The one thing that I never thought would happen happened. I had to have my baby towed. Long story short, it was a clogged fuel filter at 24,345...Yes I know NOW that it should have been changed earlier. This is my first CTD and my 3rd Dodge Ram in which time I NEVER changed a fuel filter, never had to.

Now to the thing that ticks me off about the dealer. I had my truck in for a 15k oil change 6 months ago and its 21.5k last month. Oh, the dealer wanted to sell me on the differential changes and tranny flush per schedule B (which I have only towed something twice since I've had it-2yrs-clearly schedule A) but neither time did they mention replacing the fuel filter. Oh yeah, when the tech calls me to tell why it is dying and that the filter should have been changed at 12k (AND he is trying to sell me on the diff's and tranny), why in the heck didn't the service writer offer it? If he had, I probably would have had them do. I paid $100 this time, a half day of lost work, and 90 minutes in 7 degree weather waiting for a tow. Yes and I told him so. They didn't even offer to help on the bill. "Thanks. Sorry I didn't have any vaseline". Well, time to dust off my tools. Oh, they did a reflash for a TSB. I ask, is it the one for the white smoke? "yup". I said, funny, no one new about it when I ask the last time I was in. Then I check the number of the TSB and it's for long cranking times. These guys don't know squat. One last thing, schedule A service does not mention the differentials at ALL and the tranny service is at 100k. NO THANKS. I'll do it myself. That way I KNOW it is done right.

Whew, thanks everyone, I feel better now!!!! Keep the good advice comin'!!!

 

I change mine with every 2nd oil change....

 

Same here.

 

Same here, but I change my oil at 10k...So that's 20k for the fuel filter.

 

I Change mine at 5 or 6000 every second oil change. I do oil at 2500 -3500 miles.

 

I let(no filters delivered on time) mine go until 13K and it started to act-up. 10K for me

 

Listen to the voices of experience. Most service department people are going by "the book", because it makes Dodge look good. Listen to what others on here have to say.

 

WELCOME TO DTR!!

Read Up and start listening will ya!!

Rick

 

Remember this:

No one takes care of your truck like you would.

Don't depend on someone who has no emotional interest in your truck, period. They aren't making the payments every month, you are. If you want your truck to last, treat it well and familarize yourself with the routine maintenance that MUST be done. Best of luck

 

I watch the fuel pressure guage and change the filter when I see a change in readings I don't like.

 

but holy crap what a difference when it was changed, like a new truck. I change my fuel filter approx every 12-15km or every 10k miles.

 

I change my oil every 3K and use the Valvoline 15-40 Premium Blue as recommended oil type by mfr. Yeah I know, it should go 7500 miles according to mfr, so I cut it in half, oil is cheap, engines and engine repairs are not. I change my fuel filter every other oil change, so every 6K. Again, filters are cheap, engines and engine repairs are not. I also grease the truck with every oil change, lube hinges, and lube the rubber stuff.

I turned 12K on my truck yesterday. On Sunday its change oil and oil filter, change fuel filter, hit all the grease fittings, hit all the rubber stuff with rubber lube and lube the hinges, etc. I average 1K miles per month, so every 3 mos I give the truck a long day of attention so-to-speak.

Now some might say my schedule is a little ****, even over kill, that's OK, that's their opinion. We all have different ways of going regarding maintenance. I can say that I have 2 old Ford trucks with 460 gassers in them, one is a 1988 and the other is a 1989, both have over 400K miles on them. I just rebuilt the engine in one and the other is still on the origional engine and running strong. Outside of brakes, doing the usual bearing stuff to the axles, both trucks have cost me virtually little repair expenses due to good maintenance. That all speaks for itself. Whatever you do, make sure you do it when it needs to be done and do it with all the right stuff. Wherever a stock part fails and there is a better aftermarket part, go for the better aftermarket part. It does save you a lot in the overall.

Welcome to DTR, there is some really good advice to be found here, and most of all - have fun with your truck.

CD

 

Where is the fuel filter at? My dealer has never mentioned changing it and I have never changed mine either.

Roy

 

Good write up for the DIY.
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...n&onlynewfaq=1

MikeyB

 

Do a search on additives too. As cold as it is around here right now, I would be using an additive with antigel properties.

Diesel Specialties in Omaha sells Stanadyne. You can get Power Service, Howes and others pretty much everywhere.