I'm going to jump into this thread with some "devils advocate" statements -

First off, I doubt that anyone on here has run their oil (with an external filter) for 15k change intervals and done oil analysis on it. THEREFORE, all these statements about "you must change your oil at 5k" are baseless and unproven.
Regardless of weather or not it is a good idea (cheap insurance, etc etc) it is still not backed up by any hard research.
I also believe that synthetic oils should maintain their protective qualities for a longer period of use than regular oils, because if this is not the case, then synthetic oils are obviously a waste of money and a major crock! So, in theory the change interval can safely be extended. To what we really don't know.
I would hope that Ford, in stipulating a 7k oil change interval has found in testing that the oil does just fine in most applications.

Secondly, I do agree that the 6.0 shears down the oil to a 30 weight, however, so long as the oil additives are still intact and doing their job, 30w should work just fine(I say should because I don't have any definitive proof, other than all our 6.0's still run fine for 5k with sheared down oil).

Thirdly, Regardless of all of the above, I do believe that warranty would become an issue if the oil change interval went past what Ford recommends. Would they know? Well, if you rolled in for warranty work with an external filter installed they might. If your out of warranty then this is not an issue.

So, until we have definitive test results on just how far you can run a 6.0 before oil degradation begins to effect the motor, suggestions rather than statements should be made. Because really, how do we know that the Amsoil system does, or does not work? Test results? Anyone? .......... I didn't think so.

And by the way, before I get beat up, - I change my oil between 5k and 7k for no other reason than its the recommended oil change interval. My 6.0 now has 70k miles on it and the oil still stays clear until well after 3k on it.

Ok, I'll get off my soap box now ............

 

So you mean to say its not really a hassle, its just you being lazy on pulling a sample and sending? Ehhh, I can relate. I pulled my sample about 6 months ago and never sent it in, gonna do an oil change in a couple of weeks with the new Motorcraft 5w40 also and will take another one and just send that one in instead.

 

No one is saying you can't do extended oil drains...

Since the fall of 2002 (2003 Model year) we now have 7 years of experience behind what many people post as "common sense" oil changes.

What do we know as fact:

1) Ford states 5W-40 and 15W-40 is preferred.

2) 10W-30 can be used in the winter, but NOT for towing.

3) Regular oil intervals are 5,000 - 7,500 miles (per Ford).

4) Blackstone oil reports show that viscosity breaks down after several thousand miles. Going 5,000 - 7,5000 miles may not be bad for our motors, but if one tows or drives hard, or the EGR is putting recycled soot back into our motors... why go longer (even with a by-pass system)... it's still sheared down!!

5) Synthetic oil provides high heat capability for better turbo bearing protection.

6) Synthetic oil offers better cold weather start-up protection and easier starts.

7) Synthetic oil is a "cleaner" more highly refined oil and operates cleaner than dino oil


CONCLUSIONS:
1) With the above FACTS... many of of use synthetic, but a good dino oil is just as good and all oils should be changed on a regular basis.

2) Using an OEM oil filter provides maximum protection and all Blackstone reports have shown this.

3) Extended oil drains are only good if the viscosity is still within usable limits... and yes, 30 weight oil is OK to use, but "common sense" tells us to change it between 5,000 - 7,5000 miles even if the TBN of the oil is still good. If one tows, then 30 weight oil is not recommended past normal mileage intervals.

Using a by-pass oil system will do no harm if used, but running "thinned out oil" for extended mileage will slowly provide accelerated wear levels that over time will not be beneficial (maybe not right away... but accelerated none the less).

For me to reduce my oil changes by 1 or 2 times year or $200.00... not for me. If $200.00 a year is the difference for accelerated wear, then I (and others) should not have bought a diesel Super-Duty truck.

I think more "wear" happens to our motors due to do user choices:

1) Not using OEM/Racor made oil filters.

2) Not changing one's oil on time.

3) Using aftermarket air filters that let in increased particulates into the combustion chamber.

After 7 years of people driving 6.0L's, there are many of us with documented proof that OEM filters, CI4+ and CJ4 oil (synthetic or dino) and changing it on time has shown to be beneficial.

Happy Thanksgiving weekend.

 

I have tried to view your bypass filter photos but they don't work. The rest of your photos view fine.

Thanks,
Charlie

 

07Dually...sorry can't seem to get them to load...they're on page 3 under the main Albums tab above...added 11-25-09.

 

The only photos I can find in the album is of the CCV installation.
Sent you an email.

Charlie

 

Charlie, send me an email to powerstrokediesel@embarqmail.com. I'll send you pics of the bypass install.

Tom W.