I'm at 21,500 miles and never had a problem. Just did my third change.
Average 17 MPG around town and 19 MPG highway.

There are several reasons why I am sure this is the correct thing to do.
1). Ford Human factors folks make an effort to make sure human interfaces remain the same across all platforms. Top of the hatch is the industry standard. See #3.
2). Oil level is one of the easier things for Ford & IH engineers to get right.
3). If this were not the correct level, Ford would replace the silly dip sticks. They aren't expensive, considering the liability of having to replace motors. OK liability not that big a risk? How about the small ammount of $$ to prevent complaint calls and visits by a large population.
4). You could be hiding another problem. If filling oil to the correct level resulting in romping. I won't leave the delership until the problem was fixed (with the the correct oil level).
5). Less oil in the pan the shorter the oil life and the hotter the average oil temp.

Not looking to start an arguement just my two cents.

 

OK buzzin, why did Ford issue this service bulletin:

Oil Level Check Tip:
When checking the oil level on the 6.0, the vehicle must be on a level surface and the dipstick must be fully seated into the tube to ensure an accuarte reading. Do not add oil if the level is above the "MIN" line on the dipstick. Broadcast Message 1512, 1574.

 

Understand all your concerns, however #5). Less oil in the pan the shorter the oil life and the hotter the average oil temp.
It would actually take quiet a bit less to cause this affect. Below the end of the dipstick itself.

 

No one is advocating running with the oil below the add mark - just at the low to mid level on the hash marks.

 

My early 03 build truck has always romped for several seconds after a cold start. Being a little hard headed, I continued to fill with oil to the top of the hash mark. I just changed oil at 18,000 miles and decided to try 13.5 quarts (about 1/3 way up on the dipstick hash mark). Lo and behold, no romp! Every time I start it cold I try different things to make it romp such as putting it in gear and accelerating instantly, just letting it idle out of gear, and putting it in gear and letting it idle. It simply will not romp anymore. I'm a believer! BTW I have always used Rotella 15W40. Outside temperatures have been around 55 degrees in the mornings, 80ish during the day.

 

Where will the oil come out if overfilled?

 

It will burn it, it will push it out wherever it can like the crankcase ventilation tube into the intake in front of the turbo. Worse yet, the crank creates a vortex that will whip the oil to foam. The aereated oil gets sucked up and creates the erratic romp at idle, etc.

 

thx for the feedback. Mine was right at the full mark. Will drain a little out. Am paranoid about oil leaks after much rear seal problems. Check it often and have noticed some seepage around the rear again. thx

 

Not to start an argument, but how do you know for sure you have the correct length dipstick? I have owned 2 previous Ford trucks that had the wrong dipstick in it. I have always put the amount back in the manual says, re-marked my dipstick and used that to go by. This is my first 6.0, so I will monitor the level and performance closely and be sure not to over-fill.

 

The correct amount to go back in after filter changes is 13.5 .....

 

The engine capacity for oil is 15 quarts. There is about 1.5 quarts that stay in the high pressure reservoir, pump and rails. If not it would take a lot of cranking to build up that much oil at high pressure to get you started. Trust us! Some of us have learned the hard way. I have had some diesel techs verify it.

 

As of today, when I did my first oil and filter change, I'm a new member of the 13.5 quart refill club.

You guys sound like you know what you are talking about. So, I'm following you.

 

And a fine club you have joined

 

I just had the oil changed for the first time last week on my 05. I asked the service dept. how much oil they were going to use. They told me they use 15 qts. I asked about the over filling problem and they stated "no, we always use 15". I've checked the dip stick and the level is fine. I haven't had any problems and and there isn't any change in how the truck runs. Do you think the serv. dept didn't want to admit to the actual quantity used or that I'm just lucky right now. I live in an apartment right now and can't change my own oil here.

 

I have an 04 6.0L PSD. After draining, and refilling with 13.5 qts, my oil level is 3/4 of MAX on the dipstick.
Ford says the difference between MIN and MAX is 2 qts. So, I guess 14 qts would have put my oil level slightly over MAX.
Maybe, the service dept, you went to, did a more through drain of the old oil?