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Message: [QUOTE="Strictly Diesel, post: 302756, member: 1411"] Are you sure that it's casting sand and not silicate fallout from improperly maintained coolant? An interesting point was made to me the other day. It's sad, but it's probably the best explanation about why things have gone the way they have that I've heard. "Cost of Ownership" has become a really important statistic for auto manufacturers to supply about their new vehicles. With the cost of oil rising, engine tolerances tightening and requiring better quality oils, etc...how do you reduce the cost of ownership? One way, extend maintenance intervals and remove previously recommended maintenance. I don't remember the specific vehicle, but the above 100% explains why a vehicle that has a 5000 mile old change in a 2006 owners manual has a 7500 miles oil change interval in the 2007...with the exact same engine (no changes). The manufacturer has spread the cost of the oil and filter across 50% more miles than the previous year, reducing the cost of ownership. This is also why you see extended intervals on other components and some items with no recommended maintenance. Another perfect example...100000 mile coolant in a Ford 6.0L. Really Ford!?!?!? Did something magically change that eliminated cavitation errosion, acidity, silicate fallout and other issues related to running coolant in a diesel for too long without proper maintenance? Nope, but telling you that you have to flush is periodically and put an additive in it increases the cost of ownership. I'm sorry, but anyone paying a premium for a new diesel engine should be expecting the cost of maintaining it to be higher. These trucks hold more oil and have larger filters because they are built for a purpose. They cost more to make because they parts are larger, and subjected to more stresses than your average small block chevy. Anyone expecting the maintenance of their diesel to be the same cost and requirements as servicing their small block chevy is not being reasonable...and Ford shouldn't have short changed customers by trying to appease them with lower cost of ownership numbers on a truck they paid a premium to get with a diesel engine...they should have been honest and told them how to keep it properly maintained from the get go! Sorry for the rant, but we deal with this every day and it's sad! [/QUOTE]