Diesel Oil Question

[Ruby]

I know this is a dumb question for those here who know much more regarding oil than I ever will, but here we go. Presently, I'm running the MC Power Stroke 15w40 conventional with the MC Power Stroke oil filter in my 2002 F350 7.3 diesel with 43650 on the odometer. My next oil/filter change is at 5000 miles. I have no complaints with the MC 15w40. I hear so many Power Stroke owners are running the Rotella T 5w40 synthetic diesel in their rigs. Is there a hugh difference in the price justification and used oil analysis with these two oils?

Thanks
Ruby

 

[The Critic]

Many of the PSD owners run their oils longer than 5000 miles, so synthetics such as Rotella 5W40 and synthetic blends such as Schaeffer's may perform better for longer drains. In addition, many of the new 6L PSDs shear engine oil very rapidly, and a synthetic or synthetic blend oil may have a more stable viscosity. As always, the synthetics may keep the engine a bit cleaner, but then again, I don't know.

I don't know how much you're paying for MC 15w40, but Delo 400 15w40 now has Moly and you can buy it in 6 gal cases at Costco for a pretty good price. Schaeffer's 7000 15w40 is also a very good choice at $12/gal from the site sponsorer here, and I think he offers free shipping if you buy $250 or more. You can probably run longer drains with Schaeffer's if you use oil analysis and use the Terry Dyson's services, who will help you fine tune your interval and regimen.

 

[LargeCarMan]

Being in Maryland where it is so cold the synthetics will really help. If you want to stay with Rotella synthetic oil and a good flow-flow you can acheive 10,000 OCI's without a problem. Motorcraft and filter at 5,000 will work fine too. Don't just look at the price of the oil and filters vs mileage...but also the engine will acheive more miles in its overall life. But Ruby, I really think that a oil like Amsoil 15-40 or the 30 Weight Fully synthetic diesel oil and a Donaldson,Amsoil,or Fleetguard full-flow filter will work wonders. You can easily go double of what you do now...even 15,000 miles and past with analysis of the oil. I ran Amsoil 30 weight diesel oil with a Amsoil bypass oil filter and a fleetguard full-flow with oil changes every 25,000 miles. I would change the flowflow every 12 to 13 thousand miles and leave the bypass on the full 25,000 I now have over 300,000 plus miles on the 84 6.9 If I did it with today's set up...I would run Amsoil 15-40 and a SuperDuty or EA filter for 15,000 and then change them all.

 

[Ruby]

Michael,

Thanks for the feed back. Your points are well respected/taken however because my truck is still under warranty, I must keep the oil/oil filter changes at 5000 miles or less.


Thanks again
Ruby

 

[The Critic]

Ruby,
No problem...if you're going to stick with 5K changes, you should seriously look into Delo 400 15w40 from Costco like I suggested earlier, it seems to have the most robust add pack of the conventional HDEOs. It may actually be less expensive than the MC 15w40 you are using.

 

[racer12306]

i dont doubt that synthetic oil will help a diesel last a really long time. but has it been proven that diesels will last a lot longer when using synthetic oil vs conventional oil. just a question, not trying to be a pita, just wondering thats all.

 

[Ruby]

LargeCarMan,

Thanks for the great advise. I will have to follow the 5000 mile oil/oil filter change intervals to keep Ford honoring my warranty.

Ruby

 

[Ruby]

racer12306,

What you stating also makes sense.

Thanks
Ruby

 

[LargeCarMan]

racer12306, No and Yes...what I mean is it has gone both way's. I run Delo 400 15-40 in my Big Rigs (LargeCars) and have a total of 12 gallons fill. I run 10,000 OCI's...the rigs can run hundred of thousands of miles between rebuilds with just rolling out and in the main and rod bearings every 250 to 300 thousand miles. The synthetics are making there way into the markets over the last decade or so. Engines, Transmissions,Rearends and Powerdividers in these rigs are expensive and more and more truckers are turning to synthetics for longer OCI's. It is not uncommon for LargeCars to run 100,000 miles plus a year with constant use. Many truckers are taking advantage of the Longer OCI's for the engine and never changing the transmission,rearends, or powerdividers once synthetics have been filled. I have full synthetics in all my Rigs with exception of the engines and am leaning towards changing over some day in them also....Synthetic oil never wears out, it only becomes contaminated. If you are running a bypass...most are Luberfiner (2 gallon capacity) or in a pickup or car (1qt+ depending on make) you can go a further distance with synthetics before contamination occures (Oil analysis determines this) I really feel in the next decade most all oils will be synthetic or a blend of synthetic to meet OEM specs...my 2 cents which to some is 2 cents.

 

[LargeCarMan]

Ruby, if you are planning on keeping the truck forever why not run the synthetics with the 5,000 mile OCI?

Delo 400 is very good oil and can be found for a buck fifty per qt...and works great. Wow, Ford 7.3 OCI is 5,000 and how long is the engine warranty? 100,000 miles? it will take you 20 oil changes to get there at 5,000 OCI.

I personally feel if you are keeping the truck...double the oil change price for the first 100,000 miles is worth it...synthetics might just get you an extra 100,000 out of the engine.

Just to let you know, my 6.9 is semi-retired and is a hay/trash hauler and is now running on Delo 400...might see a thousand miles a year,but the first 300,000 were fully synthetic and that engine still runs great. No Regrets almost 22 years old.

 

[racer12306]

makes sense. but i do believe that in a regular pickup like a ford powerstroke/dodge cummins/gm duramax that these engines would long out last the trucks themselves to the point where the engines are good but the bodys are junk. i know with a cummins you want to go through it at about 350,000 or so. i wonder how many people that have one of these that use it for daily driving and towing on the weekend will actually hit 350,000 miles. maybe i am underestimating the life of the body on these trucks. but hopefully i will be able to pull 400,000 to 500,000 miles out of a cummins when i get one. but i dont know if i have the discipline to hold onto a truck for 25 years, or if the rest of the truck would be up to the task.

 

[LargeCarMan]

My 84 Ford is not in too bad of shape..some hood rust, seats and dash are junk...but everything else is in good shape. If your going to spend the dollars for a truck with a diesel...you need to keep it for a long time. If I kept the mileage up that I was doing years ago..I would be pushing 500,000 easy. Mine sits in the Idaho Winters with a foot of snow on it and I still like that rig. Like I said, if your going to keep it forever...the soft dollars spent now, will convert to hard dollars in about 10 to 15 years when a gas rig would be history.

 

[salesrep]

LCman

quote:

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I personally feel if you are keeping the truck...double the oil change price for the first 100,000 miles is worth it...synthetics might just get you an extra 100,000 out of the engine.

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Let's do some math. Even at 5k intervals times 3 gallons times 20 to get to 100k. At $5 dollars more per gallon of a good Hdeo syn or semi syn will cost you an addtional $15 per change or $300 total at 100 k. If you extend to 7.5k you'll break even on the extra cost of the superior oil.

Ruby

quote:

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because my truck is still under warranty, I must keep the oil/oil filter changes at 5000 miles or less.

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This has been discussed numerous times on this board and extending oil change intervals simply stated does not void the warranty unto itself.

LCman

quote:

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the soft dollars spent now, will convert to hard dollars in about 10 to 15 years

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or less

I agree. The question then becomes is one willing to spend a few extra bucks to help insure a several thousand dollar investment/vehicle?

 

[Ruby]

Salesrep,

Thanks for the information. I guess I can't understand how any vehicle is classified as an investment.
Ruby

 

[Ruby]

Salesrep,

I would like to add that a vehicle could be considered an invesment if you plan on completely restoring it or garage keep it to sell at a later date to a collector.

 

[salesrep]

One could argue that other than children our vehicles are the biggest investments (or expense) we have over a lifetime.

 

[Ruby]

Salesrep,

Point well taken, although I really like my truck, and do my best to care for it, it is still an on going expense.


Ruby

 

[LargeCarMan]

Ruby, 300 dollars extra in the first 100,000 miles is inexpensive insurance...even if you double that figure to 600 dollars. I really don't think a truck pay's you back until it is paid off and earning you or giving you back what you paid into it. Simple stated....if you paid on the truck for 5 years at 500 dollars a month. It does not pay you back for your investment until it is paid off and giving you back reliability, and dependable transportation years after you have the owners pinkslip. My pickup has been paid for over 19 years and the last 19 years it has givin me back 10 fold my investment=cheap cost per mile. If you take a 30,000 dollar truck divide that by 60 months at 500 dollars a month.And in that 5 years do 100,000 miles that equals $3.40 cents a mile in payments only. Once the truck is paid off it starts to pay you the 3.40 cents a mile back. So to brake even you need to keep the truck 10 years, after that your even and at the 200,000 mile mark...its paying you back your investment. If you go 400,000 miles your ahead 60 grand. Folks...did I do the math right?

 

[racer12306]

sounds about right lcm. i would say its more like saving you $60k. but either way a diesel imo is the best way to go for longevity, fuel economy, and towing ability. all you have to do is put a little more in up front. sounds like a good deal to me. cant wait til i get one.

 

[Ruby]

LargeCarMan,

You have some interesting thoughts on the subject. I do agree when any vehicle is paid for, your wallet usually stays fatter.


Ruby