11k miles between oil changes is too much for a 6.0l (or a 7.3l) no matter what kind of oil you are running. I don't understand why people would chance ruining a $10k+ engine to save a few bucks on oil.

 

I called the tech line for Union 76 the guy told me that they only promote 15,000+ miles for over the road big rig's that sustain a givin crusing speed and load for hours on end. For the powerstrokes he said to stick with the suggested factory recommendations

 

Well... you better call your friend and have him change his oil and filter right away. The 6.0L really thrives on clean and fresh oil and changing it every 5,000 miles is key!!!

 

.... and I use to fool around without protection and was lucky, but things can go wrong... horribly wrong and so can extended oil drains with low viscosity oil. Even with by-pass filters, low viscoity oil is a bad thing!!!!

 

You mean $15,000 engine.

 

I sent a few of my oil changes in to Blackstone. The analysis reports I got back showed the oil fine at 5000, fine 6000 but starting to break down at 7000. So I just change the oil somewhere between 5000-6000 miles. That was with Shell Rotella in my 2003 6.0L

If you really you want to extend you oil change intervals. spend the few bucks it cost of an Oil analysis and know when your oil is good.

 

Why not just go with the "average consensus" and change it out every 5,000 miles. It is an easy number to remember and is divisable into all the other major services we need done on our trucks.

Oil every 5,000 miles

Fuel filters every 15,000 miles

Tranny every 30,000 miles

Air filter every 30,000 - 40,000 miles
-----------------------------------------

For me the time to always keep checking is a waste and according to my Balckstone I would rather change BEFORE my analysis says it is time to change... not after. I tow and drive in the city and never think about my oil until the 5,000 mile mark. Guess my time is more valuable than to always be pulling an oil sample every few thousand miles???

 

Just thought I would share a funny story about a recent oil change experince I had this past week at a local Jiffy Lube (I know, but it's where my company has an account and requires us to take our trucks for regular service).

I pulled my F-450 into the service bay, (after pulling my mirrors in and one of the employees pulled-down a banner hanging off the bay door so my boom didn't get tangled in it) I idled the truck to the far end of the grease pit where the manager was guiding me, shut the truck down and began giving the manager the account info, etc. He pops the hood, looks at the truck and asks (I'm not making this up) "Is this a diesel?" That kept me laughing until the guy in the grease pit announced that he couldn't find the oil filter, that scared me. Again, I have to take the truck where they tell me but that cracked me up.

--Kevin
'05 Super Duty, 6.0 Powerstroke
Terex service body, 40' bucket

 

In MY AREA, the dealerships within 100 miles all want $90 for an oil change and "multi-point inspection" that my selling dealer service department doesn't do unless I jump on them. Automobile oil changes must be pretty pricey in New Jersey.

 

Nienty dollars is about right.

Oil - 15 qts @ $2.00 = $30.00

Filter - 1 @ $30.00 = $30.00

Labor 1 @ $30.00 = $30.00
------------------------------
Total = $90.00
--------------------------------------------------------------

A car costs about 20 - 30.00 for an oil change at my dealer... and at only 5 qts per change and a less expensive oil filter...

Oil - 5qts X $2.00 = $10.00
Filter - 1 @ $5.00 = $ 5.00
Labor - 1 @ $20.00 = $15.00
---------------------------
Total = $30.00

(The above costs for a gasser auto are just guesstimates)
__________________________________________________ _______

With the 6.0L holding 3 times as much oil, more expensive filter... the costs would seem about right... or maybe slightly higher???

I started doing my oil changes myself and by doing so can afford to upgrade to Synthetic oil year-round and still be less or the same as the dealer doing a dino oil change.

 

I run mine at 10k intervals and my oil reports come back perfect everrytime.

I use Delvac 1300.

I have considered changing to synthetic just because I have seen many reports of a 1-2mpg increase in mileage, but on the other hand from a cost standpoint it may not be justifiable.

 

HEY, This sounds just like my issue. I don't stall, but I do have starting issues when hot. I was using dino Rotella T 15w40. Since I let the dealer use Motorcraft Oil the truck wouldnt start only one time just after I picked it up from the dealer. Maybe all the oil in the HPOP hadnt draind yet.

I hat to think that my issue was because of the Oil I deceided to use. I just want a working truck. I think I will start to use the new 5w-40 Rotella Synt.

 

I have had great luck with the Rotella-Syn 5W-40 and it is readily available at Walmart (as is the oil filters).

 

When I first bought my truck I went 7500 like the book said...after talking to a few people I decided to start changing every 4-5k....after I found out how much this engine likes clean and good oil I about freeked letting it go to 7500. After all....you did buy and expensive truck..so it will cost more to maintane....and if you dont maintane it....it wont last like it was designed for...

 

Bottom line-the 6.0 need/ like fresh oil... i am not surprised to heard him having trouble with running oil that long.
oil change-$100
new motor-$5000
common sence-Priceless