T6 rorella 5w40 in my 01 7.3 power stroke

Status
Not open for further replies.
WOW, my brain just went into overload I can see this is a hotly debated topic, as the OP I don't mind the extra cost for the 5w40 full syn IF! it gives me easier cold starts and equal protection on a 100 deg. day pulling 10k lbs through the smokies! Now you all have given me some other things to think about 10w30 hdeo i'd never even considered it before. I only do an oil change every spring because of the low miles per year I put on this truck,not cause I'm lazy. Ill put a question out there, how about this I can buy valvoline 15w40 hdeo for 12.99 a gallon, and I think the 10w30 hdeo is less. 15w40 spring -fall 10w30 fall-spring ? That's two oci's instead of one but I want this truck to last! Ill do whats best for it! But if I can use T6 5w40 full syn once a year and get the same results then why not! ps ok maybe I am lazy lol
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: dnewton3
The 7.3L is a stout engine; it's not going to self-destruct by using dino oil. There are rigs out there with 500k+ miles

Synthetics are useful for extending the OCIs. That is their most advantageous characteristic.

If he does only one OCI per year - I'd suggest either 15w-40 or 10w-30 dino. I would tend towards the 10w-30,

I personally FLOGGED the living daylights out of my conventional Rotella 10w-30 oil last summer in the heat of UT and AZ, as well as the mountains of CO. I got excellent results, and could not have purposely been harder on my oil
Heck, BigGreyMegacab is running 20k mile OCIs on dino oil!

Silver1 - if you run long OCIs, then a synthetic might make sense.
It would be my suggestionion that you run 10w-30 HDEO and see how it treats your engine; I think you'll be pleasantly supprised. Run a few OCIs, then get a UOA or two. Why not use your own personal data to decide, rather than a bunch of internet mythology? Further, you can peruse the HDEO UOA forum here. There are plenty of examples for you to review.
+1. Is there any engine out there that would "self-destruct by using dino oil." I really dont think so!
hi dave, just want your feedback on whether a 0w-30 would be equal or better than the 10w-30 ?
Would the 0W give better fuel economy and longer OCI possibility than the 20K miles OCI (BigGreyMegacab is running)
on the 10w-30 dino oil ? thanks in advance!
 
Originally Posted By: dnewton3
One of the MOST important things about those engines is to use an anti-cavitation additive in the coolant, or use a Ford/Navistart coolant (already had the additive in it).
Genearlly, the most all of the "modern" diesel engines really don't care about what oil is in the crankcase, as long as it's a properly spec'd fluid.
OK, so does this anti-cavitation additive help improve oil flow or is there a whole lot more to this "unique" need in this 7.3 PSD engine ?
 
Originally Posted By: azsynthetic
Unlike you, I don't claims synthetic is better because I do not have personal scientific data to backup my claims. Instead, I prefer you to people who manufacture oils for a living.

"Synthetic motor oils – such as Mobil 1 – contain more highly refined base oils than those used in conventional mineral oils, which can offer you better protection and performance."

"For example, compared with a normal API SG/CD mineral oil, a fully synthetic engine oil such as Shell Helix Ultra is found to deliver: Up to five times better cleansing. Up to three times more protection. Less than half as much engine wear."

Again, if you want to talk about cost then it is another matter altogether.
While cost is equally important, let us not assume that any synthetic oil is more highly refined than a dino oil. This is a true scientific fact. In fact, Group III oils are technically "dino oils" and even Group I or Group II oils can be "more refined" than a given synthetic.
 
Originally Posted By: dnewton3
Originally Posted By: azsynthetic
The problem here is that you set all the parameters to suit your assumption.
2. "Similar uses; similar conditions; similar engines; similar results." What is your definition of "similar" in scientific terms?
Let's see; I was comparing two UOAs; mine with dino and a guy with RL/bypass. Both of use are driving 2006 LBZ Duramax trucks, both are pulling heavy RV units for the bulk of the OCI,
I would ask anyone else to chime in and comment of whether it's fair to call this a fair, "similar" comparison.


Unlike you, I don't claims synthetic is better ...
Instead, I prefer you to people who manufacture oils for a living.
Yeah - like there's never been any misleading information in a sales hype. There's never been any exaggeration in sales literature. Or they never stacked data to make the results seem greater than the true result.

Again, if you want to talk about cost then it is another matter altogether.
That is exactly the point. Why pay more money for the same results? It's not "another matter"; it's precisely the matter. rand. The quest is to get a fair, full use out of any lube.
It's not a good idea to waste a dino oil. It's just a worse idea to waste a syntheic oil,


Dnewton3, Yes your approach is a near-to-practical-as-possible fair comparison.

The claims of these mentioned lube makers should not be used to put all the other lube makers in the same basket - not all lube makers skew the results, stack the numbers, and certainly not all there lube makers out there who stick to the facts and stay away from unfair, unprovable, unscientific claims.
 
Originally Posted By: Garak

Thanks for the link on the maintenance schedule. In any event, that is an absurdly low OCI.
As for UOAs, this is the situation to be using them.
+1.
 
Originally Posted By: fpracha
Originally Posted By: dnewton3
One of the MOST important things about those engines is to use an anti-cavitation additive in the coolant, or use a Ford/Navistart coolant (already had the additive in it).
Genearlly, the most all of the "modern" diesel engines really don't care about what oil is in the crankcase, as long as it's a properly spec'd fluid.
OK, so does this anti-cavitation additive help improve oil flow or is there a whole lot more to this "unique" need in this 7.3 PSD engine ?


No the SCAs (supplemental coolant additives, basically a shot of nitrates) keep the 7.3 block from pitting itself to death. The 7.3 is one of the few engines that is not a sleeved engine that requires it (to the best of my knowledge the Dmax doesn't and I know the ISB doesn't). Or you could run an ELC, that meets Cat EC-1 or Cummins 14603 or Navistar B-1.
 
The 7.3 cylinder walls are too thin, and flex with every cylinder firing. Hence the need for SCAs. They don't help with oil flow, but they will cut down on coolant flow through the (perforated) cylinder wall, and resulting hydrolock, bent rods/blown head gaskets, and massive $$$! Still trying to figure out Ford's NON-recommendation of coolant filters-all that excess silica from the spent SCA is going to wind up somewhere...
 
The 7.3L PSD has a very long service record when maintainted properly. The SCA addresses cavitation along the outer cyl wall, as others have stated. As long as you use a coolant with SCA, or add in SCA, per Ford/Navistar directions, you'll have no issues. There are some 7.3Ls out there with long, high-mileage service records. But they are also properly maintained. The later PSD engines (6.0, 6.4) don't have that issue, so the SCAs are not required. Same goes for Dmax and ISB; SCAs not required. They apparently don't have the cavitation issue that the 7.3L PSD does. But if you properly treat it, that won't be an issue. If you ignore it, the caviation will eventually eat pinholes into the wall.

In short, the SCA helps reduce/elimnate the cavitation of water at the cyl wall. It modifys the coolant mixture so that the resistance to cavitation is enhanced. It depletes over time, and must be restored. Ford sells a small bottle of SCA to just dump into the radiator (every 15k miles, as I recall, but don't take that to the bank as I'm not 100% confident of the mileage).

My point in bringing up my direct conversation with the Navistar engineer was to illustrate that proper maintenacne routines will make a piece of equipment last a LONG time. The point was to show that synthetics are NOT a requirment for longevity of service in this engine; proper maintenance is.
 
Last edited:
Cavitation is the explosion of air bubbles correct? So there is an additive that can control this? Going from my wastewater pump experience, the course of action would be to slow down the force that is casuing the cavitation, is this similar to the 7.3??
 
Man don't some of you guys ever sleep! Does any one have a name brand on this coolant additive. Thanks to all. Great stuff here!
 
Originally Posted By: silver1
Man don't some of you guys ever sleep! Does any one have a name brand on this coolant additive. Thanks to all. Great stuff here!


Here is a link to the older intellidog site:
http://www.intellidog.com/dieselmann/powers~1.htm
Look about 1/2 way down for the "coolant system" portion and you'll see the additive and many of the coolants that have the SCA already in them. This is older info; may or may not be relevant today.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: dnewton3
Originally Posted By: silver1
Man don't some of you guys ever sleep! Does any one have a name brand on this coolant additive. Thanks to all. Great stuff here!


Here is a link to the older intellidog site:
http://www.intellidog.com/dieselmann/powers~1.htm
Look about 1/2 way down for the "coolant system" portion and you'll see the additive and many of the coolants that have the SCA already in them. This is older info; may or may not be relevant today.





Later Ford went back and recommended the use of SCA with the HOAT gold coolant..

http://www.powerstrokediesel.com/index.aspx?PageId=406

"Gold coolant should be tested with every third oil change to determine if additional VC-8 is needed."
 
Wow dnewton3 you continue to trot out that synthetic Vs dino oil tirade. Isn’t it about time you left that “one trick pony” in the barn?

I mean you bring it out time, after time, after time, after time ………. in fact if I wrote the word time for every instance you’ve taken the opportunity to regale the unwashed masses with your opinion on this issue my post alone would be multiple pages long.

You’ve got what, over 2800 posts now? I wouldn’t be surprised if at least 2700 of them were dedicated to this one issue. It’s time to give it a rest and move on isn’t it? We’ve all read you justification criteria and are well aware of your economic model to justify the choices you make. You need to get it through your head there are people out there that don’t give a rats behind about your thought process and will use whatever oil they dang well please. They also don’t need to be told (in not so many words) they’re an idiot for the choices they make and you are so much wiser than them for the choices you make.

Pardon me; I’ve gotten myself off topic already. The main reason I’m posting this is that, for those other folks who may read this post I’m the guy good ole “dnewt” refers to in his attached post about bypass filtration and Redline synthetic oil. I encourage everyone read that thread post. Why? Well it seems our esteemed expert is guilty of doing what he never hesitates to chastise others for. He’s failed to let the facts get in the way of the point he’s trying to make. He says, and I quote: “He’s spent at least 4X more money on synthetics and bypass filtration”

Well if you’ve read that post thread you’ll realize I spent no where near the 4X factor that he loves to throw around. But hey if ole newt actually used the facts from the thread it wouldn’t support his economic justification that he trot’s time and again. So what does he do? He ignores the facts and applies revisionist history and presents it here as part of his justification. I guess when you’re a legend (in your own mind) it’s OK to do that. Just don’t let him catch you doing that though. You’ll be called out and ridiculed every time!

I think a forum like this should allow the free posting of information and viewpoints without a poster having to worry if they’re going to be unfairly ridiculed, criticized, singled out and made an example of just for the benefit of someone else’s opinions. Others and I’ll let you guess who, think it’s their god given right and even their duty to do just that.

You’ll also notice I’ve never posted on the topic of HDEO oil or UOA of the same since the thread that’s been referenced in this post was last posted. I likely never will. I prefer forums that are inclusive and encourage a variety of viewpoints and opinions.

Ole dnewt unfortunately is a poster child for what’s wrong with this forum. While he obviously have a great deal of knowledge and experience to offer he’s got a nasty habit of running other people’s choices and viewpoints down in order to further his pet beliefs and opinions. Life is just too short to have to deal with people like that on a regular basis and I choose not to.

As for the oil in my truck, it’s still in the crankcase, a lot more miles on it and the analyses still look great. Would I like to post that information so that others may benefit from my experience? In a perfect world, yes, on this forum with people like him around, not in a million years!
 
Originally Posted By: CdnMax
Wow dnewton3 you continue to trot out that synthetic Vs dino oil tirade. Isn’t it about time you left that “one trick pony” in the barn?

I mean you bring it out time, after time, after time, after time ………. in fact if I wrote the word time for every instance you’ve taken the opportunity to regale the unwashed masses with your opinion on this issue my post alone would be multiple pages long.

You’ve got what, over 2800 posts now? I wouldn’t be surprised if at least 2700 of them were dedicated to this one issue. It’s time to give it a rest and move on isn’t it? We’ve all read you justification criteria and are well aware of your economic model to justify the choices you make. You need to get it through your head there are people out there that don’t give a rats behind about your thought process and will use whatever oil they dang well please. They also don’t need to be told (in not so many words) they’re an idiot for the choices they make and you are so much wiser than them for the choices you make.

Pardon me; I’ve gotten myself off topic already. The main reason I’m posting this is that, for those other folks who may read this post I’m the guy good ole “dnewt” refers to in his attached post about bypass filtration and Redline synthetic oil. I encourage everyone read that thread post. Why? Well it seems our esteemed expert is guilty of doing what he never hesitates to chastise others for. He’s failed to let the facts get in the way of the point he’s trying to make. He says, and I quote: “He’s spent at least 4X more money on synthetics and bypass filtration”

Well if you’ve read that post thread you’ll realize I spent no where near the 4X factor that he loves to throw around. But hey if ole newt actually used the facts from the thread it wouldn’t support his economic justification that he trot’s time and again. So what does he do? He ignores the facts and applies revisionist history and presents it here as part of his justification. I guess when you’re a legend (in your own mind) it’s OK to do that. Just don’t let him catch you doing that though. You’ll be called out and ridiculed every time!

I think a forum like this should allow the free posting of information and viewpoints without a poster having to worry if they’re going to be unfairly ridiculed, criticized, singled out and made an example of just for the benefit of someone else’s opinions. Others and I’ll let you guess who, think it’s their god given right and even their duty to do just that.

You’ll also notice I’ve never posted on the topic of HDEO oil or UOA of the same since the thread that’s been referenced in this post was last posted. I likely never will. I prefer forums that are inclusive and encourage a variety of viewpoints and opinions.

Ole dnewt unfortunately is a poster child for what’s wrong with this forum. While he obviously have a great deal of knowledge and experience to offer he’s got a nasty habit of running other people’s choices and viewpoints down in order to further his pet beliefs and opinions. Life is just too short to have to deal with people like that on a regular basis and I choose not to.

As for the oil in my truck, it’s still in the crankcase, a lot more miles on it and the analyses still look great. Would I like to post that information so that others may benefit from my experience? In a perfect world, yes, on this forum with people like him around, not in a million years!




If you got some "screaming deal" that is not representative of reality for the masses, your "deal" isn't a fair view of costs. If you got the oil for free, or the bypass system at some garage sale, that does NOT represent the true cost of operation. So, just what did you spend on the bypass filter set up, filter media, and oil? When I apply cost analysis, I look at fair market prices; retail to retail, sale to sale, etc. Did you pay fair market prices, or did you score some smokin' deal that no one else can get? Other people who cannot get the "deal" that you may have got for your system and lube cannot fairly expect to pay what you paid. Therefore, the FAIR expectation is approximately 4x the cost factor. If you got it for less, that is GREAT for you. But it does NOT mean anything to anyone else.

Let's just look at some facts:
RL 15w-40 CJ-4 is $44/gallon; retail. Dino oil is $13/gallon; retail. That is a more than 3x factor right there.
Your BP system would cost $500 or more, retail. Replacement elements are $28. A decent FF filter is $10 retail off the shelf at any autoparts store.
Don't forget shipping that might likely apply to your products.
You are EASILY at a 4x factor, sir.
Now, you could apply some "sale" prices to your oil and filter, but then I can often find some screaming deals/rebates on normal oils and filters.
In fact, you are to replace your FS2500 element every 10k miles or so. That is just about the same FCI as a "normal" full flow filter on the Dmax. You will spend almost a 3x factor for your bypass filter compared to my FF retail filter, on the very same interval. Even if you got the FS2500 system for FREE from a friend, your filter maintenance costs are 3x! And most folks can see the forest for the trees here, sir. You have a VERY expensive system to maintain.
Here's the exact retail breakdown for a 10 qrt Dmax at a 10k mile OCI:
Your RL/FS2500 ...
$11/qrt x 10 qrts = $110; add $28 for replacment BP element. Total OCI is $138. BUT - you must ammoritize in the $500 BP system, so perhaps add in $20 for each OCI over 25 OCIs. Plus most people would pay some shipping costs; add another $2 per OCI. REAL total for your first 250k miles of ownership: $160.
My Rotella/Wix ...
$3.25/qrt x 10 qrts = $32.50; add $10 for FF filter. Total cost of $42.50.

Wow! The costs are truly about 4x, aren't they? 4X is a very realistic, reproducable scenario for most folks.
Again, if you stole the stuff you use (figuratively, not literally), you cannot claim that to be a "fair" cost comparison. Yes, I made a presumption that you paid somewhere near "fair" market prices for your set up. I apologize if you found that offensive; it was not my intent to offend you personally. But your set up will cost 4x in reality for most everyone else on this continent. If you want to compare "sale" prices, then fine. My OCI will still always be about 1/4 the cost of yours, presuming you didn't "steal" your system.

The fact that the oil is still in the crankcase is also great; extended OCIs are what bypass and syns are best at. But that does not change my point. At moderate OCIs, you do not realize any "benefit" to the selection of those products. To realize those benefits, you have to GREATLY extend out the OCIs. I was using your UOA as a specific example at a snapshot in time; after sump load at moderate mileage. IN NORMAL OCI DURATIONS, synthetics and bypass filtration do not pay for themselves and offer no more "protection" than do convetional fluids. Comparing my UOA and your UOA are perfect examples of that. Would you kindly point out where those two UOAs, with nearly the exact same performance results, using the same type trucks, pulling the same type loads, for the same duration, are not what I claim them to be?

You see, I really don't care about your personal position in this. You posted up your info in a public domain; it's there for everyone to use as they see fit. Your data proves my point; your set up (would have) cost 4x more money, but only returned the same level of performance in VERY similar conditions. If you don't want your data used to prove how I'm correct, then don't post it. But if you do, don't complain about it. I can acknowledge that your personal costs may not be that high, but that would not be representative of reality for most people. Therefore your personal costs are not a fair comparison point. But your UOA results ARE fair. Comparing your UOA to my UOA is VERY fair. Like it or not, your UOA and my UOA viewed at that specific interval are perfect examples of my point. For a "normal" person to replicate your situation, your set up would cost 4x more money, but return 1x performance at that 6.6k mile snap shot in time.

Please point out my mistakes, relative to the real world costs and lube system performance as viewed in context of my comments. Don't tell me how you scored some fantastic deal that no one else can get. Prove to me that my 4x cost factor is wrong, and that our UOA results are not nearly identical under nearly identical conditions.
 
Last edited:
It's the internet dude, so buck up and debate your position! Only 17 posts? You seem to be strong in your feelings about what you're doing, so instead of playing the martyr, spew the facts, point - counter point! dnewton gives a fair opinion on things based on fact, and he never name dropped, heck I doubt anyone went back to see that he was referring to you. Open forum,so open up !
 
Wow...I love how worked up people get over motor oil...come on guys it is not like we are discussing something important here....like beer.
smile.gif
 
Who cares how many posts a member has!!??? All he is stating is that not every member wants to hear Dnewtons anti synthetic analogies and economic justification. I'm not saying that Dnewton is wrong per say, just that he has found in his research that synthetics are not always needed(many of us are well aware of this). He can at times come off as arrogant(which im sure he doesn't intend to do). I believe he is just trying to educate those folks whom he knows do not need synthetic lubricants.

Do I need a $3,500 samsung LED HD TV when I could get a visio for half the price!? No, I don't NEED a samsung, I WANT it. In many of his posts he has pointed this out as well. If it makes you feel better, then do it. He isn't the expert, nor do I believe he is trying to be such. He is using real world data points to steer people in the direction of which he believes is right(granted some opinions are interjected here as well). If you have the money and believe in synthetic oil, then run itand sleep well at night. I've had GREAT experience with Redline oil. Granted I dont run it in everything, (like my duramax) but I also believe that every application has a best suited oil. I do however strongly disagree with Dnewton on bypass filtration. There is plenty of data out there which proves bypass filtration is not only limited to extending the useful life of a lubricant.
 
I bring up post count because it doesn't sound like he argued his case to strongly,thats all. I might be wrong, if so, so what !

People ask for opinions, he's giving his, you give yours, did th OP want you to explain dnewtons position? NO, but you opined anyway, WHY?? Because it's an open forum and EVERYONE has an OPINION, and you'll get them wether you wanna hear it or not !
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom