Oil Pressure Delay with Rotella Synthetic & Dana Wix filter... - Diesel Forum

MattinVa · 08-29-2006, 07:02 PM

Gentlemen,
I have a 05 6.0 PSD that has recently displayed a delay between startup and registering oil pressure. The delay is an honest 4 seconds after startup. The truck was running Rotella 5w-40 Synthetic and Dana Wix Oil Filters. The truck was at 5K this afternoon and changed the oil and filter. I did, however, switch back to standard Rotella as we use it in Farm Tractors and Road Tractors. I'm curious if anyone has noticed this issue...

Upon startup after service the oil pressure delay was eliminated. I'm a bit perplexed as I started using the Rotella Synthetic due to low temperature starts in the Colorado Winter. It Instantly correctly the extreme low temp oil pressure lag that I experienced last winter...

The only thing that has changed is the Oil Filter. Dana Wix used to sell the same "Made in Germany" Oil Filter as Motorcraft. However, the last two have been marked "Made in USA". Any input would be appreciated...

Regards, Matt Garrett
Chesapeake, Virginia

ritschner · 08-29-2006, 07:17 PM

There is a drain valve in the bottom of the oil filter housing that closes when the oil filter is installed. When the oil filter is removed it drains the oil into the crankcase for a more complete oil change. The most likely cause of your problem is a poorly fitting oil filter not allowing the drain to close properly. When the engine then gets shut off the oil drains out of the filter housing causing the delay in oil pressure build-up until the filter housing gets refilled. My suggestion would be to change the oil filter. Walmart carries both the Fram and Motorcraft(the same filter, different price) in stock. That should resolve the problem.

OT · 08-29-2006, 07:54 PM

4 seconds is long. Didnt someone here report filter causing drain valve to open when top tightened or was it bad d.valve? As mentioned, but here's a check you can do...let truck sit overnight. Next am, unloosen o/f housing cap & slowly lift...

1st..Does it look kinda dry (inside) what you can see? 2nd..pull filter out, is it oily or dry looking? If it appears dry, then Id suspect bad valve or filter problem?

Of course this may all be n/a? Just a thought. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

GregsPSD · 08-29-2006, 08:02 PM

Its the filter the Wix filter is not the same size as the OE i had the same problem go back to a motocraft and your problem will be fixed.... and its doing exactly what uturn said.. its draining back into the pan out of the filter housing... you wont have pressure till it fills up.... hope this helps...

TimsDiesel · 08-29-2006, 08:27 PM

My 04 is doing the SAME EXACT THING with the same oil filter and oil combo. Can't be coincidence. I'm was thinking it was the WIX filter after all the posts about it awhile back.

I'll get a MC filter and see if makes a diff.

toshiba · 08-29-2006, 09:05 PM

It is NOT the oil, it is the wix oil filter get it out and get a motorcraft from a dealer or wal-mart and stay away from the fram as well.
I had the same issue last year everytime when I started the engine after it set overnight I had the same oil pressure delay 4-5 seconds as if I had just did a oil& filter change.
Ford even thought it was a problem and replaced the oil filter check valve assembly but the problem still was there.
Until I changed the oil again and did not like the changes wix made on the oil filters mainly the rubber gasket,I went back to motorcraft oil drain down issue solved.

TimsDiesel · 08-30-2006, 09:12 AM

I just bought the FRAM filter because it was exactly alike to the MC (both at Wally World). Should I take it back (obviously not in the truck yet)?

Can anyone share REAL experience with the two different filters?

luckeyd · 08-30-2006, 10:46 AM

Look closely at the Fram and the MC filters. They are identical, down to the stamping, except Fram filters are wrapped in plastic, the MC filters are not. The "Fram bashing" does not apply to the filters for the 6.0L. Have used them for over 4 oil changes, that's over 20K miles of towing, 9K lbs travel trailer mostly. No problems with vehicle to date. I have over 50K on vehicle since purchasing new, most miles are towing. I used MC and Wix at first, then switched over to Fram. No differences that I can tell. I use Chevron 15W40, tried Rotella Syn 5W40 this past winter. With the exception of quieter starts when cold, I could tell no difference in performance or fuel milage between the two. Went back to Chevron 15W40 in spring, will continue to use that year-round. Live in Virginia Beach, temps just don't get that cold here. If temps do drop excessively, will plug in motor heater.

Don

ikidd49 · 08-30-2006, 05:02 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Look closely at the Fram and the MC filters. They are identical, down to the stamping, except Fram filters are wrapped in plastic, the MC filters are not. The "Fram bashing" does not apply to the filters for the 6.0L. Have used them for over 4 oil changes, that's over 20K miles of towing, 9K lbs travel trailer mostly. No problems with vehicle to date. I have over 50K on vehicle since purchasing new, most miles are towing. I used MC and Wix at first, then switched over to Fram. No differences that I can tell. I use Chevron 15W40, tried Rotella Syn 5W40 this past winter. With the exception of quieter starts when cold, I could tell no difference in performance or fuel milage between the two. Went back to Chevron 15W40 in spring, will continue to use that year-round. Live in Virginia Beach, temps just don't get that cold here. If temps do drop excessively, will plug in motor heater.

Don

[/ QUOTE ]

My experience exactly.....except our climate is a bit cooler (but not a lot). I will probably put the Rotella syn in Nov as we usually go for an ice fishing weekend where there is no plug in...I will also start watching for the Chevron or Mobil to market the new formula CJ4 and will switch to it.
Ian

TimsDiesel · 08-30-2006, 08:51 PM

Ok - got the FRAM filter in there just a few minutes ago.

OH SH*T. What have 4+ second waits for oil pressure done to my engine?

The FRAM filter takes about a 1/2 second to come up to pressure. I looked at both the WIX and the FRAM and noticed the WIX is a bit shorter (maybe the reason for the bad fit against the drain valve?).

Anyway - I'll be dumping my remaining WIX filters and replacing the stock with MC or FRAM's. I have to wonder what the WIX fuel filters are doing also???

HARD evidence - stick with the correct parts!!!!!!

jkingrph · 08-30-2006, 09:26 PM

I have the dealer change oil which I supply, Rotella 5w40 syn. Use filter dealer supplies. Have same thing happen so I would assume that the brand of filter is not at fault. I have seen this problem with two different oil changes.

jkingrph · 08-30-2006, 09:29 PM

Forgot to add this.. My dealers mechanic said no problem the engine would not start without oil pressure.

MattinVa · 11-22-2006, 03:38 PM

Gentlemen,
I know this a bit out of date, however, I wanted to both thank you and bring you up to date. It indeed was the oil filter. My father has a rather large Heavy Diesel Fleet and his Dana Wix discount was a good bit cheaper than Wal-Mart. When I noted that Dana intially used the same "Made in Germany" filter as MC that's what I used. When they changed to "Made in USA" the problems began...

The truck was due for a computer recall and I asked the mechanic to look at it. They came back saying a the 4-6 second delay(by a stop watch) was a "characteristic" of the engine/vehicle. When the truck returned home I changed the oil & filter and the lag disappeared. It went back to roughly 1 second or less delays... In short Ford said they checked the network and there were no bulletins on this issue. Dana Wix qualifies for the warranty. In short I think, respectfully, that they are out to lunch or uninterested...

The hiccup is that I want to my local, Colorado, Walmart and I opened the package to make sure it was "Made in Germany". I was greeted with "Made in USA". Have no clue if this is a MC filter or out sourced like the original. I picked through the entire pile and found 2 "Made in Germany" Filters in the back. In short I bought them and am on the lookout for a couple more. I hope that the new MC filters do not display what the "Made in USA" Dana Wix filters did...

In short it was the filter...

Regards, Matt.

MattinVa · 11-22-2006, 03:42 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Forgot to add this.. My dealers mechanic said no problem the engine would not start without oil pressure.

[/ QUOTE ]

fwiw & imho,
I think he is mistaken. Where would oil pressure be coming from if the engine were not turning over?

I had an electric pre-luber on a 94 F-150 that truly never started without oil pressure at the bearing. In hindsight I should have kept it and installed it on this truck. Had a $2000 engine in that truck and a $12,000 engine in this truck. The logic escapes me...

Regards, Matt.

Btravelen · 11-22-2006, 05:54 PM

There has plenty on the forums about the questionable quality of 'will fit' filters such as Wix. Using a Racor made (Motorcraft, Fram, Autolite, Racor....) filter is the best way to avoid any question of filter quality. If you use Wix ("I've used Wix since".....) good luck to you. There is no benefit in doing so.

Made in Germany or Made in USA makes no difference in Racor made filters. They moved the plant here to produce the same filter. Period.

Take Care