Viscosity question.

[Rockettman]

I copied and pasted this from a Mustang site (see below).
It's regarding oil for some guys '03 Cobra.
He's being advise not to use the 5W20 that's in the owner's manual.
Does this sound correct?

"Several reasons

factory fill
-used a small amount of oil between changes
-oil went dark within 2-3k
-small amount of oil showing in the breather tube
-very slight valvetrain noise when smokin hot

10w30

- at 5000 kms the oil is dead nuts full
- at 5000 kms the oil looks like I changed it a week ago
- zero sign of blow by in the tube

That plus the large number of 4.6 2v's that see premature failure on 5w."

[fastblackmerc]

I copied and pasted this from a Mustang site (see below).
It's regarding oil for some guys '03 Cobra.
He's being advise not to use the 5W20 that's in the owner's manual.
Does this sound correct?

"Several reasons

factory fill
-used a small amount of oil between changes
-oil went dark within 2-3k
-small amount of oil showing in the breather tube
-very slight valvetrain noise when smokin hot

10w30

- at 5000 kms the oil is dead nuts full
- at 5000 kms the oil looks like I changed it a week ago
- zero sign of blow by in the tube

That plus the large number of 4.6 2v's that see premature failure on 5w."

The oil that is recommended in the owners manual is there for a reason.... the engineers that designed the engine tested what oil to use.

Newer engines run much tighter tolerances between parts and need the thinner weight oil to provide the proper lubrication to those parts.

IMHO.... using a thicker weight oil will lead to premature / increased wear.

I switched from 5w20 to 0w30 and have had no problems.

[MOTOWN]

Ive used ams oil 5w30 since 7k miles with no problems, or oil consumption.

[WI Fordguy]

Who's smarter? The engineers who designed an engine, or the backyard boobs who think they know better. Trust in the manual (or TSB's) for proper oil weight. Remember, Ford doesn't want your engine to fail, it makes them look bad.

[RF Overlord]

He's being advise not to use the 5W20 that's in the owner's manual. Does this sound correct?No, it's a crock. 5W-20 has been proven over time to be a very robust oil.

"That plus the large number of 4.6 2v's that see premature failure on 5w."

I want him to show me all those engines and explain exactly how 5W oil killed them.

[WI Fordguy]

^^^Exactly. I've been a wrench for years and haven't seen one example of oil related engine failure in a 4.6. Unless you count not changing the oil.... ever.

[Egon Spengler]

I used to run 5w-30 in the summer and 5w-20 in the winter.

[Rockettman]

Thanks guys.
I too have used the 5W20 synthetic since I got the car.
I have to agree with the you guys saying that Ford does know what they're doin'!
I'm not a spokesman for them or anything...but like WI Fordguy says above, "they don't want to look bad".

[TFB]

Ford specs 5W-30 for the boosted engines because of the heat they build, guessing that mother's milk 5W-20 ain't sufficient... The Shelbys and Ford GT spec'd a 5W-40 or 5W-50 oil... The 5W-20 is fine for a non performance engine but with a power adder, you won't find the stuff in my engine...

BTW I run Mobil-1 0W-40 in my Marauder...


The oil that is recommended in the owners manual is there for a reason.... the engineers that designed the engine tested what oil to use.

Newer engines run much tighter tolerances between parts and need the thinner weight oil to provide the proper lubrication to those parts.

IMHO.... using a thicker weight oil will lead to premature / increased wear.

I switched from 5w20 to 0w30 and have had no problems.

What is this "tighter tolerances" I hear from time to time? Do you mean tighter clearances? A tighter tolerance would mean the the size specification is held to closer dimensions than previous... I've checked specs(clearances) on the on the 4.6 2v engines and my '98 that specs 5W-30 are same as a '02 that was changed to 5W-20... Ford also states the earlier engines can be run on the thinner 5W-20 oils, but again you won't find the stuff in my oil pans...

[WI Fordguy]

Tighter tolerances is used to compare the mod motors to the old family of v8's. 5.0's, 5.8's, 7.5's etc will run whatever oil you feel like with little risk of problems. Run 10w30 or 10w40 in a mod motor and you run an increased risk of starving the heads, due to the tighter tolerances. I've seen it void more than one warranty claim.

[Marauder Rick]

Ford specs 5W-30 for the boosted engines because of the heat they build, guessing that mother's milk 5W-20 ain't sufficient... The Shelbys and Ford GT spec'd a 5W-40 or 5W-50 oil... The 5W-20 is fine for a non performance engine but with a power adder, you won't find the stuff in my engine...

BTW I run Mobil-1 0W-40 in my Marauder...



What is this "tighter tolerances" I hear from time to time? Do you mean tighter clearances? A tighter tolerance would mean the the size specification is held to closer dimensions than previous... I've checked specs(clearances) on the on the 4.6 2v engines and my '98 that specs 5W-30 are same as a '02 that was changed to 5W-20... Ford also states the earlier engines can be run on the thinner 5W-20 oils, but again you won't find the stuff in my oil pans...

Not thread jacking...but while we're on the subject...what oil are you boosted guys running? Did everyone go up to 30 weight? I just took a peek at the recommendations for terminators and it states 5w20 just like ours. Consider high milage also.

[RF Overlord]

The difference between so-called "high-mileage" oil and "regular" is that HM oils are blended to be on the thicker side of their viscosity rating and usually have a higher percentage of detergents and seal-swelling agents in the additive pack. None of this is necessary in a motor that has been well-maintained, regardless of the number of miles.

[WI Fordguy]

BTW those high mileage oils work great at drying up small oil leaks. For example those pesky rear main leaks in the 351's etc. As for the other claimed benefits......

[Marauderjack]

I use Mobil I 5W30 in Summer and 0W30 in Winter.......228K miles total on the motor and 144K Supercharged!!:beer::bows:

It still puffs a little smoke from time to time on start-up but uses no oil between 5K mile changes!!:D

I have used a lot of 5W20 and can tell absolutely no difference between it and the 5W30....OP same and ZERO consumption!!;)

[RacerX]

5w30 Amsoil. That's what most forged mod engines require though. I had read somewhere you don't want too heavy because of the lash adjusters, but, if Shelbys or GTs are running 40 or 50 wt, that may not be true.

[SC Cheesehead]

I'm still running 5W20 semi-syn Motorcraft, no problems to date.

[J-MAN]

Gotta love these oil threads! :rolleyes:

My :twocents: = Amsoil Signature 0w-30.

[TFB]

Tighter tolerances is used to compare the mod motors to the old family of v8's. 5.0's, 5.8's, 7.5's etc will run whatever oil you feel like with little risk of problems. Run 10w30 or 10w40 in a mod motor and you run an increased risk of starving the heads, due to the tighter tolerances. I've seen it void more than one warranty claim.
If that's the case how does any mod motor live long enough to warm up??? When cold even 5W-20 is probably 15 times thicker than hot 10W-40... I ran 10W-40 in '92 and '93 mod motors in Grand Marquis' without issue, I've lost track of the '92 but the '93 has around 175K mi and has no problems...

Also 'splain this... How can they void a warranty when 10W-40 is suddenly recommend??? Yeah this bulletin applies to the 3V but it's still a mod motor...

http://members.cox.net/turbocoupe50/dealerr.jpg

[jstevens]

Someone please explain this ****. I'm running whatever the mfg recommends, although I do run Synthetic.

[RF Overlord]

Someone please explain this ****. It can't be explained. Everyone has their sacred talisman when it comes to oil and no amount of logic will change their minds.

Use what makes you happy. *Disclaimer* I don't mean off-the-wall oils like 60W Harley oil, or 20W-50 racing oil. Just use 5W-20, 5W-30, 10W-30...your motor will outlast the car.

[WI Fordguy]

TFB, you're right but cold vs hot. At operating temp thicker oil is fine, alot of people on their commute spend very little time at operating temp though. That's why I generally recommend what the manufacturer specifies, it won't go wrong on ya. It all boils down to driving habits. As for the bulletin for head ticks in the 3V saying to use 10W40 I find that interesting and will be following that closely (seems they're covering their rears and trying to hide a problem).

These threads are fun. We should all sitting around a table drinking beer for this.

[SC Cheesehead]

TFB, you're right but cold vs hot. At operating temp thicker oil is fine, alot of people on their commute spend very little time at operating temp though. That's why I generally recommend what the manufacturer specifies, it won't go wrong on ya. It all boils down to driving habits. As for the bulletin for head ticks in the 3V saying to use 10W40 I find that interesting and will be following that closely (seems they're covering their rears and trying to hide a problem).

These threads are fun. We should all sitting around a table drinking beer for this.


My kinda guy! :beer:

[WI Fordguy]

^We'd get along just fine.

[SC Cheesehead]

^We'd get along just fine.

Beer: one of the three basic food groups (along with brats and cheese). :D

[WI Fordguy]

He's a cheesehead for sure by god!

[SC Cheesehead]

He's a cheesehead for sure by god!

You betcha! :D



http://www.somethingspecialwi.com/images/ssfwa.jpg (http://www.somethingspecialwi.com/index.html)

[TFB]

These threads are fun. We should all sitting around a table drinking beer for this.
Agreed... I'll hoist one tomorrow:beer:... (gettin' ready to hit the sack tonight)

I understand what you are saying about engines often not run at operating temp, that's why I'm using the 0W-40... In cold temps it's thinner than the 5W-xx oils but gives a little more, ahem, cushin' for the pushin' when the engine is turned hard... I'm seeing approx 3psi increase in hot pressures using the 0w-40 vs the 5w-20 bazawir was using... As far as cold, can't see any real difference...

[GetMeMyStogie]

I've seen it void more than one warranty claim.

That doesn't necessarily mean thicker oil caused any problem at all. Rather, the manufacturer found an excuse to avoid paying for warranty work :/

[Rockettman]

So then...will 5W50 synthetic work just fine in my Marauder OR my 5.0L?
(I ask because someone close by me is selling 6 quarts of it for $25 - he bought th ewrong type).

[SC Cheesehead]

So then...will 5W50 synthetic work just fine in my Marauder OR my 5.0L?
(I ask because someone close by me is selling 6 quarts of it for $25 - he bought th ewrong type).


You're basing the decision on what oil to run in your car based on a deal for 6 quarts of oil?

If things are getting that tight, maybe time to put the MM up for sale.;)

[Rockettman]

^^^ No, no :)...just figured I'd keep it on the shelf for the next change.
Maybe I'll just pass.

[SC Cheesehead]

^^^ No, no :)...just figured I'd keep it on the shelf for the next change.
Maybe I'll just pass.


gotcha

(just yanking your chain a little... ;))

[J-MAN]

TFB, you're right but cold vs hot. At operating temp thicker oil is fine, alot of people on their commute spend very little time at operating temp though. That's why I generally recommend what the manufacturer specifies, it won't go wrong on ya. It all boils down to driving habits. As for the bulletin for head ticks in the 3V saying to use 10W40 I find that interesting and will be following that closely (seems they're covering their rears and trying to hide a problem).

These threads are fun.
We should all sitting around a table drinking beer for this.

Really?........just what kind of beer would that be? :D

[fastblackmerc]

Installing this will make your oil changes easier.

Have one on the Marauder and one on the Charger.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/Oil%20Drain%20Valve/Valve.gif

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/Oil%20Drain%20Valve/cutaway.jpg

http://www.fumotousa.com/

The Marauder uses the F-106 valve.

[SC Cheesehead]

[/B]

Really?........just what kind of beer would that be? :D

I've always thought free was the best...

[Rockettman]

Installing this will make your oil changes easier.


http://www.fumotousa.com/

The Marauder uses the F-106 valve.

Isn't there a good risk of something hitting it? I mean, it hangs down from the oil pan.

[fastblackmerc]

Isn't there a good risk of something hitting it? I mean, it hangs down from the oil pan.

Have had mine installed for 2 years, haven't had a problem. It hangs down about 1/2".

[TFB]

Have had mine installed for 2 years, haven't had a problem. It hangs down about 1/2".

That's what she said!...

[Rockettman]

Have had mine installed for 2 years, haven't had a problem. It hangs down about 1/2".

Now if they could make one with a nut on the other side, it would make a fantastic drain plug for the transmission :rolleyes:.


That's what she said!...

Baamm!

[fastblackmerc]

Have had mine installed for 2 years, haven't had a problem. It hangs down about 1/2".


That's what she said!...

Actually have to tuck in in my sock! :eek:

[SC Cheesehead]

actually have to tuck in in my sock! :eek:


tmi..... :d

[TFB]

Actually have to tuck in in my sock! :eek:

I've heard some guys keep a sock stuffed in their pants for aesthetics...:lol:

[SC Cheesehead]

I've heard some guys keep a sock stuffed in their pants for aesthetics...:lol:

keilbassa...

[Rockettman]

I've heard some guys keep a sock stuffed in their pants for aesthetics...:lol:

I always thought I was more than just "some guy"? :depress: