Oil change intervals?

[powerstroke73L]

What's your oil change interval now that you're running on WVO? I used to do 5000 miles no matter what and intended to stick to that. Any reason I should change more frequently?

[HORSEMOVER]

I have always changed at 5,000 (Rotella) both before and after conversion. I am curious what others are doing for fuel filters? 15,000 is what I have always heard for a stock system on a 6.0 - what about now?

[Marv]

Well, I have been doing 7K on the oil when I'm not doing heavy towing, but I think I'll change that to every 5K now that I'm on vegi.

Fuel filters - Before converting to vegi, I changed them every other oil change. Not sure how I'll do that now. Maybe every six months? Hmmm...

[Jack_Toepfer]

I did the fuel filter when I bought the truck. Thats the same time I installed the 6637 air filter. Both are probably still clean.

My oil change intervals will probably decrease now that I'm on oil. If something is about to pop... your oil will be a nice indicator.

[lancaster,pa]

Read the stuff on oil change frequency from Dana Linscott. Looks like he recommends more frequent oil changes in older engines if polymerization is detected in the crankcase oil (he outlines a procedure for checking for poly). Seems to me like this would apply more to non V3 systems where oil is not heated sufficiently and/or not purged from the injectors completely (guess there are a lot of conversions out there that can't nearly measure up to the effectiveness of the V3 in delivering heated veg and in purging completely) - Patrick

[lamintdog]

Just did 6,500 (Rotella) on oil ~ 40% of the time, sent the sample into Blackstone labs and the analysis came back looking great. I change oil filters w/ each oil change. I try to keep the air filter clean too - check it every 3-4 weeks. Will probably go to 7,500 this change and sample it again. Oil level stays consistent through changes.

[lancaster,pa]

Just did 6,500 (Rotella) on oil ~ 40% of the time, sent the sample into Blackstone labs and the analysis came back looking great. I change oil filters w/ each oil change. I try to keep the air filter clean too - check it every 3-4 weeks. Will probably go to 7,500 this change and sample it again. Oil level stays consistent through changes.

Curious as to what they charge for the analysis. Do you specify what you want them to look for? - Patrick

[lamintdog]

~$20 a shot each. They get cheaper if you buy in dozens. (http://www.blackstone-labs.com/truck_report_1.html). They ask for your make, model, mileage, miles on oil, oil added,etc. They measure trace metals and compare it to the expected averages for that specific vehicle. They're good - they sensed high iron content in my oil change after a head was replaced. I definitely let them know that I'm running vo and to see if it's causing any issues as far as they can see...After three tests in 18 months on vo I'm still well within the averages.

[Marv]

$20 a shot isn't real bad. I had been wondering what they charge for an analysis.

So how long does it take to get the results back?

[lamintdog]

Turn around is very fast IMO. How you ship it determines the majority of the wait time. From the time they receive it until I've got the emailed copy (they snail mail one too) sitting in my inbox is right around 24-48hrs. It usually takes about 3 days to ship there, so around 5 total for me. They provide free sample kits: plastic shipping bottle, oil sample report, smaller sample bottle w/ plastic bag to put it inside for spills - just let them know how many you need. I keep one in the truck just in case I need it. Forgot to mention before that they also test for coolant and fuel in your sample...and also be able to tell you how broken down your sample is - if you can run more miles on it without accelerating wear, etc... Just write what you're looking to get out of it on the sample card when you submit...

[Clay]

oil and filter every 5k miles.
Fuel filters when diesel pressure drops a little indicating filter clog same as with the Donaldson.

[Wilson]

just sent a sample in today...

[VegObsession]

In regards to frequency of oil changes, I read somewhere that the anti-foaming properties of the oil breaks down after 3000 miles and that it's critical for engines like the powerstroke to have oil without bubbles and foam in the oil.

[lamintdog]

I just barely read that "somewhere" too.

[powerstroke73L]

In regards to frequency of oil changes, I read somewhere that the anti-foaming properties of the oil breaks down after 3000 miles and that it's critical for engines like the powerstroke to have oil without bubbles and foam in the oil.

I've never had a problem. Foaming will cause drivability issues if it does happen you would know. To my knowledge no damage will occur, your truck will just run like crap or not at all. Besides-every 3K could get expensive!