Amsoil in the engine

[deaner70]

Bought my truck about 1 year ago and the guy gave me my first oil change with it. It was Amsoikl synthetic and a new Amsoil filter. I know they say 10k mile oil change, but I am a little leary of that. Thoughts? I tow occasionally (not heavy, maybe around 14-16K max at the heaviest) I always ran Rotella in my 1st gen, but he had always had amsoil in this thing. I also had heard that once you had synthetic in one, you shouldn't switch back

Thanks

 

[mfurrh55]

I've been running Amsoil since day one and i have 140,000 miles on mine, change oil every 15,000 miles, by the way i run a by-pass system too

 

[Prairie Dog]

Unless it has a bypass oil filter on it I would change it at the regular interval or even earlier because of the SmartyJr. The Smarty blackens oil prematurely because it advances the timing. Also you need to realize that the 03's have a more frequent oil change interval than even the 05's have - twice as often in fact (3750/7500).
Synthetic oil is great stuff but it's gets dirty just like any other oil.

Also, you can switch back and forth to syn. without any problems. It was an issue in the begining of syn. oil use wa back in the day but it's not anymore.

Scott

 

[deaner70]

Thanks for the input. All I know about the Smary is it is installed and on the "lowest" setting.....whatever that is. It is what the PO had done, and I have not hooked it up to change. If I had a manual box, I would but no trust in the auto. How does the by-pass system work? Is it an Amsoil thing?

 

[Prairie Dog]

Yes, Amsoil sells kits that add a second oil filter. A percentage of the oil is being super filtered all the time by this secondary filter so you can run extended oil change intervals knowing that the dirt that normally collects in the oil but is too fine to be caught by the main, full flow filter is removed.
At least that's the theory.

 

[AnOldBiker]

If I might mention, there are more than that Amsoil by pass systems out there. In fact you can fab your own with parts from the scrap metal bin and parts stores like NAPA. Google diesel engines oil bypass systems and you'll find many ideas, designs and with pictures and parts numbers.

When I first installed mine, I wanted to wait until I had a full oil change out before I installed the Amsoil filter, so I installed a Donaldson ELF filter (like I use for my main filter) to see what would happen. The bypass system is designed with a restriction in it and a hole drilled to act as an orfice allowing less than 10% of the total downstream flow from your main filter discharge to be bypassed. This way the flow is so small it gives the filter a real chance to filter the oil and collect the trash, and with the discharge of the bypass going back into your engine, never starves the engine. I's like to mention, even if your bypass filter plugs, all it will do is have the total oil volume route the same as without a bypass, until your put a new filter on again. So your truck is protected.

I sent a sample to Blackstone to see the difference from the prior oil change, and even with the Donaldson ELF as a bypass filter, it was a very improved sample. Yes, the Amsoil 2 micron filter will do much better, but if your not wanting to pay the price, there are alternatives. I use the an Amsoil by choice, for now.

Pre-made or homemade, they should install bypasses at the manufactures assembly line. They use to decades ago.

 

[rscurtis]

I use Series 3000 in my signature truck and change it about every 20K miles. It is still clean enough to use in another engine. When I've had it analyzed, it's nowhere near the end if its service life. Fueling is stock- no "magic black boxes".