7.3 Powerstroke Common Oil Leaks – Finding & Fixing

The 7.3 PowerStroke is one of the most attractive Ford engines in the class. As it's very reliable, it is used in many trucks and other vehicles. But, this is not very efficient, and some 7.3 Powerstroke common oil leaks are critical issues for the engine.

You must always keep an eye on the oil leaks as they reduce engine oil and ultimately cause potential issues. Also, leaking oil from your vehicle's engine pollutes nature and your garage. As a result, we will discuss these common issues with their possible solutions.

Symptoms Of The 7.3 Powerstroke Common Oil Leaks

Some symptoms are below that indicate oil leaking issues in your 7.3 Powerstroke:

Checking Engine Light (CEL)

If HPOP o-ring leaks, it won't cause a CEL or any other major drivability troubles until it reduces oil flow to the 7.3 injectors. When this issue occurs, pull over the engine valley and inspect it for oil.

Lower Reservoir

Checking your engine's reservoir level is a simple way to find oil leaks. It should have up to ¾ to 1 inch of oil from the inspection plug's top.

Causing A Gradual Power losing

It's another good symptom of oil leaks because of low pressure from the oil delivery mechanism. If the startup pressure is less than 500psi, they may not fire in any way.

Some Of The Most Common Oil Leaks In The 7.3 PowerStroke

We have categorized some common leaking spots that allow you to manage them quickly, or at least you can locate them where they're leaking from the engine. Below are some common spots where oil leaking happens in the 7.3 PowerStroke:

Oil Pump

It's not very tough to locate a leaking oil pump. Usually, the leakage happens heavily as the PowerStroke is designed with a high-pressure pump for oil discharge. If you realize it's leaking, you must repair it as soon as possible because it can sprinkle oil on the road.

The gasket of The Oil Pan

Oil leaks most commonly happen in this spot in the PowerStroke engine. The oil pan is aluminum; it can lose its original shape when it hits anything.

 

As a result, the gasket can't save the raised situations anymore. Sometimes it requires changing the gasket, sometimes it doesn't work, and sometimes it needs the replacement of the oil pan.

Turbocharger

Regrettably, the 7.3 PowerStroke's reliable turbocharger is prone to oil leaking. It remains unnoticeable when it starts. But, eventually, this leak produces black smoke that causes issues with its turbocharger.

Valley

This spot remains between the HPOP and the turbocharger that leaks very often. It stays above the engine, and leaked oil comes down onto the location of its main seal. Therefore, you can think that its main seal may require replacement, which is not always correct.

Main Seal

It frequently happens after running 150000 miles; that's the youth of the engine, and this main seal can commit suicide saying goodbye. Then, you'll need to replace the costly primary seal and spend some money that's tough to do.

Small Seals & Rings

Some seals and rubber components are prone to wear and damage. They can discontinue functioning correctly and finally start dripping oil. Sometimes, it becomes tough to find the location of the issue.

 

However, the possible leaking spots may be the upper and lower parts requiring care checking. Both the turbocharger and HPOP can drip and send oil there.

How To Deal With These Oil Leaks?

Initially, it would help if you kept in mind that checking the oil level of the PowerStroke is very important. When you take it too lightly to watch this oil level frequently, you can get into potential issues.

 

If you find the engine is leaking oil heavily, avoid driving the vehicle and even starting its engine. As you know, the engine comes with a high-pressure oil pump, so all leaks would be dangerous.

 

Also, you must be careful with the light of the oil level that doesn't always flash until its oil level reaches extremely low. If the light flashes because of low oil pressure, it could be delayed to save this engine.

 

But, when it comes to dealing with its leaks, it's not too hard. First, find the location of the issues and replace the malfunctioning components using the new ones.

FAQs & Answers Section

Let's know about some FAQs with their answers that you might be looking for:

How Good Is The 7.3 Powerstroke Engine?

The 7.3 Powerstroke is one of Ford's most durable and reliable diesel engines. The engine was produced before creating some regulations for diesel engines. So, it doesn't have emissions controls that make the engine less complicated.

How Can You Make Your 7.3 Powerstroke Run Better?

Getting more air into your 7.3 Powerstroke engine is a great way to make it robust. But, that air must come out of the engine correctly. It calls an exhausting system that reduces back-pressure and increases power.

Why Does Oil Leak From Your Bellhousing?

Your engine has bolted to the bell housing in front of the transmission system. The oil drips down into your bell housing if its main seal leaks. It results in oil dropping the bell housing bottom.

What Is The Best Type Of Oil For The 7.3 Powerstroke?

The best engine oil for the 7.3 Powerstroke is the 15W-15 recommended by Ford.

Final Words

Finding and fixing the 7.3 Powerstroke common oil leaks will allow you to drive it many miles for years. Because of high-pressure oil circulation, these oil leaks are common.

If you find oil drops in and under the engine, investigate the vehicle and solve the issue correctly. Otherwise, a simple leak may be a big issue very soon.

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2015 F150 5.0 Oil Type – What You Should Know About

Ford recommended 2015 F150 5.0 oil type is SAE 5W20 oil because it's the oil type that will improve performance, fuel economy, and durability. Engine oil plays a vital role for any vehicle and keeps them running smoothly, and you'll face issues like terrible engine failure without it.

Oils do the identical thing for all vehicles. But, it doesn't mean every car runs using the same oil. For the Ford 2015 F150 5.0, we briefly answered this engine's specific type of oil. We're going to explain more things regarding this concern.

What You Should Know About 2015 F150 5.0 Oil Type

As the penalty of using non-recommended oil for the F150 5.0 is so extreme, Ford has simplified this by specifying the correct type of oil for this engine. You already learned the manufacturer recommends SAE 5W20 oil. 

Moreover, the most straightforward place to learn about your vehicle's engine oil is the cover of the oil filling cap. Also, it should describe to you all the necessary information about F-150's oil requirements. 

The reason for using the particular oil is that oils have different weight that works for different types of engines. Similarly, you'll find the essential information about the correct oil weight in its owner's manual.

How Is Oil Type For F150 5.0L Decided?

The oil type of a vehicle depends on engine type and cylinder number. They're the most effective deciding factors of your vehicle's oil type. Using the wrong oil type limits the fluid flow through its engine and other components. 

It may happen due to very thick oil. Besides, if this oil is thin, it can't provide adequate lubrication to its engine. Using the correct oil with the specified balance is crucial because this ensures the smooth functioning of all engine components. Also, it can help you protect the warranty of the engine.

How To Choose The Right Oil Brand Ford F150 5.0L Engine?

While choosing the right brand for your F150 5.0L engine, almost all oil brands will work, especially if they are the right weight. But, you always follow what the manufacturer, Ford, recommends using this engine. Indeed, 

Ford recommends using the oil brand of Motorcraft that validates your engine warranty unless you use the oil with the incorrect weight. Another essential thing to consider while picking an oil brand is the valid API rating. 

Some oil brands come with no API rating, and they also work. But, it's risky to use oil without an API rating, and you may lose the warranty.

Best Oil For The Ford F150 5.0L

You can try the below engine oils for the Ford F150 5.0L. Here is a table with the product names and their handy features:

Product Name	Features
Mobil 1 Extended Performance Full Synthetic Motor Oil 5W-30, 5 Quart	ü      Advanced full synthetic formula ü      Helps prevent deposits & sludge build-up ü      Enables long engine life ü      Helps to maintain stable oil viscosity ü      Excellent overall lubrication & wear protection performs under many operating conditions ü      Precise balance of performance additives ü      Helps provide outstanding engine protection and outstanding thermal and oxidation stability
Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic SAE 0W-16 Motor Oil 5 QT	ü      Advanced protection against wear, friction, heat, and deposits ü      Exceeds industry standards for wear protection & fuel economy ü      Superior antioxidants resist motor oil breakdown in extreme conditions ü      Exceptional high/low-temperature protection Defends your motor no matter the weather conditions ü      Meets or exceeds all requirements of ilsac of-6b, API sp, API sn with sn plus
Castrol 03124 Edge 0W-20 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil, 5 Quart	ü      42% better rating on fighting power-robbing deposits ü      Superior engine protection vs conventional and synthetic blend oils ü      Superior performance against promises, wear, and oxidation ü      Meets the needs of honda, Toyota, Acura, Lexus, and other vehicles
Valvoline High Mileage with MaxLife Technology SAE 5W-20 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil 5 QT	ü      40% Better wear protection than the industry standard ü      Keeps critical engine components safe ü      Prevents metal surfaces from making contact ü      Exceptional temperature protection ü      Coats more completely ü      Resists thermal breakdown even in the fiercest driving conditions ü      Enhances friction performance helps maximize power ü      Reduce sludge, deposits, corrosion, and rust ü      Sustains your engine's performance & preventing higher emissions
Valvoline Extended Protection Full Synthetic Motor Oil SAE 5W-30 5 QT	ü      10x stronger thermal resistance ü      Fight deposits & sludge ü      50% better wear protection ü      Built for modern engines ü      Maximize efficiency & fuel economy ü      Provides the best power and efficiency out of your engine

Benefits Of Using The Right Type Of Oil Ford F150 5.0L

As a vehicle owner, you may know that engine oil helps you avoid expensive repairs. And using the wrong engine oil for your F150 5.0L can lead to severe damage. The right type of engine oil does many positive things for your vehicle. Some of them are as below:

Ensures A Long-Lasting Engine Life

Reducing potential friction between components and cleaning the whole engine, the right engine oil prevents your engine from clogged and damaged. It also ensures minor corrosion for mechanical parts, making them long-lasting. Thus, the engine offers better performance with an increased lifespan.

Ensures Correctly Functioning Of Your Engine

Aside from better performance, maintenance costs also are affected by the engine oil. An engine equipped with the right type of engine oil always functions better. So, good engine oil is vital to avoid any deadly mechanical damage.

Reduces Oil Consumption & Carbon Dioxide Emissions

If your vehicle's engine oil level is low or overused, friction reduces the engine's energy efficiency and increases oil consumption. But, the right engine oil reduces oil consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.

So, you must choose the right engine oil to ensure healthier and longer life of the engine. As a result, there are no options to select without picking Ford's recommended engine oil for your F150 5.0L.

FAQs & Answers Section

Let's know about some FAQs and their answers that may be helpful for you:

What Is Ford Recommended Oil For The F150 5.0L?

Ford recommends SAE 5W20 oil for your F150 5.0L engine. Indeed, synthetic oil is the best for your Ford engine; that provides smooth running with better mileage.

What Does Full Synthetic Oil Do for an Engine?

Full synthetic oil keeps your engine healthier than synthetic blend and conventional engine oils. As a result, your engine will get higher performance without significant issues.

Can You Use To Regular Oil After Using Synthetic Oil?

It's a myth that you can't use regular oil anymore after synthetic oil. It's one of the popular myths regarding synthetic oil, which is invalid. Indeed, synthetic oil is a mixture of conventional and synthetic oils. You can resume using regular engine oil after using synthetic oil anytime.

What is the Best 5W30 Oil For Higher Mileage?

One of the best 5W30 oil is Mobil 1 Extended Performance Full Synthetic Motor Oil 5W-30, 5 Quart, which offers higher mileage for your vehicles. It helps keep the drain intervals longer and prevents potential build-ups, corrosion, and rust. You should use this oil just after exceeding 75K miles.

The Bottom Line

You already know that Ford recommended 2015 F150 5.0 oil type is SAE 5W20 oil. This oil type will improve performance, fuel economy, and durability. You should use this specific engine oil to keep your vehicle running smoothly without significant issues. 

Also, it's vital to keep in mind that using any other type of oil will void the warranty you get from Ford for the engine. So, use the specific engine oil for the F150 5.0L and keep your vehicle safe!

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