first diesel oil change - easy questions - Diesel Forum

M.L.S.C. · 03-20-2008, 05:19 AM

I wanna do an oil change on my truck, it now has a Fram filter which by itself is a good reason to change everything, but still I have a few questions:

1. How much oil does my engine take?

2. What kind of oil should I put in it - previous owner said 15W-40 Rotella, do y'all agree?

3. Where can I get a dipstick for my engine? The one I have now is broken, as in I only have the handle part of it, the rest is gone (but not in the engine).

Thanks!

Sushibob64 · 03-20-2008, 10:19 AM

The 88 manual states 10 qt.When I did my 92 7.3 it seemed it took more.Have not done the 88 yet but I think it the same as 92.
Dipstick for the oil...search on internet for junk yards in your area and you should find something, Rob

Sushibob64 · 03-20-2008, 10:24 AM

Wear latex gloves...that old oil is a ***** to clean off the paws...Rob

xtremefreerider · 03-20-2008, 10:50 AM

I tend to run 2 gallons of Delo 400 (the old stuff, not the Low Emissions junk) and 2qts of Lucas Oil Stabilizer. Some claim the Lucas will foam, but since my truck will sit for up to 2 weeks I have found that the cold starts don't sound as harsh.

Get a good filter. Something you trust, I have had the best luck with Motorcraft but they are a little more expensive.

You should be able to get the dipstick from a good parts house.

The filters leak like crazy when removing them. I use either a gallon ziploc bag around the filter to catch the leaking oil, or a nail to puncture the bottom of the filter to let it drain

And expect the oil to be black as night, even after you change it.

cdnsarguy · 03-20-2008, 11:23 AM

If you wish to use the PSD filter it is longer with better filtration and uses 1qt extra for a total of 11qts.

Fleetguard oil filter #LF3630 Fuel filter #FG1281
Ford PSD oil filter#1995

ghunt · 03-20-2008, 12:04 PM

I dunno about the PSD filter holding a quart- when I changed my oil I put on a PSD filter, I poured a full quart into it and it still had room left! Looks like a quart and a half maybe.

Snotzalot · 03-20-2008, 05:14 PM

When you use the PSD filter you need an EXTRA quart.

icanfixall · 03-20-2008, 10:03 PM

Amen to the psd filter use requiring an extra quart. Plus they have a finer filter media for the turbo application needs. I run Chevron Delo 400 15W40. I always have. Believe the statement about wearing rubber gloves. The black in the oil is soot. It will not wash out of anything. It will wear off your hands... If you wash a lot of dishes..... Now do you really want to get some on your hands//////

M.L.S.C. · 03-20-2008, 11:32 PM

Oh, okay then, thanks a lot folks! One last question, my local store only carries Wix filters, does anyone know the Wix part number for the PSD filter?

Nevermind, I just googled the LF3630 filter, it says it fits 99-2003 PSDs, so I'll just ask the parts guy for one for a 2000 PSD and that should work nice.

So if I got that straight I will need 11-11.5qts of oil with an empty PSD filter, if I pre-fill the filter just pour 10qts th the engine, right?

trampsdieseltruck · 03-21-2008, 08:40 AM

whats wrong with fram oil filters on a 7.3?

Snotzalot · 03-21-2008, 09:47 AM

Fram has a reputation of not being the best filter on the market, but in the 10 years I have read this forum, I have never heard of an engine failure due to the failure of a Fram filter.

M.L.S.C. · 03-21-2008, 10:21 AM

Yeah, some people swear by Fram, many just plain hate them, but since i was putting new oil in anyways may as well upgrade the filter - Wix has a very good rep, my local store carries them, and it cost just as much as the Motorcraft, so I think tis a good choice. By the way I went with the larger 7.3 IDI filter, the PSD one would be very close to the engine crossmember, and I bet it would hit my front brake lines as well, heck the filter I have now comes real close to them and tis still smaller than the PSD unit. So I screwed in the filter empty, then added 10.5 qts of oil through the neck over the IP gear, so that should be good, right?

Snotzalot · 03-21-2008, 10:37 AM

The stock filter is fine. many of us fill the filter before installation. In the whole scheme of life probably not necessary but we do it out of habit. Did you put a bit of oil on the filter rubber o' ring prior to installation?

M.L.S.C. · 03-21-2008, 10:55 AM

Yes sir, always do - also cleaned the part of the engine where it screws into, so it shouldn't leak and it shouldn't stick either. And I usually fill the filters too, if they're easy to put on (like a small-block Chevy), but this one was very close to the oil pan so I'd most likely end up with a mini Exxon Valdez incident.

ejstith · 03-21-2008, 06:29 PM

NAPA filter is a WIX also ..... I've used Pennzoil straight 30 weight Long Life ever since I've had my 92. Have to go to the oil store to get it but worth it. 145K miles, no problems. I also use Standyne at ever fill up always have. I just switched all of my differentials and manual transmission with Royal Purple Synthetic. He's 17 years old and rearin' to go anywhere, anytime.