which oil
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New User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
which oil
Hey glad to be on the forum.
I just bought a 2001 250 SD 4x4 to use on the farm. I was surprised to see the oil cap said 5w20. I'm not used to oil that light. Are most of you running this and if so are you using dino or syn?
Thanks for any imput
I just bought a 2001 250 SD 4x4 to use on the farm. I was surprised to see the oil cap said 5w20. I'm not used to oil that light. Are most of you running this and if so are you using dino or syn?
Thanks for any imput
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 179
Likes: 3
From: Goose Creek, SC
Ummm. If it's a diesel I think it should be 15w-40 for the 7.3 and 6.0 not sure for the 5.4 or 6.8.
Edit: After a quick search it sounds like you have a gas and that 5w-20 is what is called for from 01 up. It was 5w-30 before that apparently.
Edit: After a quick search it sounds like you have a gas and that 5w-20 is what is called for from 01 up. It was 5w-30 before that apparently.
New User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
oil choice
Hi, yeah I have a 2005, 4x4, F250 SD, Crew SB with the 5.4 (82000 kms) and I use a good quality synth oil. The local shop had a good deal on Royal Purple so I'm using it right now. For years I've been a Quaker State guy and loved their product however, Castrol has been catching my interest recently and I think I'll give them a try after the R/P runs out at the local shop.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,643
Likes: 8
From: NE Texas
What engine? How many miles? What oil is used now - or was used by previous owner?
There's nothing wrong with dino oil at all as long as it's a good grade.
And there's nothing wrong with synthetic oil as long as your engine will accept it. Sometimes if an engine has run on dino oil all its life, synthetic oil will find away to escape - either by evaporation or gaskets.
I vote for dino - Castrol GTX
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
Don't use Quaker Sludge or Penzoil, they both sludge. Also most newer, like 1990 and up, Ford engines are supposed to have 5w-20. Ford spent a lot of money in R & D to figure out that the 5w-20 is better for their engines as opposed to 5w-30.
The modular engines have tiny passages for the oil to get through and the 5w-20 is really needed. I personally use Motorcraft oil. I can get a 5qt jug at Wal*Mart for $12.50, otherwise $2.50 a quart, and it is a synthetic blend. Also you will need a FL-820S oil filter if you go with Motorcraft, like $3.80 for the filter. The filter are made by Wix, so they are good. Don't use a cheap brand like Fram for filters, unless you like having engine problems and actually spending more for the filter.
Valvoline and Castrol make a good oil, but for the price you can't beat the MC oil.
5.4 V8 takes 6QTs and 6.8L V10 takes 6 or 6.5qts depending on where you look.
The modular engines have tiny passages for the oil to get through and the 5w-20 is really needed. I personally use Motorcraft oil. I can get a 5qt jug at Wal*Mart for $12.50, otherwise $2.50 a quart, and it is a synthetic blend. Also you will need a FL-820S oil filter if you go with Motorcraft, like $3.80 for the filter. The filter are made by Wix, so they are good. Don't use a cheap brand like Fram for filters, unless you like having engine problems and actually spending more for the filter.
Valvoline and Castrol make a good oil, but for the price you can't beat the MC oil.
5.4 V8 takes 6QTs and 6.8L V10 takes 6 or 6.5qts depending on where you look.
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 503
Likes: 0
From: arizona
Don't use Quaker Sludge or Penzoil, they both sludge. Also most newer, like 1990 and up, Ford engines are supposed to have 5w-20. Ford spent a lot of money in R & D to figure out that the 5w-20 is better for their engines as opposed to 5w-30.
The modular engines have tiny passages for the oil to get through and the 5w-20 is really needed. I personally use Motorcraft oil. I can get a 5qt jug at Wal*Mart for $12.50, otherwise $2.50 a quart, and it is a synthetic blend. Also you will need a FL-820S oil filter if you go with Motorcraft, like $3.80 for the filter. The filter are made by Wix, so they are good. Don't use a cheap brand like Fram for filters, unless you like having engine problems and actually spending more for the filter.
Valvoline and Castrol make a good oil, but for the price you can't beat the MC oil.
5.4 V8 takes 6QTs and 6.8L V10 takes 6 or 6.5qts depending on where you look.
The modular engines have tiny passages for the oil to get through and the 5w-20 is really needed. I personally use Motorcraft oil. I can get a 5qt jug at Wal*Mart for $12.50, otherwise $2.50 a quart, and it is a synthetic blend. Also you will need a FL-820S oil filter if you go with Motorcraft, like $3.80 for the filter. The filter are made by Wix, so they are good. Don't use a cheap brand like Fram for filters, unless you like having engine problems and actually spending more for the filter.
Valvoline and Castrol make a good oil, but for the price you can't beat the MC oil.
5.4 V8 takes 6QTs and 6.8L V10 takes 6 or 6.5qts depending on where you look.
As a matter of fact Pennzoil is one of the best oils on the market, especially Pennzoil Platinum Synthetic(check UOA's).
But I do however agree with you on Motorcraft, proven to be a great oil at an unbeatable price.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
Well they must have really changed them. When I've seen engines with a pan coated full of sludge at teh shop. Asked the mechanic about the truck, he laughed a little and said the guy used the "best" since new, Quaker State.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 503
Likes: 0
From: arizona
That sludged car probably had either bad maintenance/sludge prone/clogged pcv/coolant leak, etc. Doubt it was from the oil "If" it was changed regularly.
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 522
Likes: 2
6.8's take 6-7 qts depending, use the dipstick. Mine takes 7 to get to the full mark and that is exactly what the owners manual calls for. It's a 2005.
5W-20 or 5W-30 is fine. Ford changed to the -20 in 00 or so for "economy" in that the lighter oil provides less resistance and is more "efficient". In a SD with a 6.8, your not going to see those gains at all. Clearances didn't change when they went lighter, oil pump didn't change, bearings didn't change, just trying to get a better "efficiency" rating. I use 5W-30 since I tow a lot and it gets hot in SoCal in the summer going over the mountains.
YMMV
Kevin, 05 250 SD, XLT Sport V10, 4x2, 4.10, CC, Torqueshift towing the #63 CMC Mustang
5W-20 or 5W-30 is fine. Ford changed to the -20 in 00 or so for "economy" in that the lighter oil provides less resistance and is more "efficient". In a SD with a 6.8, your not going to see those gains at all. Clearances didn't change when they went lighter, oil pump didn't change, bearings didn't change, just trying to get a better "efficiency" rating. I use 5W-30 since I tow a lot and it gets hot in SoCal in the summer going over the mountains.
YMMV
Kevin, 05 250 SD, XLT Sport V10, 4x2, 4.10, CC, Torqueshift towing the #63 CMC Mustang
