Modern Diesel DOs and DON'Ts: How To Make A Super Duty Last!
Modern Ford diesel engines are more powerful than ever but now require extra care. This list of Dos and Don'ts can help extend your PowerStroke's lifespan!
Intro
When you need a truck to do the big jobs like towing and hauling, it is tough to beat a diesel powerplant. And modern diesel engines that are found under the hood of Ford Super Duty trucks are more powerful and capable than ever before. They can also last a very long time. But they are also more complex than ever and require some care and feeding. Even the best diesel engine in the world will fail prematurely if it is not treated right. Regular maintenance may seem obvious but there are several Dos and Don’ts that diesel owners and prospective diesel owners should follow. To help you out, we put together this list of five Dos and five Don’ts for modern Ford diesel owners.
Do #1 – Prepurchase Inspection & Maintenance Records
If you are buying a used diesel truck, two things are a must: 1. Maintenance records and a comprehensive pre-purchase inspection done before you sign on the dotted line. We recommend you follow this advice for any preowned vehicle, mind you, but it is critical on a hard-working truck that is likely going to be expensive to purchase. A Power Stoke diesel engine can last for several hundred thousand miles. So, you should not avoid a truck just because it has high miles. But if you don't know the engine's history, that's a huge gamble we wouldn't recommend taking. Also, inspections can alert you to issues like leaking seals, tired fluids, or plumes of black smoke exiting the exhaust that could indicate a lack of maintenance.
One of the simplest (and most important) tests on any diesel motor is checking for piston blowby, which is a situation where worn piston rings allow gasses to enter the crankcase, building up pressure. To look for this, twist off the oil cap and simply set it back into position. If there are gasses in the crankcase, the cap will dance and hop around.
Don’t #1 – Let Your Engine Idle for Extended Period
A modern diesel engine is designed to work and not to idle. In fact, letting a modern diesel engine idle for long periods of time can have an adverse effect on longevity. Idling can cause Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) to clog. If the engine is not brought up to operating temperature unburned fuel is exhausted and noticed as wetness in the exhaust system. This is known as “wet stacking” and results in build-up on the exhaust side of the engine. This can lead to a whole host of issues. This is not a problem for older, pre-emissions era diesel engines from over 20 years ago, but you don’t want to let a modern diesel engine idle for too long.
Do #2 – Change Oil Frequently
Oil is critical in any internal combustion engine, but it is even more so in a diesel engine. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It is not a bad idea to change your oil twice as often as recommended in the maintenance manual. This is especially true if you are towing frequently or otherwise operating your truck in harsh conditions (heat, cold, or dusty).
Don’t #2 – Keep Driving with High Exhaust Gas Temperatures
When towing heavy loads you need to keep an eye on your exhaust gas temperature (EGT). You are generally in the safe zone when your EGT is below 1,350 degrees Fahrenheit. Once you start getting above that threshold you are running the risk of causing damage to the exhaust manifold, cylinder head, and valves. If you see the temperature getting into the danger zone, back off a bit and give the engine time to cool down.
Do #3 – Change Fuel Filter Regularly
A good recommendation is to change your fuel filter every 15,000 miles. You always want nice clean diesel fuel to be fully atomized for a clean and complete burn. Without that, you risk incomplete combustion, and you start to build up soot, which will then clog your EGR cooler and possibly damage your emissions equipment, not to mention lost power. Changing fuel filters regularly will help keep your engine running smoother for longer.
Don’t #3 – Put Gasoline or DEF in Fuel Tank
We know this sounds obvious, and no one would do this on purpose, but it does happen. Only diesel fuel should go into your fuel tank. If you ever do make the mistake of putting gasoline in your truck, hopefully you realize it before you start it up. If you do realize it, do not try to start the truck. Call a tow truck and have a shop drop and flush the tank. If you start the truck and it sprays gasoline through those high-pressure injectors, you may very well ruin the engine. Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) is used to reduce NOx emissions and it's extremely corrosive. If that gets into your fuel system, you'll have to replace every component it touches, which could cost over $10,000.
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Do #4 – Consider Replacing CP4 Fuel Pump
The CP4 high pressure fuel pump can be found in many engines including the 6.7L Power Stroke since about 2011. It is an effective pump that can deliver fuel up to around 30,000 psi. However, it has a weak point. The bottom end of the pump has a cam to roller interface that can fail. And when it does, it shoots metal shrapnel everywhere and can lead to catastrophic engine failure. The is a DCR pump upgrade available to address this potential failure point and it is well worth upgrading for peace of mind.
Don’t #4 – Roll Coal
It may seem funny to throw clouds of black smoke into the face of a Tesla driver. But the fact is that rolling coal is terrible for your engine. You are wasting fuel, losing power, and putting carbon deposits throughout your engine and emissions equipment. It is also illegal in many areas. Just don’t do it. Remember that efficient trucks are also the cleanest, which means that when you roll coal, you're also tossing horsepower and torque out the door.
Do #5 – Use Fuel Additives
Keeping the fuel injectors clean in a diesel engine is incredibly important but can also be a challenge. That is why it is not a bad idea to use some quality fuel additives to help keep those injectors pristine. As we mentioned previously when discussing changing the fuel filter, a clean burst of fuel is imperative in a diesel engine. Additives are a cheap and easy way to keep that fuel flowing.
Don’t #5 – Remove Emissions Equipment
We know it's tempting. The emissions equipment installed on modern diesel engines makes them more complex and difficult to maintain. And, sadly, they reduce the lifespan of several components. There's a reason why military diesel vehicles come deleted from the factory; because diesel engines are more reliable when they aren't choking on their own soot.
However, they are there to help reduce the amount of Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions as well as diesel particulate matter. Those gases are nasty and known to damage lungs and cause cancer. Or ask just about anyone in a car stuck in traffic with a pre-emissions-era diesel vehicle how great it is to smell them.
In short, we love diesels and wish there were smarter ways to reduce emissions without impacting the longevity of the engine itself. But cleaner air is more important.
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Images: Ford; Joe Kucinski