Motor oil for diesel engine?

[MotoSook]

I need to change the oil in the newly acquired 7.3 diesel. I don't need a synthetic. Dispite all the claims that synthetic won't cause an engine to leak or seep oil after changing from Dino oil, I am not convinced due to personal experience.

So what oil are you guys using for summer oil? Are you adding anything to it!

[speeder]

15w40 Diesel oil only. And no POS Fram filters or the like. Use Motorcraft filters, they are patented for that engine and the ones at Pep Boys are not the same. (They partially block the bypass). I have seen Motorcraft filters at FLAPS like Kragen or Autozone.

The three popular, and easily found oils are:

Shell Rotella
Mobil Delvac
Chevron Delo

all in 15w40 w/ the word "diesel" on the front of the bottle somewhere. I believe the letter code is something like CH-4, don't have one in front of me. They are usually only found in gallons and every auto parts store in the land has it. Walmart is usually the cheapest place if you have one near.

Using the right oil and filters is absolutely essential in these motors. They will not even run right w/ the wrong oil, due to the nature of the injectors which are run on super high-pressure engine oil from an auxiliary oil pump on the front/top of engine. Injectors get oil pressure up to 2500 psi in that engine. You also do not need to change it every 4k miles or something ridiculous like that. Join a good Powerstroke board like thedieselstop dot com and start learning. There are plenty of guys who've done the oil analysis over there at various mileage intervals and report the results on identical engines to yours.

[BGCarrera32]

I don't own a diesel, never have, but have heard from more than a couple guys that Shell Rotella is good stuff. You can get it at Wallymart.

[Joe Ricard]

Yup on Rotella 15W-40.
4 gallons worth.

Love my Diesel.

[MotoSook]

I was going to mention Rotella, but figured I'd see what pops up first. The local Farm and Fleet sells it at a pretty good price, and there's a Ford dealership across the street where I can get a filter if F n F doesn't have the right part number filter.


How about fuel filters? Any thoughts on the topic? I read every 15000 miles and to bleed out water periodically.

My truck didn't come with an owners manual so I'm gonna see if I can get one from the local salvage yard.

[vash]

rotella...put on a costume, and sneak into walmart.

air filter is super important on those heavy breathing diesels. i seem to remember a flow tab or something coming off of the airbox.

great truck souk!

[speeder]

You need the owners manual. Do not use generic filters, period. That would be a textbook example of "false economy". That's amongst the most valuable advice to give you.

[trekkor]

I wouldn't know.

The dealership changes my oil and filter every 3k miles since new...

I have 128k on the motor.
2001


KT

[VINMAN]

I use Rotella, Chevron or Castrol 15W-40 all are good.

And to back up Dennis...BUY GOOD FILTERS!!

[Gogar]

Rotella +1. Works reaaaal nice in your Porch too!

[Freybird]

I only use Rotella in my Diesel Mercedes daily commuter.

[porsche4life]

We've only ever run Rotella in all our diesels... Haven't had a problem yet....

[MotoSook]

Wow. Rotella is king!

Thanks guys.

[speeder]

I like Chevron Delo even better. They are all basically the exact same oil, (w/ slightly varying additive packages), all are way above the original specs for your engine. Rotella just has the best marketing and is most common on shelves. I've used all 3 that I mentioned above extensively and could swear that my 7.3 liked the Chevron Delo better. Injectors were quieter, engine smoother, etc...

But then my ass-dyno might need calibrating. YMMV.

[aigel]

I always got the mobil delvac 15W40 at Costco. Did numerous oil analysis runs extending change periods my longest run at 13k miles still had excellent properties when pulled. Motorcraft filter.

HTH,

George

[URY914]

Motor oil is the only thing I go to Walmart for.
OK, I like to look at the hot chicks while I'm there too.

[dlockhart]

Nice truck Souk..

Dino Rotella all summer, then late fall I switch to synth.
With synth mine will fire down past 0 F without plugging it in. If I go a little later into the cold season on dino, it sometimes gets cranky and needs a double glow plug cycle.
When I plug it in, I have heat before I hit the end of the block.

[MotoSook]

Thanks Dave. I checked out the website for the shop in Rockdale and will keep them in mind for work if needed. I have test the block heater yet, but it should come in handy.

Looks like I'll try Rotella since I can pick up ammo and oil there Like with my other cars, no skimping on oil and filter.

[Joe Ricard]

Fuel filter is pretty easy. right up in front on top of the motor. about 35 bucks from FLAPS. 10 minutes to change.

[targa911S]

Rotella in my tractor.