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Should I go Synthetic?

3K views 25 replies 9 participants last post by  ford diesel time 
#1 ·
so I am about to change the oil in my 2003 7.3, with 145k miles. Should I go with synthetic? If so what all should I consider?

Thanks..
 
#5 · (Edited)
mc: If you switch over too synthetic, are you going to add an oil by-pass kit? and do UOAs? Too help with your extended oil change intervels

What do you expect to gain from switching? I made the switch not too long ago, {At my Winter Oil Change}. Made for quicker startups and smoother idle. I am still researching on the oil-bypass systems and hope to extend my OCI to once a yr. If so I will change from RTS 5W-40 to either Amsoil or Schaeffers or Blue Diamond. Good luck in your quest for the right oil.
 
#6 ·
Personally I would go to walmart and buy there motorcraft oil-filter for 45 bucks and just change the oil every 3000. It will be a lot cheaper and keeps oil fresh. synthetic seems to damn expensive. Thats my opinion
 
#7 ·
THis is the route I have chosen. Comes in 5quart containers so there is no guesswork. Synthetic is nice...in a racecar...Ive made it to 245k doing 3k mile oil changes and using dino oil. I used the pennzoil until last Sunday where at 244k miles I switched to motorcraft oil and filter. DONE.
 
#11 · (Edited)
Oil By-pass unit---> This is one of many
ECO MicroFilters Bypass Oil Filtration Systems for Buses, Trucks, Cars, Diesel and more...

UOA---->Used Oil Analysis here is the one I use..I have used Amsoil UOA kits also...Once again 2 of many.
Lubrication Specialties | Diesel Motor Oil | Primrose Engine Oil | Fuel Additives | Oil Additives | Engine Restore|

Do some research... For now U can't go wrong with a M/C oil filter-M1-Wix.. and any of the dino oils... Rotella-Delo-Delvac-Valvoline.

The main use for synthetics for for cold climate startups and EOCI=Extended Oil Change Intervels. I do think they handle the heat better, but thats just my opinion.

U have some reading to do. I will say this... I have read and seen many 7.3L that have 500K and 800K miles on them with just reg oil changes and the use of off the shelf filters and Rotella-Delo-Delvac.

I for one, am prob way to anal on this subject... But I have plans on keeping this 7.3L for many yrs to come. In 2 yrs I have kids going to college. I have alot of saving to do... I can't afford a new F250 every 4 yrs...
 
#12 ·
How many miles per year are you going to put on it? IMHO, unless you drive a lot and are looking for extended oci, synthetic is not worth the cost for the 7.3. Dino oil every 3000 miles and a FL-1995 filter will be much cheaper. Just go with an oil with a good additive package. I went with DELO.

If you live where the winters are very cold you'll get better starts running syn in the winter. Personally, I plug the truck in on a timer so its not on all night long and have no issues with dino oil.

Best,
Jim
 
#21 ·
Diesel is oil. Its heated up with a catalyst added to cause paraffin formation. I dont know if it'll run on just oil? It may. I wouldnt do it though. I dumped ten gallons of kerosene in last weekend that I had laying around because its from last winter. I put some DK in it and then added it. These trucks are like garbage disposals, literally and figuratively speaking. Diesel is a waste product, by product if you are in sales and marketing, of oil->gas refinerey. Just dont go over 50% of stored fuel concentration to waste motor oil(wmo).

Somebody on here buys filter bags off ebay to clean the oil up before putting in the truck. In my experience the thicker the oil/diesel the slower or more efficiently it burns. Just be careful with how its been stored. No barrels that were just sitting out in the rain. Been opened/closed by more people than yourselves.
 
#23 ·
wow this is all so new to me

When using oil by-pass make sure you are filtering down at least to 1 micron. Do research, and don't just buy the most fanciest one out there because the advertising looks good. I sold by-pass units in the industrial market for years, and the most basic, simple kits worked the best.

This corporation has great products:

http://http://www.spinnerii.com/index.cfm/div/divid/78/Pickup.Trucks


Another one that uses cellelose materials:

http://http://www.puradyn.com/


Some of our truck fleets could go 400k miles without an oil change, given that everything else on the truck was consistently maintained at recommended intervals...


PM me if you have any questions...

Every big city usually has a lab that is dedicated to testing industrial fluids among other things.. I know for awhile a couple companies actually sold a handheld engine oil analysis device as well..
im researching now
 
#22 ·
When using oil by-pass make sure you are filtering down at least to 1 micron. Do research, and don't just buy the most fanciest one out there because the advertising looks good. I sold by-pass units in the industrial market for years, and the most basic, simple kits worked the best.

This corporation has great products:

http://http://www.spinnerii.com/index.cfm/div/divid/78/Pickup.Trucks


Another one that uses cellelose materials:

http://http://www.puradyn.com/


Some of our truck fleets could go 400k miles without an oil change, given that everything else on the truck was consistently maintained at recommended intervals...


PM me if you have any questions...

Every big city usually has a lab that is dedicated to testing industrial fluids among other things.. I know for awhile a couple companies actually sold a handheld engine oil analysis device as well..
 
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