** I thought I'd read threads about this, and first searched FAQ and did search, but nothing turned up... so please pardon the repeat if so... **

First oil change at 7500 miles last week. Opted to do myself and save the dough. Bought the Rotella-T oil as I read on these posts, and bought the filter from International Dealer here in Detroit.

Drained fine and added ~14 qts. Checked level and is Dead on B's accurate (after 20 min settling)....

Idles rough as hell now at start-up. Was perfectly fine before. Makes funny noises (heavy, random knocking) at start up. I DO plug the truck most everynite. (Michigan Winter, is <20 most nights). After long idle (10-15 mins), seems fine.

Am I high? WTF could an oil change have to do w/ idle??? Am I imagining things here, or what gives???

Thanks...

Drew in Motown~

 

dinebito,

Your not crazy search this site for rough idle and oil change or oil to use, this problem will come up. The injectors are controlled by the oil at high pressure, very sensitive to brand and type. Rotella-T has come up as causing problems for some.

IMHO use motorcraft or Delvac 1. I am sure others will chime in to fix what i left out.

 

Are you using 10-30 or 15-40. Cold as it is, it will run rough with the heavier weight oil.

 

Try Mobil 1 Delvac 5W-40 Synthetic

Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrs like a kitten.

 

Mine is doing the same thing. I just bought 15 quarts of the Motorcraft oil and I'm going to change it even though it's only been slightly over 1000 miles. I'm going to leave the oil filter as it should be clean. Will post the results. Seems to be doing it every morning so it should take long to tell.

 

Mobil Delvac 1 5W-40 Synthetic
It will cure the problem, only put in 13 quarts
to start with

IMO

 

OK Tim, thats the 3rd post Ive read where you've suggested less oil, but never an explanation as to why. I do believe 15 qts is too much as some oil seems to not drain from the high pressure oil system. But why only 13? Have you figured something out that your not sharing?

 

Tim - I changed to Mobile Delvac 1 in the fall - put in 15 quarts with new oil filter and drove off - dip stick reads OK so please tell me also what your thinking is on less oil.

 

The reason is oil foaming; it reduces its ability to work with the injectors. This motor uses very high oil flow rates. One of the troubles documented on this forum, is if oil is high (AT THE FULL MARK) it causes difficulty. I would never change what Ford has suggested, I will however do what is learned by numerous users, with the 6.0. (this is real time problem solving).

Do a search on oils in this forum and read, read, read, it will take you an hour or more to gather all the info. It is well worth it.
It is only a guide not a must, you still will settle on your own way.

IMO

REMEMBER the oil level should be at the FIRST cross hatch marks.
Still well within FORDS requirments.

 

WHEW~~!!

Man, thought I was losing my marbles for a bit there.

THANKS for the notes, I feel a bit more sane now.

YES, I did use the 15w40 Rotella T, and so that may be part of it eh? (don't recall seeing 5w- weight at WallyWorld, else i'd likely've bought it).

I DO remember reading somewhere that capacity on refill could be in the neighborhood of 13 qts once (as Tim noted) when doing my search on oil changes weeks ago -- something to do w/ sequencing/time taken to change (e.g. put plug back in before R&R'ing filter, tho who would do that?), and the inevitable system prime that could hold up to a couple quarts even after a drain. i don't recall exactly. nevertheless, mine ended up fine at 14 qts and puts me at the high end of dipstick (Longest MF DS i've EVER seen in my life -- cumbersome).

regarding potential switch to Synthetic oil, well... that would depend purely on price. synthetic seems to be synonymous w/ big dollars in my experience. truck is a lease, so... (i know, i know... think of the NEXT user??? ah pooh.) if i could find it cheap, or for just a few bucks more than 'regular' oil, i'd consider it, but at ~4 gallons bought/oil change, over probably 60k miles... i dunno.

thanks for the notes/info fellas. i love this sight.

drew.

 

Thanks Tim - I will do the suggested reading. I learn something from this site almost every day!

 

Thats what I was thinking. These 6.0s don't have a windage tray, with the oil to max, I assume the crank could be churning up quite a bit of the oil. Think Ill give it a try.
Thanks

WOOPS wrong quote, I meant to quote Tim!

 

Correct without the tray we are beating the stuffing out of the oil
Actually we are just aerating it!!!


It really does work

 

For my investment (truck) the cost of the oil is nothing
4 gallons for 89.23 I can live with that, yes it is a bit more
you will not find it at wally world

 

Mobil - 1 Delvac 5w-40 for me!