F-350 needs some maintennance

steve remchak · **Posted:** Sat Aug 06, 2011 7:37 pm

and i don't really know how to do it.

power steering fluid needs changing. turkey baster and then refill?

coolant needs changing. disconnect bottom radiator hose to drain and then refill? it is a turbo so what about the fluid in the whatever that thing is called?

spare me the Dave jokes please, ha-ha... steve can't work on his own vehicles. yeh, we know that.

thanks in advance........

BretLuter · **Posted:** Sat Aug 06, 2011 11:12 pm

PS Fluid- I'd disconnect one of the lines at the steering rack/box and let it drain out, then refill with fresh.

Coolant- you'll probably be fine draining it via the lower hose, I'm sure this would leave some coolant in the block and some of the lines, but you'll get a good portion of it out.

Turbo fluid- I like to use the Redline Platinum+ synthetic turbo fluid. It seems to last longer than the non-synthetic and I notice my turbo temps are alot lower using it- you do have a turbo temp gauge, don't you??

:stick:

Seriously, the turbo gets cooled/lubricated with engine oil, so just make sure it's changed regularly and you're good.

steve remchak · **Posted:** Sat Aug 06, 2011 11:22 pm

BretLuter wrote:

PS Fluid- I'd disconnect one of the lines at the steering rack/box and let it drain out, then refill with fresh.

Coolant- you'll probably be fine draining it via the lower hose, I'm sure this would leave some coolant in the block and some of the lines, but you'll get a good portion of it out.

Turbo fluid- I like to use the Redline Platinum+ synthetic turbo fluid. It seems to last longer than the non-synthetic and I notice my turbo temps are alot lower using it- you do have a turbo temp gauge, don't you??

:stick:

Seriously, the turbo gets cooled/lubricated with engine oil, so just make sure it's changed regularly and you're good.

oh, i thought the inter-cooler had water in it. thanks Bret. :brow:

BretLuter · **Posted:** Sun Aug 07, 2011 12:48 am

steve remchak wrote:

BretLuter wrote:

PS Fluid- I'd disconnect one of the lines at the steering rack/box and let it drain out, then refill with fresh.

Coolant- you'll probably be fine draining it via the lower hose, I'm sure this would leave some coolant in the block and some of the lines, but you'll get a good portion of it out.

Turbo fluid- I like to use the Redline Platinum+ synthetic turbo fluid. It seems to last longer than the non-synthetic and I notice my turbo temps are alot lower using it- you do have a turbo temp gauge, don't you??

:stick:

Seriously, the turbo gets cooled/lubricated with engine oil, so just make sure it's changed regularly and you're good.

oh, i thought the inter-cooler had water in it. thanks Bret. :brow:

ahh, hell, I dunno. I think it's air to air, but even if it has water in it, it's gotta come from the cooling system, I think.........

My truck ain't got no fancy schmanzy intercoolerator on it.

Cash Davidson · **Posted:** Sun Aug 07, 2011 7:18 am

I assume this is a diesel:

For PS - disconnect the suction hose. It is low pressure and has a hose clamp - so it it is easier to disconnect than the high pressure threaded hose.

Coolant - There is a drain petcock in the radiator right next to the lower hose - easiest way to drain after you open the radiator cap. Don't forget to add coolant conditioner when you replace the coolant as recommended by Ford.

Intercooler is air-to-air.

Good luck!

clinehall · **Posted:** Sun Aug 07, 2011 7:54 am

Most importantly, when working on one's own cars: DO NOT CRACK BUSWIESER OPEN UNTIL AFTER THE JOB IS COMPLETELY FINISHED.

RobLupella · **Posted:** Sun Aug 07, 2011 11:03 am

And the Johnston County Landfill will take your anti-freeze for recycling

Pete Guthrie · **Posted:** Wed Aug 10, 2011 10:01 pm

also.. if you ever disconnect the thing. make sure you put some oil in the turbo oiling lines before you start it. so that it can have some there when you start her.

meanwhile.. check out this video of jimmy smith.. who lives here in durham nc.. he has a cummins dodge diesel drag truck.. pro stock.. he ran a 9.24 at the east coast truckin nationals in va recently.bandimere dragway in colorado is at 5000 feet elevation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bt8w3qlz ... =fvwp&NR=1

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Thu Aug 11, 2011 8:29 am

One REALLY important thing on both those systems...make sure you bleed them (of air) properly before you call it done.

BTW, Kendt should be able to help you. He's a midget, but not a mechanical idiot.

steve remchak · **Posted:** Thu Aug 11, 2011 10:01 am

everything i'm reading on the intrawebs regarding the coolant flush seems to be nightmarish. i may let the dealer do it.

the PS fluid change i think i can handle.

Mark Barnes · **Posted:** Thu Aug 11, 2011 4:30 pm

For the power steering, try disconnecting the return line from the cooler and put in a bucket. Take off the P/S belt. On the Ford cars I have, there is an allen head fitting in the end of the pump. I use the air wrench/drill to turn the pump while I pour new fluid in the fill cap. Have someone turn the wheel while flushing to get it all out. it will pour out the return line into the bucket (or the floor if you already got into the Budweiser and kicked the bucket over). Might work on the trucks.

steve remchak · **Posted:** Fri Aug 12, 2011 9:07 pm

Mark Barnes wrote:

For the power steering, try disconnecting the return line from the cooler and put in a bucket. Take off the P/S belt. On the Ford cars I have, there is an allen head fitting in the end of the pump. I use the air wrench/drill to turn the pump while I pour new fluid in the fill cap. Have someone turn the wheel while flushing to get it all out. it will pour out the return line into the bucket (or the floor if you already got into the Budweiser and kicked the bucket over). Might work on the trucks.

Dave suggested something similar to this today Mark. he basically said run the truck and pour new fluid into the reservoir.

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Tue Aug 16, 2011 10:01 pm

Hey Steve - Capital Ford did a coolant flush on my former F250 for about $100.00. For the price of the coolant, plus the anti cavitation additive, plus disposing of all that old coolant, it's a pretty good deal.

steve remchak · **Posted:** Thu Aug 18, 2011 10:15 pm

thanks Karl. i will keep that in mind. they seem to be better at getting diesels in and out than Crossroads does.

KendtEklund · **Joined:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 7:29 pm **Posts:** 1204

Karl Shultz wrote:

Hey Steve - Capital Ford did a coolant flush on my former F250 for about $100.00. For the price of the coolant, plus the anti cavitation additive, plus disposing of all that old coolant, it's a pretty good deal.

I'm actually taking mine up there today for a recall service (cruise control/fiery death) and to have the coolant flush done. Do they put in the gold extended life stuff?

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F-350 needs some maintennance

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