Ford F-650/750 (2018 year). Manual — part 43

VEHICLE INSPECTION
INFORMATION

To make sure your vehicle is ready to
operate, conduct a pre-trip inspection at
the beginning of each work period. Follow
the steps listed in this section to verify a
proper vehicle inspection procedure.

WARNINGS

Exercise great caution when working
on a vehicle equipped with an
automatic fan clutch. The fan starts

in motion only after the engine coolant
reaches a predetermined temperature or
the refrigerant pressure (if equipped with
air conditioning) reaches a predetermined
setting. The fan starts at this point with no
advance warning. Never reach near, or
permit objects to protrude into, the fan
blade radius while the engine is running as
this could result in vehicle damage,
personal injury or death.

WARNINGS

Do not operate the vehicle if any
suspension conditions listed in the
following charts are evident. Loss of

steering or suspension could result in
property damage, personal injury or death.

If a wheel must be changed, obtain
expert tire service help. Mounting and
un-mounting of tires should only be

performed by a qualified technician using
necessary safety procedures and
equipment, otherwise the result could be
property damage, personal injury or death.

Note: Always make sure you apply the
parking brake before starting the engine.

Engine compartment (with engine off)

Use the dipstick to verify the oil level is in the proper operating
range. See Engine Oil Dipstick (page 190).

Engine oil

Look through the plastic reservoir and verify the coolant level
is within the proper operating range. Do not remove the
pressure cap until the coolant has cooled. See Engine
Coolant Check (page 198).

Engine coolant

Verify that the fluid level is in the proper operating range. See
Power Steering Fluid Check (page 205).

Power steering fluid

Remove the master cylinder caps and inspect the fluid level.
See Brake Fluid Check (page 205).

Brake fluid

Engine compartment (with engine off)

Inspect for glazing, fraying or cracking. There should be no
more than 5-7 cracks per rib, per 1 in (2.5 cm)

Belts (fan, alternator,
water pump and air
conditioning
compressor)

Inspect for signs of fluid puddles or dripping fluid on the
ground under the engine, or the underside of the engine.

Fluid leaks

Inspect for debris that may have collected on the HVAC air
inlet grille or inside the exterior module as this may reduce
system performance.

HVAC air inlet

Engine starting (with parking brake applied)

Before entering the cab, verify that the vehicle is equipped
with spare electrical fuses (if used), three red reflective
triangles, a properly charged and rated fire extinguisher and
wheel chocks.

Safety and emergency
equipment

Walk around the vehicle and verify all steps and grab handles,
inside and out (as well as behind), are tight and clean. Use
extreme caution and a three-point stance at all times.

Inspect door latches for proper closing, latching and locking.

Set the parking brake. Make sure the gearshift lever is in
neutral (N) or park (P) (if equipped with a park position).

Starting the engine

Diesel engine: Turn the key to the on position. Turn the key
to start when the wait to start indicator light in the instrument
cluster turns off.

Gasoline engine: Turn the key to start, and then release it
as soon as the engine starts.

Verify pressure builds to normal operating range.

Engine oil pressure

A tone indicating low air pressure should sound immediately
after the engine starts but before the compressor has built-
up pressure. The tone should stop when the air pressure
reaches 70 psi (483 kPa). Let the air pressure build to
governed cutout pressure, which should occur between
115–130 psi (793–896 kPa).

Low air pressure warning
tone (if equipped with an
air compressor)

Press the accelerator and verify that it operates smoothly,
without any binding or irregular feel. Release the pedal and
verify the engine returns to idle speed immediately.

Accelerator

Engine starting (with parking brake applied)

Check the gauge (diesel engine) or indicator light (gasoline
engine) to verify the alternator is charging.

Voltmeter

Inspect for excessive free play in the steering linkages. The
steering wheel should have less than 2 in (5 cm) of free play
at its rim.

Steering linkage free play

Verify the parking brake holds the vehicle by gently trying to
pull forward with the parking brake applied.

Parking brake

Verify operation using the following procedure. Chock the
wheels, if necessary. Push in the parking brake and, on
tractors, push in the tractor parking brake knob:

Air brakes

1. Verify the air compressor or governor cutout pressure is
approximately 120 psi (827 kPa).

2. Turn off the engine, and then turn the key back to the on
position (without starting the engine).

3. Without the brake pedal applied, note the air pressure drop
for one minute. It should be less than 2 psi (14 kPa) for single
vehicles and 3 psi (21 kPa) for combination vehicles.

4. Press and hold the brake pedal with 90 psi (621 kPa) or
more. Make sure there is no more than a 3 psi (21 kPa) per
minute leak for single vehicles and a 4 psi (28 kPa) minute
leak for combination vehicles.

5. Pump the brake pedal to deplete the system of air pressure.
The warning light and tone should turn on at 57 psi (393 kPa).

6. Pump the brake pedal and make sure the parking brake
and trailer parking brake knobs pop out at 20 psi (138 kPa)
or higher.

Verify that the fluid level is in the proper operating range. See
Automatic Transmission Fluid Check (page 203).

Automatic transmission
fluid

Front of vehicle

Verify all exterior lights illuminate and are clean.

Lights

Check headlights function on high and low beam.

Verify reflectors are clean, unbroken and of proper color (red
on rear, amber elsewhere).

Front of vehicle

Verify running lights are clean and unbroken.

Inspect for any missing or loose fasteners, power steering
fluid leaks and damage to power steering hoses.

Steering gear

Verify connecting links, arms and rods are not worn or cracked.

Steering linkage

Verify joints, sockets and boot seals are not worn or loose.

Verify cotter keys, nuts and bolts are not loose or missing.

Inspect front and rear tow hooks for damage or loose
mounting. This is particularly important on vehicles that use
them frequently.

Tow hooks

Front suspension

Inspect for missing, broken or shifted leaves, or leaves that
may be in contact with (or nearly contacting) a tire, rim, brake
drum, frame or body component.

Springs

Note: Never apply grease to spring pads.

Make sure there the following items are properly tightened
and that there are no cracks, breaks, wear, damage to spring
hangers, bolts, bushings, axle mounting bolts, and nuts.

Spring mounts

Inspect for any cracks, leaks, or missing or broken bolts or
bushings.

Shock absorbers