The quantity of engine oil is as important in protecting it as is the type of oil. Every engine has its own required oil quantity. So, if you are wondering how much oil does a 6.7 Powerstroke take? A Ford 6.7 Powerstroke takes 13 quarts or 12.3 liters of engine oil.
As far as the type of oil goes, the 6.7 Powerstroke uses two types of oil- synthetic and conventional engine oils. But as conventional engine oil needs to be changed frequently, you rather should use synthetic oils for heavy-duty engines like 6.7 Powerstroke.
Using synthetic oils will allow you to change your engine oil after longer intervals than before. Also, they contain additives that protect the engine and its components from damage.
The ideal viscosity of a 6.7 engine oil is 15W40, but you can also use 5W40 oils. The SAE rating of the oils depends on the temperature.
how many quarts of oil does a 6.7 powerstroke take?
The Ford 6.7 Powerstroke engine is manufactured by Navistar and is one of the most reliable engines to come out of the Ford-Navistar partnership. It is a V8 engine that is mainly installed in F250 trucks.
Since the engine is used in a heavy-duty vehicle like the F250, it is obvious that the oil has to suit the engine’s needs. The type of oil and the amount of it are equally important for the well-being of the engine.
The ideal amount of oil for a 6.7 Powerstroke is 13 quarts. When converted to the metric system, it amounts to 12.3 liters. Having the right amount of oil is mandatory for the safety of the engine.
Engine oils lubricate the engine and its parts so that they don’t get damaged due to friction. If the engine doesn’t have enough oil, the parts won’t get enough lubricants. As a result, the parts will be in constant friction with each other and get worn out.
This is what happens when you don’t have the required amount of oil in your 6.7 Powerstroke. But what if you have more than 13 quarts of oil? Would you face any problems?
In truth, having too much oil in your engine is as bad as having too little oil. If you put more oil in your engine than necessary, it will create a huge amount of pressure inside the engine. This pressure will then be transferred to the engine parts.
As the parts are under increased pressure constantly, they will start to wear down and malfunction. Also, having more oil than necessary will enable the crankshaft to put air into the oil, creating foam. This foam prevents engine oil from lubricating engine parts.
What Kind Of Oil Does A 6.7 Powerstroke Use?
As I have mentioned before, the type of oil a 6.7 engine uses is very important for its durability. Although the Ford 6.7 V8 Powerstroke can use both conventional and synthetic oils, it’s best to use synthetic ones.
Synthetic oils have additives that ensure maximum lubrication between the engine parts. They also are very durable and last way longer than conventional oils. Another aspect that keeps synthetic oils head and shoulders above conventional ones is their ability to clean the engine.
Most synthetic oils do double duty as cleaning agents. Not only do they lubricate the engine parts, but they also clean various deposits and grimes off of them as well. Conventional oils, on the other hand, cause grime to form, which is counterproductive.
What Are The Best Oils For 6.7 Powerstroke?
The best oils for Ford 6.7 V8 engines need to have a particular viscosity. Since these are diesel engines, they need oils of higher viscosity. Because of this, they don’t boil and evaporate due to extreme temperatures inside the engine.
The ideal low-temperature viscosity of 6.7 Powerstroke oils should be 15. The high-temperature viscosity of an ideal Ford 6.7 Powerstroke engine oil should be 40. This brings the oil’s ideal SAE rating to 15W40.
15W40 engine oils are thicker than most engine oils in both colder and warmer temperatures. So, you can ensure proper lubrication no matter what the temperature is.
But depending on the temperature, there are other oils you can use. For example, in areas where the temperature is colder than usual, it’s better to use 5W40 instead of 15W40. Because, while 15W40 has a higher viscosity in colder temperatures than 5W40, it also has a drawback.
Being thicker in colder conditions can be detrimental to the engine’s health. Because an oil of higher viscosity won’t be able to move freely between the engine parts in cool temperatures.
On the other hand, having a viscosity of 5 allows the 5W40 to flawlessly lubricate the engine even in cooler conditions. Also, they have the same high-temperature viscosity, so a temperature rise won’t make much of a difference.
There are quite a few brands that manufacture very good engine oils for a 6.7 Powerstroke. You can check them out from out other article by clicking here.
How Often Should You Change The 6.7 Powerstroke Oil?
The drain interval of a 6.7 Powerstroke oil depends on the type of oil you are using. Usually, conventional oils last shorter than synthetic oils. As per tradition, if you are using conventional oil, you need to change it every 3000 miles.
On the other hand, synthetic engine oils can last more than thrice that time. Most synthetic 6.7 Powerstroke engine oils last for 10000 miles. This not only saves money but also saves a lot of time and effort, which is another upside of using synthetic oil.
When Do You Know You Need To Change Your 6.7 Powerstroke Engine Oil?
Yes, it is recommended that you change your engine oil for the 6.7 Powerstroke every 3000 to 10000 miles, depending on the type of oil. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t face problems before. What do you do when your engine starts malfunctioning out of nowhere?
Fortunately, I have noticed a pattern when 6.7 Powerstroke engines indicate that they need their oils changed. When you see the following signs, change your engine oils ASAP-
- The engine oil becomes coarse.
- The oils give off a strong burning smell.
- The color of the oil becomes increasingly dirty.
- Your vehicle’s performance nosedives.
- The engine starts making unusual noises.
- The light that indicates the oil pressure turns on.
How Can You Check The Oil Level Of Your 6.7 Powerstroke Engine?
It is better to change your oil before the engine starts to give the aforementioned signs. Because once these signs are noticed, chances are that your engine has already suffered considerable damage.
The best way to ensure the engine doesn’t suffer damage due to expired engine oils is to check the oil level regularly. There are two ways to check your engine oil level.
The first way is to use a dipstick. You can find the dipstick under your car’s hood. This dipstick has markings on them which denote the expected oil levels.
The second way to check the oil level of your engine is to use a handheld oil tester. All you need to do is to put the tester inside the engine’s oil fill hole. After that, you will get a reading that will tell you the oil level.
But I would recommend that you don’t use the oil tester instead of a dipstick. These electronic testers aren’t always precise, which is not the case with dipsticks.
How To Check Dipstick & Engine Oil – EASY >> Check out the video below:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is 15w40 Good For Diesel Engines?
15W40 engine oils are made especially for heavy-duty engines. Since diesel engines work harder than gasoline or petrol-powered engines, 15W40 oils are perfect for them. Diesel engines are mostly installed in trucks or other heavy-duty vehicles. So, they need the enhanced protection the 15W40 provides.
2. How Many Miles Can A 6.7 Powerstroke Go?
6.7 Powerstrokeis regarded as one of the most reliable diesel engines out there. With minimal repair work, a 6.7 Powerstroke can go 200000 miles on average. But if the vehicle is serviced regularly, it can easily go past 400000 miles.
Final Words
On average, a 6.7 Powerstroke engine requires 13 quarts or 12.3 liters, or 29 gallons of oil. Also, it’s better to use synthetic oils with an SAE rating of 15W40 in these engines.
Using synthetic oil allows the engine oil to last longer and the engine itself to be more durable. The drain interval of synthetic oils is 10000 miles while that of conventional oils is 3000 miles.