88 F450 likes oil...

[Defnac]

Hi, all...

New to the forum, I came across a 1988 F-450, and I love it, but.... It uses a lot of oil. It has 145,000 miles on it, methinks for a big International diesel, that isn't much. I've changed all the filters, to no avail, I use Shell Rotella oil - any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

[cdnsarguy]

This is a good post by a respected member of TDS...............

DieselDon

Oil consumption, and the proper checking of the oil levels in Ford diesels comes up periodically. Ford dipsticks are calibrated for hot oil. The 10 quarts in the IDI engines expand about 1/2 to 3/4 of a quart as the oil heats up, and contracts the same amout after cooling. If you check the oil first thing in the morning ( which I grew up doing ) the engines will all indicate oils level below full, but when checked hot, will ( after a 10 minute drain time ) the oil level is usually at full. If you are checking the oil cold, and keeping the level at full, you are actually over filling the engine which will burn of the extra rapidly.

Suggestion: Check oil hot after 10 minute drain time.
Don't add until level reaches add line ( 2 quarts ).

In my days at Ford this often cured, or at least improved, the apparent oil consumption com

[Defnac]

OK, Thanks...

Yes, I check it cold, it is usually right at the "Add Oil" level, will try warming it up first - like I say, I'm new to this, but my very first question after driving it was "Where have you been all my life?"...