter sometimes down to 5/10 deg. But w/15-40 oil..gonna make for a hard start early am..unless i keep plugged in on those real cold nights. Days usally get up to 40 to 60deg. My first diesel so lots for me to learn.

Talked w/my svc. mgr today...he called Ford Hot line..verified engine did come w/10-30 oil..Now gotta find out how soon i can put the 15/40 oil in. Also unclear just how long to use 10/30 before switching. I not going to tow and now w/temps over 90 deg + underhood heat??? I'll update later.

Good luck...OT

 

Congrats!! Great Choice!

You CAN run 15/40 all year no problem.

I HIGHLY doubt you will have any problems, but please let us know if you do. I wanna test the theory

 

Congrats on the new ride...Diesel rules!!!(I can say that here, because he bought a diesel)...

Word of caution, alot of the early 6 liters were sensitive to cold engine rump, rump, because of the oil viscosity...

Be careful what you use...Chose wisely....Good Luck..

 

Thanks for the info about the stock oil. I'll be going out to the Big Horn's at the end of the month. Last year when I made the trip I spent the better part of a day in 105 degree temperatures in Rapid City on the way. A friend of mine's Dodge Diesel blew the motor just outside of town. It was 105 degrees the shade and we were pulling through that all accross South Dakota. I think I'm going to definitely need to be sure I have the right oil in the engine for those kind of temperatures in case it's like that again. My friends cummins had under 100,000 miles on it, but it was out of warranty by length of time. He actually ended up trading it on a slightly used Duramax. The Duramax completed the trip, but he only got 7-8 mpg as opposed to about 12 that he was getting with his cummins. We were in our under powered f250 Light Duty with a truck camper on top, horses behind and about 120,000 miles on the truck and we had no problems at all except for my own typical 7 mpg towing average. I'm really looking forward to making that trip with the new truck.

 

Andy, If you dont mind me asking. How much did you get it for? I am looking at s imiliar set up, just this has the fx4 package and its a lariat. They wont budge from 39000... seems high to me still. I figured I could get it for 35000???

 

Any new car/truck they are trading now!!! They will deal with you or walk to the next place...

should be able to get $5000 off...they are offering $2500 and 0%, here...

Dont worry about towing, W/O being broke in, it is very hard to break these in because they are so light!!!

Some guys recomend towing a light load to work the engine better during break in...

They wont totally break in until 40000 any way...not the usual 10000..this is where you will get max MPG...Good Luck Guys..