Real (stupid) oil question

[TheOldHokie]

All ICEs will be gone in a decade at the current rate of EPA regulations

More like 20-30 years and it will be for more reasons than just regulation.

Dan

 

[ACDII]

After 40 years I came to the conclusion that 3K changes were a total waste of money since the oil coming out the gas engine was not much different than what was going in. I have run Castrol GTX for decades and got 300K out of a 1979 LTD Wagon, never changed based on miles, just when I felt it was time.

Today I get oil samples tested before changing oil, if it can go another 6K miles, then thats when I change it. No sense wasting resources. My 2019 F-450 tells me to change the oil at 11K miles now, I sample at 6 and it stated good to go, so will see what this last sample says. I found I only need to change the oil in the truck once a year. Some may think it would be cheaper to just change the oil instead of paying for the sample, but it gives me a lot more information than just oil quality, it gives me wear indicators. So far it is wearing very well.

I have a 2014 Flex Ecoboost with 182K miles on it, still going strong, no oil leaks, but the timing chain is approaching EOL as usual, they only last about 180K miles before they start clacking on startup. Only thing the Flex needed was an injector at 60K, engine is all original and has power to spare, Damned good Engine that 3.5 Ecoboost is. On that one I change about every 7K miles, and so far no fuel dilution, but then again I don't drive it in the city, nor the truck, all highway miles. City driving, different story. My wife has a 2015 Focus that is on its third clutch, but the engine runs great and has over 170K on it as well. That damned dual clutch transmission eats clutches, but only the odd clutch wears out, the even disk is still like new. It has that automanualatic transmission.

Whats funny is I change the oil on the F-450 and have just enough oil left over to do the oil change on the B2410. T6 5W40 is what I use and have always used Rotella in my Diesels, never had any issues with it. For the gas engines,I just use what ever synthetic is on sale, last one was Pennzoil.

 

[fried1765]

All ICEs will be gone in a decade at the current rate of EPA regulations

Not my Kubota L48TLB, or my 1951 Ford 8N!

 

[Fordtech86]

but the timing chain is approaching EOL as usual, they only last about 180K miles before they start clacking on startup.

if it’s making noise on start up thats the cam phasers causing it not the chain.

 

[jyoutz]

You are lucky. There is a guy in town here he has his original 1995 ford f250 7.3 manual 4x4 8ft box Supercab it only has 48,000km he pulls his holiday trailer and golf cart to lake then parks truck never winter drove nothing. He gets stopped everywhere asking to buy his truck. But if you knew this guy he still has the leather hat that salesmen threw in with the truck haha. That truck will be worth more now than he paid

Mine isn’t a daily driver, so it only has 155k miles. Hopefully it will last for many more years

 

[Mitjam]

Mine isn’t a daily driver, so it only has 155k miles. Hopefully it will last for many more years

I’m sure it will.

 

[DustyRusty]

After 40 years I came to the conclusion that 3K changes were a total waste of money since the oil coming out the gas engine was not much different than what was going in. I have run Castrol GTX for decades and got 300K out of a 1979 LTD Wagon, never changed based on miles, just when I felt it was time.

Today I get oil samples tested before changing oil, if it can go another 6K miles, then thats when I change it. No sense wasting resources. My 2019 F-450 tells me to change the oil at 11K miles now, I sample at 6 and it stated good to go, so will see what this last sample says. I found I only need to change the oil in the truck once a year. Some may think it would be cheaper to just change the oil instead of paying for the sample, but it gives me a lot more information than just oil quality, it gives me wear indicators. So far it is wearing very well.

I have a 2014 Flex Ecoboost with 182K miles on it, still going strong, no oil leaks, but the timing chain is approaching EOL as usual, they only last about 180K miles before they start clacking on startup. Only thing the Flex needed was an injector at 60K, engine is all original and has power to spare, Damned good Engine that 3.5 Ecoboost is. On that one I change about every 7K miles, and so far no fuel dilution, but then again I don't drive it in the city, nor the truck, all highway miles. City driving, different story. My wife has a 2015 Focus that is on its third clutch, but the engine runs great and has over 170K on it as well. That damned dual clutch transmission eats clutches, but only the odd clutch wears out, the even disk is still like new. It has that automanualatic transmission.

Whats funny is I change the oil on the F-450 and have just enough oil left over to do the oil change on the B2410. T6 5W40 is what I use and have always used Rotella in my Diesels, never had any issues with it. For the gas engines,I just use what ever synthetic is on sale, last one was Pennzoil.

Can't believe that you haven't mentioned the water pump on that engine. That is the Achilles heel.

 

[mikester]

If you ever have engine problems you will wish you had changed more often, ask me how I know , 10,000-mile oil changes are for somebody that wants their vehicle to last only 100,000 miles. Not worth the gamble.

 

[BBFarmer]

Maybe, but I'll never own one! I hope the 6.7L is as good as it's reputed to be. I'm going to keep the 7.3L until I croak, but plan on getting a new (used) F450 in a couple of years for towing duties.

Keeping the fuel system clean on the 6.7s is what bites alot of our farmers around here. Soon as the pump shits the bed you'll get metal all the way to the tank.

Probably do atleast one or two of these ole girls a month. The decontamination kit (which is the entire fuel system, steel lines and all) from ford is $3k+ and I'm not sure what the bossman is hittin them on labor these days. But its a several thousand dollar job either way.

I'm can't lay on my chest too long anymore these days. So I pull the cab and take my time standing next to it. Its a solid day job for me included pulling the tank and hand wiping.

What's your opinion on em @Fordtech86

Heres last weeks victim:

 

[BBFarmer]

if it’s making noise on start up thats the cam phasers causing it not the chain.

I would concur dr. And is why I love seeing a Ford come in.

Between rattling phasers
3.5 water pumps (chain driven in the taurus's and such)
f150 evaporators
constant jasper transmissions

Fords tend to keep my bills paid.....WELL

 

[mcmxi]

View attachment 134777

What's the story behind that photo? Looks to me like neglect and/or abuse.

 

[aaluck]

My dad is the manager and lead chemist for an oil analysis lab. I have free access to as much oil testing as I want.

I have nine Dodge Caravan/Chrysler Town & Country minivans for my company. 80% of the driving is highway. I have been using these vans for the last 24 years.

I use 100% synthetic, Amsoil signature, 5W-20. I change oil between 20, 000 and 25,000 miles.

Regular oil testing and analysis showed no wear, no oil viscosity breakdown, but a little bit of fuel dilution at 27,000 to 28,000 miles.

All of my vans have lasted over 400,000 miles without one single engine failure in 24 years. I currently have 4 vans over 350,000 miles and a 2008 Chrysler Town & Country with 570,000 miles on it and it still runs strong. The most common reason for getting rid of one of my vans is electrical or transmission issues.

Thank you for the information. So do you (maybe more importantly your dad) think I COULD wait up to 20,000 between changes?

 

[aaluck]

Today I get oil samples tested before changing oil,

Is this a service that is easy to find? I would like to see for myself at the time the truck tells me an oil change is needed.

 

[jyoutz]

Is this a service that is easy to find? I would like to see for myself at the time the truck tells me an oil change is needed.

The truck tells you that an oil change is needed based on the mileage that is programmed, not based on actual oil conditions.

Blackstone Laboratories Blackstone Laboratories

Learn what's going on in your engine with oil analysis. Our free kits are easy to use and we explain the results in plain English!

www.blackstone-labs.com

 

[AM28]

Thank you for the information. So do you (maybe more importantly your dad) think I COULD wait up to 20,000 between changes?

A diesel is a slightly different animal than a gasoline engine. I do not believe what works perfectly for a gasoline engine will work the same for a diesel. I have a 2007, GMC sierra classic 3500 diesel. I purchased it brand new and it has just over 180,000 miles on it. It runs every bit as good as it did when it was brand new. I am tracking it with regular oil analysis. I am using Amsoil and the Amsoil filter system. I change the filter every 5000 miles. I have never done an oil change on it. Only makeup oil from the filter change. I am following the same procedure with my Kabota tractor.

 

[mikester]

What's the story behind that photo? Looks to me like neglect and/or abuse.

50,000 mile oil changes is abuse

 

[DustyRusty]

50,000 mile oil changes is abuse

It is only abuse when the engine fails. Until that time it is inexcusable ignorance of mechanics. It never ceases to amaze me that people will spend thousands of dollars on the purchase and then cheap out on oil and filter changes. I guess that it is only normal that people that can afford expensive tractors, trucks, or cars will neglect routine maintenance because they can afford to replace it when it fails.

 

[fried1765]

A diesel is a slightly different animal than a gasoline engine. I do not believe what works perfectly for a gasoline engine will work the same for a diesel. I have a 2007, GMC sierra classic 3500 diesel. I purchased it brand new and it has just over 180,000 miles on it. It runs every bit as good as it did when it was brand new. I am tracking it with regular oil analysis. I am using Amsoil and the Amsoil filter system. I change the filter every 5000 miles. I have never done an oil change on it. Only makeup oil from the filter change. I am following the same procedure with my Kabota tractor.

That is absolutely OK for a "Kabota tractor".
Those "Kabota" tractors are known to be junk ,......right out of the factory!

 

[D2Cat]

A diesel is a slightly different animal than a gasoline engine. I do not believe what works perfectly for a gasoline engine will work the same for a diesel. I have a 2007, GMC sierra classic 3500 diesel. I purchased it brand new and it has just over 180,000 miles on it. It runs every bit as good as it did when it was brand new. I am tracking it with regular oil analysis. I am using Amsoil and the Amsoil filter system. I change the filter every 5000 miles. I have never done an oil change on it. Only makeup oil from the filter change. I am following the same procedure with my Kabota tractor.

Must be a retired Nave vet They would only add oil, never a total change! Probably a good practice with a Detroit engine.

 

[DustyRusty]

I have a friend that is a Navy vet. He told me about an engine on one of the boats that would need a couple of quarts of oil added every day. One night he was on duty to baby sit the engine, so he started to look for where the oil was going, and found a loose fitting. Since he wasn't supposed to do any mechanical work he never mentioned that he had tightened the fitting and stopped the oil leak. Eventually the engine couldn't hold any more oil since every morning the person that was in charge would add an additional 2 quarts of oil.