Some parts such as air brake chamber diaphragm, air compressor and air
cleaner should be inspected periodically and replaced if considered
unserviceable.
Air dryer:Climactic conditions affect performance of desiccant or
after-cooler type air dryers. Maintenance schedules must be established
for each specific operation.
The use of an air dryer on a vehicle does not eliminate the need to
periodically drain the air reservoirs.
Desiccant air dryer:Inspect for moisture in the air system by opening
reservoirs, draincocks or valves and checking for presence of water. The
presence of small amounts of water due to condensation is normal and
should not be considered as an indication that the dryer is not
functioning properly.
The desiccant cartridge should be replaced or rebuilt when it has been
determined that the desiccant is contaminated and does not have
adequate water absorption capacity. The desiccant change interval may
vary. It is generally recommended that the desiccant be replaced every
12 months (yearly). If experience has shown that extended or shortened
life has resulted for a particular installation, then the yearly interval can
be increased or decreased accordingly.
Draining the air brake reservoir:
Completely drain all the air brake
reservoirs daily by opening the
draincock at the ends of the tanks
(Where accessible. Pull-chains are
used when the drains are undercab
or otherwise inaccessible). Close the
draincock after draining. Air tanks
equipped with automatic moisture
ejector valves may also be drained
manually as required to maintain a
dry air system. Contact your dealer if you are unsure of the air reservoir
locations or the draining procedure.
WARNING:Failure to drain air brake reservoirs can result in a
reduction or loss of braking ability due to fluid accumulation in
the reservoir and/or possible freeze-up during cold weather.
210Maintenance
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)
Hydraulic Brakes
Establish a regular schedule for periodic cleaning, lubrication and
adjustment inspection based on vehicle use. Exact maintenance intervals
are difficult to predetermine since vehicles are used in a wide variety of
applications and conditions. If you are uncertain of the proper schedule
for your vehicle, contact your dealer.
Regular inspections should include:
•checking the brake lining (every service interval). Establish
inspection intervals that provide for lining replacement before damage
to the disc occurs. Excessive lining wear may expose the backing
plate to the disc causing scoring of the disc faces. This inspection
should be performed by a qualified technician and must be in
accordance with instructions provided by the service manual.
Hydraulic brake systems are power-assisted. Braking capabilities are
greatly reduced without engine assist.
•proper fluid level. The level should be at the bottom edge of the ring
on each reservoir fill port. Do not fill the master cylinder to the top of
the reservoir. If fluid level requires attention to maintain a proper
master cylinder level, this is an indication of either severe operation
(pad wear) or fluid leakage. A more frequent and thorough brake
inspection is required.
•brake lines, hoses and fittings. Repair or replace brake line tubes,
hoses or fittings as required. Inspect these components every
4000 miles (6000 kilometers):
•Lines for kinks, dents, corrosion or rupture.
•Hoses for abrasions, kinks, soft spots or rupture, collapse, cracks,
twists or loose frame supports. When replacing a hose, be sure
there is adequate clearance to the hose to avoid an abrasion to the
new hose.
•All connections for leaks.
Driveline Parking Brake
WARNING:Use wheel chocks and exercise caution when
inspecting under the vehicle. A vehicle roll-away could result in
property damage, personal injury or death.
Parking brake adjustment should only be performed by a qualified
technician, and in accordance with the instructions in the service
manual.
Maintenance211
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)
Steering System
WARNING:Failure to maintain the steering system in proper
condition can cause reduced steering ability resulting in property
damage, personal injury or death.
Note:Have any steering problems immediately corrected by a qualified
service technician.
Ask your service technician to examine the steering mechanism. Only
minor adjustments may be necessary. Regular inspections should include:
•checking the tie rod, drag link end clamp bolts and ball joints for
proper tightness.
•checking for installation and spread of cotter pins and tightness of
nuts at both ends of the tie rod and drag link.
•checking that the pitman arm (steering arm at steering gear)
mounting is tight and locked. Check system for leaks or hose chafing.
Repair immediately, if necessary.
•maintaining proper steering gear and power steering pump lubricant
levels.
•checking steering column joint bolts and steering linkage, particularly
for body-to-chassis clearance.
Steering Column Joint Bolts
As a good maintenance practice, it is recommended that steering column
joint bolts be checked for tightness every 60000 miles (96000 kilometers)
or annually, whichever occurs first. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN.
Hydraulic System
Whenever the power steering’s hydraulic system has been drained and
refilled for any reason, air must be bled from the system before returning
the vehicle to service. Failure to properly bleed the hydraulic system can
result in degradation of power system performance.
Consult your dealer who is aware of the proper procedures for filling and
bleeding the system.
212Maintenance
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)
Catalytic Converter (Diesel Engine)
Note:If your vehicle is equipped with a catalytic converter/muffler,do
notblend waste oil with diesel fuel. Operate only on ultra low sulfur
(less than 15 parts per million sulfur) diesel fuel with a cetane value of
45 or higher.
If your diesel engine is equipped with a catalytic converter, it is
important to review the maintenance schedule to make sure proper
functioning of the catalytic converter. Also, take precautions not to
damage the catalytic converter when servicing your engine or storing
your vehicle.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and
Select Catalyst Reduction (SCR) System
See your engine operator’s manual for information regarding DEF, DPF
and SCR system service.
Air Induction System
WARNING:When performing maintenance to any turbocharged
engine with engine air inlet piping disconnected, keep loose
clothing, jewelry and long hair away from the engine air inlet piping.
A turbocharger compressor air inlet protective shield should be
installed over the turbocharger air inlet to reduce the risk of personal
injury or death.
Perform a complete inspection of the air induction system annually.
In areas where road salt is used, disassemble the joints of each aluminum
component and inspect for salt build-up and presence of chlorine that
can cause aluminum particles to flake off and enter the engine
combustion chambers. If evidence of corrosion is found (usually at the
pipe connections), use a wire brush to clean the inside of the pipes and
inside the rubber hoses.
If the intake pipes are pitted at the joint ends, use Motorcraft® Silicone
Gasket and Sealant TA-30 to seal the joints. Make sure no excess
material is on the inside of the pipes that can be pulled into the engine.
If the service condition of the pipes, hoses or clamps is questionable,
replace the defective part(s).
Make sure all dust and debris has been cleaned out of the pipes and
couplings with a clean, damp rag prior to reassembly.
Maintenance213
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)
Supporting Your Vehicle for Service
WARNING:Do not use a jack when working under a vehicle. It
may give way, causing the vehicle to fall and result in property
damage, personal injury or death. Always use floor stands to support
the vehicle.
Prepare the vehicle for service repairs by doing the following:
1. Park the vehicle on a level, concrete floor.
2. Set the parking brake and block the wheels to prevent the vehicle
from moving.
3. Select a jack with a rated capacity sufficient to lift and hold up the
vehicle.
4. Raise the vehicle with the jack applied to the axle(s). DO NOT use
the bumper as a lifting point.
5. Support the vehicle with floor stands under the axle(s). If the axle or
the suspension is being serviced, support the vehicle with floor
stands under the frame side-members, preferably between the axles.
Frame and Tow Hooks
Your vehicle’s chassis is manufactured with frame rails of either HSLA
steel or heat-treated steel. Each must be handled in a specific manner to
make sure maximum service life. Consult the service manual or your
dealer before attempting frame repair or modification.
It is important, particularly on vehicles where the tow hooks are used
frequently, to inspect the front and rear tow hooks for damage or a loose
mounting.
OPENING AND CLOSING THE HOOD
WARNING:The parking brake must be fully set before opening
the hood or possible personal injury may occur.
WARNING:To reduce the risk of the possibility of personal
injury, never stand beneath the hood when it is being raised or
lowered.
WARNING:If you must leave the engine running while checking
under the hood, do not allow any loose clothing, jewelry, hair or
other items to get near moving engine components or possible personal
injury may occur.
Maintenance215
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)
2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal range, add engine oil
that meets Ford specifications. SeeCapacities and Specifications
for more information. Remove the engine oil filler cap and use a
funnel to pour the engine oil into the opening.
3. Recheck the engine oil level. Make sure the oil level is not above the
normal operating range on the engine oil level dipstick.
4. Install the dipstick and make sure it is fully seated.
5. Fully install the engine oil filler cap by turning the filler cap
clockwise until three clicks are heard or until the cap is fully seated.
ENGINE COOLANT CHECK
Diesel Engine
See your engine operator’s manual for information on checking and
adding engine coolant.
Fan Clutches
WARNING:Stay clear of the fan and fan area while the engine is
running or possible personal injury may occur.
Your vehicle’s cooling system is equipped with a viscous fan clutch
which:
•Helps control cooling, increases performance, improves fuel economy
and reduces noise.
•Is controlled by bimetallic spring sensors. Do not tamper with these
sensors as this may change their calibration or keep the fan clutch
from operating at all.
Gasoline Engine
Checking the Engine Coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
intervals listed in theScheduled Maintenancechapter.
Note:Make sure that the level is between the MIN and MAX marks on
the coolant reservoir.
Note:Coolant expands when it is hot. The level may extend beyond the
MAX mark.
If the level is at the MIN mark, add coolant immediately. SeeAdding
engine coolantin this section.
Maintenance219
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)
Note:For best results, coolant concentration should be tested with a
refractometer such as Rotunda tool 300-ROB75240E available from your
dealer. Ford does not recommend the use of hydrometers or coolant test
strips for measuring coolant concentrations.
Note:Automotive fluids are not interchangeable; do not use engine
coolant, antifreeze or windshield washer fluid outside of its specified
function and vehicle location.
Adding Engine Coolant
WARNING:Do not add engine coolant when the engine is hot.
Steam and scalding liquids released from a hot cooling system
can burn you badly. Also, you can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts.
WARNING:Do not put engine coolant in the windshield washer
fluid container. If sprayed on the windshield, engine coolant
could make it difficult to see through the windshield.
WARNING:To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the
engine is cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap.
The cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come
out forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
WARNING:Do not add coolant further than the MAX mark.
Note:
Do not use stop leak pellets or cooling system sealants or additives
as they can cause damage to the engine cooling and heating systems. This
damage would not be covered under your vehicle’s warranty.
Note:During normal vehicle operation, the engine coolant may change
color from orange to pink or light red. As long as the engine coolant is
clear and uncontaminated, this color change does not indicate the engine
coolant has degraded nor does it require the engine coolant to be
drained, the system to be flushed, or the engine coolant to be replaced.
•DO NOT MIX different colors or types of coolant in your vehicle.
Make sure the correct coolant is used. Mixing of engine coolants may
harm your engine’s cooling system. The use of an improper coolant
may harm engine and cooling system components and may void the
warranty.
220Maintenance
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use
prediluted engine coolant for optimum cooling system and engine
protection.
What You Should Know About Fail-Safe Cooling (If Equipped)
(Gasoline Engine Only)
WARNING:If fail-safe cooling activates, pull off the road as soon
as safely possible and turn the engine off. The engine may
automatically shut off while driving without further indication.
If the engine coolant supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily before incremental component damage is incurred.
The fail-safe distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load and
terrain.
How Fail-Safe Cooling Works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature gauge moves to the red (hot) area.
•The information display indicates the engine is overheating.
•The service engine soon indicator illuminates.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
automatically switches to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When Fail-Safe Mode Is Activated
WARNING:Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot.
Note:Driving the vehicle without repairing the engine problem increases
the chance of engine damage. Take your vehicle to an authorized dealer
as soon as possible.
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle is not able to maintain high-speed
operation and the engine runs rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage; therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to an authorized dealer.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
5. Restart the engine and take your vehicle to an authorized dealer.
222Maintenance
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)