Oil was previously changed on 10/07/2013 @177,556

I traveled 6,202 miles on Delo 5w40 Synthetic 400 LE oil. A little less than 2 months on the oil.

I ordered a TBN as well, but they didn't include it with this report. I have emailed them back asking for a TBN. I will update if they are able to provide one. I did switch to Rotella T5 10w30, so I only want the TBN for comparison on the next oil change. I am not sure yet if I will try for 6,250 miles just to compare with this one, or just go 7,500 and hope for the best. The UOA's are rather expensive depending on how you look at it. $2.50 to mail, $25 for the UOA and another $10 for a TBN. An oil change using 5w40 ran me about $85. I did save $20 switching to 10w30 and will save more extending the oil change interval, but I'll pretty much burn that up getting these UOA's.

*** I have also included 2 UOA's from another forum as well (they are on the right) roadrunner's sample is John Deere 10w30 and another forum member is using T5 10w30 and went 8,000 miles between oil changes. ***

-------------------
From Blackstone: Navistar 6.0L Power Stroke

Amended report. This is quite a nice first report for your F250. The far right column shows universal averages, which are the typical wear levels we see from the 6.0L Power Stroke engine after about 5,500 miles on the oil. The metals that turned up in your sample match up well with the averages, suggesting that your engine is doing just fine. The only mark on the report is for a low viscosity, but that's not a problem. It's probably just natural shearing of the oil's viscosity. No fuel or coolant found, and the TBN was great at 8.7. Try 8,000 miles next. Nice!

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="524"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:7168;width:147pt" width="196"> <col style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:2486;width:51pt" width="68"> <col style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:2523;width:52pt" width="69"> <col style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:841;width:17pt" width="23"> <col style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:2925;width:60pt" width="80"> <col style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:3218;width:66pt" width="88"> </colgroup><tbody><tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt;width:147pt" height="20" width="196">
</td> <td class="xl65" style="width:51pt" width="68">
</td> <td class="xl65" style="width:52pt" width="69">
</td> <td style="width:17pt" width="23">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="width:60pt" width="80">10w30</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-left:none;width:66pt" width="88">10w30</td> </tr> <tr style="mso-height-source:userset;height:37.5pt" height="50"> <td class="xl66" style="height:37.5pt" height="50">
</td> <td class="xl78" style="border-left:none">Values</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-left:none;width:52pt" width="69">Universal Averages</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl76" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">Rotella T5</td> <td class="xl76" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">JD plus 50</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">Mi on Oil</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">6,202</td> <td rowspan="4" class="xl71" style="border-top:none">
</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">8,000 mi</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">7,476 mi</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">Mi on Truck</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">183,758</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">129,572</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">119,864</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">Sample Date</td> <td class="xl70" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">12/1/2013</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl70" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">10/1/2010</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">Make Up Oil Added</td> <td class="xl70" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">0 qts</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">0 qts</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">0 qts</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">ALUMINUM</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">2</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">3</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">2</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">2</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">CHROMIUM</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">1</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">1</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">1</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none"><1</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">IRON</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">23</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">20</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">15</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">11</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">COPPER</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">1</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">3</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">2</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">1</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">LEAD</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">1</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">3</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">5</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">2</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">TIN</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">2</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">1</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">3</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none"><1</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">MOLYBDENUM</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">44</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">35</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">2</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">129</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">NICKEL</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">0</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">0</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">0</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">1</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">MANGANESE</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">0</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">0</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">0</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">SILVER</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">0</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">0</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">0</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">0.1</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">TITANIUM</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">0</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">0</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">0</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none"><1</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">POTASSIUM</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">4</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">9</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">0</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none"><10</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">BORON</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">39</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">59</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">11</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">191</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">SILICON</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">3</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">11</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">4</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">7</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">SODIUM</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">5</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">5</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">2</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">5</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">CALCIUM</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">1021</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">2567</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">2105</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">4165</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">MAGNESIUM</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">1048</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">227</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">8</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">15</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">PHOSPHORUS</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">1067</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">1106</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">896</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">1424</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">ZINC</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">1108</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">1274</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">1139</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">1648</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">BARIUM</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">0</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">1</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">0</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none"><10</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">
</td> <td class="xl65">
</td> <td class="xl65">
</td> <td class="xl75">
</td> <td class="xl65">
</td> <td class="xl65">
</td> </tr> <tr style="mso-height-source:userset;height:31.5pt" height="42"> <td class="xl68" style="height:31.5pt" height="42">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl77" style="border-left:none;width:52pt" width="69">Values Should be*</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-left:none">
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">SUS Viscosity @ 210°F</td> <td class="xl73" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">60.9</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">66-78</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">58.2</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">cSt Viscosity @ 100°C</td> <td class="xl73" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">10.47</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">11.9-15.3</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">9.71</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">10.5</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">Flashpoint in °F</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">425</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">>410</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">370</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">Fuel %</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none"><0.5</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none"><2.0</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">3</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none"><1</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">Antifreeze %</td> <td class="xl72" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">0.0</td> <td class="xl72" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">0.0</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">0</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">Water %</td> <td class="xl72" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">0.0</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none"><0.1</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">0</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none"><.01</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">Insolubles %</td> <td class="xl72" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">0.0</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none"><0.8</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">0.4</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">TBN</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none"> 8.7
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">6.5</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">TAN</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl68" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none" height="20">ISO Code</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl74" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> <td class="xl71" style="border-top:none;border-left:none">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="8" width="1"><tbody> </tbody></table>

 

Forgive me I am not up to speed on UOA's.

Does any of this throw a red flag to you?

Most of the #s look normal.

.

 

No, it doesn't throw a red flag to me, but just wondering why the high discrepancies between calcium and magnesium for starters. Also, the other Blackstone reports say that 59-65 for SuS Viscosity is normal. and 9.9 is normal for Cst viscocity. Both of my numbers fall into that range as well. I will be asking blackstone why they changed to the higher numbers for 'normal' now on my chart.

 

If I read your post correctly, a 40 wt oil (5W40) will have a different (higher) "normal range" viscosity than a 30 wt (10W30).

<TABLE style="WIDTH: 342pt; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=456 x:str><COLGROUP><COL style="WIDTH: 342pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 16213" width=456><TBODY><TR style="HEIGHT: 13.2pt" height=18><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; WIDTH: 342pt; HEIGHT: 13.2pt; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8" class=xl24 height=18 width=456>SAE 30 weight viscosity range - apprx 56.5 to 68 SUS OR 9.3 to 12.49 cStokes</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 13.2pt" height=18><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; HEIGHT: 13.2pt; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8" class=xl24 height=18>SAE 40 weight visciosity range - apprx 68 to 82.5 SUS OR 12.5 to 16.29 cStokes</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Magnesium and Calcium are dispersants/detergents.

Some oils use one more than the other - most likely for cost reasons.

 

Yes, I came back to post here after researching. Since I used a 40 wt oil, my viscocity range is higher. So basically my oil sheared to a 30 wt, which is what others have said happens with a 5w40 oil anyway.

SuS (Saybolt Universal Seconds) - my reading of 60.9 falls into the low side of a 30wt oil viscosity. (Normal values are 59-65 for 30 wt oils) Thanks for the help bismic!

 

Sorry, for anyone reading this... I somehow erased what Blackstone had written to me at the top of my report. I have since edited my first post and added it in.

This is quite a nice first report for your F250. The far right column shows universal averages, which are the typical wear levels we see from the 6.0L Power Stroke engine after about 5,500 miles on the oil. The metals that turned up in your sample match up well with the averages, suggesting that your engine is doing just fine at 183,758 total miles. The only mark on the report is for a low viscosity, but that's not a problem. It's probably just natural shearing of the oil's viscosity. No fuel or coolant was found. 8,000 miles should work fine for the next fill. Nice!

 

I have tried a lot of oils (but not Delo 400 LE 5W40) and none sheared as low as yours did at 6000 miles. Valvoline PBE sheared to 63 or 64 at the minimum, but the rest that I have tried sheared to around 66 to 67 (at the minimum).

 

Here is a good write-up on Calcium vs Magnesium:

Resource Room

Also, from what I read, Magnesium will form less ash than Calcium.

 

That is one of my old reports shown at the far right of the first post, the reason for the large difference in additives is that sample was still CI-4+ vs. the other samples of CJ-4.

Your sample reflects what I have seen with 5w-40 oil, it shears to low levels but it doesn't really seem to hurt anything. Your results are why I made the conversion to 10w-30 years ago, if the 6.0 is going to churn $20 a gallon into 30 wt. in short order why not just feed it a $10 a gallon 30 wt. to begin with?

I am aware of the price increases over the past several years and the dollar amounts shown don't reflect current pricing, but they were at the time of my "conversion" as I bought several gallons (30 gallons approx.) of "old stock CI-4+" from my dealer for less than $10 a gallon when the CJ-4 spec was introduced.

My most recent UOA's are more in line additive wise with your most recent, and my wear numbers are for the most part are unchanged as I still run 7,500 mi. OCI.

 

I have used Rotella-Syn 5W-40 since 25,000 miles or so and use it year-round.

My Blackstone reports come back as good or better than any oil out there... and costs $21.00/gallon at Walmart (also buy my Motorcraft oil filters there too).

I have confidence that Rotella-Syn 5W-40 will go 6,000 miles, but I personally do mine every 5,000 miles due to being easier to keep track of and it matches up with other fluid service intervals.

If you extend to 6,000 or 7,000 miles, what is that, one less oil change or less a year - not worth it for me. The 6.0L motor likes clean fresh oil and only OEM oil filters.

Our motors hold about 1 - 2 qts of oil in the HP oil pump and oil rails, so even when you change your oil brands or viscosity, there is a slight dilution... this is why I only use Rotella-Syn 5W-40 year round and never look back.

As well, no need to pay for the TBN analysis - change your oil on time with a OEM filter and you will be fine and save money.

I buy 4 gallons of Rotella-Syn and a Motorcraft oil filter at Walmart (easy to buy and find) and it costs my around $100 to do my own oil change with synthetic oil.

The 5W-40 viscosity makes a huge difference in the winter (makes it easier to start) and the synthetic properties protect the bearings in the turbo and the injectors (which use oil pressure to fire and stay clean).

 

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I updated my TBN which they sent this morning. 8.7. Wow, that's very good after 6,000 miles to see an oil only drop from 10.3 to 8.7.</bump>

 

I see people 'recommend' this 5k interval quite often with absolutely no scientific proof. I just don't get it. I'm not looking to go 6,000 or 7,000. I want 7,500 at the minimum. If I can go 8,000 to 10,000 miles between oil changes and my UOA's prove that there is no abnormal wear, why not? These reports take all of the guesswork out of oil change intervals. Not to mention, they will ease any questions you might have about how well your oil is performing and whether your engine oil is taking on fuel or water.

So, let's say we put 250,000 miles on our trucks.

For you, that's 50 oil changes @5k intervals. @5.25 per qt/$21 per gallon, you will have spent $3937 on oil.

For me, that's 31 oil changes @8k intervals. @$4.00 per qt/$16 per gallon, I will have spent only $1860 on oil. That's a savings of $2077 or about 53%.

Do people really believe that we all should base our belief on a 'feeling'? A 'hunch'? There are plenty of reports showing 10w30 being just fine out to 8k intervals... I'm not the least bit concerned with 'opinions'.

 

Thanks for the update roadrunner! How much is the 10w30 JD Plus 50 running around your neck of the woods? I know you said you haven't bought any, just wondering what the cost is if you were to buy it. I went into the JD dealer and they want $24 a gallon. ha ha I went with the T5 @$16 per gal.

 

It's very interesting how this data is viewed so differently by the "experts."

Here Blackstone says that a reduced value in viscosity between almost 10-20% is "not a problem." To go ahead and run it another few thousand or so. The last Blackstone report I received, also recommended I run my Dino oil up to 8 k or so after changing it at 6k.

In a recent article in Diesel World, they had recommendations of all fluid changes by truck/engine type and the 6.0 interval recommendation was at 3k due to injector oil shearing.
That this shearing was a big concern for proper lubrication in the 6.0's.

The data is the data alright and I like 99Expy's comments about the facts and using them to make his decisions.

However, now that we have the data, I'm really more confused.

 

I would also add that the way the truck is used plays into it, that is to say you have some people that claim to never take the RPM's above 2 grand and others that say they drive it like they stole it, while some tow heavy and some use it as a grocery getter, how you use the engine will play a large part in how quickly the oil shears to a lower viscosity. So some guys will be able to extend OCI's to some degree while others will not.