recomended engine oil
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,903
Likes: 1
From: MICHIGAN
You will get a lot of different responses but most here use rotella (shell) or delvac (mobile) 15w40 regular oil.
Some use 5w40 synthetic oil including me. The thinner oils will aid in cold weather start ups + make the engine run quieter. You can run longer between oil changes with syn oils.Cheaper or non-diesel rated oils will cause the engine to run poorly mainly due to oil foaming. The injectors are fired by high pressure engine oil (2000+ psi), oil that is foaming does not allow full pressure to the injectors.
What ever you decide it needs to be diesel rated. You will find the rating on the container in the API circle on the container.
LOOK HERE:
Some use 5w40 synthetic oil including me. The thinner oils will aid in cold weather start ups + make the engine run quieter. You can run longer between oil changes with syn oils.Cheaper or non-diesel rated oils will cause the engine to run poorly mainly due to oil foaming. The injectors are fired by high pressure engine oil (2000+ psi), oil that is foaming does not allow full pressure to the injectors.
What ever you decide it needs to be diesel rated. You will find the rating on the container in the API circle on the container.
LOOK HERE:
PREMIUM SPONSOR
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,630
Likes: 217
From: North East Ohio
From those that I have spoken with that have had their oils tested, the 'normal' 15W40 like Rotella, Delo, Valvoline, etc are good till around 2500 miles. Synthetics are MCUH different.
I know a lot of guys, including myself, go to 5000 miles changes, but I'm changing that now. I have had many, many sets of injectors with well over 350k miles that were in great shape and the key being 2500 mile changes.
So to kind of answer your question, use whatever oil you want, cheap WalMart brand if you want, just change it at 2500 - 3000 miles max.
Having said that, I am trying Amsoil synth. at my next oil change. Figuring if it's good for 20k to 25k miles before changing (over 2 years of driving for me) I'll save some $$$ on oil and filters.
If you're truck smokes a lot (performance upgrades?) then your oil will darken and become contaminated quicker so it's even more important to change your oil sooner. With my PHP tunes I have noticed that even at 5k miles on my oil, it's still brown, whereas the other tunes I ran before, the oil was black at 3k miles.
Something else to think about.
I know a lot of guys, including myself, go to 5000 miles changes, but I'm changing that now. I have had many, many sets of injectors with well over 350k miles that were in great shape and the key being 2500 mile changes.
So to kind of answer your question, use whatever oil you want, cheap WalMart brand if you want, just change it at 2500 - 3000 miles max.
Having said that, I am trying Amsoil synth. at my next oil change. Figuring if it's good for 20k to 25k miles before changing (over 2 years of driving for me) I'll save some $$$ on oil and filters.
If you're truck smokes a lot (performance upgrades?) then your oil will darken and become contaminated quicker so it's even more important to change your oil sooner. With my PHP tunes I have noticed that even at 5k miles on my oil, it's still brown, whereas the other tunes I ran before, the oil was black at 3k miles.
Something else to think about.
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'96 7.3 F-350 Reg Cab 4x4 - bought new.
'04 6.0 E-350 custom 4x4
'08 6.4 F-550 Reg Cab 6 spd 4x4
'17 6.7 F-250 KR ccsb 4x4
'96 7.3 F-350 Reg Cab 4x4 - bought new.
'04 6.0 E-350 custom 4x4
'08 6.4 F-550 Reg Cab 6 spd 4x4
'17 6.7 F-250 KR ccsb 4x4
VT Chapter Ldr
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 96,096
Likes: 294
From: Orange, Vermont
So Jim, you are going to try and go 20000-25000 miles between oil changes?
Are you going to change filters in between and at what mileage?
What type of filter are going to use, regular parts store?
Are you going to send the oil in to get tested, if so at what intervals? Anyone else you know use that oil and go that distance between changes?
Thanks for any answers.
Are you going to change filters in between and at what mileage?
What type of filter are going to use, regular parts store?
Are you going to send the oil in to get tested, if so at what intervals? Anyone else you know use that oil and go that distance between changes?
Thanks for any answers.
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,630
Likes: 217
From: North East Ohio
"So Jim, you are going to try and go 20000-25000 miles between oil changes?"
Yes, that's what the oil is rated at, with periodic tests to make sure oil is still good.
"Are you going to change filters in between and at what mileage?"
Not unless they recommend it, I'm still learning about this stuff too.
"What type of filter are going to use, regular parts store?"
Amsoil filter, not sure if it's really needed or not but I'll start with theirs anyway.
"Are you going to send the oil in to get tested, if so at what intervals?"
Yes, I'd say about 10k miles will be the first test then go from there.
"Anyone else you know use that oil and go that distance between changes?"
I know lots of guys that run synthetic and swear by it.
Yes, that's what the oil is rated at, with periodic tests to make sure oil is still good.
"Are you going to change filters in between and at what mileage?"
Not unless they recommend it, I'm still learning about this stuff too.
"What type of filter are going to use, regular parts store?"
Amsoil filter, not sure if it's really needed or not but I'll start with theirs anyway.
"Are you going to send the oil in to get tested, if so at what intervals?"
Yes, I'd say about 10k miles will be the first test then go from there.
"Anyone else you know use that oil and go that distance between changes?"
I know lots of guys that run synthetic and swear by it.
__________________
'96 7.3 F-350 Reg Cab 4x4 - bought new.
'04 6.0 E-350 custom 4x4
'08 6.4 F-550 Reg Cab 6 spd 4x4
'17 6.7 F-250 KR ccsb 4x4
'96 7.3 F-350 Reg Cab 4x4 - bought new.
'04 6.0 E-350 custom 4x4
'08 6.4 F-550 Reg Cab 6 spd 4x4
'17 6.7 F-250 KR ccsb 4x4
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 0
From: Levittown
Syn is the only way to go.
This is if you are not over fueling the motor.
Jim
What weight are you going with?
I have a set of splits that were broken in on dino for
15K. Then a switch to syn. The injectors now have
140k on them and all the poppets are .0035. You
cannot beat the syn.
Bill
This is if you are not over fueling the motor.
Jim
What weight are you going with?
I have a set of splits that were broken in on dino for
15K. Then a switch to syn. The injectors now have
140k on them and all the poppets are .0035. You
cannot beat the syn.
Bill
PREMIUM SPONSOR
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,630
Likes: 217
From: North East Ohio
AMSOIL 5w30 I think, it's their HDD oil. I was told it's the best to get so that's what I'm going to try.
__________________
'96 7.3 F-350 Reg Cab 4x4 - bought new.
'04 6.0 E-350 custom 4x4
'08 6.4 F-550 Reg Cab 6 spd 4x4
'17 6.7 F-250 KR ccsb 4x4
'96 7.3 F-350 Reg Cab 4x4 - bought new.
'04 6.0 E-350 custom 4x4
'08 6.4 F-550 Reg Cab 6 spd 4x4
'17 6.7 F-250 KR ccsb 4x4
Trending Topics
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 0
From: Levittown
Jim
I have been using the HDD now for years. No problems, all seasons.
Ams has 7 different diesel rated lubes. Jot them down (tbn,vis, ect)
and compare, you will see the HDD is the way to go. The HDD rides the line of being called a 40wt.
I have a psd here that if you see under the VC's you would swear
the motor was just assembled and never run!
One thing to remember is you may not get good distance out of the 1st or 2nd oil change. Just depends on how long it takes to cleanup the motor from all the miles on the dino. Your UOA might even scare you! Its just cleaning
its self up. You can do a pre oil change flush but it does not clean it all up.
The flush does help some, so its not a waste to do it.
Many have a fear to run the 5w30. Just because of the #'s they see 5/30.
Bill
I have been using the HDD now for years. No problems, all seasons.
Ams has 7 different diesel rated lubes. Jot them down (tbn,vis, ect)
and compare, you will see the HDD is the way to go. The HDD rides the line of being called a 40wt.
I have a psd here that if you see under the VC's you would swear
the motor was just assembled and never run!
One thing to remember is you may not get good distance out of the 1st or 2nd oil change. Just depends on how long it takes to cleanup the motor from all the miles on the dino. Your UOA might even scare you! Its just cleaning
its self up. You can do a pre oil change flush but it does not clean it all up.
The flush does help some, so its not a waste to do it.
Many have a fear to run the 5w30. Just because of the #'s they see 5/30.
Bill
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Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,864
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From: STEPHENVILLE,TX!!!!!
i switched to shaeffers from amsoil, but am still running amsoil bypass filters. the shaeffers 7000 15-40w is holding up to shear down better than the amsoil ame 15-40w supposedly amsoils new heavy duty diesel 15-40 is supposed to be even better but its HIGH dollar think its like $28 a gallon and i get shaeffers for $100 for 6 gal about $16 a gal.
PREMIUM SPONSOR
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,630
Likes: 217
From: North East Ohio
Send in a sample of your oil at 3k miles and they will tell you it's no good. Rotella, Delo, and others are only good till about 2500 miles. I have heard it over and over.
Going to 5k, 6k or 8k mile changes, you're killing your injectors, and most likely motor bearings, etc too.
If it's too expensive to maintain your truck properly, don't drive it...
Or spend $200 on an oil change (synthetic) and be good for 15k miles...
__________________
'96 7.3 F-350 Reg Cab 4x4 - bought new.
'04 6.0 E-350 custom 4x4
'08 6.4 F-550 Reg Cab 6 spd 4x4
'17 6.7 F-250 KR ccsb 4x4
'96 7.3 F-350 Reg Cab 4x4 - bought new.
'04 6.0 E-350 custom 4x4
'08 6.4 F-550 Reg Cab 6 spd 4x4
'17 6.7 F-250 KR ccsb 4x4
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 0
From: Levittown
The other benefit from the use of syn is the turbo bearings.
Not 1 time have i seen coked/coking bearings in a motor using syn
lubes. Cannot even guess the amount using dino, but its a high % of them.
The turbo is the main reason we switched to syn. The rest that came with
it was an extra.
Bill
Not 1 time have i seen coked/coking bearings in a motor using syn
lubes. Cannot even guess the amount using dino, but its a high % of them.
The turbo is the main reason we switched to syn. The rest that came with
it was an extra.
Bill
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,864
Likes: 0
From: STEPHENVILLE,TX!!!!!
ive got 23k on my oil right now but i get it tested regularly and have changed bypass filter once and 2 full flow filters and will change full flow right after getting the results from the next oil test at 25k. next bypass will get changed at 30k but i wait till i get my test results before changing filters since i may need to change oil too.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,773
Likes: 1
From: Texas Coast
Mushroom
ive got 23k on my oil right now but i get it tested regularly and have changed bypass filter once and 2 full flow filters and will change full flow right after getting the results from the next oil test at 25k. next bypass will get changed at 30k but i wait till i get my test results before changing filters since i may need to change oil too.
I'm in the dark on the bypass filter.
Someone got some info on that?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,087
Likes: 189
From: Reno, NV
It's a second oil filter that you add. Your stock filter is considered a 'full flow' filter and virtually all the oil cycles through it while your engine is running. The typically filter down to about 10 microns.
A bypass filter filters only a small quantity of oil, but filters it down to 2 microns, thus removing much more particles. This keeps your oil cleaner and less wear on your engine.
If you want to run synthetic oil (expensive), you can extend your drain/change intervals by adding a bypass filter. The synthetic oil does not break down like conventional oil, so if you can keep it clean, you don't need to change it. I've heard of some guys going 50k miles before changing oil. You will need to change the filters and it would also be a good idea to have your oil analyzed on a regular basis to make sure there are no problems.
Amsoil, FS2500, Oilguard, Motorguard are some of the companies that sell bypass kits, or, you can make your own.
A bypass filter filters only a small quantity of oil, but filters it down to 2 microns, thus removing much more particles. This keeps your oil cleaner and less wear on your engine.
If you want to run synthetic oil (expensive), you can extend your drain/change intervals by adding a bypass filter. The synthetic oil does not break down like conventional oil, so if you can keep it clean, you don't need to change it. I've heard of some guys going 50k miles before changing oil. You will need to change the filters and it would also be a good idea to have your oil analyzed on a regular basis to make sure there are no problems.
Amsoil, FS2500, Oilguard, Motorguard are some of the companies that sell bypass kits, or, you can make your own.