7.3 Powerstroke & cold climate viscosity suggestions.

[oddrodtodd]

Hi,

I'm quite sure the Delo 400 I've been running in my late '99 Powerstroke will be fine in most respects. The problem is Costco, the place I found that carries it, does not intend to stock it in anything but 15w40. Here in Montana it can get down to well below zero in the winter, for days on end. I have the factory engine heater, but I can't/won't be able to plug it in all the time. Especially with the utility bills we will be dealing with this winter! My main concern is cold weather pumpability and the dry start-ups that may result. I'm not ready to go synthetic yet. Viscosity recommendations, anyone?

 

[hone eagle]

HI i also own a 99 PSD,the only issue I had with 15w40 was romping(lumpy idle)on cold mornings,the cure for me was synthetic.Up here I went to ESSO xd-3 per this forums members advice(thanks again guys)I found the cost worth it because of the longer OCI.

 

[Dick in Falls Church]

AMSOIL HDD will give you a bit better fuel economy and pour at a lower temperature than AMSOIL 15w40. It will also cost about $30 a load more, but handle soot better.

 

[LateArrivalforLSU]

Another option would be Schaeffer's Supreme 9000 5W-40.

 

[Ken2]

Any synthetic 5W-40 CI-4 or CI-4+ oil will work very well. Shell Rotella-T synthetic is easily available. I prefer Mobil Delvac 1, but that is hard to find at a price equal to Shell. Schaeffer's #9000 5W-40 is superb. If Ford/International allow, a synthetic diesel CI-4 10w30 would also be a very good choice. The Amsoil diesel 5w30 is an excellent choice, but kind'a pricey.


Ken

 

[oddrodtodd]

Okay guys, what about NON-synthetic Dino suggestions?

Thanks, Todd

 

[salesrep]

http://www.schaefferoil.com/datapdf/151.pdf
Our Dino 15-40.

 

[Ken2]

Todd,
Why not go synthetic? It costs more, but lasts longer. It pumps MUCH easier when cold, so you have better engine protection.

All 15w40 conventional oils are about the same when very cold. The Schaeffer #151 is the best of the bunch, but still thick when cold. Schaeffer #700 15w40 synthetic blend might be your choice...much thinner when very cold than full petro oil, and full engine protection when warm.


Ken

 

[salesrep]

What Ken 2 said.
#700

 

[Doug Hillary]

Hi,
oddrodtodd - if you use an oil of less than 15w40 viscosity you should ensure that it has a HTHS viscosity of at least 3.7cSt

The Esso XD3 range is what I would consider in your application in this instance

What you are using now (Delo 400 15w40) is an excellent product and you can use it with confidence down below -4F (slightly) if it has at least a CI-4 API Quality rating

Doug

 

[Gurkha]

I have used Delo 400 in -20c weather, couldn't go further up so had no chance to test it out in -35c weather. At -20c, morning start ups would be good but idle would be lumpy till about 10 minutes, then it would run as fine as normal.

 

[LargeCarMan]

I am of the same belief as Doug....Delo 15-40 is fine. The romping of the engine is just the engine warming up...all diesels do this. Most all the big rigs "LargeCars" are running the 15-40's...they run all over the Cold Country.

You might want to add a quart of Marvel Mystery Oil in place of a quart of Delo during the Winter if your not ready to go synthetic.

Try a full quart of PowerService diesel fuel treatment on your next fill and the engine will start better with the additional cetane in the product and keep your fuel flowing to that engine.

 

[Steve S]

Below around 90f Delo 10w30 can be used per the owners manual.

 

[oddrodtodd]

quote:

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Originally posted by Steve S:
Below around 90f Delo 10w30 can be used per the owners manual.

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Yeah, wish I could find it around here...
Thanks everyone. I'm vey appreciative of all the advice.

Todd

 

[Steve S]

quote:

---

Originally posted by oddrodtodd:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Steve S:
Below around 90f Delo 10w30 can be used per the owners manual.

---

Yeah, wish I could find it around here...
Thanks everyone. I'm vey appreciative of all the advice.

Todd

---

Try a Chevron oil jobber,look the jobber up in the phone book yellow pages.That is where I get my 10w30 Delo from.

 

[-SyN-]

I have a chance to buy a 2001 Ford SuperDuty with the 7.3L.
The 7.3 has 197K miles on it. {Mostly Back and forth to location}=Highway miles.

I am curious what the pros and cons are of this motor if any?

As well as the oil to be use.
the oil question is slowly being answered.

The 7.3L will be used to mainly pull a 5th wheel travel trailer... Not alot of Severe Use.
But--Maybe within a year add All-Terrian Tires and Use it for my Hunting and Fishing Truck as well... Maybe adding a few high performance parts as well. Depending on how high the price of Diesel Climbs.

Please excuse my spelling.

[ October 23, 2005, 07:08 PM: Message edited by: -SyN- ]

 

[hone eagle]

the dieselstop.com has the best forum on this engine check it out.Mine is trouble free but I leared to buy maintance items from navastar(internatonal) not the dealer

 

[-SyN-]

Thanks Hone eagle!