V-10 oil changing questions. - Diesel Forum

iweb · 03-25-2002, 08:40 PM

I told my dealer where to go Fri. so I am going to start changing my own oil so how many quarts will it take and what brand of oil and filter is everyone using? Also someone told me that the only way to get the filter off was to buy a special tool from Ford, is this true? Thanks.

JVencius · 03-25-2002, 08:45 PM

The manual should state what viscosity and how much oil to use.

SCOTTx88 · 03-25-2002, 08:45 PM

I use ford 5w-20 from walmart for 1.77/qt.And a 820 motorcraft also from walmart,the filter comes of just like all the rest with a regular oil filter wrench.Use a 2 liter bottle with the top cut off around the filter,it'll save you some mess.Plus fill the new filter up before you install it,it'll give you a split second less of no oil pressure.Mine takes a little more than 6 qts.Don't be scared you'll do fine.

iweb · 03-25-2002, 10:46 PM

Scottx88, thanks for the info it is greatly appreciated!

fahlb · 03-26-2002, 07:51 AM

Mine takes 7 quarts, when the oil filter is changed.
I use 5W-30, which is what Ford recommended prior to 2002. The more common 5W-30 oil seems to be a little bit easier to find in the 5 quart size that I find convienient for used oil disposition, and it also seems to be a little bit less expensive. Wal-Mart has been the lowest price source I've found.
I also use the Motorcraft FL820S filter from Wal-Mart, but I have noticed that Wal-Mart has started to carry a new store brand (Super Tech, I believe) which is about $1 less per filter. The V-10 would take their ST2 code filter. I am guessing those are Fram filters, private branded. I may give those a try the next time I need to buy filters.

aleig14572 · 03-26-2002, 02:04 PM

My 2001 recommends 5W-20. And I use motorcraft oil and filters from Wal-Mart.

V10 man · 03-27-2002, 02:03 AM

I've use the Wal-mart oil on and off now for a year. So far, so good. I have also used the Wal-Mart filter once because they were out of FL820s. I've heard the oil is made by Quakerstate.

monsta · 03-27-2002, 10:36 PM

My .02

I only use Mobil 1 5W/30 (mine is a '00) and Motorcraft filters. I put 6.5 Qts in and carry the half for topping off if needed between the 5K changes.

On another note, during the winter I let the oil change monkeys at Wal-Mart have the honor of changing the oil in my Excursion. (That is ALL I let them do!) It costs me $30 for the hole shabang. Spring, Summer and Fall is when I "bond" with my truck....

3992824 · 03-28-2002, 12:28 AM

Why would you guys put in more than the 6 qts of oil Ford says the V10 takes? I know the dipstick is funky and it appears that it's a half a qt. low with the required six, but do you think the extra 1/2 to 1 qt extra that you're overfilling the crankcase is beneficial?

Save the overage for the next change! It'd be like getting every sixth or twelfth oil change free!

monsta · 03-28-2002, 08:06 PM

Hmmm...Never really thought of it that way.

I found that at 6.5 it is right where I like it on the dipstick. Just below the full line...

DFord · 03-29-2002, 12:56 AM

I don't know about the Excursion, but my 2000 F-53 with the V-10 in a motorhome chassis had to have the dipstick replaced because the original was too short which had a lot of people overfilling the crankcase. I was told Ford recommends filling the crankcase with the prescribed amount of oil and then marking the dipstick if it isn't right.

Check for a TSB on the Excursion. My original dipstick had a "T" handle, the replacemnt has a pull ring to grab it by. Of course, the motorhome chassis has an extra long dipstick to reach through the firewall so you can check the oil from the front of the radiator.

Pharmer · 03-29-2002, 11:07 AM

Filter and six quarts. Middle of cross hatch. <a target="_blank" href=http://cartalk.cars.com/Columns/Archive/2001/August/03.html>http://cartalk.cars.com/Columns/Archive/2001/August/03.html</a> The correct term is called windage. In extreme cases of overfill, a quart or more you can damage the engine due to lack of lubrication.

monsta · 03-29-2002, 03:31 PM

I just came back from Wally World. Got my 2 5qt jugs of Mobil 1 ($17.88ea) and my Fl-820S (($2.97) and I'm off to change my oil and filter.

6 quarts and a filter...Damn the mark. I'll see where it is exactly when I do it. With 6.5 it is right below the top of the end of hash marks. That article stated that a half a quart wouldn't "hurt" anything.

Unless the crank is dragging through the oil, I can't see where it could hurt it. Am I wrong?

There is not a TSB on the Excursion dipstick. (That I know of...)

While we are on the subject of oil, how much do you guys "burn" in between changes? I usually have to add about a 1/2 to 3/4 quart around the 3500-4000 mile mark.

3992824 · 03-29-2002, 05:04 PM

Only once did I have to add a qt of oil. That was after 5000 mi. on a 6500 mi trip towing the trailer last summer. I generally change the oil at 3000 mi. due to not putting enough mi. on unless traveling. Even at less than 3000 mi., I need to change it after winter.

Brittonair · 03-29-2002, 07:46 PM

I have seen 1/2 to 3/4 quart at 3000 miles as well. Those around me seem to say the same. I have been using Mobil 1 5-30synthetic but just put in the Motorcraft 5-20 blend. Seems better at highway speeds so far.