I've got 10K on my Amsoil 5W30. I changed the filter @ 5K.

How do I know if its ready to change?

Can I tell anything just by looking at the oil?

The oil appears dark brown and still has a very good viscosity feel to it... Its by no means black and watery/thin!

I'm worried because I use a K&N which allows more dirt into the engine. Although, I rarely run it on dirt roads... Did use it in the sand for a week.

Winter is on the way and those cold mornings can do some damage.

Anyone have any long/short term experiences with Amsoil or opinions?

Do you think its ok to just change the filter and top-off?

I started using the Asmoil filter and changed it at 5K to a Mobil1. I bought 2 Mobil1 filters, so I have another to use!

Opinions? Experiences?

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Rand

98 Ford Expedition 4X4 XLT
5.4, 3.73s, 17" wheels,
Homemade 3" "COLD" Air-Box
mod, SuperChip, Amsoil
everywhere but tranny, Perma-
Cool combo 6 pass trans/oil
cooler (FQR 5.4 @ 50K)

 

As my filter has gotten older, I've noticed more small particles suspended in still-clear fluid (I'm also using the K&N).

I'm going to change to a new Amsoil filter this weekend as it's been 6 months. I'm using the series 2000 0w-30 which is rated for a longer drain interval than the 5w-30. The oil in now has 8k on it.

You should contact MSparks and order an analyzer kit, that way you can be sure.

Otherwise, do what feels right for you. If you have faith in the Amsoil product, get the analysis done. If not, just change your oil every 3k miles.

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Model: '99 F150 Lariat Supercab 4x4 SS Mechs: 5.4L, 3.73 Diff (9.75" LSD Rear, 8.8" Front)
ORP: Skid Plates, LT265/70R17 GY Wrang. AT/S
Group III towing: HD Electrical/Cooling, GVWR 6500# (Extra leaf spring).
Stuff: Step Bars, 4W Disc ABS, K&N filter, 0W-30 Series 2k Amsoil @ 8200 miles, Herculiner
Stock Items That Differ Across F150s: Steel Driveshaft, Oil filter bolted to engine w/ drip guard, 4R70W transmission.

 

This really is a Msparks question, but I'll give you my .02 to help in the meantime.

If you used an Amsoil SDF fitler than you can go for 6 mos./12,500 miles before you have to change it. So the filter should be fine with only 5,000 miles on it. However, your Mobil1 filter HAS to be changed every 3,000 miles!!!

The Amsoil Full Synthetic 5w30 is good for 1 year/25,000 miles. So, barring something unusual you should be fine with the oil too...

The only way to really know the exact composition of your engine oil is to take an oil sample and have it tested. I have tested my engine oils for over 37,000 total miles now and am completely confident in both the Amsoil oil to perform as advertised, and in Oil Analyzers to do the best job analyzing oil that I've seen.

Just some ideas.

Randy

 

Explain the difference between the Mobil1 filter and the Amsoil. The Mobil1 is one of the best! How could the Amsoil filters be better?

 

Heard something interesting from a mechanic the other day. Regardless of the filter you use, check to see if it has an anti-drainback valve. Since our Fords have the overhead valves, the oil drains back into the pan if there is no valve in the filter--then when you restart your valves are initially dry. If anyone can verify or deny, let me know, but it seemed to make sense to me.

 

Rand

You are using the 5w30 w/25,000 mile oil change right?

Well with only 10,000 on the oil sounds like you should be good for at least another 15,000 or a total of 1 year from when you first put the oil in.

Now if it would make you feel better you can do an oil analysis to determine the silicone content-this is the measure of left overs of dirt. If the number is too high then they(oil analizers) will either recommend to change air filters or oil filters. Then maybe even the oil if it is too bad.

Now as far as Mobil 1 filters. If you go by the chart on Amsoil's site they are just a tad less in the capacity (dirt holding)department and damn near as effecient(abilitly to stop small particles): http://www.amsoil.com/products/sdf.html

I would say that you could go safely 8 thousand with those filters and probably longer. But not as long as the Amsoil's filter which is recommended at 12500 miles or 6 months.

To be absolutly sure you need to do an oil analysis, I can send you one for $15 prepaid this includes the kit, the postage to the company and a return letter with your analysis contained in it.

If it were me I would just go til next year and not worry about it, but then again if will cause you to lose sleep, go ahead and get an analysis!

I wouldn't change out either the filter or the oil until the anaysis comes back. It only takes about 1 week to hear back. Then you will know for sure what to do.

Plus all of the folks on here would probably be interested to see what the oil is doing with 10,000 miles on the meter.

You can email me if you want more information.

Lube-Direct@bigfoot.com

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Lube-Direct


New Lubrication Forums

 

Mac@WM,

If our internal engine parts were devoid of oil at every start we would have major problems in very short order. Sure, the excess oil drains back into the pan. But there is always a film of oil between the moving parts inside the engine to keep them from making metal to metal contact.

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98 F-150 XLT 4X4 ORP Super Cab Short Bed, 4.6, Auto, 4.10's, Mag-Hytec diff. cover, Magnacharger supercharger, Superchip, Gibson single cat-back, 80/100w German head lamps, Warn HS9500i winch with semi hidden mount, Wrangler dual battery kit with red & yellow top Optima batteries, Torsion bars cranked up 2.5 turns. Needs one more door.

 

Hey thanks MSPARKS! Great info!
I will be doing the analysis!

Guess I'm ok with 5K on the Mobil1 filter. At least for a little while longer.

 

I just replaced the filter yesterday. My oil is a bit darker than I remembered, but I'll get the analysis done in March.

As a side note, I checked the K&N filter, and there wasn't a spec of dust on the filtered side of the airbox.


[This message has been edited by michael_hovis (edited 09-09-2000).]

 

A *properly* installed K&N will not let dirt into the Engine. The application of filter grease (K&N makes one BTW) to the gasket may be required to get a tight fit. But even if it does get in there it will be the intake, and throttle body that gets dirty.

Using the XL7500 Amsoil here as I am still under factory warranty (can you say Paranoia?). I go 5K or 6 months with filter and oil. Am going to go 7500 and/or 6 months in the Wifes pathfinder.

------------------
2000 F-250 Super Duty, SuperCab XLT, Oxford white with medium grey cloth captains chairs, 5.4L Triton V8 (260 HP - 345 FP Torque version!), 4R100 4 Speed Automatic Transmission, 3.73, 4 wheel ABS, Deluxe Aluminum Wheels, Trailer Towing Package, Class IV Hitch, Reece load distribution system, Escort Sensor II Electronic Brake controller, Sure Stop towing skirt, "Westin" black powder coated step bars, "White-White" head lamps, Herculiner bed liner, ISSPRO Tranny Temp Guage, Excursion center console, Ford moulded mud gaurds, K&N Air and Oil filter, Amsoil XL7500 5W-30, Air filter minder, Perma Cool 8" (800 CFM) Tranny Cooler Fan (manualy switched, Deflect-a-Sheild Aluminum Dimond plate Tool Box.

 

I just ordered my Amsoil (full synthetic) today and plan to change it once a year, and the motorcraft filter at every 3 to 5k miles.
As I only put on around 12 or 13k miles a year, I feel that the oil will still be in good shape, even when I change it.


------------------
Y2K F250 XLT SC 4x2 5.4L 5sp 4.10LS

 

How does the amsoil filter stack up to the new AC-Delco gold series synthetic media filter?. AC-Delco claims this filter is better than the Mobil 1 filter

 

Dunno... Didn't know AC Delco had a synthetic media filter. How much are they? Do they have an anti-drain-back valve?

where to buy?

 

Be careful out there gentlemen.... There's marketing hype seeping into the newer lines oil filter types.

The Amsoil SDF filters use the H 806 testing parameters to determine their efficiency. Unless you can verify that the other filters you are comparing use the same test there are some difficulties is determining how they stand up to each other.

Let's take our friends at Fram and their 'ToughGuard' filter. They say that they filter 98 percent of particles down to the 10-20 micron range. However, what they don't tell you is that the weight of particles over 10 microns only accounts for 43% of the total weight range of particles under 100 microns in size.

That leaves 57% of particles by weight UNDER the size of 10 microns that you are not told about.

There are a number of good filters out there, and when they stick to just telling you how good they are in efficiency terms than we are okay. But, when they start claiming that they are 'better' than another filter type. Thats when the facts start to fly. And, as usual, the marketing-hype guys will always loose.

Be careful, do your homework and you'll end up with a good filter.

Randy

 

Good point!

I have been using Amsoil extended drain intervals with Mobil1 filters. I change the filters much more often (5-8K) than the Amsoil filters (12.5K).

Hope the Mobil1 is protecting me well!??

------------------
Rand

98 Ford Expedition 4X4 XLT
5.4, 3.73s, 17" wheels,
Homemade 3" "COLD" Air-Box
mod, SuperChip, Amsoil
everywhere but tranny, Perma-
Cool combo 6 pass trans/oil
cooler (FQR 5.4 @ 50K)