Oil Help Please?!
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 413
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From: Tennessee
Oil Help Please?!
Ive had my '08 CC Lariat F-250 SB for just over a year now. Ive changed the oil every 5,000 and done all other maintenance myself. It has 25,850 on it now. Even though when I change the oil and put in 15 qts., my dipstick reads an inch over full. Im afraid to put in less, with Ford ADAMANTLY saying it requires 15, and I am doing everything right. Been around diesels long time. First Ill loosen the oil filter, open the drain, let her drain for a good 30 minutes or so, then put the plug back in and install the filter, then fill her up. I know having too much oil is bad, but what if it is my dipstick and not the oil being too full? Ive read several posts on it here, but no real answer as to what I should do. It reads full right after the change, and doesnt "make" any after 5,000, so Im sure it's not fuel. Could someone here please give me some advice? Im afraid Im going to hurt my baby. Thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
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From: Northern Utah
Perhaps add only 14 qts, start it for a minute to cycle through the filter and then check the level about 15-20 minutes later. Continue to add enough oil so that it's the upper level of the hashmarks but not above the full mark. Post the amount required in this forum! Good luck
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
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To the original poster, I would go by the measurement on the dipstick. There is still oil in the system after you drain it, so a full 15 qts won't be needed. Are you draining while the engine is warm or when cold? Being warm allows more of it to drain out (not freshly driven, just warm so you don't scald yourself when removing the drainplug).
Can you accurately measure how much is coming out?
New User
Joined: Aug 2007
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You must remove the filter before draining the oil, after the filter is removed the oil in the filter housing drains down to the oil pan about 1 quart.
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 413
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From: Tennessee
Yes, as I stated in my post I first drain the filter, as it opens a valve when you open up the filter canister, releasing the oil. Then I let the oil drain for about half an hour. I do this after driving the truck, then waiting about half an hour before I start, so the oil IS warm. The oil level DOES read over full after driving it for a while. I dont understand why Ford would tell us 15 qts if thats too much. Ive read where posters have stated they will use 15 qts regardless of the dipstick reading. They said Ford should know, and that they are smart enough to take into account theat some oil, like whats in the cooler, wont drain. If my dipstick is miscalibrated I would be running it low. Running it high is just as bad. My dipstick IS all the way down in the block, where the tube attaches to the engine. I guess I will drain some out. I just wondered what others are doing, as I know several people have run into this. Thanks for all the replies.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2006
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If you are buying your oil in gallon jugs double check to be certain they are not actually 5 quart jugs...................hey it can happen........us aarp members sometimes refer to such happenings as "senior moments" 
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Tennessee
Thanks origcharger, I always check that. Some jugs ARE actually 5 quart jugs, but mine are Amsoil 1 gallon jugs, and 3 1 quart bottles. I rechecked it today and it seems to be just over the full reading, at the point where the plastic "reader" starts to angle down to meet the metal stick. I guess thats not very much, so I wont worry as much as I had been. Thanks for all the replies. I know where to come if I have questions. We all love our trucks here....... hell Im building a garage next to my bedroom so I can sleep beside her. Good luck to you all.
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
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If it were me, I would do two things.
First, I would stop by a dealer and ask them to use a dipstick from another 6.4 in your's, and vice versa, and compare then. The only way that your reading can be wrong is if your stick is too long, or if the dipstick tube is too short. Swapping dipsticks will eliminate one of those two variables.
Secondly, regarding running one quart high versus one quart low, on a 15 quart system one quart of oil represents 7% of your total. In a typical automotive gasoline engine, 1 quart represents 20% of the total capacity, and the delta between min and max on the dipstick is close to a quart, so it's possible to be within the manufacturer's specs with 4.1 quarts of oil in an average gasoline V8 engine.
Thus, I wouldn't lose a whole lot of sleep over potentially 7% less oil in your diesel system...
Second, too much oil places a terrible strain on your rotating assembly (crankshaft and bearings), becaues it may cause the crank to "spash" directly in the oil. Think of sitting on the side of a swimming pool and splashing your feet into the water and you'll understand the severe extra load on the crank if it swims in oil.
Of the two, IMHO too much oil is potentially much worse than 7% too little. You're not going to starve the engine for oil with it being 7% too low.
First, I would stop by a dealer and ask them to use a dipstick from another 6.4 in your's, and vice versa, and compare then. The only way that your reading can be wrong is if your stick is too long, or if the dipstick tube is too short. Swapping dipsticks will eliminate one of those two variables.
Secondly, regarding running one quart high versus one quart low, on a 15 quart system one quart of oil represents 7% of your total. In a typical automotive gasoline engine, 1 quart represents 20% of the total capacity, and the delta between min and max on the dipstick is close to a quart, so it's possible to be within the manufacturer's specs with 4.1 quarts of oil in an average gasoline V8 engine.
Thus, I wouldn't lose a whole lot of sleep over potentially 7% less oil in your diesel system...
Second, too much oil places a terrible strain on your rotating assembly (crankshaft and bearings), becaues it may cause the crank to "spash" directly in the oil. Think of sitting on the side of a swimming pool and splashing your feet into the water and you'll understand the severe extra load on the crank if it swims in oil.
Of the two, IMHO too much oil is potentially much worse than 7% too little. You're not going to starve the engine for oil with it being 7% too low.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 64
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From: Clermont FL
I checked my oil it was above the full level bout an inch took it to the dealer and they said it was fine,they gave me a 3 page printout from ford it shows that you are to check your oil with the dipstick yellow handle offset (dont put it into the dipstick tube) keep the yellow handle just offset not inserted. It even has a 3x5 black and white photo of how the stick should look when you are checking it correctly, I **** you not,thiese instructions came with the letters tsb 07-8-9 if your only putting in 14 quarts thats bad...call your dealer man..take it in they will tell you the same thing,(the tech didnt even know until she saw the printout from ford) i cant believe no-one was or is being made aware of this...wow pass it on chuck