What is the difference (or what should be done differently) between doing an oil change on an unleaded fuel truck and doing an oil change on a diesel truck. I have done my own oil changes on my 94 Ford 1/2 ton, but I am looking at getting a 97 Ford diesel and I would like to still be able to do my own oil changes. This is my first diesel truck so I have a lot to learn. Also, do they require any other maintenance that my unleaded truck did not? Thanks in advance for the info!
The process is the same, except later model Ford diesels use canister/cartridge filters instead of spin-ons. Rotella from Shell is a highly respected brand of oil for diesel engines.
Diesel engines use glow plugs, not spark plugs, because diesel engines have compression ignition rather than spark ignition.
August 31st, 2009 at 9:36 pm
the process is the same. you will use considerably more oil and a different kind…but you change it the same way
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18 years auto industry
August 31st, 2009 at 10:24 pm
The process is the same, except later model Ford diesels use canister/cartridge filters instead of spin-ons. Rotella from Shell is a highly respected brand of oil for diesel engines.
Diesel engines use glow plugs, not spark plugs, because diesel engines have compression ignition rather than spark ignition.
References :
August 31st, 2009 at 10:45 pm
basically oil changing between a gas fueled engine and a diesel one in principle is similar, but you can not use the same kind of oil you use on your previous gas engine. there are motor oils made for gas and diesel engines. diesel motor oils tends to get dark faster than gas ones but this does not mean you have to change oils often. if you are up to date with your oil servicing a diesel engine would give you the best performance for years. just a good tip unlike a gas engine which you only change the oil filter, in diesel engines it’s best you do change the fuel filters along with the oil filter during your maintenance.
it’s also best if you have the injection valves that delivers the fuel to the engine checked a dirty injection valve will give you that knocking acceleration when you drive, this sometimes happens when fuel is dirty. having the injection cleaned and calibrated would give you more fuel saving and a better running engine. plus you can also have the engine valves calibrated once in awhile to reduce that sound which is known to be made by diesel engines.
so that’s all i can say the best you can do with diesel maintenance. just be up to date with oil changes and filters and you’re okay. good luck:)
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