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Oil temp

1K views 7 replies 7 participants last post by  repalmer 
#1 ·
Just curious whats a good operating temperature for the oil on my 05 6.0
 
#2 ·
It can vary, based on ambient temp. Usually, on flat ground, mine runs ~196-200 (depending...). However, the big thing you're looking for is that your EOT (engine oil temp) never gets more than 15* above ECT (engine coolant temp) once the engine is heat saturated (both EOT and ECT above 190*). You'll hear this referred to as the "delta." This is how you determine if you possibly have a restricted oil cooler that's not doing it's job.

The proper way to check this is:

Take truck out and warm up to operating temp (both above 190*). Find a long stretch of flat road (as flat as you can), and set the cruise to 65 MPH (or ~1900 RPM if you have something other than 3.73 rear gears). Run for 15-20 miles, while you're watching your temps. After mile 20, check the delta - this should give you a good idea the health of your oil cooler.

-jokester
 
#3 ·
^^^ this is correct, however if loaded or towing, all bets are off. However it still shouldn't get way higher than coolant but it could exceed the 15 degree, and the oil temp should drop fairly quickly when you stop
 
#5 ·
Okay so it's about 26 degrees outside
in the boiling heat
and now oil temp is 202 and coolant is about 194. Is that okay to run?
Thanks for the chuckle. Almost 80 degrees F=boiling, but we’re in different climates.
Getting close, but still within limits. A backflush may buy some time, but plan on scheduling some downtime for an oil cooler in the future.
 
#6 ·
LoL ..was about 26c degrees here this morning and I was considering wearing a jacket
 
#7 ·
There is a really good podcast on YouTube called Powerstroke Failures and Fixes. In this they talk about how important oil temperature is to the longevity of the 6.0 motor. It states that you should try to keep the oil below 220 degrees because it really breaks down fast above that temp.
 
#8 ·
If it's dino oil it will start to break down at that temp. But you SHOULD be running a quality synthetic. Then it's not that big of an issue.

Your 8° delta is fine. Just keep monitoring it. When it gets to 10° start thinking about a good backflush. Look into the IPR coolant filter and back flush manifold, and fumoto valves for the block drains
 
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