engine oil question
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Billerica, Massachusetts
engine oil question
Ok my 95 psd has 151,000 miles and runs great. I haven't had the truck long but I switched it to the rotella 5w-40 t6 fully synthetic with a Mobil 1 filter and was planning on going 6-8000 miles between changes. I am at a little more than 3000 miles now and I am down almost a quart of oil. Just wondering if that seems normal to you guys for the truck to be down that much with that mileage. Also it doesn't leak an ounce of oil from anywhere. Thanks in advance for any input.
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From: Dongola, IL
Before I comment on the oil consumption, I'll ask a couple questions.
1. Was the truck on a "perfectly" level surface when you checked the oil?
(being a little off level can make a big difference in the reading you get)
2. How much oil did you put in when you changed it?
3. Have you been driving it empty, or have you pulled any loads?
1. Was the truck on a "perfectly" level surface when you checked the oil?
(being a little off level can make a big difference in the reading you get)
2. How much oil did you put in when you changed it?
3. Have you been driving it empty, or have you pulled any loads?
New User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 19
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From: St Louis, MO
Sometimes changing from what oil the motor was formerly using to a completely different oil can cause oil stability problems as you mention.
such as using conventional oil for 75% of the motors life and then changing to a full synthetic.
From what I have read, its recommended to stick with the same oil type if the during the lifecycle of the engine "X" type of oil was used exclusively.
Some of these older engines' internals are just not engineered for full syn oils
stability becomes a problem
Have you tried regular 5W-30 and made a note of the oil control with that oil type ?
such as using conventional oil for 75% of the motors life and then changing to a full synthetic.
From what I have read, its recommended to stick with the same oil type if the during the lifecycle of the engine "X" type of oil was used exclusively.
Some of these older engines' internals are just not engineered for full syn oils
stability becomes a problem
Have you tried regular 5W-30 and made a note of the oil control with that oil type ?
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Dongola, IL
BTW, I use the Motorcraft 15w40 conventional oil. It is excellent oil.
I have 324,000 miles on my truck and it will only use a little bit (1quart) per 4000 miles if I am pulling a pretty good load (8-10,000lbs)
I have 324,000 miles on my truck and it will only use a little bit (1quart) per 4000 miles if I am pulling a pretty good load (8-10,000lbs)
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Billerica, Massachusetts
Before I comment on the oil consumption, I'll ask a couple questions.
1. Was the truck on a "perfectly" level surface when you checked the oil?
(being a little off level can make a big difference in the reading you get)
2. How much oil did you put in when you changed it?
3. Have you been driving it empty, or have you pulled any loads?
1. Was the truck on a "perfectly" level surface when you checked the oil?
(being a little off level can make a big difference in the reading you get)
2. How much oil did you put in when you changed it?
3. Have you been driving it empty, or have you pulled any loads?
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 0
From: Dongola, IL
I think that every engine responds differently to different oil.
Sometimes synthetic will not have as much consumption over X amount of time, sometimes it seems to be more. I am not an expert on different kinds of oil, but if I were you, next oil change I would try the Motorcraft 15w40 conv. oil. just my .02
It is not at all related to oil consumption, but it is always a good idea to prefill the oil filter.
Sometimes synthetic will not have as much consumption over X amount of time, sometimes it seems to be more. I am not an expert on different kinds of oil, but if I were you, next oil change I would try the Motorcraft 15w40 conv. oil. just my .02
It is not at all related to oil consumption, but it is always a good idea to prefill the oil filter.
Posting Guru
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woooeeeeeyy, your racking up the miles on that old girl 
going to top my miles soon, you got that beast the beggiing of the year at what 143k? LOL and its been down most of the time, hahaha
jk, but like i said, dont worry about a quart, you ream on that thing haha
going to top my miles soon, you got that beast the beggiing of the year at what 143k? LOL and its been down most of the time, hahahajk, but like i said, dont worry about a quart, you ream on that thing haha
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From: Wisconsin
Both of the oils will have no effect on oil consumption. The engine burning the oil is a mechanical issue, weather it's the rings/cyl walls, valve guides/seals, misc leaks. 1 qt over 3k miles isn't that big of a deal at all. I'd run it out to a 6500 mile oil change though.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 148
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From: Western NC
On your next oil change switch to a 15W-40 synthetic, a 5W motor oil is a little thin in these engines. The recommended oil is a straight 30W or the 15W-40 Marine/Diesel HD.
I run the Amsoil 15W-40 Marine/Diesel HD. My truck runs GREAT! Best Wishes!
B
I run the Amsoil 15W-40 Marine/Diesel HD. My truck runs GREAT! Best Wishes!
B
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 176
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From: Billerica, Massachusetts
I think that every engine responds differently to different oil.
Sometimes synthetic will not have as much consumption over X amount of time, sometimes it seems to be more. I am not an expert on different kinds of oil, but if I were you, next oil change I would try the Motorcraft 15w40 conv. oil. just my .02
It is not at all related to oil consumption, but it is always a good idea to prefill the oil filter.
Sometimes synthetic will not have as much consumption over X amount of time, sometimes it seems to be more. I am not an expert on different kinds of oil, but if I were you, next oil change I would try the Motorcraft 15w40 conv. oil. just my .02
It is not at all related to oil consumption, but it is always a good idea to prefill the oil filter.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Billerica, Massachusetts
woooeeeeeyy, your racking up the miles on that old girl going to top my miles soon, you got that beast the beggiing of the year at what 143k? LOL and its been down most of the time, hahaha
jk, but like i said, dont worry about a quart, you ream on that thing haha
going to top my miles soon, you got that beast the beggiing of the year at what 143k? LOL and its been down most of the time, hahahajk, but like i said, dont worry about a quart, you ream on that thing haha
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 183
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From: Wisconsin
5W40 is only a 5w when it's cold...when it gets warm it's a 40 weight...so a 15w40 end up being 40 weight. Ford recommends oils based on temps...15w40 (above 0*), 10w30 (-10*F-90*F) and 5w30(below 50*F). Using a 5w40 will cause no harm to these trucks.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Western NC
The 5W oils are used in the newer engines that have much tighter machined tolerances, so the oil flows quicker and at lower temps.
I have only seen a straight 30W or 15W-40 oils recommended for these engines.
I ran a 5W-40 oil in a '80 Mercedes 300D & had a low oil pressure problem that was traced to using the 5W oil.
I would never run a 5W oil in these engines!
Thanks,
B
I have only seen a straight 30W or 15W-40 oils recommended for these engines.
I ran a 5W-40 oil in a '80 Mercedes 300D & had a low oil pressure problem that was traced to using the 5W oil.
I would never run a 5W oil in these engines!
Thanks,
B
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From: Wisconsin
The recommendations I have are right out of the Powerstroke supplemental manual that came with the truck. It's also posted in Fords' service manual for the 7.3l Powerstroke engine. Like I said, it's only a 5w, 10w or 15w until the engine is warm. Ford lists no recommendation on straight 30. Most engines are pretty close to each other on rod and main bearing clearance...you can only run them so tight.
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