2017 Ford E450 6.8L oil change

[dcheatwood]

Am I reading this manual correctly? This big V10 engine only takes 6 qts of oil, with filter change?

[upflying]

Sounds correct to me, it's a Ford Modular engine and part of the 5.4/4.6 SOHC V8 family with two more cylinders.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Modular_engine

[A32Deuce]

Mine has the remote filter and takes 7 qt.

[dcheatwood]

I'll confirm somehow before I change it tomorrow. Thanks guys.

[RedLdr1]

That is how much our 2017 E-450 chassis used. Then another partial quart to get it correct on the dipstick. Also use the oil viscosity on the oil filler cap as the book may list a couple options. My local Ford dealer made sure to tell me about that one...

[Steve-W]

Yup thats what mine takes. After adding a 5 quart jug and 1 single the dipstick is right where it should be.
If your doing it yourself walmart has the Motorcraft oil and filter, about $30 for 6 quarts and a filter.

Just an idea, I punch a hole in the bottom of the filter after the pan drains, makes less of a mess then removing a vertical filter when full.

[upflying]

Originally Posted by Steve-W

Just an idea, I punch a hole in the bottom of the filter after the pan drains, makes less of a mess then removing a vertical filter when full.

Just make sure you can remove the filter before you do that. Some are tightened by arm wrestlers.

[dcheatwood]

Thanks all. Just changed the oil. Took about 20 minutes with drain time. Mobile 1 5W30 synthetic - 6 qts did it. Bought all, including the mobile 1 filter at walmart. Expected it to be a lot more to it, but with hydraulic Jack's down and stands in place, it was really accessible. Thanks again.

[GL1800Rider]

Just curious if you checked the level in your auto leveler reservoir while you were under there. I add that to my list when I change the oil and grease the front end.

Looks like Mobil 1 is cheaper at Wal-Mart than it is at Amazon right now. Mine is not due until Sept. but changed the oil and air filter in the generator today.

[dcheatwood]

Originally Posted by GL1800Rider

Just curious if you checked the level in your auto leveler reservoir while you were under there. I add that to my list when I change the oil and grease the front end.

Looks like Mobil 1 is cheaper at Wal-Mart than it is at Amazon right now. Mine is not due until Sept. but changed the oil and air filter in the generator today.

No, I didn't check it but I could see the tank farther back and it appeared about half full with Jack's down. The tank was see thru. I'll check it soon though. Leaving on 2-week trip in mid June so got lots if "checking" to do.

[ADOR]

I will be doing my oil change myself for the first time this coming weekend. Do you have to change the bolt (and washer if any)? Or can you reuse both?

[dcheatwood]

Originally Posted by ADOR

I will be doing my oil change myself for the first time this coming weekend. Do you have to change the bolt (and washer if any)? Or can you reuse both?

Not sure what you mean by bolt, but if you mean drain plug, then no. Take it out to drain, put it in the plug. Only needed oil and filter.

[A32Deuce]

Just use a 6 sided box wrench or 6 sided socket.

[ADOR]

Thanks for the quick response. Yeah, I was referring to the drain plug. I used to take it to Camping World for oil change. While it is up on the lift, I ask them to look up, walk around and inspect the underneath for anything thing that might need some fixing. Last time I was there, there was some rubber bushing that was missing. However, it took me almost the entire day for a simple oil change and walk around inspection. I had 9Am appointment. I did not get the unit back until around 2:30 PM. I was told they were short staffed.

I will do my own oil change this time.

[Steve-W]

There is an o-ring on the drain plug. No need to change but make sure it's in place and in good shape. It's a standard size available at most auto parts stores. I do keep a few around, just because.

I have the Bigfoot levelers. There is a metal cover over the reservoir/pump assy.

[ADOR]

I also need to check the fluid level on my Bigfoot levelers. Where exactly is it located? I have a 2015 2861DS. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Steve-W

I have the Bigfoot levelers. There is a metal cover over the reservoir/pump assy.

[Steve-W]

Originally Posted by ADOR

I also need to check the fluid level on my Bigfoot levelers. Where exactly is it located? I have a 2015 2861DS. Thanks.

Should be about midway on the chassis attached to the drivers side frame rail. The giveaway is the 8 hydraulic lines leading to it.

[GXPWeasel1]

Originally Posted by ADOR

Thanks for the quick response. Yeah, I was referring to the drain plug. I used to take it to Camping World for oil change. While it is up on the lift, I ask them to look up, walk around and inspect the underneath for anything thing that might need some fixing. Last time I was there, there was some rubber bushing that was missing. However, it took me almost the entire day for a simple oil change and walk around inspection. I had 9Am appointment. I did not get the unit back until around 2:30 PM. I was told they were short staffed.

I will do my own oil change this time.

If you've done oil changes yourself before, you probably already know this, but it's worth mentioning.

Just another tip... I used to notice these on the 6.8L when I did LOF's for Ford in College. Make sure that the filter O-Ring comes off with the filter. The 6.8L V-10's were (this was in 2001-2003) notorious for having the oil filter O-Ring stick to where the filter screws on. Yes, even if rubbed with a little oil when installed. If you have an extra O-Ring on the filter, it will make a BIG mess. I made that mistake once... but only once, and noticed it really quickly. No damage to customer's vehicle, and I made sure I told them to watch for smells or oil drips that I may have missed when cleaning.

[brucemc]

Originally Posted by GXPWeasel1

If you've done oil changes yourself before, you probably already know this, but it's worth mentioning.

Just another tip... I used to notice these on the 6.8L when I did LOF's for Ford in College. Make sure that the filter O-Ring comes off with the filter ...

Thanks for the memories! While I've changed oil in my rigs over the years, I was helping/training a friend who had never done it. Jon and his wife had a late model Dodge minivan. We set up in my garage, dropped the old oil & filter. I demonstrated how not to drop the filter in the oil pan (splash!), and the process of oiling the gasket on the new filter before installing it.

New filter on (though it felt a bit squishy at the 3/4 to 1 turn mark ?? ) and new synthetic oil filled per spec, I had him fire it up. It started fine, sounded good for about 10 seconds.

Gurggggggle!

About 2-3 quarts of that brand new expensive oil was now all over my floor... Shut er down!!!!

I knew immediately what I had done - I had failed to ensure the old gasket came away with the filter. D'oh! (Never had that happen before - nice training session for both of us...)

Therefore - no matter the model, make sure the gasket stays with the filter, or you remove it if it stays on the mounting flange.

D'oh!

[Sunseeker70]

Afternoon everyone. New proud owner of a 2017 Sunseeker 3010DS that is on the E450 chassis. I've been doing research on oil change intervals and if I am going by the link someone above provided, the Ford manual states that my RV should have an Oil Monitoring System (OMS) in it? Being someone who has owned a car since the mid-80s until I got my Ford Focus that has the OMS installed, I was always a 3k oil change person without fail. I am taking "Sunny" x-country from Orlando to Washington State in August (Roughly 3,700 miles) because I am staying at the in-law's house, I was going to change the oil there. So I guess my question is, am I wasting money doing that and should go by the OMS or by my gut that thinks traveling 3,700 miles in 8 days is a lot on the engine in which 21 days later I will be driving back down to Orlando.
Hopefully, someone sees this and is able to offer advice.
Thank you.
Ed