Changed my oil from 15-40 to 5-40 amsoil for winter, trying to fix my cold start white smoke concern. Now it starts and dies, on second attempt it starts and runs but still blows white smoke. Its around 30 degrees here.
It does seem like it is quiter and smoother with the 5-40 when cold. I guess it's time to check my glow plugs.Anybody else running amsoil 5-40?
What do you think of it and how long do you go between oil change intervals?

 

their website says AMSOIL Premium API CJ-4 Synthetic 5W-40 Diesel Oil (DEO)

i'm not running it yet but by summer i hope to have amsoil in my truck but i have had god luck with it in previous vehicles

 

I have a customer with an 06 6.0 running it the amsoil 5w40, I still run the rotella t6 5w40 in my powerstrokes.
his oil is normally changed 10,000 to 15,000 miles and the lab reports are good. this truck runs about 4,000 miles per week so the oil is at a constant operating temperature.

 

I run Amsoil in everything I own that needs oil.
I just installed it in my truck about 7k miles ago. Did UOA at 5k and came back good to go. I will test again at 10k. I don't plan to run past 15k but will see what the lab report looks like.
I don't recomend running past 5k without UOA to determine your drain interval.

 

Do you use Blackstone or Amsoil for the UOA?

 

I have trust issues so I like to use a Blackstone to avoid any possible bias. I have done both just to check one against the other and both samples came back with the same results. So with that in mind, I don't have a problem with Amsoil's labs.

 

back when i was racing motocross i ran amsoil in my race bikes and loved it, all of our work SD we have we r running it and yes im from texas and yall may think it dosent get cold but theres been times iv had to go start the trucks in -10* and she fired right up and my next oil change in my daily driver im switching to amsoil plus much better additives

 

I'm running Amsoil 15-40 year round, with no issues below 0*F.

Your issue is not the oil.

 

I started my truck ownership with an immediate switch to Amsoil's 5w40 due to how weel Amsoil had always run in my gassers. I also installed a bypass filtration system with the hope of getting to 20K between changes. At 8K, everything looked good. At 13K, Blackstone said the oil was past due for changing as the oil had already sheared down below a 30w. I switched to Schaeffer's 5w40 and am now running comfortably at 15-18K between changes with everything looking good.

 

Fixed my problem!! cyl 3 glow plug was bad. It's amazing how one bad glow plug has that much effect on cold start.

 

Good news!
I'm glad you figured it out.

 

Amsoil used to say not to use their 5w40 in the older trucks pre 03 (meaning 7.3) . That it would work in reverse. Couldnt figure that one out.

 

I have been using the schaffers 5w40 for over 4 years now. No issues. My truck is still running quieter and smoother over the 15w40.

 

I have never heard that and I have been a dealer since long before the 5w-40 came out. I do remember that is was formulated for 07 and newer engines. Amsoil was still recommending their other diesel oils for pre 07 engines because they offered a higher level or protection. The 07 and newer exhaust after treatment systems presented some real challenges for lube oil manufactures.

 

HDRIDER . You are correct about the year and formulation issues back then. I was thinking 6.0 model motor ( 03-07 ) . Heres what happened to me. I have 2 powerstroke trucks 01 and a 07. I had been reading about fellow PS owners switching to 5w40 motor oil and getting good results. So I doubled my Amsoil order for my next oil change. I had previously used Amsoil 5w30 diesel and 15w40 with no issues in my 01.I liked the 5w30 diesel, but it was pricey.I had done the oil change in my 01 with the Amsoil 5w40. I noticed my truck wasnt running well. I always check my oil condition and oil level after a oil change, nad a few days after. After a couple days I checked it. It was black and thin , like my truck had never had a oil change.I read the back of the 1 gal jug , and the info on Amsoil website. And it stated formulated for 07 and newer motors . Not recommended for older motors ,and it would work in reverse. So I parked the truck reordered some 15w40 .Did another oil change , and everything was working fine ( oil was cleaner in appearance) after a few days. I kept my eye on it every week after ( oil stayed cleaner).
After reading of more PS owners using the Schaffers oil 5w40 in their 7.3 . They were posting smoother running and better fuel milage. I figured I would give it another try. My truck started running smoother and was getting better fuel mileage. It was like I was running the Amsoil 5w30 again.
I dont know if my situation was a fluke ,I had a bad batch , or if anybody else experianced this a few years ago. I dont have the fact sheets from then to compare to todays fact sheets. It is possible Amsoil changed their formula . I dont know.
I am not slamming Amsoil products.They make a great product.I use alot of their products in my trucks and cars. If I had a oil anylse kit avalible back then I would have taken one, but after what I read on the back of the 1 gal jug . I had made a mistake of putting the Amsoil 5w40 in my truck back then. I am just lucky it costed me a oil change and not a motor.
Again I am not slamming Amsoil. I like their products. I will continue using their products .Just in my trucks for oil I will use the Schaffers brand oil.