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I have done my last sample with Blackstone. Their ability to get a sample analyzed and out the door is unsat. If you cannot get the results in a reasonable time to make a decision on changing oil, you might as well revert to just changing oil based on mileage alone. ...And to top it off I've...

Just came across Wyoming on I-80 last night (3/2). Really slick with blowing snow, particularly Elk Mountain... Spent some 200+ miles in 4WD, speed limits as low as 35 mph. So slow that some 15% of the time the engine kicked off and was driving in electric mode. All in all uneventful...

I posted about a suddenly blank center Console screen. The Ford folks that monitor this website responded and sought some info. Then they said they were upping the importance and that I would be contacted by their next level folks. Nothing heard until I received a request to evaluate their...

Yesterday there was a "tink" sound and my Center Console Screen went black. A few seconds later it came back on, appeared to boot up and began operating normally. No issues specifically. Was on I-80 at the speed limit (80 MPH), engine and truck continued operating just fine. Went on down the...

There has been much discussion on whether doing oil analysis is worth it if you change your oil anyway every 3-4,000 miles. Here's an example of why it makes a difference. I use sample results to tell me when to change oil. In my most recent sample I had the following values that stood out to me...

I have used Blackstone Labs for years. this past year their turn around time on samples has become so long as to be just recording history. The results do not arrive in time to make a near real time decision on those results. What Labs are others using? I'm ready to change.

I've long been looking for upper tie-down brackets to install in the bed. Finally found some, these are made by Built Right Industries. Got a set of two. They offer a set of four but, given the Auxiliary fuel tank I've put in, I cannot get adequate clearance to install them. These were super...

I do oil sampling and analyses. I've now had the USPS lose two samples, both with tracking numbers on them. How does that happen? A tracked package? On the first I spoke to their customer folks... All I got was an apology... I Suppose it's now time to shift that business over to UPS. It's bad...

I began doing oil analysis on my Powerboost. I have recently noted that the Boron component of my oil (I use Amsoil) declines with mileage on the oil. So I looked into its effect on engines. This article speaks to that. Apparently it reduces friction yielding better MPG and does seem to reduce...

Recently I've noticed that when stopped or at very low speed the steering will jerk. If I move the steering wheel very slowly it doesn't respond that way. What its doing is the steering wheel will seem to hit a stop, then release and move and so on... Any ideas?

Well, I've finally had enough and decided to put in a remote oil filter setup. This will take me awhile (like a month or more) to fitup, mount, and route things around... For now I've ordered an "Improved Racing" remote filter mount ENV-140-F4. It will take me some time to get it fitup and...

Had an overheat today. Was going over South Pass, east to west, in Wyoming. three healthy climbs. Was doing speed limit (70), 2 adults and stuff, full fuel including aux tank (60g). Was in manual on transmission in 8th gear which gave ~2500 engine rpm. Ambient temp was about 65º F. Had A/C on...

There has been much discussion on the amount of charge the computer system puts into the 12VDC battery. I recently put a Voltmeter on my truck. What I'm seeing closely mimics the expected voltages if it were a flooded cell battery. In other words, my take is that the 12V battery is kept right...

Installed a voltmeter on my truck. In observing it, just a day now, it is following the pattern of voltages I expected from a Flooded Cell Battery. When cold this morning, it came up at 14.9VDC and then slowly declined as the engine and compartment warmed up. It steadied out at about 13VDC...

There's a YouTube video of the pull down the page. https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/tractor-pull-showdown-rivian-r1t-ford-f150-hybrid-ford-f150-lightning.html

Had a Ravelco Anti-theft unit installed by their Denver area installer. He's in Arvada. Nice outfit, Double D Auto Truck Services. In the Powerboost it is virtually invisible. The truck will not start nor even illuminate the dashboard without the plug installed. I looked around for the wiring...

I have now changed the axle lube in both front and rear axles. For the front one, since you cannot remove the cover, I purchased a pneumatic fluid extractor. It worked just fine on the front axle removing nearly all of the lube. I have now used it on the rear axle and again it worked just fine...

Mid-June I travelled from home in western Wyoming to Myrtle Beach, SC, for a reunion of my crew from the USS Holland that served on Guam and decommissioned the ship. Two days out and two days back, about 1,000 miles a day out & back. My Powerboost cruised effortlessly. Showed the value of my Aux...

Yesterday, I drove from Laramie, Wy to Rawlins, Wy to Rock Springs, Wy. There was a real stiff headwind from Rawlins to Rock Springs. I used 12 gallons for the 200 mile trip for 16.6 mpg. It was on the turbos for much of the way. In contrast a few days before I drove from Cheyenne, Wy, to...

Today I installed a 1 µ bypass oil filter. Not too difficult. Required a sandwich adapter between the engine filter and block. Then some hoses and fittings. The bypassed oil goes back into the engine at the oil fill pipe.