Lots of articles on the dreaded cackle disease, idle knock, flutter, etc, and I pretty much have come to the conclusion that it is imperative that the motor oil we use does not foam up, or it can create some Fuel injection issues, especially in the newer PSD's. Are any of you adding a supplemental anti-foam additive to your dino oil, and if so, what kind? Or even if you are adding anti-foam to your synthetic.

 

I use none. All oil manufacturers recommend against using an additive. As long as you're using an oil with the proper rating you're OK. Adding an oil additive can not only negate the effects of the already present additive package, it's a waste of money IMO.

 

Agree with John above. Most all oils already have the agent added. The additives are snakeoil in my opinion...

 

I used to be in the same boat as john, but in 2000 my friend who owns a NAPA gave me two bottles of everything that lucas makes because they gave them to him to sample. I fell in love with their products. I regulaerly use the fuel system cleaner in my gas engine, and use the auto tranny and oil additive in everything.

 

When the PSD first came out in 1994 it was the first time HEUI had been unleashed in mass quantities on the general public and it did tend to foam oils somewhat. But all the reputable oil companies saw the writing on the wall and changed their oils to deal with the foaming and that is very old news now as HEUI is spread all over the place.

Birken

 

I use Delvac 1 and it has all I need as far as anti foam agents. I personally do not like oil additives. I have seen some independent tests on the additive mentioned above as well as others and I did not like the airated oil I saw as a result.

 

I pretty much agree, I never add anything to my oil. I run Delo 400 15-40, and I know it has good ant-foaming, but the way my noises come and go in my engine, makes me suspect foaming. HOWEVER, I have never seen any proof of that by checking the dipstick, etc. Just kind of curious if anyone had tried any anti-foam "boost" and results.

 

TJC1989 have you tried any other brand of oil. Nothing against Delo, just a suggestion, maybe Rotella.

 

I've used both Delo and Rotella and have never had a problem with foaming.

 

Resurrecting an old stream.

Anybody have some current thoughts? I am using Castrol Synthetic for the first time and although it is listed as recommended for Mercedes, VW and other diesels, it does not list Powerstrokes.

Ever since I changed the oil, it seems that I now have an errant random knock that comes and goes. No specific frequency, just shows up for 1-2 blips then goes away, comes back, goes away...and then sometimes it comes back and beats 10-15 times in a row, then goes away. Seems to do so after the engine is fully warmed and while at idle.

I think I gonna drain and go back to Rotella or another to see if things change.

Thoughts?

 

Wow, you did find an old one. What weight is the Castrol and what is the rating listed on the bottle? If it doesn't meet the rating called for in the owners manual or higher, then it's time to drain and re-fill.

 

Thanx Chris. The oil is 5W-40 full synthetic, with a SL, SJ, CF rating.

 

I'm not completely up on oil ratings, but I thought these trucks were supposed to use CI 4 oil, which has been replaced with the newer CJ 4. If everything is alphabetical then the CI & CJ oils are a higher rating than the CF. Hopefully someone with more knowledge chimes in soon, but if you started having problems with the new oil, I'd say it's highly suspect.

 

I never used anti foam of any sort, never had a foam issue with my truck.. I think when vehicles are parked in cold climates for a duration they tend to foam from condesation in the motor. Had one time that with my expy, short drives around town. Just take it out for a long ride a get the motor up to temp. My 2 cents.

 

Thanx for the suggestion Poppa, but it's once the rig is fully warmed and has been driven at speed that the knock comes around.