6.9L/7.3L IDI Diesel Oil Change Guide

Applicable Models:

1983 - 1994 Ford F-250, F-350, F-Super Duty

Applicable Engine(s):

International 6.9L IDI V-8 diesel
International 7.3L IDI V-8 diesel

Oil Change Intervals:

5,000 miles under normal conditions, 2,500 miles under severe service conditions (including towing/hauling)

Engine Oil Spec/Capacity:

10.0 U.S. quarts with filter change, see viscosity chart below
Use lube filter Motorcraft FL784

6.9 & 7.3 IDI Oil Viscosity Chart

Viscosity

Temperature Range

Notes

SAE 15W-40

ambient temp > 0° F

Preferred viscosity unless ambient temperature is out or range

SAE 10W-30

ambient temp < 60° F

Preferred cold weather viscosity

SAE 30

ambient temp > 30° F

Appropriate within temperature range, but generally not recommended over alternatives

6.9/7.3 IDI Engine Oil Recommendations

Diesel Hub recommends the following products for vehicles equipped with the 6.9L or 7.3L IDI:

Amsoil synthetic engine oils offer:

• Superior protection against fuel dilution and oil consumption

• Superior resilience against thermal, mechanical, and chemical breakdown of engine oil

• 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 motor oils engineered to meet the demands specific to diesel engines, old, aging, or new.

6.9 & 7.3 IDI Oil Change Procedures

Click any thumbnail image to view fullsize

Draining the engine oil

• The drain plug is located at the bottom of the engine's oil pan (red arrow in image).

Locating engine oil fill

• The oil fill on the 6.9/7.3 IDI is located near the front, center of the engine (red arrow in image) at the top of the injection pump gear cover. If the cap's rubber seal is worn, rotted, and/or deteriorating, replace it; it is an inexpensive item and you do not want chunks of rubber dropping into the front cover.

Engine oil draining

• Place a drain pan beneath the engine oil pan and remove the drain plug, which should require a 3/4" wrench. Once the oil has drained completely, clean and replace the plug. Re-installation of the plug should be done by hand first to ensure cross threading does not occur. Snug with a wrench, but do not overtighten.

Engine oil filter removal

• The oil filter is located on the driver's side of the engine, near the end of the oil cooler and to the side of the oil pan. Place your oil drain pan under the filter and remove it. If the previous filter was not over tightened, you should be able to free it without a filter wrench. If you can't loosen it, you'll need an oil filter wrench or large set of channel locks (fortunately, there is plenty of workspace).

• Double check that the old oil filter gasket did not stick to the oil filter mount. Clean the mounting surface with a clean rag.

Engine oil and filter selection

• You will need 10 quarts of fresh engine oil and a new engine oil filter. We are using Amsoil full synthetic 15W-40 diesel oil. If you have not converted to a full synthetic, the level of protection greatly exceeds that of conventional "dino" engine oils, and the oil is less susceptible to thermal breakdown and shear. A conventional (petroleum based) oil is perfectly adequate for the IDI, but we believe synthetic oil is well worth the additional cost.

Amsoil motor oil and Motorcraft oil filter

• Stay away from cheap or generic brand oil filters. We only recommend Motorcraft brand oil filters. The Ford part number is FL-784; a larger FL-1995 designed for the 1st generation 7.3L Power Stroke will also fit, but you will need to add 1 quart of oil to the total capacity (total becomes 11 quarts).

Installing Motorcraft oil filter

• You may fill the new oil filter with fresh engine oil before installing it. This step is optional, but provides an extra layer of protection during startup following an oil change. Lubricate the o-ring of the new oil filter with fresh engine oil, and then install it (important step, the filter will not seal properly without a coat of oil on the black seal/gasket). Hand tighten the filter only, do not use a wrench.

Adding motor oil to the crankcase through the oil fill

• With the drain plug and new oil filter installed, fill the engine with fresh motor oil through the oil fill. Use a funnel to minimize spilling. Reinstall the oil fill cap and start the engine, making sure that engine oil pressure rises to normal within a few seconds. With the engine running, check for leaks. With the engine off and cool, check the oil level via the dipstick (passenger side) to verify that the proper amount has been added to the crankcase.