Ford 6L & 6.4L International Diesel Maintenance

Vehicle Service Reminder 09l04:

Oil and Filter 1, 2
6.0L Normal Operating Conditions: 2 Change every 7,500 miles
6.0L Special Operating Conditions*: Change every 5,000 miles or 200 hours
6.4L Normal Operating Conditions: Change every 10,000 miles
6.4L Special Operating Conditions*: Change every 5,000 miles or 200 hours

Fuel Filter change (both)1
6.0L Normal Operating Conditions: Change every 15,000 miles
6.0L Special Operating Conditions: Change every 10,000 miles or 400 hours
6.4L Normal Operating Conditions: Change every 20,000 miles
6.4L Special Operating Conditions: Change every 10,000 miles or 400 hours

Coolant Strength concentration check/change3
6.0L Normal Operating Conditions: Check every 6 months & initial change 105,000 miles; subsequent changes every 45,000 miles
6.0L Special Operating Conditions: Check every 15,000 miles or 600 hours & change every 45,000 miles or 1800 hours
6.4L Normal Operating Conditions: Check every 6 months & initial change 100,000 miles; subsequent changes every 50,000 miles
6.4L Special Operating Conditions: Check every 20,000 miles or 800 hours & change every 60,000 miles or 2400 hours

Coolant Strength nitrite strength check 3
6.0L Normal Operating Conditions: Optional check every 15,000 miles or 600 hours
6.0L Special Operating Conditions: Check every 15,000 miles or 600 hours
6.4L Normal Operating Conditions: Optional check every 20,000 miles or 800 hours
6.4L Special Operating Conditions: Check every 20,000 miles or 800 hours
* Special Operating Conditions: Extensive Towing, Long Idle Time (check engine hours), Extended Low Speed Driving, Biodiesel Fuel Use, or Off Road/Dusty Conditions
1 Use Motorcraft® Filters
2 Use the Right Oil: American Petroleum Institute (API) CJ-4 engine oil is required for the 6.4L engine to meet federal emission standards. Vehicles equipped with the 6.0L engine can benefit from this same high performance oil as well.
3 The coolant concentration should be maintained at a 50/50 mix (freeze protection to -34°F/-36°C) of coolant and distilled water. The level of coolant should be maintained at the "COLD FILL" range in the coolant reservoir. Refer to your Owner Guide for additional information.

Ford 6.4L International Diesel Coolant Low

If a 6.4L radiator has leaked and overheated, it may cause other issues depending of coolant loss condition. If coolant is low again in the future, make sure the radiator and degas bottle is holding pressure properly. If the reservoir cap seals/relieves to specs, then check the thermostat and water pump/front cover.
The thermostat needs to be replaced if the spring is over-extended and/or rubber gaskets deformed or torn. The water pump/front cover need to be replaced if metal cavitated. With cavitation, coolant can leak into the crankcase. The EGR cooler should also be tested for leaks.

Ford SYNC V1 V2 V3 Upgrades

Some 2008 and 2009 Ford Lincoln Mercury vehicles are equipped with Sync version 1.x. FLM dealerships can upgrade SYNC software from Version 1.x to 2.o, which adds 911 Assist and Vehicle Health Report. With the Version 2.o upgrade, Sync checks the Bluetooth protocol more closely. If a cell phone does not follow the Bluetooth standards closely, then its functions can be affected by the V2 upgrade. For example, a phone that automically updates the address book with SYNC V1 may not do so after a V2 upgrade. A work-around is to manually push the address book from the cell phone into SYNC.

Once a SYNC system is upgraded from V1 to V2, the dealership can not reverse the process with software tools. It may be possible to find an early service part module or vehicle that still has V1 loaded from the factory for swapping. FLM SYNC vehicles built after December 2008 will most likely have V2 upgrade loaded already. Syncmyride.com has a list of tested cell phones/music players, and shows the features that compatible with SYNC.

SYNC Version 3 is available to 2010MY Focus, Fusion, Flex, Expedition, F150, SuperDuty, Sport-Trac, Edge, Escape, Explorer, Mustang, Taurus, Milan, Mountaineer, MKS, MKX, MKZ, Navigator and Mariner. The Traffic, Directions & Information V3 software update enables SYNC to deliver: turn-by-turn driving directions, traffic reports, business searches and your favorite news, sports and weather—all with simple voice commands. A complimentary 3-year subscription is available to new vehicle owners. Traffic, Directions and Information is available in the United States, only.

Introduction

This is the first posting from the world of MI and CA.