DIY Duramax Owners

Will-C":or09r5j3 said:
Hi,
For those of you who do your own oil and filter changes I came across a company that offers a few items to make fuel filter changes a little easier. On my Chevy it's easiest to remove the passenger side fender inner liner. Aside from some metric hex headed screws G.M uses some push pins with center buttons. Merchant Automotive makes some handy pliers for removing these buttons. Once the inner fender plastic liner is removed you have easy access to the fuel filter. You have to then unplug the water sensor wires and spin the filter off. Once off you then remove the water sensor and place it on the new filter after replacing and lubing the o rings. Merchant Automotive also makes a wrench for removing the water sensor from the bottom of the fuel filter. They also offer a nice simple spacer arrangement for the fuel filter housing to be spaced off a small amount making getting a filter wrench on and spinning the filter back on much easier. The fuel filters themselves are $59 at the dealer and $45 from Merchants Automotive for the exact same Ac Delco filter. After the new filter is in place you just crack the bleed screw at the top of the filter housing and push down and pump the manual fuel pump until you see fuel with no air. Tighten the bleed screw and pump it up till the manual pump is hard again. The bleed screw is plastic don't over tighten they can snap so they say if you get crazy. M.A. also makes a bleed screw out of aluminum which seems like a good idea. I wanted to make sure I was familar with the procedure for changing fuel filters as I carry a spare just like I do for the boat. I have some longer trips this year and always try not to become a victim. I also bought some Standyne diesel additive. I'm not much for additives but winter time I don't run as much fuel through the truck so I'm going to try this stuff at least in the winter months. If you are an interested DuraMax person the link is www.merchant-automotive.com I have no stake in this company, the stuff I bought worked as stated, just an FYI
D.D.
Click to expand...

Another reason to own a Ford. :D :cocktail

My F250 power stroke not only has a plug in the transmission oil pan, the torque convertor also has a plug; this allows me to do a total transmission drain. Of course the fuel filter is on top of the engine and takes like 5 min to change. Other than having to deal with 15 quarts of oil the engine oil change is easy.

Oil change tip #1. Use a center punch and make an opening in the bottom of the oil filter and let it drain before removing, makes way less mess.
Oil change tip #2. Use any good 100% synthetic motor oil, that why you only need to do oil change once a year. (Automotive only, not marine)
 
Beausaw,
It's always nice to see someone happy with their purchase. Just to be clear, my Chevy's oil filter and transmission have easy access for draining and spinning on new filters. I think most all automatic transmissions have drains on the torque converters. The Allison transmission has a convenient spin on external filter of it's own. The fuel filter is the only item that isn't readily accessible unless your name is Marc Grove. It really isn't all that bad to get to once you have done it. I guess GM keeps that fuel filter tucked in and close to the motor to keep it warm to prevent fuel jelling up etc. For me it does not represent much more than a talking point such as this thread. It certainly is no reason for me to do something crazy like buy another Ford. I had a 1997 Ford, Ford had to replace the transmission under warranty, I guess all those drain plugs just weren't enough. After years of sitting behind or above Detroit Diesels I'm a General Motors type of guy. I haven't had anyone ever say too much bad about Allisson transmissions. I don't know about the newer Ford Diesels but the older power strokes I thought were very noisy and seemed to have a pretty stinky exhaust. We had one in one of our company vans. I'm sure they are good engines but just not for me in this day and age. Thanks for sharing your tips and wonderful experiences with your Ford. :wink
D.D.
 
I know one Ford owner [2009]that has had 3 complete engines and 6 turbos in the span of 260000 miles . He told the dealer to just keep it . He is now driving a Dodge . He still has had far and away the best service from the Chevys. The only thing Ford has going for it is the fit and finish according to him .
They really screwed up when they got rid of the 7.3
If I could get another one I would buy a 2006 Duramax with the 6 speed Allison in a heartbeat[of America].
Marc
 
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