Just got my 1st Blackstone and it couldn't have been better. Still plan on adding an oil bypass filter but I'm super happy, especially with 310,000 miles on the motor.

From the Comments section


PAUL: The 7.3L in your F250 could have written the textbook on great oil reports, because there's nothing but good news here. Wear metals are in fantastic shape compared to our universal averages (showing typical wear for this type of Power Stroke engine after ~5,600 miles on the oil). There are no signs of coolant contamination, and the oil filter kept insolubles to a low 0.1%. The TBN was strong at 7.8 -- 1.0 or less is too low. Leave this oil in place for another 3,000-4,000 miles. Check back then and you might be able to go even longer after that. Nice!

 

What oil are you using.

 

Rotella T6.

No issues with cold starts ( not that it's that big a deal in the south but we do have some cold days), truck is quieter than dino, mpg is a tad better.

Now that I'm looking at extending my oil change interval it will take a little of that "ouch" out of $100 worth of oil every change.

 

I don't care what the report shows I don't run my oil past 6k.
I have seen what that dose 400k miles and still running strong on many engines.
Just my experience on fleet vehicles.

 

Paul,


What is your average drive cycle? Lots of miles per start, or lots of short trips?


I use the Fleetguard LF9027 bypass filter, and Rotella 15/40. getting ready to send in my first Blacstone sample soon.

 

sounds like a keeper!

 

A little of both. I use it around town when working on rental properties, couple of times a week, but it's not my daily driver. I hunt and fish a lot and usually an hour and a half away or more so that's where the road miles come in. Hunt camp is 100 miles away and that trip is made at least 3 times a month during deer and turkey seasons. No really long trips like folks using trucks for work or retired travelers.

My plan is to install a DIY system similar to Springerpop and Woodnthings and use the Baldwin B50.

Matt, if I was running fleet vehicles or doing a lot of heavy towing or commercial work I would agree with you, 5K changes and don't look back. Thing is I baby my truck, drive like a granpa. I always let oil get to operating temp before pushing it over 2k rpm, very rarely step on hard(unless Tugly is helping me with AE logging), drive mid 60's mph on the highway, and my heaviest tow is my center console boat. As long as the viscosity and TBN are good I feel comfortable extending the interval. When I was running dino I could hear the need for an oil change coming just by the extra noise the engine made. Haven't had that with T6