First Oil Change

[parcours]

Did my first oil change. 1000 miles as I like to do with any new vehicle. Quite a bit of metal shaving, I was surprised.

I would expect to see a few, but this truck had more than I expected. And not just the metal powder caught by the drain plug magnet. I'm going to wait to install my Fumoto valve.

Have others experienced the same?

[George C]

I think I remember Navistar recommends a 3,000 mile oil change the first time. I think there are special oil additives to insure proper break in.

[KINGTUT]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: George C</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think I remember Navistar recommends a 3,000 mile oil change the first time. I think there are special oil additives to insure proper break in.
</div></div>

I agree, I think I would have left it in a little longer and I also do not believe that the metal shavings are unusual, unless there is something about the 6.4 engine that is different from most other new engines. I remember an ample amount of shavings on my 6.0 when I changed the oil. Same on my diesel farm tractor. In fact there were a small amount of shaving everytime I changed it. However, I guess I might be a bit off, they were not really "shavings", but very, very minute, very small, much smaller than a grain of salt metal particles. Maybe that is what a "shaving" is. It was almost like metal dust, nothing large.

[yougotme]

Yeh I waited till 3k. Then changed it again at 5k and still alot of shavings.

[CMB430]

My oil was so black at 2500 and 6500 miles I could not see if there were shavings in it or not. I know the filter on the first change had some metal in it, and the second one almost nothing.

[George C]

Metal shavings are completely normal, and none of that stuff will get past your filter. Don't let that stuff be a barometer of your particular engine.
Black oil in a diesel is also very normal. Look at a big rig's oil after a couple thousand miles. It gives a new meaning to the word Black.

[parcours]

What additive would be added from Navistar and to do what?

Isn't Ford the ones that add the factory fill?

I'm going to send the oil in for a sample and see.

[George C]

There is an additive in the original oil.
I wouldn't worry too much about that either. Fresh, clean oil can never hurt, just don't let metal shavings spook you. It's normal and expected.
There is also a "color" additive which glows under a special light to make oil leaks easier to trace.

[KINGTUT]

I think how "black" the oil is, is related to the particular engine design. I remember that my 6.0 did not get "black" for thousands of miles, yet my VW Jetta was "black" after you rode around the block. The 6.4 must be one of the types that gets black quick, either way it has no affect whatsoever as to the effectiveness of the oil to do it's job, that is as long as it is changed at the proper intervals.

[montanafan]

I think the general consensus of opinion on the 6.0s when they were new, was that the so-called "break-in" oil was simply 10-30 oil with a dye in it to help the dealers find reported leaks.
I am a big fan of getting the new engine oil out soon, like a thousand miles or sooner. I don't want crap in my oil pan. I know there are baffles in it, but just what does happen when you corner or accelerate or decelerate hard? I don't want anything but clean oil getting slapped around by the crankshaft.
As others said, the color is determined by the type and brand of oil and the driving habits of the operator. Some friction modifiers are natively dark colored.
The metal was probably the remnants of the factory machining that did not get cleaned out properly.

[parcours]

I did notice how black the oil was for only 1000 miles...

And we're supposed to be able to go 10K miles of normal driving or 5K of severe driving between oil changes, wow...

Does any one know if the 6.4 shears the oil the same as the 6.0?

[Puzzled]

You guys are making me feel unworthy of owning this 08. I went 9300 miles before pulling the plug the first time. No metal in the oil. I was actually surprised as I thought I would have seen more.

On that note I switched to full SYN for the first time in my life in a four wheeled vehicle. The cost hurt but the truck feels different, a tad quieter, a little smoother in the morning. Than again it could be the lighter wallet syndrome.

[OMCUSNR]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Does any one know if the 6.4 shears the oil the same as the 6.0? </div></div>

Since the 6.4 uses a different injection system and has no HPOP, I'd say no, it doesn't.

[Super Duty John]

Back in the old days, pre-'03.25 6.0L...the so called 7.3L days, we asked an Engineer at one of the Diesel Stop Rallies we had what the official stance of Ford and Navistar was on the first oil change. This guy was actually from Navistar and he said leave the oil in till at least 3,000 miles. The florescent green oil is 10w 30 with dye. The reason he said to leave the oil in was to properly break in the engine, they had calculated the shear and metal pollutants in the oil and said they wanted to have the first oil go at least 3,000 miles. Will this be the same for the 6.4, I don't know but I think the manual should be your guide.

I just checked mine and I'm at about 2,200 miles it's still full and plan on going to 3,000 this time. I have changed oil at 1,000 in the past but in retrospect, I think it was a total waste. My big quandary this time is...should I too move over to full synthetic oil? I've done so with my 2007 3.0L Sprinter and that little thing takes 14 quarts too!!! BTW, my 2,200 mile oil is black as coal as is the oil in my Sprinter (Mercedes B) engine in about the same mileage.

[Brad777]

Had mine changed today for the first time with 3014 miles on the odometer. I have an outstanding local dealer that I'm really comfortable with. Cost was $68 for the oil change and another $13 for a bottle of Motorcraft Cetane. With a $50k truck, peace of mind is everything.