Hi all.. I am the proud (?) new owner of a 2005 F250 Diesel 6.0L 2WD pickup. I know nothing about maintaining a diesel other than basic oil change/air filter type stuff. I have had it for a little over a month and recently had the oil & filter changed as I didn't know when the last time was that it had been done. Take note that this truck looked almost like showroom condition and, at the time I bought it, I had a mechanic inspect it & passed it with flying colors. My first questionable experience was when I would start it in the morning and start driving down the road. The transmission (automatic)seemed 'cold' for the first 1/2 mile or so. In other words, it was revving somewhat high before shifting gears until I had gone 1/2 - 1 mile, then it would do fine. Assuming it had to do with being 'cold', I decided this morning that I would let it idle for 8-10 minutes before driving to work. I was shocked to notice as I was driving down the driveway (20-25 yards) that there was a huge white plume of smoke coming from the tailpipe! I went ahead and went down the road a couple of miles to a stop sign and, taking off again, a little more white smoke came from the tailpipe. After that, it seemed to clear up (I have about a 30 mile drive to work). Then, after sitting at work for 8-9 hours, I started it back up and, not letting it idle as much as this morning, I pulled out of the parking lot with, you guessed it, the plume of white smoke again. (Not as bad as this mornning, but still noticeable). By the time I got home, as I was backing down the drive, I adjusted my side mirror to observe and did not notice any smoke. Please, someone tell me this is due to needing a simple fuel filter change - or something even less serious! I have not had the fuel filter changed or the air filter, either. Although it seems in mint condition, it does have 176,000 miles on it. (Before you laugh, I consider myself a high mileage truck lover.... I had a '91 F150 that I finally sold at about 180,000 miles and I still have my '96 F150 running like new with 330,000 miles on it! Both original engines, etc.) So, the high mileage, especially on a diesel, didn't bother me too much. Now I am 2nd & 3rd guessing myself, my mechanic and everyone else who loves diesels!
Also, it didn't come with the owner's manual, so I am pretty much in the dark on all of this.
CAN SOMEONE HELP ME? Your response is greatly appreciated! Thanks.
ps.. if it helps the hours meter reads 3200.0