Quote:
Originally Posted by thecatsandi
I was talking to the ford service person at a large dealer near orlando yesterday. I asked him what I need to do to keep my truck as trouble frre as possible. His reply, do all the scheduled maintanence and never use synthetic oil. I did not ask why...
|
hi michelle
that doesn't surprise me. opinions on oil are as varied as politics and religion...
and with just as little evidence...
when i showed up for my last oil change (at a large ford dealer) with 4 gallons of rotella t 5-40 syn,
the head diesel mechanic AND the service manager found me.
they wanted to say "thanks to a customer who obviously cared about his truck."
without knowing why your guy said 'no syn' i don't know how else to reply.
and i'm clearly just an enthusiast car guy....
-all of the other lubricants in your truck are full synthetic from the factory.
-synthetic oils have a proven record for many auto applications.
-i can think of only one auto/truck engine maker that
specifically advises against synthetic engine oil.
-many high performance cars now come with synthetic oil from the factory.
-the extended drain intervals many europeans use are based around synthetic lubricants.
-the issues with turbine/aircraft engines are different that piston engines. shear isn't a problem but heat build up after shut down is...
also service intervals tend to be better followed on aircraft. as i recall most early synthetics were developed FOR the aircraft industry.
it is my opinion that for car/truck engines that have
turbos coking is a bigger issue than sludge;
so oils with higher flash points and better base stock are a good thing.
there are some issues specific to the 6.0 liter psd too....
-the fuel injectors rely on engine oil for operation and at very high pressures (500-1500psi)
-so the anti foaming agent in the oil is critical. IF the afa is depleted the oil can foam up, which will reduce injector pressure.
-this leads to poor performance and wear issues.
-we must use service rating Cl-4 oil, syn or dino.
-soot and other suspended wastes build up in all oils, and even with syn this is an issue.
-anyone considering prolonged oil change intervals SHOULD have an oil anaysis done midway; again regardless of oil brand.
-the 'ford recommended' interval for oil changes is 7,500 miles. severe duty 5,000 miles.
-they don't offer anything more specific for towing full time.
-ford also recommends 5w30 for temps below 20 degrees f, but 15w-40 for towing.
so in MY case (towing and cold weather) i opted for 5w-40.
-
all of the 5w-40 diesel oils are synthetic as i understand.
-the switch to 5w-40 showed immediate improvements in start up and fuel economy.
-i've got 40,000 miles on the truck in 20 months...and usually change oil at 4,000 miles. so i've done nearly 40 gallons of oil changes!
-with the syn, i plan to do an oil analysis at 4k and change the filter.
-IF the oil analysis checks out, i'll extend the change interval to 8k and add the ford antifoaming agent IF needed.
i waited until the diesel engine was 'broken in' to go with syn...
and will be interested to learn what the oil analysis shows....
for the warm season i wil go back to 15w40 syn...
i make no comments on the cost/economy of syn/dino...need a spreadsheet with so many variables
my dealer only charges 19$ for an oil change IF the customer supplies the oil.
i can't buy a filter AND recycle the oil for that price.
sorry to sidetrack this thread.
oil can be a very touchy subject, and clearly your mileage may vary...
and lipets...IF this was a 'service person' rather than the mechanic, he/she may not turn any wrenches!
i've found that many big shops only have 1-2 trained diesel mechanics hidden somewhere...
cheers all
2air'