7.3 powerstroke oil change

jaquetarr · Oct 23, 2009

When changing the oil in the Ford 7.3, does anyone drain / change the oil in the Reservoir on top of the engine? I think it operates the lifters or injectors. I would expect it drains back when the engine is stopped or has some type of overflow so the oil gets refreshed. This is a new engine to me and I'm looking for an experienced point of view.
Rgds,
tim

SteveInMD · Oct 23, 2009

Yes, I've hear of people doing that. I don't think it's at all necessary however.

horses2 · Oct 23, 2009

that is the HPOP (high pressure oil pump) reservoir. It is fed by the engine oil pump (pump that supplies oil to the bearings and lifters) and provides the oil to the HPOP which activates the fuel injectors. After actvating the injectors, the oil drains to the oil pan.
No need to drain it. You will use 15 qts of oil for an oil change so the small amount left in the reservoir wont hurt anything.
The key is quality oil. The HPOP system is very hard on oil (shearing). I change oil at 4k with Shell Rotella 15w40. Valvoline Extreme Blue is also very highly regarded.

jaquetarr · Oct 23, 2009

If the HPOP is that hard on the oil, would an additive like Lucus help?

Bill_C · Oct 23, 2009

Oil additives are NOT recommended with the HEUI injector systems on the Powerstroke. The oil molecules themselves are sheared after a few thousand miles, and no additive can make the oil molecules re-combine themselves properly.

Run quality oil and change it every 4 or 5 thousand. I use dino Rotella T but of course some folks have other opinions. Since there are reports of folks getting over 1,000,000 miles out of a 7.3 even on dino oil, why mess with other stuff?

Oh, and I don't worry about the tiny bit of oil in the HPOP reservoir at oil changes. I don't think it's even a full quart, didn't seem like it when I drained it to upgrade my HPOP.

Diamondpilot · Oct 23, 2009

When I had my 7.3 I used Delvac or Delo and never had 1 single issue. For that matter I use Delvac in both my 6.0's. I never drained the resevoir you talk about. The cup left in there is nothing once you put 15 qts of fresh stuff in. I did 5K changes on all my diesels.

Chris

jaquetarr · Oct 24, 2009

Thanks for all the input.
Rgds,
tim

BIG_R_Jr_3 · Oct 24, 2009

horses2 said:
that is the HPOP (high pressure oil pump) reservoir. It is fed by the engine oil pump (pump that supplies oil to the bearings and lifters) and provides the oil to the HPOP which activates the fuel injectors. After actvating the injectors, the oil drains to the oil pan.
No need to drain it. You will use 15 qts of oil for an oil change so the small amount left in the reservoir wont hurt anything.
The key is quality oil. The HPOP system is very hard on oil (shearing). I change oil at 4k with Shell Rotella 15w40. Valvoline Extreme Blue is also very highly regarded.

Agree with above post love the Rotella T, but would add one add'l. bit of advise.......

Use the Ford/Motorcraft Oil Filter........Big difference than all others....Many articles on web, just pick up one from your local parts dept. at your Ford Dealer.

What year P/U do you have?? Mine is 2003 Ford F350 Lariat SCrew 7.3L Dually, man o' man do I love this truck.

Regards,
Big R

P.S. 1995 to 2003 Ford just recently had a Cruise Conrol recall on all, get free replacement at your local Ford Dealer.

jaquetarr · Oct 25, 2009

"What year P/U do you have?? Mine is 2003 Ford F350 Lariat SCrew 7.3L Dually, man o' man do I love this truck."

I have a 2000 7.3 4x4 crew cab short bed F-250. It has about 195000 miles on it. And like you, I love this truck. I bought it used, it came with a chip with a 12 position knob. I don't know who made the chip and it seems to preform the same no matter what position I select.

I'll have to check on that Cruise Control recall, I haven't gotten any notification on it yet.
Rgds,
tim

BIG_R_Jr_3 · Oct 26, 2009

Tim the Ford F250 is one the best looking trucks on the road, many people want that truck. Hang onto it as long as you can.

I'm thankful that I got the 7.3L and I'm just barely breakin it in with 64K miles..........nice knowing theres so many more miles ahead of us both, God willling.

Regards,
Big R