Every engine has the required amount of oil it needs to run smoothly. This oil is needed to properly lubricate the engine and its components. So, how much oil does a 6.0 Powerstroke take? No matter what the year is, the 6.0 takes 15 quarts of 14.19 liters of oil.
The components of an engine are always in contact with one another causing friction and damage. So, the engine oil has to be present in adequate amounts to provide lubrication between the parts.
The 6.0 Powerstroke from Ford takes both synthetic and conventional oils. But as synthetic oils have a larger drain interval, I suggest you use these instead of conventional oils. The ideal SAE rating for 6.0 V8 Powerstroke engines is 5W40 and 15W40, which allows the engine to run at both high and low temperatures.
Let’s take a detailed look at the oil requirements of a 6.0 Powerstroke.
| Powerstroke Year | Oil Capacity |
| 2003 6.0 Powerstroke Oil Capacity | 15Quarts |
| 2004 | 15Quarts |
| 2005 | 15Quarts |
| 2006 | 15Quarts |
| 2007 | 15Quarts |
How Much Oil Does A 6.0 Powerstroke Take or hold?
For an engine to run smoothly, it needs engine oil. While fuel runs the vehicle, engine oils ensure the driving experience is smooth. Since engine parts are constantly in contact with each other and moving all the time, friction between them is unavoidable.
Without any protection, this friction is extremely detrimental to the engine and its parts’ health. This is true for every single engine out there. The 6.0 is not exempt from it either. To run without any hitch, a 6.0 Powerstroke engine needs exactly 15 quarts of engine oil.
Why 15 quarts are the required amount of oil for Ford 6.0 Powerstroke? There are two scenarios you need to consider. What happens when you put too little oil into the engine, and what happens if you do the opposite?
First, let’s talk about the lack of engine oil. Ford 6.0 has five models, from 2003 to 2007. All of them require the same amount of oil. If you put less than 15 quarts of oil into the engine, the parts will not get enough oil for lubrication.
If there isn’t enough oil to go between the engine parts, they will certainly rub against each other. When that happens, they will suffer wear and tear, and get damaged. Not only does this damage the engine parts, but it also has a more long-lasting effect as well.
When the metal parts are worn down, the metal particles don’t go away. These particles remain inside the oil and are deposited on the surface of the components of the engine. These deposits are the chief reason for engine failure.
Now, what happens when you put more than the required amount of oil into the engine? Surely this provides more lubrication and doesn’t pose any problems? Well, as much as you’d like this to happen, things are quite different.
When you put too much oil into an engine, it puts immense pressure on the engine parts. These parts are designed to handle a specific amount of liquid pressure. So, when more oil is put in the engine, the pressure threshold is exceeded.
As a result, the engine parts start to malfunction. Eventually, the whole system falls apart. There is another problem putting too much oil into the engine creates. The crankshaft of the engine doesn’t usually come in contact with the engine oil.
But all of that changes when more than 15 quarts of oil are put into a 6.0 Powerstroke. When that happens, the crankshaft keeps touching the oil, which results in the oil being aerated. This creates foam, which causes the engine parts to not receive proper lubrication.
Which Oil Should You Put Into A 6.0 Powerstroke?
Knowing the right amount of oil to put into your Ford 6.0 Powerstroke is important, but knowing the right kind of oil for the 6.0 V8 engine is equally important. A 6.0 can take both conventional and synthetic oils.
But in my opinion, using synthetic oil is better than using conventional oils. Since conventional oils are devoid of any additives, they don’t last very long and need to be changed often. Also, conventional oils create and attract grime and sludge.
Synthetic oils, on the other hand, have additives of mainly zinc and phosphorus in them which enables them to create a film over the engine parts. This is how they protect an engine and its parts. Also, synthetic oils do double duty as cleaning agents.
Since engine oils collect dust, debris, and metal particles, there is always a risk of deposits being created. But synthetic oils clean these up and prevent deposits from forming in the first place. This is a factor that plays a part in these oils’ longevity.
How Often Should A 6.0 Powerstroke Engine’s Oil Be Changed?
The drain interval of a 6.0 Powerstroke depends on its oil type. If the engine uses conventional oils, you have to change the oil every 3000 miles. But things are different when the oil is synthetic.
The drain interval of synthetic oils changes based on the driving conditions. For example, regular synthetic oils last for 7500 miles when the vehicle is driven normally. But if the conditions are severe, it’s better to change the oil after 5000 miles.
But some engine oils last even longer and also support heavy-duty vehicles. These engine oils last up to 10000 miles before needing to be changed.
How To Change Your 6.0 Power Stroke’s Engine Oil?
Now you know all about the amount of engine oil a 6.0 Powerstroke needs. But once the oil reaches its expiry date, you will need to change it. Sometimes it’s better to change the oil yourself. When changing the oil after the drain interval, follow these steps to change it-
1. Parking The Vehicle
Before doing anything with the engine, you have to park the vehicle on any flat surface. Ensure the vehicle doesn’t move at all during the whole oil-changing process. If needed, put some pieces of wood or concrete under the tires.
Next, open the car’s hood and disconnect the battery’s negative terminal cable.
2. Removing The Oil Filter
Once the cable is disconnected, unfasten the cap of the oil filter using a ratchet socket of 36mm. Then remove both the oil filter as well as the O-ring attached to it.
3. Draining The Older Oil Out
Next, check for the drain plug of the oil pan below the engine. Use a ¾-inch combination wrench to place an oil pan beneath the plug. Then unfasten the plug and drain every drop of the old engine oil.
The threads of the drain plugs have to be cleared after you’re done cleaning.
4. Fastening The Drain Plug
After draining the older oil, the drain plug has to be fastened again. Use the combination wrench from before to tightly fasten it. If you see any damage on the plug, replace it before fastening.
5. Installing A New Oil Filter
Throw the older oil filter and O-ring out and install new ones. After putting both these in place, use the ratchet socket to ensure the cap of the filter is tight enough.
6. Putting New Oil In
Open the oil cap situated on the passenger’s side of the vehicle. Open the cap and put a funnel inside it and pour oil through it. Choose the best oil for 6.0 Powerstroke according to your needs and pour it into the engine. After that, check the level of the oil using a dipstick.
7. Finishing Up
Once the oil has been poured, the oil pan needs to be removed. Then reconnect the negative terminal cable and start the engine. Keep the engine running for some time and check if there are any leaks. If not, you are done changing your engine oil.
Changing the oil in a Ford Powerstroke diesel 6.0 By How-to Bob >> Check out the video below:
What Is The Right Viscosity For A 6.0 Powerstroke Oil?
The 6.0 Powerstroke has two ideal SAE ratings for its oils. The first one is the 5W40 which suits the colder weather better. As the temperature drops, the oil’s ability to move decreases as well. That’s when the low-temperature viscosity of 5 comes into play.
Even in low temperatures, the 5W40 moves between the engine parts flawlessly and provides superb lubrication. So, you don’t have to worry about friction-related damages in cooler conditions.
The second oil suited to 6.0 Powerstroke is the 15W40. They have the same upper viscosity of 40, but the lower viscosity of this oil is higher than that of 5W40. This oil is thicker than the 5W40 in winter, so the film is much stronger.
But due to being too thick, it can’t move freely between the engine parts in winter. This makes it ideal for the summer weather, but not for winter.
frequently asked questions (FAQs)
1. How Much Does Oil Change Cost On A 6.0 Powerstroke?
On average, you have to part ways with between 203 and 222 USD if you want to change the 6.0 Powerstroke oil. This cost is divided into two parts- the cost of oil and the parts and the labor cost.
The oil and the required parts of a 6.0 usually cost between 161 and 168 dollars. You have to pay a labor cost of 42 to 53 USD as well.
2. What Kind Of Oil Is Best For 6.0 Powerstroke?
The best oil for a 6.0 Powerstroke is synthetic oil. The ideal SAE rating is 5W40. These oils provide much-needed lubrication and cleaning properties in all kinds of weather that a diesel engine needs. Because diesel engines are usually installed in heavy-duty trucks which need all the help they can get.
Final Words
The amount of oil this engine need is 15 quarts which are essential for proper lubrication. The best engine oils for a 6.0 Powerstroke are synthetic with 5W40 or 15W40 SAE ratings.
Although it’s best to change the oil using experts, by following the correct steps, it can also be changed by yourself.
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