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Suggested maintenance on 2008 fx4 with 135k miles
So I'm a pretty happy owner of a 2008 Ford F-150 fx4 that I acquired about 3 years ago. Its been a good truck with no issues. I'm looking on what I need to do it to keep it running strong as I have no prior maintenance records. It lived most its life in Canada and has some areas of rust that prove it. In fact the catalytic converter is so rusted the service engine light remains on despite changing all 4 oxygen sensors (and putting buffers on them). It now lives in the hot humid south Florida climate. And other than that it runs great. Since ive had it I've had the radiator flushed, transmission fluid changed and of course the regular 5k oil chgs. Things im thinking I should do... - front/rear differential fluid chgs - do valves need adjusting? what else? |
What are the codes?
I'd change the spark plugs unless you know for a fact they have been changed in the last 50k miles. Valves cannot be adjusted, if you hear ticking you are starting to develop cam phaser issues. Would not hurt to change the diff and transfer case fluids. |
Thx glc The code is p0420. As as far as the spark plugs I don't know if they been changed. Prior to this f150 I had a 2006 ford f150 that would vibrate around 55mph at times and that was a result of the plugs needing changing. I had someone else do those as I read horror stories on the troubles when the defective plugs would break when trying to remove them. Are the 2008's the same? If not I'd be willing to do those myself. oh also, is there a good online source to buy the plugs and differential oil and gasket for my specific model? A site I can easily input my exact year model and it provide the exact parts at a reasonable price without me having to guess if they are the right ones for my truck or not? Seems to always be a Hunt and peck when I search for parts online. |
Your local auto parts stores should have everything you need. I think the plug problem still existed in 2008. I suggest you check the tie rod ends, sway bar bushings, and ball joints.
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Early 2008 still had the 2 piece plugs, late 2008 went to a different head design with conventional plugs. If your COP boots are black, old style - brown, new style.
I use rockauto.com for parts. It doesn't pay to buy differential oil online, shipping will kill you. Buy it locally. Diff covers don't use gaskets, you use RTV. Rear diff takes 75W140 full synthetic, if it's limited slip, add one 4 oz bottle of XL-3 additive from the Ford dealer, it's not expensive, I think I paid about 6 bucks last time I bought it. Front takes 80W90 conventional or 75W90 synthetic, no additive. Transfer case uses Ford XL-12 fluid, don't use ATF. XL-12 is 14 bucks a quart from Amazon with free shipping if you buy 2 or more, I don't know how much your dealer would charge. |
Very much appreciate the input from both of you. |
The rear diff doesn't come with a gasket but they are available and I strongly suggest you use a gasket. RTV needs to set up before it sees oil and with oil continuuing to drain from the rear diff, there is the likelihood of a leak if you use RTV. I found out the hard way and had to dump my expensive rear oil to fix it.
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thx roadie... where do you get the gasket? i'll def go with a gasket... also, what about any hoses to be replaced at 135k? radiator hose? what is most subject to bust a leak?
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Originally Posted by glc
(Post 5239267)
Early 2008 still had the 2 piece plugs, late 2008 went to a different head design with conventional plugs. If your COP boots are black, old style - brown, new style.
I use rockauto.com for parts. It doesn't pay to buy differential oil online, shipping will kill you. Buy it locally. Diff covers don't use gaskets, you use RTV. Rear diff takes 75W140 full synthetic, if it's limited slip, add one 4 oz bottle of XL-3 additive from the Ford dealer, it's not expensive, I think I paid about 6 bucks last time I bought it. Front takes 80W90 conventional or 75W90 synthetic, no additive. Transfer case uses Ford XL-12 fluid, don't use ATF. XL-12 is 14 bucks a quart from Amazon with free shipping if you buy 2 or more, I don't know how much your dealer would charge. how many quarts of 75w140 syn for the rear? how many quarts of 75w90 syn for the front? how many quarts of ford xl-12 for the transfer case? |
Right from the 2008 OM page 381-384... I suggest reading your Owners Manuals... you can get it here: https://www.fleet.ford.com/partsands...owner-manuals/
Rear: Rear 8.8/9.75 inch axle fluid - 5.5 pints (2.6L) Rear 10.25 inch axle fluid - 6.9 pints (3.3L) **Add 4 oz. (118 ml) of Additive Friction Modifier XL-3 or equivalent meeting Ford specification EST-M2C118-A, for complete fill of 8.8 inch and 9.75 inch Traction-Lok axles. Front - 3.5 pints (1.8L) Transfer case fluid (4X4 / AWD) - 2.0 quarts (1.9L) **Service refill capacity is determined by filling the transfer case to the bottom of the filler hole with the vehicle on a level surface. |
Auto parts stores should have or can get gaskets, if they are available at all.
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Originally Posted by glc
(Post 5239297)
Auto parts stores should have or can get gaskets, if they are available at all.
I think i will take my amazon cart list up to the auto store to see how they compare this go around. I know they will have the fluid... doubt they will have the additive or the gasket. I do like how they loan tools though... that keeps them somewhat competitive... i will need a torque wrench. :D |
Originally Posted by ManualF150
(Post 5239296)
Right from the 2008 OM page 381-384... I suggest reading your Owners Manuals... you can get it here: https://www.fleet.ford.com/partsands...owner-manuals/
Rear: Rear 8.8/9.75 inch axle fluid - 5.5 pints (2.6L) Rear 10.25 inch axle fluid - 6.9 pints (3.3L) **Add 4 oz. (118 ml) of Additive Friction Modifier XL-3 or equivalent meeting Ford specification EST-M2C118-A, for complete fill of 8.8 inch and 9.75 inch Traction-Lok axles. Front - 3.5 pints (1.8L) Transfer case fluid (4X4 / AWD) - 2.0 quarts (1.9L) **Service refill capacity is determined by filling the transfer case to the bottom of the filler hole with the vehicle on a level surface. |
What's your question? Those specs I listed are max capacities/guidelines. You'll always want to fill it level with the fill plug or follow the dipstick markings and check it after running it some time and add more as necessary not to overfill. |
Originally Posted by ManualF150
(Post 5239300)
What's your question? Those specs I listed are max capacities/guidelines. You'll always want to fill it level with the fill plug or follow the dipstick markings and check it after running it some time and add more as necessary not to overfill. |
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