Synthetic Oil - Diesel Forum

Mikey1948 · 04-27-2007, 04:09 PM

Should I consider using synthetic oil in my 2008 F450?
Is so, what should the intervals be, and any suggestions on a brand?

Excursion7.3PSD · 04-27-2007, 04:32 PM

Their are far more knowlegable sources than I on this board. But here is how I feel. I currently run the Rotella synthetic in my 7.3's. (3) I always like to run Dino oil for the first few oil changes, just because you change it more often and I don't want some bad particles floating around longer than needed because I chose synthetic oils to start with. With Synthetic you have an associated longer cycle between oil changes. I figure I will be ready to switch over to synthetic around the (15-20) thousand mark. My dealer is giving me a free oil change and service at 7500 so I will probably double that, then switch over. Just got 2008 f350 PSD srw 162 miles so far.

wolfe14785 · 04-27-2007, 05:41 PM

Anybody look up part #'s for the oil filter, and the two fuel filters, I like to stock up ahead of time? I am about to turn 1000 miles and am yet undesided when to do my first change, I plan to use rotella 15/40 maybee about 2500 miles then switch to 5/40 syn at about 7500 miles and then change about every 7500 after that.

STG · 04-28-2007, 09:21 AM

Extended oil change intervals on a new diesel that's under warranty are probably not the best idea.

GrampyJim · 04-28-2007, 03:18 PM

Indeed.... Ford will ask for service records in the event of a failure. The intervals are clearly spelled out in the owners manuals.

Food for thought.... some oil vendors will promise extended intervals. Yet they are nowhere to be found when the customer is involved in an oil related warranty skirmish. I have yet to see the manufacturer of an open weave filter step up to the plate when an engine is dusted

"There's one born every minute..." P.T. Barnum

dirtyharry · 04-28-2007, 08:29 PM

Who right now is making synthetic oil in the new API CJ grade? I checked at a few places and the only stuff I found in the new grade was Regular Rottela T.

Rob

arisley · 04-29-2007, 01:13 AM

I would stick with Dino through the break in at least. Gotta change it to often. Grampy, gotta question, is receipts for the oil and filter gonna satisfy the dealer in a dispute? I really like to do all the work on my truck myself.

RVrs R US · 04-29-2007, 09:22 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Who right now is making synthetic oil in the new API CJ grade? I checked at a few places and the only stuff I found in the new grade was Regular Rottela T.

Rob

[/ QUOTE ]

We've been running Amsoil in our 7.3 since it turned 24,000 miles. Amsoil recently introduced a CJ4 synthetic but because of Ford's very specific instructions with the 6.4 lubrication, our new 2008 will be seeing only Rotella CJ4.

Dave

deadbolt · 05-03-2007, 10:52 AM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Who right now is making synthetic oil in the new API CJ grade? I checked at a few places and the only stuff I found in the new grade was Regular Rottela T.

Rob

[/ QUOTE ]

We've been running Amsoil in our 7.3 since it turned 24,000 miles. Amsoil recently introduced a CJ4 synthetic but because of Ford's very specific instructions with the 6.4 lubrication, our new 2008 will be seeing only Rotella CJ4.

Dave

[/ QUOTE ]

AMSOIL! I too have been running 5W-30 HDD Amsoil in my '97 7.3 since 14,000 miles. Truck now has 358,000 miles and not one oil related problem. Has had its share of sensor problems though. The new CJ4 Amsoil 5W-40 (DEO) exceeds all the major specs including FORD. Not sure why you will only run Rotella CJ4 but that is just me wondering out loud. Don't want to start another oil war 'cause there are lot more knowledgable minds viewing this site than myself. I just know what works for me and has for over 15 years of running synthetics.

Diesel Jay · 05-03-2007, 11:39 AM

[ QUOTE ]
The new CJ4 Amsoil 5W-40 (DEO) exceeds all the major specs including FORD.

[/ QUOTE ]
So Amsoil actually went ahead and got API certification on this product? They're finally including the API "starburst" and all, which the 6.4L owner's manual explicitly notes? Or, are they still just claiming that they exceed the API specs?

- Jay

deadbolt · 05-03-2007, 01:14 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The new CJ4 Amsoil 5W-40 (DEO) exceeds all the major specs including FORD.

[/ QUOTE ]
So Amsoil actually went ahead and got API certification on this product? They're finally including the API "starburst" and all, which the 6.4L owner's manual explicitly notes? Or, are they still just claiming that they exceed the API specs?

- Jay

[/ QUOTE ]

To my knowledge AMSOIL did not do the API cert testing and does not include the "starburst". I did not realize that FORD demands that 6.4L engine oil must have "starburst" on container. Maybe we should call AMSOIL tech services and let them explain why they did not get API cert? Seems like they have been successful for 30+ years without it. 'Course...I could be wrong!

Diesel Jay · 05-03-2007, 01:39 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I did not realize that FORD demands that 6.4L engine oil must have "starburst" on container.

[/ QUOTE ]
Yep. Look on page 41 of the Diesel engine supplement. You'll find the following text right next to a picture of the standard API symbol:

"A symbol has been developed by the American Petroleum Institute (API) to help you select the proper engine oil. It will be included on the oil container you purchase. The top section of the symbol shows the oil performance by the API designation. This should match the owner guide recommendation. The center section will show the SAE viscosity grade"

Considering how critical engine oil is to the aftertreatment system on the 6.4L, if Amsoil doesn't have the symbol then you're gambling with your engine and/or aftertreatment warranty.

- Jay

jhughd · 05-03-2007, 02:15 PM

Where can you buy this Amsoil and how much does it cost. Seems to be a lot of believers on here. I don't personally know anyone using amsoil.

JD

dirtyharry · 05-03-2007, 08:24 PM

That was always my concern with amsoil and some others. They say what standards they "exceed". However they are not certified. They might be fine but I want proof. When I have a problem I want to say it's not my fualt and this is the certified oil and filter i used. I am not against synthetics, I would actually prefer to use them. however they will not go into the engine unless they have the correct API certification. I have already had to do one $19K engine change in my life, one was enough!

Rob

willydmax · 05-03-2007, 09:35 PM

Amsoil is a very reputable company that has been making and selling synthetic oil since 1972. They developed synthetic oil for motor vehicles before anyone else. If you do your reserch on Amsoil you will find a very reputable company with solid integrity.If they say they exceed the API specs then they do just that. If they did'nt they could get there cans sued. The API label is just that, a label, with an extremely high price tag. They have a very good warranty on using there oil. If you would have an engine problem then you send them an oil sample and they find out what went wrong. They don't analyze the oil themselves they use Oil Analyzers Inc.I used to be skeptical of the company till I opened my mind a little bit and tried them. The major oil companies like to try and keep us confused on change intervals and so forth. Europe has used 10k mile intervals for quite a few years. The best way to see how an oil holds up on longer intervals is have it analyzed and then trust the experts. I have yet to send in a sample on my truck and have them tell me its time to change the oil. I have sent in samples at 7k 9k 11.5k .I used to be a 3000 mile oil change person and it took a while to get that out of my head. Sorry for the long post. Just another opinion.