What to know about the 2007 F-350 PSD?

[westernmdlawn]

I am anxiously awaiting delivery of my new 07 PSD F-350 Dumper. I should have it by wednesday. Just wanting to know if there is anything you all would recomend in the PSD maintenance department. I'm pretty familiar with vehicle mechanics, but I have never owned a diesel before and would like to get a heads up on anything that you think I should need to know. It is a six speed manual 4x4. I plan to plow snow with it this winter (Boss 9'2" V plow), haul a bobcat around with a hoe attachment, general landscaping, etc. When I test drove it I noticed 2 things that bothered me just a little. 1. It has not low end grunt, but kicks in pretty good in the upper rpms. 2. The tranny is pretty tricky to shift at first (possibly because it is new?), seems like the gears are tight to get into.

I've heard that diesel's are hard starting in the cold. Will my truck have a oil pan heater to plug in when it gets real cold? Is it necessary, if so - at what temps? I've also heard that it is better to leave the engines running rather than off / on, off/on, off/on (like snow plowing all night). Finally, what fuel mpg can I expect? I also have an F-250 Triton V8, I can't imagine the mpg is any worse than that.

Thanks in advance!

[Mike33]

Brian, Brian, Brian, why dont you call me. last week i was hooking up a trailer wheen you called , try me again.
Mike

[cet]

I have never seen a diesel that didn't come with a block heater. I have mine on a timer. Around freezing I set the timer for 1 hour before I leave. As the temperature gets colder I set the timer for a little longer. The longest I have it on for is 2 hours. It is not needed at freezing but if you have the money for an 2007 you can spend a few cents a day to help with the starting IMO.

In terms of leaving it running I turn mine off if I am going to be longer then 5 minutes. When plowing it never gets turned off but the only time I am not in it would be to get coffee or shovel a walk that is only going to take a minute or 2. I don't turn it off to refuel but here it is self serve and they don't know I have it running.

Can't help with the tranny.

[PROFESSORRAIN]

CHRIS covered it well.Very strong runs smooth

[westernmdlawn]

Thanks for the comments guys, I pick it up today - can't wait. Mike - I'll give you a call if I get a chance later today. I'm going out of town tonight and won't be back till Friday. Hopefully it doesn't snow while I'm gone!

[jtkplc]

1. It has not low end grunt, but kicks in pretty good in the upper rpms.

That's my experience with a new 6.0 PSD that I've driven. Compared to my Cummins 600 it's not good down low, but that's partially because of the V-8 vs. I-6 from what I understand. I've always read that in a race empty the PSD would win hands down vs. the Cummins, but hook up 15K and the PSD won't have a chance.

[lawnspecialties]

That's my experience with a new 6.0 PSD that I've driven. Compared to my Cummins 600 it's not good down low, but that's partially because of the V-8 vs. I-6 from what I understand. I've always read that in a race empty the PSD would win hands down vs. the Cummins, but hook up 15K and the PSD won't have a chance.

That's also my experience with my 6.0. But, my 7.3 was very similar. Ironically, I think putting a 4" exhaust on both trucks made the situation just a fraction worse. Maybe even a diesel benefits from back pressure sometimes.

One thing about the 6.0. She does love the higher rpm's. We have a 30' travel trailer and when we're on the interstates, get the heck out of my way.:laugh:

[J&R Landscaping]

I would be plugging the truck in when the temp dips below 40 degrees for the night. The truck is brand new and there for the glow plugs should be nice and strong! If it was used, I would plug it in at higher temps to aid in starting. JMO

[SimonCX]

I would be plugging the truck in when the temp dips below 40 degrees for the night. The truck is brand new and there for the glow plugs should be nice and strong! If it was used, I would plug it in at higher temps to aid in starting. JMO


Not ture I have an 06' psd and didn't plug it in once last year, always started with out a problem even when the temps were in the 20's.

[Mike33]

The 6.0 with manual tranny has no pull out power that is there waekness. I had an 03 that i had to put a chip in for that reason. My new 06 is a little better but still lacks.
Mike

[POPO4995]

I plug my 6.0 in when temps start to get in the 30's and below. I plug it in before I go in the house every night and un-plug in the morning. Never had a problem. My truck has plenty of grunt, almost too much! Haha I always leave my truck run if its just gonna sit for less than 5 minutes ...use less fuel. When I'm plowing, it stays running because that turbo is wound up high so it gives it a little cool down even if it sits for 20 minutes. Oh, and my buddy has a 2001 F-250 with the manual tranny and yes, the gears are very close together. Awesome trucks though! Good luck!

[Guthrie&Co]

Change your fuel filters every other oil change. they run like crap if you dont.

[Gilla Gorilla]

As for the lack of low end grunt you should look into a programmer called the SCT Excal2. I got mine from Innovative Diesel in Elkton MD. and that thing kicks azz. The turbo lag is gone when accelerating under normal throttle but still has some turbo lag when you floor it from a stop unless you spool it up a little.
Yes you should change the fuel filters every 15K miles at least.
Also if the block heater option was not listed on the window sticker then you will need to get a cord for it to plug onto the block heater freeze plug the just run it up the frame and out the front bumper. I pluged my 02 7.3PSD in whenever it got below 40 also and it really helped keep the frost off of the windshield when my neighbors cars would have frosted windshields. You do not need to plug in the 6.0 in cold weather but it helps the engine get up to operating temperature quicker and the engine does not sound quite as nasty then.

Did you get the upfitter switches in the truck? If so then you can wire the #3 or #4 switch up to have a high idle when you switch it on. I did it to my 06 6.0 and it works great plus it just cost a piece of 1' wire.

[Sunscaper]

I basically have the same truck your getting. Transmission takes a few miles to get used to because there are 4 gates versus yor typical 3. I rarely use low low and my empty weight is 9680lbs. The 6.0 is great. I have 34k miles and haven't had any trouble at all. Change the oil every 8,000 miles and the fuel filter every 2 oil change and your golden. The 6.0 likes to rev. Mine does its best around 2200rpm. The motor is only 6.0 liters so it doesn't have inline 6 torque off the line. The 6.0 shines after about 1500 rpm when its turbo goes to work. Mine still will suck you back in the seat loaded or not. Hope you have good luck and she makes you money. Also try to avoid any mods. Anytime I heard on guys having trouble with almost any motor it was preceeded with a chip or tuner of some sort.

[Mike33]

Plu it in under 30 . They will start in plenty colder temps but you can tell when it turns over slower. Get a heater installed i noticed it was a option now and it used to be standard. My temp gauge will actually go up to a point when i glow it where it would be if i started it with out plugging it in and drove 4 miles. Remember the worst thing you can do to a engine is starting it cold. And you living in Frostburg you will need a heater.
Mike

[Oldtimer]

Do not use aftermarket filters on the 6.0. Buy all your filters from an International dealer. The HFCM (horizontal fuel conditioning module) has a drain on the side and requires a 6mm allen wrench. The Ford medium duties and all Internationals using the 6.0 have a knurled brass drain plug which can be removed by hand. Purchase a brass drain plug and when the tank is close to empty go ahead and remove the drain plug and install the brass plug before you get a "water in fuel" light and get a face full of diesel when the drain plug comes out. The brass plug won't fall out.

You will find the engine really doesn't break in for at least 20,000 miles and the mileage will start to get better after about 10,000 miles.

The engine will have a heater but the plug is standard in a just few states so you may need to install one. It is a b***h to install.

Don't let the engine idle any more than necessary because of getting fuel in the oil. The maximum amount of diesel in the oil should be <2% and running easy around town will get it almost that high.

If you need the filter and drain part numbers send me a pm.

Oldtimer
'05 King Ranch F250 6.0 PSD