Oil usage?
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Fernandina Beach, Florida
Oil usage?
I changed my oil today and checked the oil level before I started and it was down below the add oil hash marks, not off the stick but closer than I would have let it get if I had known. I think it would be a quart low. It has been about 4100 since the last oil change and it was getting a bit louder.
Is this normal usage for this motor? I have 60500 miles.
Is this normal usage for this motor? I have 60500 miles.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Fernandina Beach, Florida
I kind of figured that but I will check it more in the future too. I am using Rottella synthetic this time, real difference in the sound!!
I do think that I will go back to regular Rottella after this, $45 a case of 6 one gallons at Sams.
I do think that I will go back to regular Rottella after this, $45 a case of 6 one gallons at Sams.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 72
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From: Lower Michigan
Mine has 105k and has been using 3-4 qt on a 5000 mile change. I've been putting the non-synthetic Delvac oil in. I had a couple different people tell me that it wasn't that uncommon so I haven't worried about it. I just put a full 4 gal in when I change it and then top it back off again if it needs it. If this actually is abnormal, let me know.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 204
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From: Gillette, wy
3-4 quarts seems like a lot to me, but I'm not sure. I think that if you keep your foot into it will burn a little more than usuall. Just assumptions though. I've been using the motorcraft oil for a while now. I don't want to switch to synthetic untill I have a secondary filtration system for the oil.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Lower Michigan
It seemed like a lot to me to until I was told that it was common for the 7.3. Maybe my sources had poor memories or their trucks had issues too. I'd hope to hear some more numbers from people to get a better idea.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Virginia - SW (Riner)
Oil Consumption
I use about 1-1.5 qts btw changes @ 3500miles. (In a mix of Hwy vs in town driving - I do tow frequently though)
I've heard varying #'s for qts btw changes from other 7.3 owners ( zero to 4-5qts ) around 2qts seems to be typical - The hashed area on the Dipstick = 2qts according to my 7.3L manual.
DG
I've heard varying #'s for qts btw changes from other 7.3 owners ( zero to 4-5qts ) around 2qts seems to be typical - The hashed area on the Dipstick = 2qts according to my 7.3L manual.
DG
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From: Utah County, UT
I change my oil twice a year, once in spring and once in fall, change to lighter oil in fall. Once in while I add about a quart in the summer, I think it has more to do with how hard the engine has been working, I haven't added any oil this winter and it is still right at the full mark. 1-2 qts I'd say is normal as well. More than that, I'd get a sample sent in to see what is going on.
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Elder User
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From: Fernandina Beach, Florida
Originally Posted by dagren99
I use about 1-1.5 qts btw changes @ 3500miles. (In a mix of Hwy vs in town driving - I do tow frequently though)
I've heard varying #'s for qts btw changes from other 7.3 owners ( zero to 4-5qts ) around 2qts seems to be typical - The hashed area on the Dipstick = 2qts according to my 7.3L manual.
DG
I've heard varying #'s for qts btw changes from other 7.3 owners ( zero to 4-5qts ) around 2qts seems to be typical - The hashed area on the Dipstick = 2qts according to my 7.3L manual.
DG
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From: Rural Central Ohio
I think diesel burnoff is definitely normal. When I start mine up and give it a good rev I get some good blue smoke. Let it run a little bit and give the rings some time to set and it will go away.
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From: Virginia - SW (Riner)
Oil Usage
I forgot to ask earlier - have you had a UOA run on your engine before?
I doubt anything unusual will turn up but, hey ya never know. My truck does seem to use a little more oil when it's extra cold out. I don't seem to use as much in the summer. That may be just a coincedence though.
DG
I doubt anything unusual will turn up but, hey ya never know. My truck does seem to use a little more oil when it's extra cold out. I don't seem to use as much in the summer. That may be just a coincedence though.
DG
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Fernandina Beach, Florida
Originally Posted by dagren99
I forgot to ask earlier - have you had a UOA run on your engine before?
I doubt anything unusual will turn up but, hey ya never know. My truck does seem to use a little more oil when it's extra cold out. I don't seem to use as much in the summer. That may be just a coincedence though.
DG
I doubt anything unusual will turn up but, hey ya never know. My truck does seem to use a little more oil when it's extra cold out. I don't seem to use as much in the summer. That may be just a coincedence though.
DG
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Joined: Aug 2004
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Guys, either I'm really lucky or something, but my '99 F250 has 304,000 miles on her now and it uses less than 1/2 a quart (at most maybe an 1/8" below the full line on the dipstick) between oil changes. I pull a 24' gooseneck w/ tractors very often and oil consumption doesn't seem to change when she's working.
As for the gentleman using 3-4 quarts per oil change, as long as you don't let it run out of oil it will run forever. I had an old '68 F250 with a 390 gas that would use 2 qts per day, 1 qt to school and 1 qt home, which round trip was 22 miles!
It got so bad that when I would change the oil in our tractors I would put it in qt bottles and re-use it in the 390. But you know it still runs....
Bowedup
As for the gentleman using 3-4 quarts per oil change, as long as you don't let it run out of oil it will run forever. I had an old '68 F250 with a 390 gas that would use 2 qts per day, 1 qt to school and 1 qt home, which round trip was 22 miles!
It got so bad that when I would change the oil in our tractors I would put it in qt bottles and re-use it in the 390. But you know it still runs....
Bowedup
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Central Wyoming
I read about this and tried it and it works for me so food for thought, anyways, I was using a qt. per 1000mi. or so so I just finally left it there(1 qt. low) and it never moved until the 3500mi. oil changer interval. I have messed with it a couple of times and it seems as though anytime I top her off, she goes down a qt. and stays there. Like I said, food for thought and it works for me.