[Man-Of-Iron]

I'm new to owning a 7.3L and have read all kinds of great info on this site but can't seem to find anything in the last 10 years about which oil and filter types (synthetic or conventional) or brands are best.
There have been some upgrades over the last few years in oil and filter quality and I would assume some downgrades (as in maybe a great filter 15 years ago is made with lower standards and inferior products today).
I'm looking for any helpful advice!
Thank you in advance!

P.S. I have also been learning about filter magnets and wonder if yall still recommend using them.

 

[RT]

There may be changes, but sometimes the tried and true is the way to go. I still use Motorcraft filters and Shell Rotella 15W40 or Delo 400. Granted, I don't do my oil analysis often, but I just got one back. You be the judge.

 

[bugman]

I have ran Valvoline 15w-40 in my truck since it was new along with either a Wix or Motorcraft filter.

I see no need to try and find a new and or so called better oil.

 

[klhansen]

Filter magnets are good for sucking the money out of your wallet.
The oil specs change over the years, but still any Diesel rated oil is fine. There are guys that have run Walmart branded oil and have had no issues. I run Delo 400.

 

[Maryland dieselnick]

Filter magnets are good for sucking the money out of your wallet.
The oil specs change over the years, but still any Diesel rated oil is fine. There are guys that have run Walmart branded oil and have had no issues. I run Delo 400.

W

 

[Maryland dieselnick]

Does anybody here use Marvel Mystery Oil in their oil?

 

[Oneof6]

I don't use Marvel Mystery Oil but whenever I can catch a radioactive Cat I suit up and squeeze some radioactive Cat P into my fuel. I have tried Opossum P but it just made my truck stall out.

 

[Greg687]

Does anybody here use Marvel Mystery Oil in their oil?

I have on occasion but I really haven't noticed any difference.

 

[Eli2]

I'm new to owning a 7.3L and have read all kinds of great info on this site but can't seem to find anything in the last 10 years about which oil and filter types (synthetic or conventional) or brands are best.
There have been some upgrades over the last few years in oil and filter quality and I would assume some downgrades (as in maybe a great filter 15 years ago is made with lower standards and inferior products today).
I'm looking for any helpful advice!
Thank you in advance!

P.S. I have also been learning about filter magnets and wonder if yall still recommend using them.

Yours actually IS 'WAY beyond changing to any (100%) synthetic oils, I.M.O..... just change at 5,000 miles intervals, using MOTORCRAFT FILTER and non-synthetic Diesel RATED Oils and PRAY that it continues to run long enough to return/earn your $$$$ paid.!!

 

[linkavichchamofskee]

I'm new to owning a 7.3L and have read all kinds of great info on this site but can't seem to find anything in the last 10 years about which oil and filter types (synthetic or conventional) or brands are best.
There have been some upgrades over the last few years in oil and filter quality and I would assume some downgrades (as in maybe a great filter 15 years ago is made with lower standards and inferior products today).
I'm looking for any helpful advice!
Thank you in advance!

P.S. I have also been learning about filter magnets and wonder if yall still recommend using them.

I use mobil delvac extreme 15w40 (full synthetic) and Baldwin filters. (Oil, coolant, fuel/water separator filter)
For additives either hotshot or liquimoly.

 

[ArcticDriver]

Where do you live?

In winter climates, I think the 5W-40 would not be a waste of money but some of the above posters have used 15W-40 in winter temperatures for 1-2 decades without issue.

I may be one of the few to say that switching to a full synthetic would be advantageous, but the main thing is to make sure it is rated for a diesel and IS on the Ford approved list provided earlier.

There are new diesel rated oils that are not suitable for our 7.3 so using the Ford Approved list is a good practice.

The best price on motor oil is typically found at Wal-Mart and they usually have a Motorcraft oil filter for $10 as well.

I do not use an oil additive myself.

Since the truck is new to you, I would suggest popping the hood and checking dipstick level daily for the first week. The truck may have an issue you are unaware of that results in rapid oil consumption.

Great truck and you found the forum to help you keep it running strong and as economically as possible.

 

[7.3 Man]

I'm new to owning a 7.3L and have read all kinds of great info on this site but can't seem to find anything in the last 10 years about which oil and filter types (synthetic or conventional) or brands are best.
There have been some upgrades over the last few years in oil and filter quality and I would assume some downgrades (as in maybe a great filter 15 years ago is made with lower standards and inferior products today).
I'm looking for any helpful advice!
Thank you in advance!

P.S. I have also been learning about filter magnets and wonder if yall still recommend using them.

Frontier Lubricants #405 15w40. I have 630,000 and counting. Used to change every 15k. Moving down to 10k now.

 

[ArcticDriver]

Frontier Lubricants #405 15w40. I have 630,000 and counting. Used to change every 15k. Moving down to 10k now.

Interesting Oil that is “CI-4 Plus” approved so qualifies for the engineering requirements of the 7.3 PSD and other pre-2007 Diesels. (For reference, the most recent rating is CK-4 and this Frontier #405 oil you use will not be on the Ford Approved List that I endorsed earlier but would still be a great oil for the 7.3.)

https://www.frontierlubricants.com/wp-content/uploads/Tech_Data/405tech.pdf

Probably greater availability if you live in CA.

 

[Maryland dieselnick]

Just purchased two 5 gallon buckets of CAT DEO-ULS 15-40.
“Guy” came in and offered me a killer deal on the stuff. He said he had a lot. I took a chance and took two.
Anybody know anything about this stuff?

 

[ArcticDriver]

Just purchased two 5 gallon buckets of CAT DEO-ULS 15-40.
“Guy” came in and offered me a killer deal on the stuff. He said he had a lot. I took a chance and took two.
Anybody know anything about this stuff?

EDIT:
CJ-4 or CK-4 ?

 

[Maryland dieselnick]

Thanks for reply
My buckets just say DEO-ULS nothing after that. I glanced at the codes listed on the back. I don’t think cj4 was listed.

 

[ArcticDriver]

Thanks for reply
My buckets just say DEO-ULS nothing after that. I glanced at the codes listed on the back. I don’t think cj4 was listed.

Here is the VOA for the CK-4 DEO-ULS:

PETROLEUM QUALITY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA TEST PROGRAM

The Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) is an independent resource for information and insights on the quality of lubricants in the marketplace. Our mission is to serve the consumer of lubricants by randomly sampling and independently testing lubricants taken from the field. Test...

pqiadata.org

 

[Maryland dieselnick]

Thanks, I guess I missed the CJ4
I’m going to give it a whirl.

 

[NYB]

(For reference, the most recent rating is CK-4 and this oil will not be on the Ford Approved List that I endorsed earlier.)

I'm not following what you are saying @ArcticDriver.

The majority of the heavy duty diesel engine oils on Ford's Approved List are in fact CK-4 rated.

 

[ArcticDriver]

Thanks NYB,
I had done a poor job of communicating so I went back and edited.

I had meant to specify the Frontier #405 would not be on the Ford Approved List since it was not even a CJ-4 rated and like you indicate, the Approved List would be CK-4.