I own a 2010 Ford F-350 King Ranch, 6.4L Diesel, 4x4 DRW, 52,500 miles.

I have had an oil analysis done with each oil change since new. I have been running Amsoil 15W-40 with an Amsoil high density bypass filer.

The truck was throwing a P-0088 Code and eventually Ford did a cab-off replacement of the High Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP), approximately October 2012.

I change the oil and filters every 5,000 miles. I use the truck to tow a 40’ fifth Wheel, roughly 15,000 pounds. I have the Firestone RideRite airbags installed.

Every engine oil sample since the replacement of the HPFP has been showing roughly 30ppm aluminum. Blackstone Laboratories seems to think this is very high and concerning. I also have the oil sample tested at Oil Analyzers, but it does not consider 30ppm aluminum to be very high or concerning.

Since I change the oil every 5,000 miles, the last oil change I switched to Mobil Devlac 15W-40, as the cost is about 70% less than Amsoil. Since I was not getting extended oil drain intervals, I saw no reason to continue using Amsoil at $160.00 per oil change.

Couple of questions.

1. Do I need to be concerned with 30ppm aluminum in my oil samples? Engine seems to be running smooth, no unusual noise, and I do roughly 50% towing.


2. Can you folks give an informed opinion on using:

a. Active-8 Oil treatment
b. Slick 50 Oil Treatment
c. BestLine 853796001429 Premium Synthetic Diesel Engine Treatment
d. Other suggestions on engine oil additives
e. Use no additives - just change the oil every ???? miles.

Thanks very much.

Dave

 

No additives or at least none of the above. Especially if you still have the DPF. 5,000 OCI's is your best friend. Can you upload the whole report? I don't know about Aluminum and what is safe or concerning.

Opti Lube Oil Fortifier is the only oil additive I've considered putting in my 6.4. They do have a disclaimer to not use in emissions enabled engines. After a few email exchanges with their techs, it's ok to use if the DPF is deleted.

 

I don’t know how to upload a copy of the reports on here, so I uploaded them to the two links below. I’m running CAT and DPF off with Spartan Tuner.


http://www.suspensionsprings.info/Mi...BlackStone.pdf

http://www.suspensionsprings.info/Mi...lAnalyzers.pdf

 

I'd stop using Amsoil. You're not getting extended OCI's, so why waste the money.

 

Yes, I was thinking exactally the same thing and, I just did with the last oil change. I went with Mobil Delvac 15W-40 Heavy Duty Diesel Oil, from Walmart @ $11.22 per gallon.

 

Get rid of the amsoil, stick with 5K oil changes. I usually ran in the 20's for Al readings using motorcraft 15-40WT pulling the same amount of 5th wheel as you.

 

Just to clarify, my oil changes have been roughly every 5,000 miles, still with 30ppm aluminum at each test.

 

here is mine for a comparison on a stock (for now) truck....
08 f350 worked lightly

 

Little high on fuel dilution but looks good.

 

The two reports are showing a significant decrease in fuel dilution from the previous sample. Your attention might have been drawn to the previous numbers from the historical samples.

Blackstone - March 29, 2015 - Fuel Dilution 0.5%
Blackstone - October 1, 2015 - Fuel Dilution < 0.5%

Oil Analyzers - June 28, 2104 - Fuel Dilution 10 - GC (Critical Range)
Oil Analyzers - September 30, 2015 - Fuel Dilution 0.4 - GC - and there was 2,000 more miles on the most recent sample.

I think the fuel dilution has come down since removing the DPF and using the Spartan tuner. No more regen, where it's dumping raw fuel into the cylinders with the valves open and getting a lot of blow-by. That whole regen is a very poor design. The Spartan Tuner just shuts that down. I suspect that it will be near zero with the next sample.

The fuel dilution issue seems to be under control. I'm just still puzzled with this aluminum issue.

 

I always have less than 0.5 fuel and I'm deleted

 

Good to confirm that my fuel dilution is around normal then.

Back to the original aluminum issue. What have your aluminum levels been?

 

Here were some of mine with my 6.4. Full emissions intact. I ran a banks 6 gun tuner on mine in Economy mode or stock when towing.

 

This is a really valuable piece of information.

Your sample at 40,086 miles had 5,067 miles on your oil and you were showing 33ppm of aluminum.

When I’m towing, my fifth wheel is at or around 15,000, plus I have a 50 gallon auxiliary fuel tank that feeds through a dual GoldenRod filter system that I assembled and feeds into the main tank. Consequently, It is not uncommon for me to start a trip with roughly 80 gallons of diesel. I also have two Honda 3000is generators (running parallel) mounted in the bed to power my trailer, and generally gave two 5 gallon gasoline containers. Above the aux fuel tank is a tool box that probably has a few hundred pounds of fuel. I run a 210 Towing Performance Tune when towing, otherwise I’m running a 300 tune when not towing. In short, I’m probably leaning on the 6.4L a bit.

Given what you showed me on your oil sample, that you are also experiencing similar wear, I think the aluminum is probably not a huge concern. I’ve stopped using Amsoil and plan to do 3,000 to 5,000 oil changes, which will still be less expensive than one Amsoil change.

Your calcium looks pretty high. I was showing high calcium in one sample and tightened all of the fittings from the air intake to the engine, and that solved it. I was probably sucking in some fine sand, road dirt, etc. Might help if you just check all of your air intake fittings. Mine were real loose.

Thanks for your reply...

Dave

 

I traded my truck in at 86K miles for a DRW. That was two years ago. Future samples showed around the same type of results.


My experience is the 6.4 is going to be higher for AL and Iron results as the norm.