What would you guys think to be normal oil consumption on a '94 7.3 idi with give or take 260,000 miles on it? Mine is about midway down the fill line after maybe a 1000 miles on new oil and filter at which time the oil level was at the top line. Also the oil is really black in the 4 months since it was changed. Am also wondering how involved a compression check is with a 7/3 or a way of determing if oil is blowing through the engine without pulling stuff apart. Any advice kindly accepted

 

Your consumption is pretty good!

Before I rebuilt mine, a hard run would result in nearly a liter lost for every fuel fillup. Now its so small that I can't even measure it between oil changes. Probably less than half a liter per 6000 miles.

The cross hatched portion of the dipstick is 2 liters wide if I remember right. What you might not know is the dip stick is calibrated for taking measurements when the engine is hot, not cold. Ideal time to check the level is 10-10 minutes after a hot shut down. Too soon and the reading is not accurate. If the engine is cold, you might end up over filling it and that will result in more consumption.

Also, don't be rigid about having the oil level that high. Its ok for it to be right in the middle of that cross hatched area. Filling it up more will increase the likelihood of high consumption especially on an older engine. I learned to keep mine just below half and it dropped consumption noticably. These days it doesn't care because everything is new, but I still don't fill all the way up to the top of the cross hatched area.

Don't fret over the black oil either. Thats a fact of life with these engines that you just have to live with. I get a chuckle when ever I look at the oil in my propane powered F150

 

Thats great, very helpful . I figured the black color was maybe normal but have never owned a diesel in my many years of driving so am thankful for the advice. I'll try and keep it the center of the hatch marks and check when hot, only stands to reason given the quantity of oil these engines hold.

 

Also it's recommended not to add any oil until it is in the add area of the stick. The top to bottom crosshatch area represents 2 quarts. So with that said if my 6.9 gets to the add mark I add one quart which puts it in the middle.

 

i only use about a gallon every 3 months which is roughly 3000mi

its been said that rotella burns off faster.

 

From what I've been told rotella's about the best, anyone use synthetic or is that a waste of expensive oil?

 

I have heard different brands of oil may be consumed at different rates. Some motors will just eat more of one brand than another. I used regular Rotella for my first oil change and only had to add 3 quarts over 5k miles. I did my latest oil change with Castrol to see if it's any different. I just checked it after the first 1k miles and it's just barely below full.

 

I was a Rotella user but the last 6 changes been using Motorcraft diesel 15w40. A 5 quart jug is the price of 4qts Rotella at Walmart. At the same time pickup motorcraft 1995 oil filter for $10. My truck holds 11qts with the stroke filter so I use 2 jugs of oil and throw in a qt of Lucas stabilizer. I don't experience any consumption until 2,500 miles role around.

 

That sounds like a plan to me

 

speaking of rotella, the lordco auto parts here in bc has the cheapest 15-40 in town. I thought the bulk price from columbia fuels was good. Nope!

 

What do you pay down there?? There is a Lordco in PG so I might check their price next time I am out that way..

 

New engine's will benefit from the synthetic. Rotella is the only oil I have ever used in this truck. I put ten quarts in with a new filter and drain ten quarts out in 3-5K. Rotella synthetic is not much more expensive than the standard 15/40.

 

Off topic, but is a E4OD a stock tranny - I think that's what I have, and how much abuse will they take as stock for the '94 type vintage??

 

yes the E4OD is a stock tranny. I wouldnt abuse it too much, they arent exactly known for their strengh..........

 

OK thanks, I am planning on pulling a fairly heavy trailer at some point with it, maybe will slap on an extra cooler..