[TooCoolTwo]

My 2002 F250 truck has nothing in it but Rotella T4 15-40 petroleum based oil since I have owned it for nearly twenty years. I always change it between 4K-5K, along with a Motorcraft filter. Had new injectors recently installed and wondering if it is necessary to change the oil since they have been installed? I have about 2K miles on the current oil change and live in Texas.

My mechanic says my engine is extremely clean for the milage. Of course, I admit I am over kill on its maintenance.

Has most of the currrent petroleum based oils like Rotella, Chevron, Valvolene, ect.. downgraded or changed their formulas in the last year or so or have they remained the same?

 

[Oneof6]

My 2002 F250 truck has nothing in it but Rotella T4 15-40 petroleum based oil since I have owned it for nearly twenty years. I always change it between 4K-5K, along with a Motorcraft filter. Had new injectors recently installed and wondering if it is necessary to change the oil since they have been installed? I have about 2K miles on the current oil change and live in Texas.

My mechanic says my engine is extremely clean for the milage. Of course, I admit I am over kill on its maintenance.

Has most of the currrent petroleum based oils like Rotella, Chevron, Valvolene, ect.. downgraded or changed their formulas in the last year or so or have they remained the same?

Yes, one should change their oil after changing injectors. Then, this us just me and what I did/do get an oil analysis on the next oil change after the initial post injector change. Compared to doing anything "injector" oil is cheap.
Evidently, your maintenance practices are sucessful, no reason to stop that high level of attention now.
While oil formulations evolve, thus their evolving inclusive numbering system nomenclature, it's a positive evolution not a " downgrade " . I use the same oil you do, have from new in 2002, and have had frequent Blackstone analysis done. Of the oils chemical breakdown in those reports I have not seen any significant changes.
I will continue to use Rotella T 15/W/40. It's quality is data proven for my use and first twenty years, let ya know later how the next twenty works out.

 

[TooCoolTwo]

Thanks Oneof6, for you quick and informative reply. I kind of thought I needed to change the oil after new injector installation but was not sure. Rotella T4 15/40 is a top seller here at our Walmarts. Glad to know the quality and composition of forumulations are positive and a continual improvement.

 

[John in OkieLand]

Since you are in Texas, I would stay with the T4.

here where I am, I am going to T6 5w40 for Cold Starts, easier on the O-Rings
plus I have the Block & oil pan heaters on a Thermostat

 

[TooCoolTwo]

Just had my oil and filter changed. Stayed with Rotella T4 15/40, which I have used since I bought my truck and have had such good luck with it.

To give a heads up, I did go to our two local Walmart stores and both were sold out of Motorcraft 1995A filters. So I had to purchase from another source. Not sure why our local Walmarts were out...first time that has happened. Hope it is not a supply chain shortage issue and a sign of things to come. Plenty of Rotella T4, T5, and T6, however.

 

[JGK]

I’m not sure I’d agree that what is happening with oil is “evolution”, at least in its lubricity. While I agree that the tech is always evolving, the formulations are being more restricted due to limitations created by newest emissions devices.

But still, the vast majority of catastrophic Diesel engine failures are coolant (heat, cavitation) related. Unless you let something else go wrong, any modern oil should get you a half a million miles out of your 7.3.

Also, my Walmart hasn’t had our filter for a couple of years… I assumed they quit carrying it.

 

[Oneof6]

I’m not sure I’d agree that what is happening with oil is “evolution”, at least in its lubricity. While I agree that the tech is always evolving, the formulations are being more restricted due to limitations created by newest emissions devices.

But still, the vast majority of catastrophic Diesel engine failures are coolant (heat, cavitation) related. Unless you let something else go wrong, any modern oil should get you a half a million miles out of your 7.3.

Also, my Walmart hasn’t had our filter for a couple of years… I assumed they quit carrying it.

All the micro semantics of a products progression are one facet, actual use testing is quite different. Sucessful use of over two decades, backed up by regular oil analysis is a data stream driven certainty for this user.
Many have their preferences, that's good. Whatever one uses, if one cares about fact over personal preference influence, should meet the current API spec for the design service and, have at least bi-anual oil testing.

MotorCraft FL1995 Oil Filter shortage at Wallmart? Not of a leap of critical thinking to figure that out.
Fewer 7.3's on the road, aging fleet, aging out of the supply chains interest. Fewer MotorCraft FL1995's sold and fewer ordered to stock shelves.
Along comes someone like me shopping in WallMart that buys them all, every one, to have a shop stock of filters and not have to come to WallMart often. Others do the same, resultant low to no vendor stock. It's that simple

Maybe most catastrophic failures are actually heat/coolant related. I don't know, like most, actual data knowledge specificitis more than my own personal observations on the topic. My observations; The cascading consequences of performance enhancements destroys more units catastrophically.

 

[TooCoolTwo]

All of the above are well thought out, good points and things I need to consider. Perhaps I need to be mindful of the Motorcraft FL1995A shortage & stock up.

 

[bugman]

Since the first run on the 1995 filter I've seen plenty on the shelves. I try to keep 2 or 3 in my garage for future oil changes. Right now I have 2 and the next time that I travel through my Walmart I'll pick up a couple more.

I think that the shortages are more due to hoarders. Remember toilet paper a couple of years ago?

 

[Oneof6]

It's not hoarding if the units are planned for use and get used, it's purposeful bulk purchasing. Anyone that wants a case of filters can order them from Wallmart, O'Reilly or Tractor Supply and they will hold them for pickup.

The " Toilet Paper " shortage was an interruption resultant of the net supply and shipping chain due to Covid and or Covid restrictions in parallel with a labor reduction and demand increase.

 

[John in OkieLand]

I just checked Walmart at Price, UT and my home store in Owasso, OK

both stores have the 1995-A in stock, 2 here at home, more in Price...

Robot or human?

www.walmart.com

 

[bigb]

I used to load up on filters till I did some research and found that filters do have a shelf life, and if you let them get too old or store them in a hot shed the glue can break down. Now I buy as needed with maybe 1 spare for the road on fuel filters.

 

[bigb]

My 2002 F250 truck has nothing in it but Rotella T4 15-40 petroleum based oil since I have owned it for nearly twenty years. I always change it between 4K-5K, along with a Motorcraft filter. Had new injectors recently installed and wondering if it is necessary to change the oil since they have been installed? I have about 2K miles on the current oil change and live in Texas.

My mechanic says my engine is extremely clean for the milage. Of course, I admit I am over kill on its maintenance.

Has most of the currrent petroleum based oils like Rotella, Chevron, Valvolene, ect.. downgraded or changed their formulas in the last year or so or have they remained the same?

I always used 15/40 Rotella Dino myself, then for a while when the new CK formulation came out there was some noise about Ford not recommending it. I still had a couple years worth of the CJ spec but when that ran out I bought Travelers 15/40 Dino. I'm now due for a change and I am considering switching to synthetic for the reason that I am still a little skeptical of the new formulations that reduced a lot of good stuff to protect the DPFs on newer diesels. I'm not so sure they have found stuff just as good to make up for that, and instead I know certain engine parts are built to hold up better without those old additives while our old engines haven't changed. I'm thinking at least a synthetic might be better now. I have 2 newer diesels which require synthetic and I am really impressed how well that stuff sticks to everything, it's even harder to clean out the drain pan than the old Dino.

 

[Big Horn]

I really doubt that oil filters have a short shelf life, especially kept in a controlled environment. I have looked at a lot of posts on the web and would have no problem keeping them a decade or more in a cabinet in our downstairs with controlled temperature and humidity.

Auto Zone has the FL 1995-A filters at the same price as Walmart. I just ordered some and using my “points” from my credit card along with PayPal they came out to about 4$ apiece 😉
Now if only Shell would run another rebate on the Rotella T6.

 

[bugman]

If the glue breaks down if a filter is stored in a hot garage then what happens when that hot oil flows through it for a few thousand miles?

Sent from my SM-A426U using Tapatalk

 

[bigb]

If the glue breaks down if a filter is stored in a hot garage then what happens when that hot oil flows through it for a few thousand miles?

Sent from my SM-A426U using Tapatalk

Can't say but the major filter manufacturer's have a shelf life date that they don't recommend exceeding (Fleetguard says 5 years while Fram says only 2). I'm thinking more of glue drying out on air and fuel filters, and the rubber seals, and I suspect the paper can break down as well.

edit: here's what WIX has to say: The shelf life of the media in filters is 5 to 7 years except for fuel/water separators, they are 3 years because of the phenolic resins that are added to the media to remove water.

 

[Oneof6]

If the glue breaks down if a filter is stored in a hot garage then what happens when that hot oil flows through it for a few thousand miles?

Sent from my SM-A426U using Tapatalk

What does one do with any unknown? ...... make it a known. If one is concerned about oil, filtration, it's effect positive or negative then the path to quantified knowing rather than assuming is regular scheduled oil and filter changes, and, oil analysis to know what one can't see, data over assumption.

 

[Big Horn]

Summary
We’ve seen people ask “how long do oil filters last in storage?” and our simple answer remains that an unused oil filter will outlive your car!

How Long Do Oil Filters Last in Storage?

However, changing the filter at this time doesn’t mean it has gone bad; hence, we will be explaining more about the lifespan of oil filters while in use or in

autocareaids.com

 

[bigb]

Yes, like everything else on the internet I can find conflicting answers out there too but I'm going with what the manufacturer says, I'd rather take the advice of people actually in the industry than a third party. Folks can decide for themselves but for the few bucks that a filter costs I don't see the reason to take a chance on one that may have some degradation.

 

[Oneof6]

Yes, like everything else on the internet I can find conflicting answers out there too but I'm going with what the manufacturer says, I'd rather take the advice of people actually in the industry than a third party. Folks can decide for themselves but for the few bucks that a filter costs I don't see the reason to take a chance on one that may have some degradation.

That may not be as logically conservative as it seems, manufacturers have a commercial interest to churn sales, setting a shelf life for commercial reasons, not technical or physical longevity, is common. Other reasons are the unpredictable complexity of shipping, downstream use and storage. Some filters, like Fram, I don't use regardless of age. On the bus from their plant, nah.
In my 70 years I have cut countless automotive and industrial filter elements apart and found all types of debris, never a filter element that the media just came apart as described "detioriated" ....... as long as it was an oil application. I have found detiorated filter element media where an automotive filter element was used for chemicals, aromatic fuels or solvents. Water with a high sulfur content can get so acidic it will cause media failure.
I have also started abandoned equipment that sat in a field for a decade, it's oil filter when changed was just dirty, but intact.
Maybe someone with direct personal experience with an age failed filter element can tell us about it? I have been unable to find one.
Be happy, change oil often, use quality filters and keep up with oil condition.