PwrSmoke
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What's your OCI, Mel? I'm wondering how far you've stretched it and what oil you use? I think we may have talked about it at one of the IDI meets but I no longer recall the details.
FS-2500 bypass filter system
- Thread starter FoolhardyIDI
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What's your OCI, Mel? I'm wondering how far you've stretched it and what oil you use? I think we may have talked about it at one of the IDI meets but I no longer recall the details.
idiabuse
Full Access Member
Hey PwrSmoke thanks for your in depth understanding and explanation of this important subject.
After all once a vehicle becomes a road worthy machine, the most important care you can practice is the selection
of materials you use to keep it running.
I have found what works real good for me.
But...
I do, but it is in my 6.0, and my old VW.... The 6.0 shears the oil horribly. Even with a quality synthetic (I have been running Chevron DELO Full Synthetic in the "silver" jug), and I still change it at ~5000 miles. However, I do see the benefits of a synthetic in this truck, as it cold starts much easier, and sitction is almost non-existent on 143,000+ mile injectors. But just like with conventional 15W-40 (I had been using the Motorcraft "Powerstroke" Oil because it was 5 quarts instead of 4) and toward the 5000 mile mark, I can feel a difference especially when the engine is cold (both in the operation definition, and physical temperature). I can feel a bit of stiction with both oils, the conventional being worse, approaching 5000 miles. Change the oil, and withing a day, it is completely gone. The biggest thing I have found living here in the north the advantage of synthetic is cold starting. Last year I still had the Motorcraft 15W-40 in the truck and it was bouncing around 0F, and had been several degrees below 0 overnight. That morning the truck would not start because of the molasses in the crankcase. An hour on the block heater and it started right up. This year, same conditions but running the Delo Synthetic, it will fire right up without the block heater. I normally keep it plugged in, but that is just a preference for me...... Even with synthetic and a bypass on my 6.0 I would not benefit from extended OCI's because the 6.0 actually "damages" the oil with the shuttle valves in the injectors. It quite literally cuts the oil. There have been many tests showing that conventional and synthetic oil have been "thinned" over the course of 5000 miles just by the searing of the oil. What has been found is if an XXW-40 is installed, by then 5000 mile mark it has thinned to be the equivalent of a XXW-30 oil, just by normal operation of the engine. So for me, the synthetic is to keep the injectors happy, and ease of cold startup. I use the same oil in the Jetta because I have it on-hand, and a just over 4 quarts..... conventional or synthetic isn't all that expansive of and oil change. But I will say, the Jetta does operate quieter (mechanically) with the synthetic than it did with a conventional. Don't get me wrong, it is a loud obnoxious little diesel (It is actually louder running than the 6.0, my family can hear me pull up in the Jetta, they can't in the truck....
).... but you hear the valvetrain much less with the synthetic.This is my opinion, and not supported by any testing or numbers. But I have owned the 6.0 long enough to be able to tell by sound and performance, the synthetic makes it much happier. I also use ONLY the Motorcraft filters for it (Oil and Fuel) which are made by RACOR. There may be better filters out there, but there are definitely much WORSE filters, so I stick with what works for me.
PwrSmoke
Full Access Member
I do, but it is in my 6.0, and my old VW.... The 6.0 shears the oil horribly. Even with a quality synthetic (I have been running Chevron DELO Full Synthetic in the "silver" jug), and I still change it at ~5000 miles. However, I do see the benefits of a synthetic in this truck, as it cold starts much easier, and sitction is almost non-existent on 143,000+ mile injectors. But just like with conventional 15W-40 (I had been using the Motorcraft "Powerstroke" Oil because it was 5 quarts instead of 4) and toward the 5000 mile mark, I can feel a difference especially when the engine is cold (both in the operation definition, and physical temperature). I can feel a bit of stiction with both oils, the conventional being worse, approaching 5000 miles. Change the oil, and withing a day, it is completely gone. The biggest thing I have found living here in the north the advantage of synthetic is cold starting. Last year I still had the Motorcraft 15W-40 in the truck and it was bouncing around 0F, and had been several degrees below 0 overnight. That morning the truck would not start because of the molasses in the crankcase. An hour on the block heater and it started right up. This year, same conditions but running the Delo Synthetic, it will fire right up without the block heater. I normally keep it plugged in, but that is just a preference for me...... Even with synthetic and a bypass on my 6.0 I would not benefit from extended OCI's because the 6.0 actually "damages" the oil with the shuttle valves in the injectors. It quite literally cuts the oil. There have been many tests showing that conventional and synthetic oil have been "thinned" over the course of 5000 miles just by the searing of the oil. What has been found is if an XXW-40 is installed, by then 5000 mile mark it has thinned to be the equivalent of a XXW-30 oil, just by normal operation of the engine. So for me, the synthetic is to keep the injectors happy, and ease of cold startup. I use the same oil in the Jetta because I have it on-hand, and a just over 4 quarts..... conventional or synthetic isn't all that expansive of and oil change. But I will say, the Jetta does operate quieter (mechanically) with the synthetic than it did with a conventional. Don't get me wrong, it is a loud obnoxious little diesel (It is actually louder running than the 6.0, my family can hear me pull up in the Jetta, they can't in the truck....
This is my opinion, and not supported by any testing or numbers. But I have owned the 6.0 long enough to be able to tell by sound and performance, the synthetic makes it much happier. I also use ONLY the Motorcraft filters for it (Oil and Fuel) which are made by RACOR. There may be better filters out there, but there are definitely much WORSE filters, so I stick with what works for me.
Even though this is better suited to the 6.0L section (but since you are admin ( : < )....
... and forgive my upcoming "Tough Love" here ( : < )
All the HUEI engines are known to shear the oil, less so the Group IV PAO synthetics which use fewer VII (Viscosity Index Improvers, which are the little "worms" in the oil that respond to heat by uncoiling and increase viscosity, but can get mechanically chewed up). I have seen a large number of UOAs where people have used 10W30 in the HUEI engines and they hold that viscosity and down's shear lower. And deliver good UOAs. In fact, if you look at your oil viscosity chart in the manual, you will find 10W30 listed there. There is an advantage using 10W30 up north (I am just over the border in Ohio and north of you by 120 miles). I use it in my "Power-Smoke" and, in fact, had to start the truck today at 14F with no time for the block heater. No, it didn't exactly fire up and run sweetly, but after about 30 seconds of trying it started in a cloud of white smoke. But I digress.
I think you are wasting your money dumping synthetic at 5K, though it's your money to waste. I also think judging things based on sound and feel without also comparing that with more objective testing, like oil analysis, is trying to practice magic that only exists in your own mind. Stiction (look it up for people that don't know... all HUEI engines owners should know what it is) is a real thing that is somewhat alleviated by lower viscosity oil, sometimes by synthetic oil and sometimes by friction modifier additives. Chevron even makes a 5W30 DELO for cold weather areas and Amsoil also has a 5W30 diesel rated synthetic. If it were my truck, I'd find some Rotella T-5 10W30 (a semi-syn) and run a load of that thru. It's a bit over $4/qt so it isn't an expensive trial and it's available in WalMart. It would be an inexpensive way to see if it helps. Believe me, it's a very robust oil! I know a couple of Duramax owners (one near you) who use it 10W30 exclusively on hard working trucks and get stellar UOAs back.
Thank you, I may be better off served with the rotella semi-syn. It is in the ~$12-14 range where the Delo I am running is closer to $18.... so that is almost a gallon for free..... I am getting close to an oil change, and may try the Rotella.
I was not trying to change subject on the engine, but why I run a synthetic and no bypass........
Fortunatly the miles I put on my truck in a year now.... not a much as a daily driver... well, that depends on the Jetta.... .... but I only have to do a couple of oil changes a year.. so the expense either way isn't as bad. At one point in time I was driving one of my cars enough that I was changing oil once a month.......... Thanks again.... I do value your opinion since you have done the research. Will you be down to the Midwest Rally, or over to Angola in a month? I missed meeting you at the Ron's 12 rally..........
I was not trying to change subject on the engine, but why I run a synthetic and no bypass........
Fortunatly the miles I put on my truck in a year now.... not a much as a daily driver... well, that depends on the Jetta....
.... but I only have to do a couple of oil changes a year.. so the expense either way isn't as bad. At one point in time I was driving one of my cars enough that I was changing oil once a month.......... Thanks again.... I do value your opinion since you have done the research. Will you be down to the Midwest Rally, or over to Angola in a month? I missed meeting you at the Ron's 12 rally..........PwrSmoke
Full Access Member
Well, the oil is worth a try. Lots of guys are doing it. Successfully!
I'm on the last coupla months of a book deadline, so I'm not even thinking about trips out yet unless it's related to the book. The old truck is a horror right now anyway. It's either sitting or being rode hard and put away wet!
I'm on the last coupla months of a book deadline, so I'm not even thinking about trips out yet unless it's related to the book. The old truck is a horror right now anyway. It's either sitting or being rode hard and put away wet!
idiabuse
Full Access Member
I had an experience some years back while I was taking care of a friends 6.0 and with 20,000 miles on one oil change the oil had not sheared like many others have proven to do.
I have the oil analysis to back it but I do not have the permission to share it.
It is way too offensive to view.
I have the oil analysis to back it but I do not have the permission to share it.
It is way too offensive to view.
FoolhardyIDI
Full Access Member
So I think I will be installing the FS-2500 on the truck. I also switched my oil from Rotella 15w40 to Valvoline premium blue 15w40 CI-4+. The engine really seams to like the Valvoline oil. When I have the extra money and get the system. I will post pics of it after I have installed it.
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