motorcraft oil - Diesel Forum

mt454casull · 03-23-2008, 01:47 AM

Hey,
I am a new diesel owner having just bought a 2004 f350 6.0, and I was just trying to figure out what the best oil to use is without going broke. I have been told that redline is the best, but man they don't give that stuff away. Does anyone have anything bad to say about just running motorcraft oil and changing it often. How about Mobil, Rotella, Amsoil. I have been told not to run dello 400, and that it isn't approved for International engines anyhow. Any how, what are your thoughts?

Going_Going_Gone · 03-23-2008, 11:01 AM

I've used it since Ford service plan ran out (45K miles). Before that I assume that the dealership used it as well. Changing oil and filter @ 5K intervals with no issues, so I guess I'll stick with it.

ttmech · 03-23-2008, 11:29 AM

I've used Amsoil after 18,000 miles on motorcraft and now change every 15,000, test say I can go with longer intervals so I change my filter around 7000-10000 miles depending on the type of use its been thru, at a 100 bucks a oil change why not have fresh oil sooner, I'm still money ahead from 3-5 thousand change intervals and I believe synthetic oil is less destructive

MikeL46 · 03-23-2008, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mt454casull

Hey,
I I have been told not to run dello 400, and that it isn't approved for International engines anyhow. Any how, what are your thoughts?

Never heard that one. I've been running Delo 400 with 7500 mile changes. I would go to 5000 mile changes except I never drive less than 30 minutes after I start it, never idle longer than a stop light, and IH has 10000 mile changes on the same engine.

Delo 400 has the same approvals as other diesel oils and it works for me.

Mike

hitecdan · 03-23-2008, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mt454casull

I have been told not to run dello 400, and that it isn't approved for International engines anyhow. Any how, what are your thoughts?

Who told you that? That's funny because someone posted a while back that they were told the Shell Rotella was not approved for the 6.0L PSD. Is Dello 400 CI-4, CI-4+ or CJ-4 rated? Many have and are using Dello 400 with excellent results. Any oil that is CI-4+ rated is OK to use in the 6.0L PSD. But the CI-4+ rating has now been replaced with the newer CJ-4 rating, except for a lot of the synthetics out there, but that should change with time. Shell, Dello and Motorcraft are all excellent oils to use unless you sale Amsoil. Also, most of these oils can be had at places like Walmart for less $$$ then what the dealer is selling Motorcraft oil for. Don't get me wrong, Motorcraft is a good oil too, but a Ford dealers have been know to push their stuff by telling you the other stuff is not approved or could void your warranty. If it meets the CI-4+ rating, it's OK to use. I had may oil changed once by my dealer as part of a recall and he filled it up with Quaker State oil. Made my truck stay over night waiting for the Quaker State oil while tons of Motorcraft band oil sat on the shelves in their parts department.

The problem with the 6.0L PSD is that it shears oil quickly. A 15W-40 weight oil will have the viscosity of a 10W-30 in about 3,000 miles. And the engine doesn't seem to care if the oil is a synthetic based oil or a dino based oil, it shears them all the same, except for Schaeffer's brand oil. But Schaeffer's is pretty hard to find and cost about the same as Redline. So unless you have money to burn, I would stick with a good dino oil and change it every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.

The plus side of synthetics is you will see a slight increase in mpg. From my experience it's less the 1 mpg using Shell Rotella T in the winter time. Hardly enough to off set the added cost of the synthetic oil. Slowing down and driving between 1,800 and 2,000 rpm will net you better mileage then dumping a synthetic in the crankcase.

If you drive short trips, stop and go traffic or idle a lot, change every 3,000 miles. Fuel dilution is an issue when the engine does not have time to warm up and run warmed up for longer periods of time, especially in winter time. If your driving consist of lots of freeway/highway driving, you can push the oil changes out to 5,000 miles.

Also consider have your oil analyzed by a lab like Blackstone labs the fist few oil changes. This will give you an idea of just how the engine/oil combo is performing. After you get a better feel for how the oil is doing, have the oil analyzed every once in awhile to keep tabs on the engine.

OMCUSNR · 03-23-2008, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeL46

Never heard that one. I've been running Delo 400 with 7500 mile changes. I would go to 5000 mile changes except I never drive less than 30 minutes after I start it, never idle longer than a stop light, and IH has 10000 mile changes on the same engine.

Delo 400 has the same approvals as other diesel oils and it works for me.

Mike

I'm another that uses Delo 400 CI (now CJ) and have had no problems for the 70k life of my truck. I've pulled OAs at every change, and have had no problems going the the recommended 7.5k interval.

The truck runs smooth and powerful, doesn't smoke, starts right up and doesn't surge.

I,m completley satisfied.

OMC

ebusa · 03-23-2008, 01:01 PM

Best= Chevron DELO 400, DELO (Diesel Engine Lubricating Oil)

mt454casull · 03-23-2008, 01:09 PM

Hey, thanks for all the info. I hurd the dello 400 thing from a company who runs about ten truck in heavy construction. I have a feeling that they just might not have been changing their oil often enough. Any how, thanks for all the info on oils.

montanafan · 03-23-2008, 02:15 PM

As others have written, there is no "best" oil. Motorcraft is excellent oil manufactured for Ford by various refiners. Even Amsoil is OK. There isn't any advantage to using synthetic , and if there is any mileage gain from it, it is because of the 5W base.
Delo, Shell, Mobil, etc., are all excellent as long as you select oil that meets your engine requirements. Most oils shear down the viscosity in the 6.0, but it has not proven to be a problem if you change at regular intervals.

MoeB · 03-24-2008, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mt454casull

Hey,
I am a new diesel owner having just bought a 2004 f350 6.0, and I was just trying to figure out what the best oil to use is without going broke. I have been told that redline is the best, but man they don't give that stuff away. Does anyone have anything bad to say about just running motorcraft oil and changing it often.

I ran MC 15W-40 for the first 30k in mine, but I've since switched to Schaeffer's. The MC seemed to do OK, although my UOAs were not exactly stellar. Wear metals were sometimes a little on the high side, but that might just be my engine. It would also shear down into the 30W viscosity range by 3500 miles or so. Just change it frequently and you should be fine.

I got the 5 quart jugs of MC 15W-40 for $10 at Advanced Auto.

6.0lpower · 03-28-2008, 11:54 AM

The 6.ol does shear more then the 7.3. I use Delvac 5-40, at 10000km interval uoa showed no breakdown. I think this is a good oil. My next change will be at 15,000. We will do the uoa again and see how it goes. I do believe synthetic is superior to dino. However the new dinos are good too but you have to change more often. I'm trying to use less oil and not use up our supply as quickly. 100 bucks a barrel, geez.