Light Diesel Engine Lubrication
Light Diesel Engine Lubrication
(OP)
I have been changing the lubrication oil and filter in my 1999 7.3liter International Powerstroke diesel (Ford f-250) at intervals of between 2,500 and 3,00 miles. I operate at 7,800 to 9,000 feet and with substantial loads on long grades. The truck is often overloaded; e.g. bumper trailer hitch could use a roller skate to keep from scoring the pavement. The oil change frequency is my uneducated effort at extending engine life for as long as possible.
My question: I have been advised that these oil changes intervals are way too frequent and that I am actually harming the engine by such practice. What say you who know?
My question: I have been advised that these oil changes intervals are way too frequent and that I am actually harming the engine by such practice. What say you who know?





RE: Light Diesel Engine Lubrication
About 85 of the 2,000 or so vehicles belonging to the company I work for, have Powerstrokes. Some tow and many do a lot of stop and go service. Not too much cold weather, but plenty of hot. About 90% of them are 1995 vintage and approaching 200,000 miles. Except for one that got stolen, crashed into a fence, turned on its side and abandoned while still running, none have had major engine problems. The oil change interval has always been 5,000 miles. Judging by our record so far, I would say we could stretch the oil changes to 6-6.5K miles without a problem.
Other than wearing out some threads and wasting a little money, I don't see how more frequent oil changes can hurt anything.
RE: Light Diesel Engine Lubrication
RE: Light Diesel Engine Lubrication
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RE: Light Diesel Engine Lubrication
RE: Light Diesel Engine Lubrication
RE: Light Diesel Engine Lubrication
RE: Light Diesel Engine Lubrication
BTW, all of our waste oil is reused for other purposes. This is a farming operation in the southwest and conditions are usully dusty or muddy. Waste oil is used for saturating new wooden fence posts (no more creosote)and oil buring furnaces. If we had a recylcing source that was within a reasonable distance; i.e. less than sisty miles, we would recylce it.
Smokey, that was an interesting study and duly noted. I, too, prefill vertical oil filters on all equipment and reduce the crankcase quantity by same amount for the very reasons you mentioned and documented. If you don't mind I am going to quote your study.
Thank you one and all.
RE: Light Diesel Engine Lubrication