Ford says 15qts other posts say 13.5 qts. I checked my dip stick with a 15qt oil fill and it is at top of the dip stick fill line. What does the 1.5 extra qts. of oil do. Does this affect MPG or just foam up? If the 13.5 qt fill is still reads in the safe zone of the dip stick I can't see a problem with under filling from what ford says.

 

I'M NO EXPERT!

I just had my 1st service and noticed that the diesel tech at the dealer charged me for 3 5qt bottles of oil when he did the service. Now it is possible that he didn't put all 15qts in I don't know. I do know that in the 300+ miles I've driven it since then I haven't notice a difference in how it drove vs before the service.

 

It has been established that there is about a 1.5 quarts remain in the engine in the high pressure reservoir, high pressure pump and rails. Putting 15 quarts back in will over fill the crancase. It will cause rough idle, romping, etc.

Here is a bulletin from Ford:
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.

 

I do my own oil changes and I did put 15 qts. back in but have not noticed any effects as you say. I have not been getting the greatest MPG as other people post so I was just wondering if it does effect MPG?

 

I do my own oil changes. Just changed oil and fuel filters yesterday. I put in the 15 quarts like I always do. I started it checked the dipstick and it was right in the middle of the safe range. I pull the oil filter first and leave it out and crawl under and remove drain plug and just let it drain a while. I let it drain while I changed the fuel filters and did other maintenance. Put the plug in and filter and filled it up. I did the same to my old 7.3 also. Never had a problem.

 

Put in 14 quarts, crank the engine, let run for 5-10 minutes, let it sit for 15-20 minutes, check the level, you will find it to be mid hash mark. Add as appropriate if its not. I've done this 4 times and it is alway mid hash mark after 14.

 

Read the bulletin from Ford. If it is above the min line, don't add more oil. But, if it is working for you, so be it. A lot of us who have had these trucks since early 03 have experienced issues with overfilling.

 

You can read my first hand experience with rough idling and I can tell you it makes a lot of difference. I heard that overfilling (above midway on the hash mark) promoting foaming in the crank case, which may have contributed to the rough idling problems I was having. Just my layman experience.

If Ford says it and I have experienced it than what the harm about 13-14 qt instead of 15. I guess the cost of another quart...... I only see benefits so far including cost saving!!!

Claude

 

I did my first oil change at 3000 miles this weekend, I put in 14 quarts & let it run for a few minutes, checked the dip stick and I was right in the middle between min & max. The truck feels like it runs smoother & is quieter now, can't really tell any better MPG since I've only put 50 miles on it since the oil change. I'm running Shell Rotella 15w40

 

I've done 3 oil changes so far always put 12 quarts of delvac int it. And still after prolonged driving for about an hour, sometimes 15 minutes the truck romps, the solution I floor it and 80% of the time it clears. Now when the truck sits overnight and I che the oil in before cranking the amount goes over the top hash marks. telling me that at least 2 quarts drained overnight form the railing. Next time I'll change it first thing in the morning before cranking it.

So considering that I do this, let it drain overnight, when I change the oil do I add 12,13 or the full 15 quarts?

Thanks, Robert

 

Friends don't let frineds have more than 13.5 quarts

 

I've been putting in 13.5 qts the last couple of changes seems to run a little quititer than before, so I'll keep to that practice.

 

I've always added three gallons (12 quarts) and fired it up and let it run for a bit and then topped off as necesary to get it above the min hash marks about 1/8th to 1/4 of an inch. I don't pay close attention to the amount left over in the last gallon jug but it's probably more than 2 quarts.

 

I bet if you cranked it and shut it right back down it wouldn't be over the top hash mark. Ask me how I know this. I found the exact same thing as you, thought I was overfilled, even thought I was getting fuel in oil, couldn't explain how I went from mid hash mark to over full, ended up draining over 1qt. I kept checking the oil level and it was still above top hash. Then I decided to crank it followed by shutting down, and guess what I was 1qt too low.

14 qts will put you at mid hash mark. I don't think I would like to gamble with keeping it on the min mark. Dipstick is already hard enough to read especially with new oil on it.

 

The actual capacity of the 6.0, like the 7.3, is around 16 quarts. The "refill" capacity is 15 quarts because they figured around 1 quart would ramain in the HPOP. For many, more than 1 quart remains in the engine, and for others it is around 1 quart. That being said, many people have figured out that the engine seems to run better with the oil in the middle of the hashmarks on the dipstick which would be around 14 quarts of "refill," or 15 quarts overall.