6.0 Power Stroke Oil Change Guide

6.0 Power Stroke Oil Change Parts List

^[1] Oil additive not required but highly recommended; combats stiction and may prolong injector life. Using additive every-other oil change is a cost efficient method of combating stiction related problems common with HEUI injectors.

The oil should be changed in a 6.0L Power Stroke every 7,500 miles/6 months under normal operating conditions and 5,000 miles/6 months under "severe" operating conditions; these includes towing, periods of excessive idling, and driving in extremely hot/cold conditions. Since the Power Stroke's HEUI injection system is sensitive to engine oil condition, it may be in your best interest to stick with the more conservative 5,000 mile interval regardless of driving conditions.

6.0 Power Stroke Oil Selection Guide

The 6.0L Power Stroke, like the earlier 7.3L, utilizes a hydraulic unit injector. In this system, fuel is pressurized in each individual injector in lieu of a common high pressure injection pump. The 6.0 is unique in that it uses pressurized oil delivered to the body of the injector to pressurize fuel prior to an injection event occurring. In this system, oil pressure in the high pressure system can reach ~3,600 psi. Engine oil is therefore subjected to extreme heat, pressure, and shear forces more frequently than in a typical non-unit injector system.

Only a full synthetic motor oil should be used in the 6.0L Power Stroke. Synthetic oils are superior to conventional "dino" oils in every way possible. Conventional motor oil is becoming a relic of the past and as such the price difference between conventional and synthetic oils is negligible at best, although there are more expensive synthetics on the market that provide additional benefits. Synthetic oils are much more resilient to mechanical (shear), thermal (heat), and chemical (fuel contamination) breakdown than conventional motor oils.

Furthermore, the 6.0L Power Stroke's HEUI injectors are notoriously sensitive to stiction, which is caused by buildup or varnishing of the injector solenoid. To prolong the life of your injectors, it is highly recommended that you use an oil additive specifically engineered to prevent and combat stiction. Archoil AR9100 friction modifier has delivered excellent results in our experience and it is not particularly expensive. We recommend using it every oil change; it will prolong the life of your injectors and in many instances it can help cure misfire conditions that are injector related. The 6.0L Power Stroke featured on this page was purchased new in 2003 by our shop; it is approaching 225,000 miles on the factory injectors and has not skipped a beat.

6.0 Power Stroke Oil Viscosity Chart

6.0 Power Stroke Oil Recommendations

Diesel Hub recommends the following Amsoil products for Ford Super Duty, Excursion, and commercial trucks equipped with the 6.0L Power Stroke diesel:

Amsoil Heavy Duty Series 15W-40 diesel oil
Superior engine oil for next-level engine protection

Amsoil Max Duty Signature Series 15W-40 diesel oil
Premium engine oil for maximum engine protection

Amsoil full synthetic engine oils offer:

• Superior protection against fuel dilution and oil consumption
• Superior resilience against thermal, mechanical, and chemical breakdown of engine oil
• Improved HEUI injector reliability and resilience against stiction related injector problems
• Improved oil flow and engine protection in sub-zero temperatures and during cold starts

Amsoil is a leading manufacturer of synthetic oils and lubricants, including a line of engine oils engineered to meet the harsh demands specific to diesel engines.

6.0L Power Stroke Oil Change Procedures

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• Park the vehicle on a level surface, set the parking brake, and allow the engine to cool completely.

• Locate the oil drain plug on the bottom of the oil pan. Place a suitable drain pan (minimum 15 quart capacity) below the drain plug.

• Remove the drain plug with a 19 mm or 3/4" box end wrench (or 6 point socket, do not use open end of wrench!) and allow the engine oil to drain completely.

• Locate the oil filter housing on the top of the engine. It is located to the passenger side of the fuel filter housing.

• Remove the oil filter cap using a 36 mm socket.

• Pull the oil filter and cap straight upwards to remove it from the filter canister. Keep the filter assembly vertical as you remove it as not to damage the plastic tube that slides into the filter element.

• Remove the oil filter from the filter cap by pulling it away from the cap; it will snap loose with light to moderate pressure.

• Remove the old oil filter cap o-ring, then install the new one in place.

• Install the new oil filter. Note that the oil filter clips into the oil filter housing. You will hear it snap into place if it is installed correctly.

• Generously lubricate the oil filter cap o-ring with clean motor oil, then reinstall. Torque cap to 25 Nm (19 lb-ft); do not overtighten.

• Once the engine oil has drained completely, clean and reinstall the oil pan drain plug. Torque to 30 Nm (~20 - 22 lb-ft). Do not overtighten.

• Clean any oil residue around the drain plug so that a leak can be easily detected.

• Locate the oil fill neck on the passenger side of the engine.

• Fill the engine with 15 quarts of motor oil through the oil fill neck. A funnel is recommended to reduce spillage.

• Check the engine oil level via the oil dipstick on the driver side of the engine and verify that the crankcase has been filled to the proper level.

• Start engine and check for leaks. Once engine has cooled, recheck oil level.

This 6.0L Power Stroke gets Amsoil Heavy Duty 15W-40 engine oil and a treatment of Archoil AR9100 friction modifier at every oil change interval. 225,000 miles on factory fuel injectors provides a testament as to the quality and integrity of these products.