Is 10W-30 oil a poor choice for a PSD?

[Griz95]

I've read where a Powerstroke...in my case a 1995 PSD shears oil more than a Duramax or Cummins. So if you start with a 15w40, it'll shear the oil down to 30 weight before the OCI. My question is...would 10w30 oil be a poor choice for the PSD because of this shearing...or does the shearing stop at 30 weight? If the PSD stops shearing at 30 weight...then why not use a HDEO rated at 10w30 or 5w30 in a PSD? Or is there too many other variable to answer this question?

Thanks,

Griz95

 

[Jim Allen]

Check you OM and you may see 10W30 listed there as a choice for your climate. Factory approved, man! As to shearing, if you dredge up the used oil analysis here that used 10W30 in PSDs, they did not shear down. I won't claim BITOG used oil analysis to be the end-all-be-all source for statistics, but it's sure an indicator. I know that 10W30 in my '86 6.9L "Powersmoke" IDI diesel did not shear down in a normal OCI.

To be fair, the "sheared" PSD used oil analysis that I noted used oils that started at the low or middle end of 40 grade and were into the high 30 grade. Nothing really to worry about. I encourage you to do a search in the diesel used oil analysis to satisfy yourself. After all, it's your truck.

 

[wtd]

My Girl Friend runs 10w30 diesel oil in her 2003 6.0 PS since new and has had no problems. She is at 74,000 miles now.

Wayne

 

[Griz95]

According to the OM...10W30 is a preferred oil for temperatures range of -10F to 90F. So that works...now what is a good 10w30 oil to use in a diesel?

Thanks,

Griz95

 

[roadrunner1]

Realisticially any oil CI-4 or higher will do just fine for your application. Although finding anything other than CJ-4 is getting harder to find.

I use John Deere plus 50 10w30 with great results in my 6.0 and also my '89 7.3 IDI.

 

[ag_ghost]

Rotella T5 10w30 is probably the easiest to find
http://www.shell.com/home/Framework?site.../t5_detail.html

A classic conventional version gets good reviews, but is harder to find ("Rotella T Triple Protection"):
http://www.shell.com/home/Framework?site...ion_detail.html

Chevron's Delo 400 LE is also available in 10w30; I found a distributor in my area that would sell it to me, but it's a at least a three hour round trip; maybe sometime when I drive by.

If you do a search here you'll find other posts. Good luck.

 

[turbowhistle]

There are 10w30 diesel approved oils on the market. I have always used 15w40 diesel oil year round with no issues.

 

[dnewton3]

I agree with Jim.

There is a fair amount of UOa evidence here (and other places) that show the PSD to simply "prefer" the lighter grades. If you don't feed it one, it will make one for you.

My neighbor ran a few OCIs with Rotella 10w30 and we posted his used oil analysis here a few years ago, from his 6.0L PSD. I've known others to run the 10w30 in their 7.3Ls and do fine as well.

The HEUI seems to tear down at 40 grade, but will generally leave 30 grades as is (presuming all else in the engine is OK).

As a benefit, the starting is typically easier and quicker, and that is a huge benefit in winter. Really calms the "romp" idle when cold, for most people.

There are a lot of 10w30 HDEO products on the market, but the only one I have EVER seen on the shelf is the Rotella. Up until recently, it's been the dino Rotella, but the T5 made a big splash in Walmart a few months back. I use the dino in my Dmax, my Kubota, my Scag mower, my classic Mustang, and soon to be in my Goldwing. It's just a great all-around oil for many applications. I know the Delo, Delvac and others are available in 10w30 as well, but I've never seen them anywhere but a PDF.

I think you'll find the lighter grade will do quite well in the older PSDs. Why not try it, and run a used oil analysis and convince yourself?

Don't fear the shear!

 

[Griz95]

Okay...you guys have convinced me. It makes sense to me if the PSD shears oil down to a 30 weight and that seems to be the stabilizing point...why not just start there. It appears that Rotella is about the only 10w30 oil I am going to find on the shelfs so I might as well start with that and see how it goes.

Thanks again for all the info.

 

[FiremarshalRob]

I use Rotella T5 10w30 in my 2002 7.3L PSD, my wife's 2008 2.5L Altima, and my 1996 1.3L Geo Metro.

No probs as of yet and I change all vehicles around 5k miles.
I don't have any used oil analysis to confirm how the oil is holding up and performing in the 7.3L PSD, but I don't feel the need to.

RL

 

[Griz95]

Thanks RL...where have you been buying your Rotella 10w30 at?

 

[FiremarshalRob]

Originally Posted By: Griz95
Thanks RL...where have you been buying your Rotella 10w30 at?

I get it from my local walmart.
$16.00 for a gallon jug of T5.
$19.00 for a gallon jug of T6.
current prices, for now............

RL

 

[-SyN-]

My local prices are the same for both here in Oklahoma...I just hope the local Walmart continues to stock the T5... My 7.3L really enjoys it... I also changed all my lawn and garden toys to T5...

T5--->$16
T6--->$19

 

[sdan27]

I used Delo 10w30 for the first time in my Powerstroke this winter. I had always used 15w40 previously. Last winter, it would start fine and everything but once I got going it would start missing, lacking power and acting like it wasn't running on all cylinders. Once it warmed up it went away and once spring came it ceased completely. This year using 10w30, I never had this issue. My truck has like 425,000 miles though and my compression is kind of low so its using a little more oil than it did with 15w40. If I keep it that long, I may try and use a T5 10w-40 next winter.

 

[FiremarshalRob]

Originally Posted By: sdan27
I used Delo 10w30 for the first time in my Powerstroke this winter. I had always used 15w40 previously. Last winter, it would start fine and everything but once I got going it would start missing, lacking power and acting like it wasn't running on all cylinders. Once it warmed up it went away and once spring came it ceased completely. This year using 10w30, I never had this issue. My truck has like 425,000 miles though and my compression is kind of low so its using a little more oil than it did with 15w40. If I keep it that long, I may try and use a T5 10w-40 next winter.

My local Tractor Supply carries the T5 in a 10w-40 flavor. That's the only place I've seen it around here.

 

[rufushusky]

Originally Posted By: Jim Allen
I know that 10W30 in my '86 6.9L "Powersmoke" IDI diesel did not shear down in a normal OCI.



The 6.9 is not a "powerstroke" or HEUI engine, it has a stanadyne distributor pump therefore it won't shear like a 7.3 PSD (which started in 94.5). Most people north of the mason-dixon line a 10w30 is a good choice for a HEUI fired system IMHO. I will most likely run that in my new to me 2002 7.3 in the winter. Stick to 15w40 in the summer just cause its cheaper.

 

[sdan27]

Our local TSC carries the 10w-40 as well. They've literally had the same gallon jug on the shelf for 4 or 5 months now. The wholesale supplier that we get most of the lubricants for our farm through also carries it.

 

[wtd]

My GF runs the Motorcraft 10w30 diesel oil in hers.

 

[rshunter]

This is what Ford states in regard to their Motorcraft® SAE 10w30 Super Duty Motor Oil...

"...recommended for use in 7.3L, 6.4L and 6.0L Powerstroke® diesel engines from 0 °F (-18 °C) to 50 °F (10 °C) and 6.7L Powerstroke® diesel engines above 0 °F (-18 °C)".