Top 5 6.0 Powerstroke Oil Cooler - DAVES OIL CHANGE (2023)

FAQs

How many hours does it take to change a oil cooler on 6.0 Powerstroke? ›

Because the oil cooler is buried under the intake manifold, turbocharger and oil filter housing, the typical labor time to replace a failed cooler with a factory replacement is about 8 hours.

A: My 2004 6.0 with the BPD oiler cooler takes just at 16 quarts with every oil and oil filter change.

It doesn't get better on its own, and oil temp only climbs higher from there. When EOT gets hotter than 240 degrees F, it's definitely time to replace the oil cooler, before serious damage is done and the factory PCM begins to de-fuel the engine—which happens around 255 degrees.

At wide open throttle with a load (i.e. driving), oil pressure (in the high pressure system) should read between 3,000 and 4,000 psi. At idle, oil pressure is typically in the 600 – 700 psi range. A minimum of 500 psi is required to fire the injectors; if pressure drops below that, the engine will stall.

Fluid Capacity. 29.00 GALS. Recommend: Use Diesel Extreme every 6,000 miles and Everyday Diesel Treatment with every fill up.

Motorcraft^® SAE 15W-40 Super Duty Diesel Motor Oil is a high-quality light and heavy-duty diesel engine oil recommended by Ford Motor Company.

When an oil cooler fails, it can force all the coolant out of the engine and raise the risk of an overheated engine, which may lead to possible engine damage. If the leak is significant, you'll notice coolant on the ground or see steam gushing out from underneath the hood.

Does oil cooler affect oil pressure? ›

Cheap oil coolers can result in either low oil-pressure drops with poor performance, or adequate performance with extreme pressure drops.

Typically, the oil cooler is supposed to last for the lifespan of the car. There are certain repair situations that can compromise the overall functionality of this part and make it very hard for you to get the proper cooling for your engine oil.

You can always bypass an OEM oil cooling system and install an aftermarket system but in your circumstances if it is properly installed, the OEM system is fine. Overheating can damage the cooling system thermostat so be mindful of that going forward as a damaged thermostat will create new problems.

A PSI over 80 is usually considered too high for the engine to properly be protected from damage. High oil pressure is an indicator that the oil is not able to properly pass through the bores and reach all parts of the engine effectively.

Every engine and vehicle has its own specific ideal operating range when it comes to oil pressure, but it's usually somewhere between 25 and 65 psi when the oil has been warmed up.

Common signs include oil or coolant leaking from the oil cooler, oil getting in the cooling system, and coolant getting in the oil.

Aside from collisions, an oil cooler system should not require replacement for several years, and at least 100,000 miles. This will decrease with lack of maintenance and severe operating conditions. The oil cooler lines will likely require resealing long before the oil cooler has a chance to fail.

Oil cooling is the use of engine oil as a coolant, typically to remove surplus heat from an internal combustion engine. The hot engine transfers heat to the oil which then usually passes through a heat-exchanger, typically a type of radiator known as an oil cooler.

What fluid goes in oil cooler? ›

Transmission fluid (oil) handles that cooling task as it circulates to the transmission cooler, which in most instances sits in front of the radiator. That cooler positioning is because transmission fluid temperatures are the most critical of all the fluids.

The best place to tap into the oil supply system is at the oil filter. This is because the filter is just after the oil pump so the oil supply will have adequate pressure to move through the lines and cooler efficiently.

Proper cooling system maintenance goes a long way with the 6.0L and it starts with using the correct coolant. Run Motorcraft Gold (what Ford recommends) or an approved (and compatible) extended life coolant (ELC).

6.0L Powerstroke Service Schedule

If you don't have a coolant filtration kit, I would change the coolant every 20-30,000 miles to be on the safe side. The cooling and EGR systems on the 6.0 are very susceptible to coolant breakdown which can lead to premature part failures.

900-HP Turbocharged 6.0L Powerstroke Engine.

Lower Viscosity Engine Oil

The best way to remedy this is to switch to a lower viscosity oil, such as a 5W-40. Rest assured, 5W-40 engine oils are approved for the 6.0L Power Stroke, as is 15W-30 (for temps below 30 degrees).

The fine folks at BulletProof Diesel define 6.0L Power Stroke as being "bulletproofed" when it has at least four of the five main problem areas addressed. These five areas are: Oil cooler, EGR cooler, head studs, fuel injection control module (FICM), and water pump.

Oil Cooler Takes Away The Heat

The most important engine oil cooler benefit is that it takes away the surplus heat from the engine oil. The engine oil needs airflow to take away the excess heat. Therefore, having more airflow is always better. Cooling also depends on the difference in temperature between air and oil.

What are the first signs of a blown head gasket? ›

Signs that cracks are present include a swollen degas bottle, spongy hoses, the smell of diesel in the cab, and fuel visibly floating on top of the coolant.

It has nothing to do with oil pressure . Low oil pressure is often caused by , wrong grade of oil , worn crankshaft bearings , faulty oil pressure relief valve, clogged oil pump screen ETC .

Submerge the oil cooler in a tank of water. Pressurize the oil cooler, using the compressed air supply, to approximately 0.8 bar (12 psi). Look for evidence of air bubbles coming from the oil cooler. If bubbles are present, replace the cooler element.

It can reduce the oil temperature by as much as 30 degrees. Engine oil cooler also assists in maintaining the right level of oil viscosity. Engine oil coolers are beneficial for high-performance, high revving engines.

Well, that makes synthetic oil slipperier than conventional oil which means less friction in your engine. Your vehicle engine runs cooler, wears less and lasts longer. You also get a boost in power and maybe even an improvement in fuel economy.

Oil coolers require airflow to take heat away. More airflow is better. Cooling depends on the difference in temperature between the air and the oil. Cooler air cools better than warmer air.

The national cost for an engine oil cooler replacement in 2023 is between $315 and $868 with an average of $589.

An average labor cost to replace a OEM oil cooler can cost upwards of $1500-2500 plus the cost of $450 for a new oil cooler/turbo install kit. This kit will pay for itself if you have 1 oil cooler failure.

Turn off the engine and wait 10 to 15 minutes for it to cool down. Manufacturers used to recommend that you check your oil when the engine was cold, to give the oil a chance to settle in the oil pan.

Did Ford upgrade the 6.0 oil cooler? ›

This is a direct replacement for the factory oil cooler found on the 6.0L Powerstroke engines, both truck and van. This is the new and improved design from Ford and is a more effective cooler than the original, failure prone model.

An engine oil cooler should last for years with minimal problems. Some of the most common problems are cracks and leaks in the cooler. Rust often causes leaks, but road vibrations can also contribute to this problem, especially if you drive off-road. Generally, this problem is more likely to occur in an older vehicle.

Aside from collisions, an oil cooler system should not require replacement for several years, and at least 100,000 miles. This will decrease with lack of maintenance and severe operating conditions. The oil cooler lines will likely require resealing long before the oil cooler has a chance to fail.

When an oil cooler fails, it can force all the coolant out of the engine and raise the risk of an overheated engine, which may lead to possible engine damage. If the leak is significant, you'll notice coolant on the ground or see steam gushing out from underneath the hood.

Driving with an oil leak means extra wear and tear on your vehicle as well as engine damage. If you have an oil leak, don't waste time, take it to your mechanic.

Most oil experts say it's better to drain the oil when it's hot instead of when it's cold, for several reasons: Oil viscosity is thinner when it's hot, so it drains more quickly and completely out of the engine than when it's cold.

The five-minute rule is a good one. You warm up the oil so it's less viscous and it flows better. That way, less of the old oil remains inside the engine — stuck to the walls of the oil pan and other engine parts.

And for oil filters, we suggest tightening it as tight as you can get it by hand – so you turn it until it stops naturally, and then you might be able to twist it another quarter of a turn. And if you have to use a 12-inch breaker bar to get it off, then back off a little next time.

As a general rule of thumb, if it is below zero degrees Fahrenheit, you should allow your engine up to seven minutes to warm up. If the temperature is between zero and fifty degrees, the warm-up period should be three to five minutes. Over fifty degrees will only require one or two minutes to warm up.

“Let's start with replacing the fuel filters,” he said. “It's not too complicated or intimidating, and it's vital upkeep to hit at least twice a year or every 10,000 miles for the health of the fuel system.

How many gallons of coolant does a 6.0 Powerstroke hold? ›

Fluid Capacity. 29.00 GALS. Recommend: Use Diesel Extreme every 6,000 miles and Everyday Diesel Treatment with every fill up.