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Old 04-19-2018, 11:51 AM   #1
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Question ready for first oil change, need advice

Hi,
I've picked up a E350 bus at an auction and havent driven except to get it registered. Now I have time for its first oil change. I plan to do all the fluids before I do anything serious with the bus.

What is the current thinking on oil; Its a 1992 7.3 idi with a e40d trans. used mostly in a warm climate.
I've picked up a motocraft filter, fl1995, so thats a step up in size from what came from the factory.

I'm wondering between things like 5w40 and 15w40?
Is valvoline a good name?
I know to get diesel rated.

Any thoughts and advice is welcome.

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Old 04-19-2018, 12:13 PM   #2
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I am no oil guru but I can tell you that Rotella and Delo are two of the most popular diesel rated oils.

As far as weight goes, in moderate climates I have always run 15w-40.

Here is an interesting read on selecting motor oil:https://www.popularmechanics.com/car...o/a53/1266801/ it is not diesel specific but has some good info.
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Old 04-19-2018, 12:30 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alpinekid View Post
Hi,
I've picked up a E350 bus at an auction and havent driven except to get it registered. Now I have time for its first oil change. I plan to do all the fluids before I do anything serious with the bus.

What is the current thinking on oil; Its a 1992 7.3 idi with a e40d trans. used mostly in a warm climate.
I've picked up a motocraft filter, fl1995, so thats a step up in size from what came from the factory.

I'm wondering between things like 5w40 and 15w40?
Is valvoline a good name?
I know to get diesel rated.

Any thoughts and advice is welcome.
I buy cheap 5 gallon buckets of 15w40 at Rural King.
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Old 04-24-2018, 10:18 PM   #4
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progress

I changed the filter. I decided to switch it up to the Fl1995. The only thing I notices was that it is a lot closer to the hot exhaust pipe. There is still plenty more than a hand width between the end of the filter and the pipe.

That filter took almost 2 qts just to fill it. I'm gong with valvoline 15W30, premium blue, heavy duty diesel.

The other thing that gave me pause was how easy the old filter came off. the filter wrench only just touched it and it spun right off. I put it back on hand tight but really hand tight.
Do these thing every work themselves loose?

Today I got the recycling jugs so now I don't have any excuse to not change the oil.
I'm not sure it really needs it but since I just got it I need to establish the change schedule. I got the bus from a school that had not used it much in a long time. The oil actually look not too bad. I've seen a lot worse.

Next is the coolant. I've just started to read up on it.
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Old 04-24-2018, 10:32 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alpinekid View Post
I changed the filter. I decided to switch it up to the Fl1995. The only thing I notices was that it is a lot closer to the hot exhaust pipe. There is still plenty more than a hand width between the end of the filter and the pipe.

That filter took almost 2 qts just to fill it. I'm gong with valvoline 15W30, premium blue, heavy duty diesel.

The other thing that gave me pause was how easy the old filter came off. the filter wrench only just touched it and it spun right off. I put it back on hand tight but really hand tight.
Do these thing every work themselves loose?

Today I got the recycling jugs so now I don't have any excuse to not change the oil.
I'm not sure it really needs it but since I just got it I need to establish the change schedule. I got the bus from a school that had not used it much in a long time. The oil actually look not too bad. I've seen a lot worse.

Next is the coolant. I've just started to read up on it.
In over 40 years of motoring I have only ever known one oil filter come loose on its own.
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Old 04-25-2018, 08:07 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Twigg View Post
In over 40 years of motoring I have only ever known one oil filter come loose on its own.
Thanks thats good to know
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Old 04-25-2018, 12:19 PM   #7
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Oil filters should be hand tightened and then turned another 1/4 turn.
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Old 04-25-2018, 01:52 PM   #8
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Welcome!

Use some sort of 40w oil with the bus, whether it be 15w40 or 5w40. 30w is really only suitable for diesel engines in cold climates.

We use rotella at the shop. You can use delo or any other name brand. I'd steer away from no name stuff unless you test it and know that it's good quality. Just make sure it is either CH-4, CI-4, or CJ-4 oil. Do not use the newer CK-4 standard as some feel it's doesn't protect older engines properly.

The larger powerstroke filter is a good upgrade. That should put your total capacity about a quart more.

I'd recommend changing the fuel filters and air filter as well. With an NA diesel, a dirty air filter will cause noticeable power loss.

I always tighten the filter as tight as I can by hand. That's always been good enough in my experience. Over-tightening it when new makes it a complete bear to get off next time it needs changed.

I don't ever pre-fill filters. If you do pre-fill them, make sure to add the fluid in the outside holes, not the inside one. That way the fluid you're adding is filtered. It's more important with fuel filters but it's good practice to use with any filter.

I'd recommend using regular green coolant with test strips to check the additive levels. On something old like this there's no need to swap to a lifetime coolant.
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Old 04-25-2018, 06:38 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by o1marc View Post
Oil filters should be hand tightened and then turned another 1/4 turn.
Thanks,
I've always heard that spec and it has always made me wonder.
Are we talking a seasoned guerrilla mechanic hand tighten or wimpy office computer engineer hand tight:
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Old 04-25-2018, 07:14 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alpinekid View Post
Thanks,
I've always heard that spec and it has always made me wonder.
Are we talking a seasoned guerrilla mechanic hand tighten or wimpy office computer engineer hand tight:
It's one of those "you'll know it when you do it" things.

FWIW ... I screw on filters until they are snug, then continue turning until they feel tight, that is, with the firm hand pressure of an average guy, they stop turning.

Check it again if you like, once it's been through a heat and cool down cycle.
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Old 04-25-2018, 07:27 PM   #11
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you might save a bit of your used oil and send it off to the lab. Some of here have used Blackstone Labs for engine oil analysis. for $30ish it can give you a rundown on the health of the motor. its cheaper than an oil change. and doing the check over time gives you a trend of whats going on in the engine.

hand tight to me is when it stops spinning, very little effort, plus the 1/4 turn.


http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f13/te...tml#post140300
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Old 04-26-2018, 08:31 AM   #12
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using an oil analysis test

Quote:
Originally Posted by turf View Post
you might save a bit of your used oil and send it off to the lab. Some of here have used Blackstone Labs for engine oil analysis. for $30ish it can give you a rundown on the health of the motor. its cheaper than an oil change. and doing the check over time gives you a trend of whats going on in the engine.

hand tight to me is when it stops spinning, very little effort, plus the 1/4 turn.


http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f13/te...tml#post140300
Thanks for the idea on analysis.
I'm planning on taking long trips with this bus and this is an old engine.
I sounds like a good idea but:

What would I ask for?
Which are the important test; which one provides the most useful information.
What do I look for when it comes to oil analysis?
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Old 04-26-2018, 04:40 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alpinekid View Post
Thanks for the idea on analysis.
I'm planning on taking long trips with this bus and this is an old engine.
I sounds like a good idea but:

What would I ask for?
Which are the important test; which one provides the most useful information.
What do I look for when it comes to oil analysis?
You fill in a form where you provide all the details about the oil you are asking to be tested.

With a new vehicle you won't know some of that stuff, but they will still run a whole battery of tests and give you whatever results they find.

You will be interested in the current viscosity, metal content of the oil and whther or not there is any coolant in there.
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