Abused and neglected??

[DragonDiesel]

so, I got this 02 stroker in early september, and like all used vehicles, I do the common oil and filter changes and all. And shame on me. I should have paid more attention to really digging into this truck to check out it's maintenance and all. I didn't that the air filter was dirty. Guy lived on a dusty dirty road and all so I assumed it would be dirty. But, then came the fuel filter change... Boy was that thing dirty. I don't think this kid changed it once in the 11 months he had it. So that was changed out and is all nice now.
Then I finally go the chance to sit down and drain the oil and all. It was black, but not too too bad. I've seen worse. My older diesel blackens oil very quickly. So anyways, I drain it and put new oil in and a new filter and all. My only question that left me scratching my head was this. I put in 15-16 quarts which is what the manual says. This is accurate correct?? The thing that had me confused is when I went to put the waste oil into the used oil containers I only had about 11 total quarts. Now, this oil change was done on a nice level surface with the engine warm. And before I have done the oil change the trucks oil was checked when I took delivery of it. Oil looked to be at the appropriate level on the dipstick.
Now, After doing the oil change I KNOW this truck was definitely low on oil cause it runs real smooth and real quiet now. so, where did the five or so quarts go?? I am not sure it had that many in there in the first place. I know the front and rear main seals have some moisture on them, but I haven't seen many of these trucks without a lil bit of an oil residue there.
I think this poor truck, which the first owner took really good care of, was a bit neglected by the second owner. what do you all think??
The truck starts right up, doesnt smoke hesitate knock or anything. So does anyone think there was any damage done by this kid or what? I sure hope not. but shame on me for not investigating further.
-rob

[Striker]

How old was the second owner? It was definitely neglected, but hopefully not much harm was done in those 11 months. I can definitely see it burning a good amount of oil in a year.

[GreenF350]

I noticed this with my truck too. Here is what happens to mine. CHange the oil while it is warm and then put the used oil back into the empty 1 gal containers. Only I put 4 gal in an can usually fit all of the old oil into 3 gals...What is up with that? Well, I got to really thinking about it, because I know it was on the full line on the dipstick before AND after the oil change and the warm oil expands the gallon jugs out. They are pretty fat when they get filled with the old warm oil. Maybe an inch or two wider than when they have the new oil in them. Check out the bottles and see if that is what happened.
-Aaron

[DragonDiesel]

The guy was 20 something. I just turned thirty but have had my other diesel since i was about 21. But I do mechanic type things and all. I know there are hydraulics involved with our injectors in these trucks and i don't feel like screwing them up at all. But it just bothered me because this was a significant issue. I would love to drive up there and slap em in the head for diesel abuse. But such things don't exist.
-rM

[GreenF350]

Oh yeah, and if it's running fine and whatnot, I wouldn't worry too much about it. I have been told that they usually start running like crap before there are any lubrication issues. In fact, one of the supposedly good shops around here (So I am told, no experience with them) said that they have had people get their powerstrokes towed in because they won't run and they added a few quarts of oil and it ran fine. I'm not too sure about that one, but if everything seems ok after the oil change I wouldn't sweat it too much.
-Aaron

[DragonDiesel]

The guy was 20 something. I just turned thirty but have had my other diesel since i was about 21. But I do mechanic type things and all. I know there are hydraulics involved with our injectors in these trucks and i don't feel like screwing them up at all. But it just bothered me because this was a significant issue. I would love to drive up there and slap em in the head for diesel abuse. But such things don't exist.
-rM

How many miles are on the truck. One thing that is common on these is that if you go over to far on oil changes it will become low. All engines use oil, the thing is that at a resonable oil change interval the oil becomes contaminated with enough stuff to make it appear that it is still full. But on extended oil change intervals it will use more then can be replaced. I change at 3000 miles which some people laugh at but I dont care. I wouldnt go over 5000 on a 7.3 or 4000 on a 6.0. My opinion. I know individuals who may infact read this thread that beat the living hell out of there 7.3's and they dont use a bit. So if it runs good now I wouldnt worry about it.

[DragonDiesel]

I would change my oil on this every 3000 just like my old 6.9. This is the first oil change I have done on the stroker. so I will check it 3000 miles from now. It has 61,000 miles on it. Which to me, is a baby diesel. It hasn't even reached it's peak potential yet. I also have plans for programmers and exhaust and air intake and all those other things. But yah cant build a good strong truck with a weak foundation. So I am going to make sure the truck itself is built to the hilt and proven before i start adding power to it. I wanna do some other stuff like a mag hytec trans pan and diff covers and all that other funky stuff. Make sure all the normal levels are level. Next will be a power train service. Making sure the trans, transfer case and differentials AS WELL as u joints, if greasable are all takin care of. I am also going to have it detailed before winter so it's all nice nice.
-rM

[Blue01F250]

I bet he didn't change the oil like you suspect, but just be thankful he didn't have it for more than 11 months

I'll be changing my oil ever 4K or so in my 7.3 -- better safe than sorry!

[bryanbrown]

That truck hasn't gone through near as much as I've put mine through, and it's got 230000+. I had a leak one time, and ran my truck completely out of oil. It's true, they'll run like crap before anything goes wrong. You'll be fine. I do take better care of her, once she got old, though.