Looking to go from my Delo 15W40 to a 5W40 synthetics to help with cold starts and all the other benefits of a synthetic. Not to start any wars but should I order in Schaeffer's or go down the road and get Amsoil? I heard both are great oils.

I have about 168,000 miles on the clock. Is this a safe time to switch to synthetic?

I climbed under the truck and noticed a light leak combing from a hex cover/nut on the passenger side. It was causing a drip at the bottom of the oil pan. Is there a gasket to change there? Will synthetic bust into a bigger leak?

Thanks.

 

You can change if you wish. Cold weather starting will improve and hot weather protection will be better too.

A leak is a leak - if it's leaking, it needs fixing.

Also without getting into wars, both are good. Go with the one that is easiest to get if you just do regular oil changes. If you want to do extended drain intervals, both will also serve you well - but back it up with oil analysis to see how things are working out in your engine.

 

Thanks for the reply. Looks like the engine to the tranny seal is leaking too. It looks like a PITA to change. Any idea on the cost?

 

AMS and Schaefers are great products.

They both have their benifits.
Research and choose what you think works best for your application.

 

if you have a leak now it will get worse with synthetic. even if you didnt have a leak now, sometimes synthetic oils will find um for you hah

 

Ya, when I climbed under there I didn't spend too much time. I figured if it's leaking I'll be spending time or money fixing it. I'm not sure how to fix these leaks although I have done some mechanical work in the past..

 

ya mine has 1 in at the front crank seal which is a little irritating. leave a puddle like 1.5" dia when i park in the driveway over night, so i just gotta do it soon

 

There's a shop down the road which did work on this truck when the previous owner had the truck. The shop is called Spear's Automotive. They carry Amsoil and are gearheads for fords, especially the OBS. I may get a quote on fixing the seals and then go to the synthetic 5W40. I'm guessing this will cost a pretty penny

 

why not use rotella synthetic. YOu can buy it at walmart cheaper than either of them. You won't have to deal with any salesmen, sales pitches, read through hundreds of pages of crap about why theirs is best or anything. Also use a mobil 1 oil filter. It does filter better than the motorcraft. The extended life one does any way. But still change oil and filter between 3 and 5000 miles. The additives in our oil, especially the antifoam additives, will not last much longer no matter what brand you buy. Also ALL modern diesel oils are way down on other additives, like zinc, so people with super duties and DPF's won't have to replace so many emissions components. Our trucks don't matter anymore to the government.

 

Schaffers and AMS are actually cheaper Dan.

As for the myth on synthetic will make leaks worse, thats a myth.

What people are referring too when that happens is engine deposits that are gunked up in leaky spots. The detergents in the good synthetics will remove them quickly. if there is a leak there, then it will leak.
But I've not read anyone having this issue with a diesel. Thats more of a gasser thing.

As for amsoil and schaeffers.
There is Purus too you can try. Also a good oil.

Schaefers is about 18 a gallon if you find it.
AMSoil can be had for about the same price.
Purus is a bit cheaper.

Ams is more of a Zinc based style oil, and schaefers is more of a Moly based oil.
I personally want to run schaefers.
Though, i'm goign to find out more on the purus here soon.

The biggest deal with oils for our trucks are the anti foaming agents.
Not all oils have a lot of them. Using cheap oils will really kill you due to the lack of these agents.
With the synthetics, they don't seem to break down quite as quickly. Especially if you are running a bypass.

Something to pick up the soot in the oil is the best thing.
Thats what the bypasses do the best.
Soot is what kills our motor.
So, if you think its cool to blow smoke and do burnouts everywhere, might wanna think twice next time.
that puts soot in your oil.

 

Thanks for the run down Talyn.. That post should be made into a sticky

 

I switched to Schaeffers 7000 on my last oil change. I have about 2k miles on it. This isn't the full synthetic, but it still helps on cold starts.
I was running regular Rotella 15-40 prior.

 

Scheafers oil is green.

hahaha.

 

Craig don't leave that first batch of Shaeffers in there very long. Its going to really clean up the engine and have allot of junk in it. Get it good and hot and drain it. You'll likely be shocked how much junk comes out with the oil.

 

I use Shaeffers 7000, it doesn't shear as bad as some of the other oils.