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What is a good oil to run for a F-250 diesel.

B

Brent Zappe

Member
I have a Ford F-250 6.0 liter diesel in a 2006. I would like to know what brand and type of oil should be best to go with this engine. I useally use Castrol in my Gasoline engines because they are proven to not foarm up and also not break down in the wait of the oil. Diesel is some thing new to me so I thouhgt it would be a good Ideal to ask.
 
The 6.0 runs better with lighter oil 10/30 motorcraft or there's a synthetic that better. Sorry you have a 6.0 good luck with it. My friend calls them $3000 oil changes.
 

Trucks that have oil driven injectors can be very very sensitive to the type of oil used. I would HIGHLY recommend you stay with what the manufacturer recommends.

Otherwise you can lose a ton of money on this engine.
 
Being that it's older and probably has a few miles on it, you can probably use a heavier oil (15-40). if it was new and tight or a fresh rebuild I would go lighter (10-30). Just make sure it's a diesel rated oil. You also don't say where you live, temperature makes a difference! In our Subaru (gas) they recommend 0-20 full synthetic, and it goes 5000 miles before adding a pint.
 
I agree completely. Ford (and IH) recommend 10W30 - that's what I would use and would try to keep it clean.
 
keep on using castrol! i use castrol 15-40 in my 2006 duramax since new, along with other new vehicles i have bought. you will not find a better oil .
 
FOLLOW THE OWNERS MANUAL for oil viscosity !!!!!

brand wise. like you said Castrol is good. used to use it in everything until i switched to AMSOIL synthetics. If you're in the northern US like we are I'd look for full synthetic like AMSOIL or modiil 1 (diesel of course). work very well for cold starts in the winter.

Other brands are ok too. Not all are created equal regardless of the API spec. that is just a MIN standard and does not mean equality.

you'll get 1000+ other opinions on oil on here. the days of putting rotella 15w-40 in everything are gone with newer engines in cars/trucks/tractors. FOLLOW THE OWNERS MANUAL!!!!!

good luck and enjoy your diesel!
 
I don't post much on here but I will on this one. Stick with what the owners manual says. Use Motorcraft oil. The 6.0 is a good engine but does require proper care. The injectors are fired off of.high pressure oil. Improper oil or dirty oil will probably produce what is known as "Stiction". Which is sticky injectors. There is Companies producing Stiction additives. Rev X WORKS.

If your truck starts bucking and acts like it is missing a mechanic is likely to say it needs injectors, a bottle of Rev X may save you thousands. And no I have no connection to them other than using their product.

Taken care of these engine will preform great and last. Not bragging but mine has over 220,000 miles on factory injectors.
 
So far, the best advice you have gotten is to stick with what the manufacturer recommends. This engine is NOT a 7.3 or aunt Ethel's '39 International.
Do like the manufacturer says - they know best. They designed, tested, and produced it.
 
I am running the Motorcraft oil in my F350 but I know people who swear by the 5w40 Rotella synthetic. Their trucks do start easier in the winter. I even run the Mtorocraft gold coolant (with an aftermarket filter) which some people say is junk, but I have never had an issue. The 6.0 is a good engine as long as it is maintained and do not run a tuner, unless you do other mods, or or so I have been told. I tow with mine so I would never consider putting a tuner on it, but then again I wouldn't even if I did not use it to tow.
 
Ford says 15W-40 CJ-4 for all the 6 liter diesels for temps over 20 degrees F. Same viscosity Ford recommends for my 1994 IDI 7.3 diesel. I use Rotella T but I'm sure there are other brands just as good. I've got 320,000 miles on my truck and it does not use a drop. I just pulled a trailer 2200 miles and it is still on the full mark. I wish the trans was as good as the engine.
 
Thank you from all of you people out there who have hard working diesel engines. Yes I do have a programer Fair Banks. and yes I do use it. The reason why is because my Turbo is a vane fan unit. The vane turbo what a meachanic has told me if the vane fan are not opening on loads they will build up exhaust deposts and make it stick to the regular position .You have to keep driveing habbits that work the vane fan to adjust open to close. when you put heavy loads on it and then when you demand it to open more it will stick causeing you to have little power. I use the work tow mode when I am towing heavy tractors on my car trailer and it helps. After I am done towing I change it back to stock mode because I live in So. Ca. The differtance between the tow are really noticeable on power and proformance of the truck (it is like haveing another truck).
 
what the heck does it matter if it isn't a 7.3?!?!

the same GREAT 5w-40synthetinc oil you put in a 7.3 is fine for that 6.0 as well.

I'm running valvoline full syn ultra blue 5w40. hard to find an oil with a better endorsement than Cummins.
 
The difference between the 6.0 and 7.3 injection systems can be found here..

http://www.trucktrend.com/how-to/expert-advice/1304dp-heui-how-high-pressure-oil-injection-systems-work/

What works for a Cummins, just might not work on a power stroke. Guess that's up to you.
 
there are 2 or technically 3 7.3's.. an IDI, and IDI with ats turbo, and the PS.

The oil meets the ford specs. The fact it has a cummins endorsement means it is a super high quality oil.

I'm running that oil in a 6.0 and 2 7.3's Thus I'm well aware of the high pressure oil pump setup used and injection systems on those vehicles.

it's great oil..
 
I will echo most of the comments made here already. Follow along with the manufacturer recommendations on oil. I would tend to go with a nationally recognized brand, too. The popular brands here tend to be Mobil Delvac and Shell Rotella. I have used both in my diesels. I currently run with the Shell Rotella 5W-40 synthetic simply because I do not put a lot of miles on my Duramax. I originally used 15W-40 and then switched to 5W-40 for the winter months, but I did not put a lot of miles on in the winter. I like the full synthetic since I can use it year a round and it pumps easier in cold weather starting......................in the event I need to use the truck in the winter. The prior owner used Shell Rotella, and I decided to continue using it. I think it is a very good diesel grade oil. I also opt for high quality oil filters, too.
 
A 7.3 has more in common with a 706 than a 6.0. The 7.3 is a great but basic engine and will give great service with most any quality oil. A 6.0 or 6.4 ford are much more finicky and can have expensive repairs if the oil is not right. Using incorrect oil in a 6.0 is a lot like driving drunk, lots of people do it daily and get away with it, that doesn't make it a good idea or something you should recomend.
 
Lets be clear. Your reply is defacto saying that the valvoline premium blue full syn 5w40 is not a good oil for a 6.0

I'll hold off on the hysterical laughter untill I see how you attempt to explain that one or back out of your position.
 
Save your laughter for something funny. I didn't say it was not good oil, I said anything other than the recomended oil can be trouble in that engine. If that oil meets all ford's specs for the 6.0 engine, especially viscosity, then it's ok with me. If it doesn't meet those specs, especially viscosity, then it's risky to use it.
 

Lots of those engines were destroyed and junked due to wrong oil causing injector failure. Warning again... stay with proper oil or they will be pulling the cab off and charging you 5 grand to change out the injection system. HISTORY shows this.

Not any hd oil will work well and prevent the stiction problem.

FORD LOST a LOT of customers over these engines. Down here, you cant give away those series of trucks.
 
Don't want in the argument but the best thing you can do for that motor is synthetic w40 and archoil I think it's called archoil 9100. I've tried rev x hot shot secret and everything else under the sun. The archoil has hands down without a doubt been the best for me. Mix it with their fuel treatment and you really have something I've had a 6.0 for almost 10 years and never replaced an injector since the archoil. I'm not a salesman but try it. It's mind blowing
 
See, that was a trick question. I already knew the answer via research with ford and Ashland, including emails that specifically state it is a suitable oil.

I was waiting to see if I was going to get warning emails about using the oil, from people that actually didn't know if it was suitable or not.

Was a good day fishing, didn't even loose my worm... ;)
 
For what? Hounding people about not using an oil, when the hounder did (zilch) research into the subject before issuing warning and scare tactic posts on such oil?

Dont worry sunshine.. I wont report you...

All joking aside. I did check on the oil, and it meets or exceeds manufactures specs. Goid for Chrysler, cat and Cummins too. I believe even Detroit was on the lust, which is a bit shocking.. They have some interesting oil specs.

I notice ford is now shipping many vehicles with syn from the factory. My e350 came with it.
 
Guess I missed the part about hounding about your oil. All I ever said was that if you own a 6.0 or 6.4 from ford the only safe oil is to meet manufacturers specs to the letter. If you like to spend your money on snake oil because it makes you feel good then go right on doing it. All the major trucking companies tested that full synthetic oil and their claims for longer life and less down time and found the claims to be false and nothing more than a costly gimmick. Of course millions of miles of testing in hundreds of engines isn't usually enough evidence to convince most of the true believers. As I said, if it works for you and makes you feel warm and fuzzy good for you. But fishing to start a fight for fun is against site rules, whether you leave with your bait or not.
 
I didn't fish to start a fight.. I responded to an already going thread and wondered who had done their homework and who was just walking around scaring people...
I don't use any snake oil addatives... most of them are gimmicks.

Don't forget that your broad strokes of 'all the major trucking companies' , etc. covers alot of ground. For instance.. cummins and detroit endorsed the oil. As for extended changes, etc.. I go by manufacturer change intervals.

I like the verifiable properties of the oil.. like better heat handling for turbo's. That's a verifiable data point compaired to a run of the mill non syn oil. Nobody likes coked turbo bearings.
 
(quoted from post at 18:54:55 05/17/16) Don't want in the argument but the best thing you can do for that motor is synthetic w40 and archoil I think it's called archoil 9100. I've tried rev x hot shot secret and everything else under the sun. The archoil has hands down without a doubt been the best for me. Mix it with their fuel treatment and you really have something I've had a 6.0 for almost 10 years and never replaced an injector since the archoil. I'm not a salesman but try it. It's mind blowing
Click to expand...

Bingo.... There are some workarounds... and on those engines, you dont take motor oil lightly. Do your research and avoid the $5000 injector service. Some have paid 3 times for this. Most others dump the truck.
 
I would be interested in reading the email from Ford stating the oil you are talking about is recommended for the Powerstroke. Would you mind posting it here?
 
The original ford reply may be hard to find, I don't use a PC anymore, however I can post the valvoline text of their email reply here, and I will try to track down the ford letter.

( edit : 6th time trying to post.. Something in this copy/pasted email is making the form reject it.. )

I'll redact my personal info:

From: Valv Tech Line
To: ?????????????
Subject: Valvoline Product Support Issue Update ISSUE=70????? PROJ=11


When replying, type your text above this line.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following Incident has been logged with Valvoline Product Support. Please review the information provided, should you need further information or wish to update an open incident, please REPLY to this e-mail or call 1-800-TEAM-VAL.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------





?????, thank you for contacting Valvoline Product Support.





The Valvoline Premium Blue Extreme SAE 5W-40 Heavy Duty Diesel Oil is suitable for a 2004 Ford power stroke diesel. The API rating is the current CJ-4 and will meet all manufacturer requirements.





If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us via phone at 800 TEAM VAL or by email at valsupport ashland.com for assistance.





Thank you and have a great day.


Erik


Valvoline Product Support




Thank you,



Valvoline Product Support

Ticket Number: 11-70?????
 
I'm hoping I have a copy of it on my surface tablet. I ditched a real desktop pc a few years ago, had a netbook after that, then finally just a tablet and phone.

When / if I find it, I'll post it back here.
 
Still have a few thumbdrives to search, in the mean time I emailed ford corporate ( not the dealer ), got a shocking email back telling me I needed 5w20 SM rated oil ;)

I emailed back and asked them if they really recommended that for a power stroke diesel. Tech mailed back and said gee that's odd ( no duh! ) then sent me the basic gas manual PDF. I emailed back again and asked if maybee perhaps he could look for the diesel supplement... :)

Must be kids running the place.

Anyway, from the diesel PDF I am posting a screenshot of the aps cj4 rec, and the oil temp chart showing 5w40 vs 15w40.

I'm still looking for the email and will post it when it turns up.

I'm half tempted to post the gas oil rec for the diesel engine they sent me... Should post that on facebook or something.. Major goof up.

Their PDF started newest engine to oldest.. Looked a hair fluffy and light on real data, but at least listed specs.
a227049.jpg

a227050.jpg
 
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