6.9 IDI questions

[IDIBRONCO]

I live at the tip of the mitt in Michigan, and as far as condensation this may be about as bad as it gets. Surrounded by water so lots of moisture and with a temp range that goes above and below freezing constantly I am more inclined to keep it. I will keep an eye on it and if I do not see water in the trap consider it. I like simplicity and it is in a PITA spot. May look for a double water sererator/filter setup that I can mount in place of the second filter.

My recommendation is this. Avoid the trouble prone factory water separator. Use an aftermarket fuel filter with a built in water separator. Mount another filter head somewhere remotely, maybe along the frame, and use that instead.

 

[Dustyman]

My recommendation is this. Avoid the trouble prone factory water separator. Use an aftermarket fuel filter with a built in water separator. Mount another filter head somewhere remotely, maybe along the frame, and use that instead.

This one has a Racor in place of the original, am making an aluminum block so I can move it up a couple of inches using the originals mounting points. Will make it easier to service. Ordered a new bowl for it and will change out the plastic drain valve at that time.

Next question: Noise abatement. This thing has rubber floors with no mat under and bare steel under the seats. Kind of noisy. what kind of stuff would you recommend, keeping in mind I am in the salt belt. Floors are good now, want to keep it that way. No carpet, this will be in the woods lots.

Seats? I need buckets because of the pass-through but this thing has military buckets and they are not so comfy for all day in the saddle jaunts. What seats have you used that will fit with a reg cab. I'm kind of a large guy and like to get as much room as I can. I have a nice pair of van seats but they are too thick and push me forward. Any input will be appreciated.

 

[Dustyman]

Also, what are you non-turbo IDI guys running for oil interchange interval and what are you using? I used to use Amsoil in my Cummins but back then it was only $80 a change with Donaldson filter. Not like that anymore and I am retired with 3 ex-wives so I am more frugal. Was thinking Rotella.

Here is a facebook link to my rig. Sorry, have recently switched to Win 11 and have not figured out how to get pics from my phone to my computer. Old guy.

Also I see the Donaldsons I used to buy are $42, so preferred filters?

Facebook

www.facebook.com

 

[franklin2]

Also, what are you non-turbo IDI guys running for oil interchange interval and what are you using? I used to use Amsoil in my Cummins but back then it was only $80 a change with Donaldson filter. Not like that anymore and I am retired with 3 ex-wives so I am more frugal. Was thinking Rotella.

Here is a facebook link to my rig. Sorry, have recently switched to Win 11 and have not figured out how to get pics from my phone to my computer. Old guy.

Facebook

www.facebook.com

If you are cheap like me, you can use the 15w40 from Walmart, and change the oil every 3000 miles. I use a Fram oil filter from Walmart also, they only sell the one for a powerstroke but it fits fine.

 

[Dustyman]

If you are cheap like me, you can use the 15w40 from Walmart, and change the oil every 3000 miles. I use a Fram oil filter from Walmart also, they only sell the one for a powerstroke but it fits fine.

I am running up to wally world, they have Rotella 15-40 for $75 for 5 gallons. Will not use Fram filters though. Thanks.

 

[asmith]

A word of warning, many have found that for whatever reason the IDI likes to burn Rotella more than other brands. No idea why, it just seems to. So keep an eye on your oil level and if it seems to be using more than it should, try switching brands. I have had better luck with the Delo 400 than Rotella. Most everyone run the powerstroke oil filters because they are bigger and filter better. Use what ever brand you like lots of opinions on those these days.

 

[Dustyman]

A word of warning, many have found that for whatever reason the IDI likes to burn Rotella more than other brands. No idea why, it just seems to. So keep an eye on your oil level and if it seems to be using more than it should, try switching brands. I have had better luck with the Delo 400 than Rotella. Most everyone run the powerstroke oil filters because they are bigger and filter better. Use what ever brand you like lots of opinions on those these days.

I did check it out but I am up on the Canadian border, had -27 the other morning and the Delo is thicker in extreme cold. I may switch to something else but I did not know how long this oil had been in the truck and wanted it changed right away. Went with the Rotella T4 and a zinc additive. Thanks.

 

[Brian VT]

It's Rotella rebate time of year.

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rotella.shell.com

 

[Fredrickson]

You can always check out the 'closeout' section of RockAuto for your year truck.
The Oil / Air filter section will say famous brand with a number, just google the part number to see what brand it actually is..

If it is a auto parts store brand, google 'who makes *** oil filters.
Occasionally you can find good deals on well known Air and Oil filters.
(someone may have had NOS in a warehouse)

link to the closeout for your truck

https://www.rockauto.com/closeouts/?carcode=1126381

 

[Dustyman]

You can always check out the 'closeout' section of RockAuto for your year truck.
The Oil / Air filter section will say famous brand with a number, just google the part number to see what brand it actually is..

If it is a auto parts store brand, google 'who makes *** oil filters.
Occasionally you can find good deals on well known Air and Oil filters.
(someone may have had NOS in a warehouse)

link to the closeout for your truck

https://www.rockauto.com/closeouts/?carcode=1126381

Super big thank you for that Sir! I will be buying a bunch of stuff tonight when I get home. I was going to buy all the belts first even though mine look good, new seals, etc. etc. just because these parts are not on the shelf so much any more. I owe you!

 

[rreegg]

I second the RA closeout section. run cheap Oreilly or Walmart oil on the idi and keep OCI to 3k miles. Usually prefer the power stroke oil filter but have run the smaller idi filter a bit lately because it’s been on RA closeout.

 

[david85]

Ok, did a 100 mile trip, filled before and after, figured out to 12.7mpg. I wanted a rough estimate. I was running 55mph. Two things, I would like to see about 15mpg, and the truck is running a lot more rpm than I like or is necessary. This thing will never haul heavy loads, it will be my camper. Despite the big box it only weighs 7500 pounds. I have some experience with GV, we used them in Pro2 trucks backwards so we could use a lower numerically rear gear for dependability. With 1000 hp and jumping we never broke one. I looked at changing the tranny to an OD one but kind of like the no computer part of the C6. I have a 6 speed in my driver and I really like it but it is computerized. Just collecting information at this point.

Again, thank you guys for all the input, you are all a valuable resource.

13mpg highway in the winter is about right for an IDI with a C6 auto. Being an ambulance, it's likely 4.10 gears, which also doesn't help. Mine didn't do much better when I first got it. Top speed was about 70MPH.

The easiest and cheapest upgrade would be regearing the rear axle. The best bang for your time and cost would be a 5 speed manual (I wouldn't recommend the stick shift for econoline E-series vans, because parts are much harder to find).

In my case, I regeared and then eventually swapped an E4OD (electronic shift with aftermarket controller).

 

[Dustyman]

Changed the oil, and it needed it badly. Rotella 15-40 and a Donaldson filter. Oil presssure dropped slightly, and it never did show much on the gauge, but I understand these did not run high pressure anyway. Factory gauge. My question is it runs better, and I am wondering why? Coincidence?

 

[DaveBen]

Lower oil pressure means less restrictions and more flow. Dirty oil filter could cause an increase in pressure and changing it will lower the pressure.

 

[Nero]

That is sort of accurate. The oil pressure gauge is post oil filter. If the filter was restricted you would have higher pressure pre filter.

Seems like these idis dont have high oil pressure to begin with. At idle all of mine sit at about 17psi, and revved up it jumps to 40ish