What brand of oil you using?

[HawaiiMM]

Well it is time for my first oil change and was wondering what you guys use?

I use Mobile 1 in my ImpalaSS with no complaints. However I cannot find Mobile 1 in (5W 20)... maybe im not looking hard enough?

Anyway I was thinking of running Royal Purple 5W 20. Good?

Thanks Josh

[Marauder8]

I personally use AMSOIL. My boss is a distributor..........

[2003DOHC]

AMSOIL 5W20, Motorcraft filter.

[woaface]

Citizens! He needs firepower! Call in BigDogJim!

[MarauderMark]

Whatever the dealer uses :up:

[jgc61sr2002]

Josh - I am presently using Ford Motorcraft 5 W 20 synthetic blend. I will eventually change to 5 W 20 synthetic. Royal purple is good. At this time Mobil 1 is not produced in 5 W 20 grade.

[Cobra25]

I use Amsoil 5-W20 Oil and a Amsoil Oil Filter. Moble 1 does make a 0-W20 Syn oil which can be used in our Marauders.

[MARAUDERCHICK]

I use Royal Purple 5w20....:up:

[TAF]

Where's RF?

[moose9102]

Hello, new member here from good ol' NJ. Although 5/20 is supposed to be used, I use Castrol 5/30 because thats thats the recommended oil on my 99 Cobra. It's essentially the same engine, so I figure, what the hay.

BTW, this is an excellent website.:up:

Matt

[TAF]

Hello, new member here from good ol' NJ. Although 5/20 is supposed to be used, I use Castrol 5/30 because thats thats the recommended oil on my 99 Cobra. It's essentially the same engine, so I figure, what the hay.

BTW, this is an excellent website.:up:

MattWelcome aboard Matt...We've got a GREAT bunch of folks up in Jersey that you need to hook-up with...I use 5W30 as well, Royal Purple.

[Fourth Horseman]

Well it is time for my first oil change and was wondering what you guys use?

I use Mobile 1 in my ImpalaSS with no complaints. However I cannot find Mobile 1 in (5W 20)... maybe im not looking hard enough?

Anyway I was thinking of running Royal Purple 5W 20. Good?

Thanks Josh

I think your Marauder will be just as happy and run just as well on the Mobil 1 5W30 as your Impalla SS does. It's what I use in mine and I've had absolutely no problems. Of course, I don't think you can go wrong with the purple stuff, either. :)

[Donny Carlson]

5w20 Royal Purple!

[Jeff]

NEVER anything but Motorcraft 5W-20. :cool4:

[SergntMac]

I use whatever 5W20 junk my dealer is selling this week, and his BS filter too. Since it's only going to be in my engine for the next 2K miles, it matters little to me.

I heard a rumor that my dealer is now selling my used oil as "pre-performance tested" oil to those looking for better performance from engine oil, and assurance that it's doing it's job. Hey, whatever. Just tell 'em it engine oil with a summer tan...

[jspradii]

I use whatever 5W20 junk my dealer is selling this week, and his BS filter too. Since it's only going to be in my engine for the next 2K miles, it matters little to me.

I heard a rumor that my dealer is now selling my used oil as "pre-performance tested" oil to those looking for better performance from engine oil, and assurance that it's doing it's job. Hey, whatever. Just tell 'em it engine oil with a summer tan...
So, you just "break it in" so he can up the price and re-sell it as "Performance Tested!" Nice angle!

[junehhan]

I used Motorcraft 5w20 for my first oil change with an Amsoil heavy duty filter. Now, i'm using Amsoil Series 2000 0w30 with an Amsoil heavy duty filter. Mobil does make Mobil 1 in the 0w20 viscosity for Ford and Honda applications, although it may not be very easy to find yet.

[RoyLPita]

Whatever the dealer that I work at uses.

[Bradley G]

:cool4:
Whatever the dealer that I work at uses.same here but I checked my dip stick and it's almost 1/2" above max maybe I got 7 qts. instead of 6.3 .I think that is what I read here.......................... ........... ME :argue: SM

[TripleTransAm]

Well it is time for my first oil change and was wondering what you guys use?


Nothing but prime Mazola in my baby. When I'm low on STP additives, I usually throw in a scoop of Crisco for good measure... that, and a liberal layer of PAM on my valvetrain.

[ultravorx]

i use mobil 1 0w20 with a mobil 1 filter with no problems at all!
Frank

[LNYTUNS]

i use mobil 1 0w20 with a mobil 1 filter with no problems at all!
Frank

Same here only a Purolator Pure One filter. The 0w20 works great in the MM and my Honda.

[MM03]

I use 5w30 Mobil One w/Motorcraft filter.

[Haggis]

Nothing but prime Mazola in my baby. When I'm low on STP additives, I usually throw in a scoop of Crisco for good measure... that, and a liberal layer of PAM on my valvetrain.


Steve I still think Hersheys choclate syrup works the best. First used it at the Hershey meet last October and haven't change it since, engine is still running strong and when I WOT there is a smell of choclate in the air.

[jfclancy]

i use mobil 1 0w20 with a mobil 1 filter with no problems at all!
Frank

^^^^^^^^
What he said^^ Mobil One 0-20 been working fine for 22,000 plus whatever
filter speedy puts on there. Done GOOD last LONG time.
:beer: :beer: :beer: :beer:
Joe Clancy

[TripleTransAm]

Steve I still think Hersheys choclate syrup works the best. First used it at the Hershey meet last October and haven't change it since, engine is still running strong and when I WOT there is a smell of choclate in the air.


Nice side effect regarding the smell, didn't think of that. Everytime I goose the gas, mine smells like french fries and potato chips. Probably explains the fatty deposits on my exhaust tips (for some reason, slightly more deposits on my left tip versus the right one, but that's the stuff for another thread).

I'd try the syrup, but I always thought it was recommended for higher mileage motors?

What's your pinion angle look like after the Hershey's?

[Haggis]

What's your pinion angle look like after the Hershey's?

I'd try the syrup, but I always thought it was recommended for higher mileage motors?


After the Twislers (sp?) melted I switched to the Mac & Zack control arms, so far no problems.

Higher miliage or S/C cars.

[TripleTransAm]

Higher miliage or S/C cars.


Gotcha.

Carry on...

[Ross]

You're supposed to change the oil? Why didn't somebody tell me? Do you think it hurts that I now have almost 36K on the car?

[RF Overlord]

Well it is time for my first oil change and was wondering what you guys use?

I cannot find Mobile 1 in (5W 20)... maybe im not looking hard enough?

Anyway I was thinking of running Royal Purple 5W 20. Good?

Josh, as you can see from the variety of responses, there are quite a few choices...

First, Mobil 1 doesn't come in a 5w-20 flavor; there's 0W-20, 0W-30, and 5W-30. In Hawaii, I can't see any reason for using a 0W- anything, and do NOT use a 10W-xx oil.

Second, the factory recommended (notice I said recommended; nothing in the manual says required) Motorcraft 5W-20 is turning out to be a surprisingly good oil. There have been a number of very good UOAs posted on BITOG using this oil in the modular family (4.6, 5.4, 6.8) and it has attracted a lot of attention from people who were originally nay-sayers. I don't think you can go wrong with it, and it's usually available at Wally World. Having said that, you also can't go wrong with Mobil 1 5W-30, which is used by a great number of us. AMSOIL is probably the second most popular. I believe only a handful are running Royal Purple, but I haven't heard anything bad about it.

As far as filters, you also can't go wrong with the Motorcraft FL-820S, although the K&N and AMSOIL filters are popular as well. The Mobil 1 filter filters very well, but has a reputation for being fairly restrictive, so it may not be the top choice.

[jgc61sr2002]

You're supposed to change the oil? Why didn't somebody tell me? Do you think it hurts that I now have almost 36K on the car?


Ross - He He good one. :D

[valleyman]

Motorcraft filter, Amsoil 5W20.

[studio460]

Since dumping the factory fill at 1,000 miles, I've used Mobil 1 5W-30 pure synthetic. On my last oil change I switched to Mobil 1 0W-20, a Fram ToughGuard TG2 oil filter, and a K&N-style, Fram "AirHog" oiled filter, part no., PPA5056. No seat-of-the-pants performance increase here--I just thought I'd treat my baby.

I switched to the Mobil 0W-20 because the label says "for newer Ford engines where 5W-20 is recomended." So, I went with it . . . Eventually, I'll change all my driveline fluids to 100% synthetic and pick up the claimed 5-10HP gain in overall driveline efficiency.

P.S. I also like Sarge's philosophy of any-damn-oil-the-dealer-has-but-change-it-REAL-often strategy!

[junehhan]

Since dumping the factory fill at 1,000 miles, I've used Mobil 1 5W-30 pure synthetic. On my last oil change I switched to Mobil 1 0W-20, a Fram ToughGuard TG2 oil filter, and a K&N-style, Fram "AirHog" oiled filter, part no., PPA5056. No seat-of-the-pants performance increase here--I just thought I'd treat my baby.

I switched to the Mobil 0W-20 because the label says "for newer Ford engines where 5W-20 is recomended." So, I went with it . . . Eventually, I'll change all my driveline fluids to 100% synthetic and pick up the claimed 5-10HP gain in overall driveline efficiency.

P.S. I also like Sarge's philosophy of any-damn-oil-the-dealer-has-but-change-it-REAL-often strategy!

A FRAM filter on a Marauder???

[studio460]

There have been a number of very good UOAs posted on BITOG using this oil in the modular family . . .
Hey, RF!

Can U give me the 411 on the TLAs and FLAs? Thanks!

[Sactown]

I use mobil 1 0-20. It specifically complies with the Ford oil spec # that is found in the owners manual.

[studio460]

A FRAM filter on a Marauder???
Something wrong with Fram products? Are the other premium brand filters better? Does everyone think the Motorcraft part is the best?

[junehhan]

While I can't vouch for Fram products today, Fram has typically not been what you could consider a quality product in it's past. I don't know if it's true today, but even the filtering medium used to be glued on place literally on their filters in the past. I've also read too many horror stories about people who used their products as well, which caused me to return a Fram filter I bought a long time ago when I first started driving. Maybe someone else can elaborate on this???

[moose9102]

I don't know about the quality of Fram, but when I can buy Motorcraft filters for under $3 regular price and Fram filters are $4-6 dollars, guess which ones I'm going to use?

[hitchhiker]

I will be having an Amsoil spin-on filter and fill with Amsoil synthetic 5W 20 -or- 0W 30 for my first oil change next week.


Best Regards,

David

[MENINBLK]

I don't know about the quality of Fram, but when I can buy Motorcraft filters for under $3 regular price and Fram filters are $4-6 dollars, guess which ones I'm going to use?

The last thing I want to read is someone choosing an Oil Filter because it is INEXPENSIVE.

If you had a choice of PACEMAKERS, I think you would do a little RESEARCH before you questioned the cost of the product.
I'm not saying that your choice isn't right, because the quality of any Fram Filter is very HIGHLY questionable.

I personally have been servicing my Marauder with Mobil1 0W20 which has been APPROVED by FORD for use in its 5W20 applications.
Mobil currently only has the 0W20 available in quarts which sell for $4.75 each at Walmart.
Mobil will start making it available in 5 Quart jug whenever WalMart ASKS for it.
The key here is 'ASKS'.
If you buy your oil at WalMart, tell the Store Manager that you want Mobil 1 0W20 in a 5 quart jug.
It sell for under $19 and saves you at least the price of one quart if not more.

I also use a K&N HP-2010 Filter which costs me $10.
Why K&N ? Because a K&N Filter has a very high flow rate.
Something that is VERY IMPORTANT when you nail the accelerator.

I used Mobil1 and the same K&N HP-2010 filter in my Contour and got over 100,000 miles out of the engine without any loss in Horsepower,
as tested on Crazy Horse's Dyno.
I managed to burn up 2 transmissions, but the engine purred like the day I bought it.
There were also problem with the 2.5L Duratec engine in the Contour.
On long right hand turns, the oil pickup would pickup air, and the engine would lose pressure and throw a rod.
FORD also calculated the Oil Capacity incorrectly and was about 3/4 quart short on the oil capacity of the Duratec Engine.
Rousch tested the 2.5L Duratec with 5 quarts of oil and a fresh filter.
At 5,000 rpm, they found less than 1/2 quart of oil remaining in the pan.
There should have been a minimum of 1 quart, and they prefer 1.5 quarts in the pan.
So we all started using Mobil 1 and putting in 6.5 quarts for every oil change.
The owners who followed this rule NEVER had engine problems at all.

[schuvwj]

Here is a study on oil filters that some of you may find interesting.

http://www.minimopar.net/oilfilterstudy.html#15

Fram did not do well in this study.

[junehhan]

Here is a study on oil filters that some of you may find interesting.

http://www.minimopar.net/oilfilterstudy.html#15

Fram did not do well in this study.


Yup, this is what I was looking for. Under the FRAM section, go ahead and read that email that a Fram production engineer wrote to this guy who did the study. If Fram's own employee's refuse to use their filters in their car, that really means something! That's probably why Fram is referrred as the "other" 4 lettered "F" word in many automotive enthusiast communities...........

[hitchhiker]

Since dumping the factory fill at 1,000 miles, I've used Mobil 1 5W-30 pure synthetic. On my last oil change I switched to Mobil 1 0W-20, a Fram ToughGuard TG2 oil filter, and a K&N-style, Fram "AirHog" oiled filter, part no., PPA5056. No seat-of-the-pants performance increase here--I just thought I'd treat my baby.

I switched to the Mobil 0W-20 because the label says "for newer Ford engines where 5W-20 is recomended." So, I went with it . . . Eventually, I'll change all my driveline fluids to 100% synthetic and pick up the claimed 5-10HP gain in overall driveline efficiency.

P.S. I also like Sarge's philosophy of any-damn-oil-the-dealer-has-but-change-it-REAL-often strategy!

Check out the oil filter thread here. A test and dis-assemble was done on several makes of oil filters. Motorcraft was one of the best while Fram was about the worst!

No Fram's here!

I will be using Amsoil 0W - 20 and an Amsoil spin on oil filter on my MM. I may also have an Amsoil bypass filter system installed at a later date.

Has anyone our here installed an Amsoil bypass filter system on their MM?

I would like to hear from you if you have.

Best Regards,

David

[Amsoil_Dealer]

As if you could not guess form my user name I use Amsoil in my engine, tranny and diff. I use 5w30 in the engine with excellent long drain results confirmed by used oil analysis. My car has 98,700 miles and runs strong.
I am considering changing to Amsoil 5W20 for a drain interval or two.

I became a dealer 5 years ago just so I could by the product at wholesale. Since then I got hooked on the science of lubrication. One does not have to be a dealer anymore to get wholesale pricing and if anyone is interested let me know and I'll explain how you go about it.

Some one asked if anyone is running an Amsoil Bypass filter on an MM. The answer is yes. 1 bad 03 MM is using this systems and has a nice tidy installation. Check out this thread:

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=6311&highlight=bypass+filter


Don

[Hawaii 5-0]

I was told that Ford used 5w-20 for one reason only, Fuel Economy, and your engine is better protected using 5w-30.... It would make sense since identical products made in the 2000 model year call for 5w-30 and in the 2001 model year all of a sudden they call for 5w20..... just my thoughts....:)

[MENINBLK]

I was told that Ford used 5w-20 for one reason only, Fuel Economy, and your engine is better protected using 5w-30.... It would make sense since identical products made in the 2000 model year call for 5w-30 and in the 2001 model year all of a sudden they call for 5w20..... just my thoughts....:)

Ford uses a THINNER OIL 5W-20 because with the advent of technology, the engine's internals are
manufacturered with tighter tolerances, and require a THINNER oil for lubrication.

Using a THICKER oil can actually STARVE your engine for oil.

It is the difference between drinking a Choclate Malt through a straw,
or a Thick Choclate Shake through a straw.

Which one can you drink easier ?

What makes you think that the engine in the Marauder is the identical engine from the Model Year 2000 ?

[TripleTransAm]

What makes you think that the engine in the Marauder is the identical engine from the Model Year 2000 ?

But then, that's been the question all along, hasn't it?

So what DID change between 2003 and whenever they had initially spec'ed 5W30? We've been asking for something specific (assembly clearances, tolerances, etc.) for over a year now...

[studio460]

Check out the oil filter thread here. A test and dis-assemble was done on several makes of oil filters. Motorcraft was one of the best while Fram was about the worst!
hitchhiker:

Good answer! I'm pulling the Fram next oil change! Is your Ford dealer the only place to buy Motorcraft oil filters? I don't see them in the auto parts chains? What other premium oil filters do others recommend here? Thanks.

[junehhan]

hitchhiker:

Good answer! I'm pulling the Fram next oil change! Is your Ford dealer the only place to buy Motorcraft oil filters? I don't see them in the auto parts chains? What other premium oil filters do others recommend here? Thanks.

I'm glad to hear you will be pulling out the Fram at the next oil change. Some really good filters you can consider are the Motorcraft(dealer), Purolator Pure One, Mobil 1(Autozone), K&N, Amsoil(through any dealer).

[valleyman]

The Motorcraft filters are available at the best price at (surprise) Walmarts, at least in central California.

[hitchhiker]

The Motorcraft filters are available at the best price at (surprise) Walmarts, at least in central California.

Please reply with the Motorcraft oil filter number. Also, do you know if we can use the bigger filter; I hate the itty bitty short ones!

Thanks,

David

[valleyman]

Hitchhiker - Motorcraft filter number is FL- 820S. They're less than $3.00 apiece. I have no idea if a larger filter will fit since I've never tried it but there ain't a whole lotta room in there.

[RF Overlord]

Please reply with the Motorcraft oil filter number. Also, do you know if we can use the bigger filter;

Like valleyman said, FL-820S...but according to the gurus on BITOG, there is no oversize equivalent at this time.

[67435animal]

hitchhiker:

Good answer! I'm pulling the Fram next oil change! Is your Ford dealer the only place to buy Motorcraft oil filters? I don't see them in the auto parts chains? What other premium oil filters do others recommend here? Thanks.

I see Motorcraft all the time in AutoZone.

Bob

[Amsoil_Dealer]

What makes you think that the engine in the Marauder is the identical engine from the Model Year 2000 ?

Like Triple T/A, I too am skeptical that anything has changed in engine tolerances since the year 2000. If someone has had a 2000 Cobra engine apart and a 2003 Marauder engine and has documented the differences, (or of course produced factory drwaings) then I'd believe it. Otherwise, I remain convicned the swicth to was for CAFE reasons.

Don

[TripleTransAm]

I wouldn't say I'm skeptical... call it "patiently awaiting concrete details supporting the issue". As always, I try to remain open-minded to changing my opinion on matters... knowledge is power, and all that jazz... so I really hope someone can cough up some proof on the tolerances/oil-weight issue.

Until then, I have my 'opinion' on the matter... and I'll be honest in saying that recently there are LOTS of issues regarding overheating cylinder heads and bad valve guides and oil puffs at startup and ticks at idle... whereas I honestly didn't really hear these of these things some 2-3 years ago. *shrug*

[MENINBLK]

Has anyone checked PARTS CATALOGS ??
Check the Short Block Reorder numbers.
Check the Oil Pump Assm numbers.
Check the Crankshaft reorder numbers.

If the part number spans 00 - 04, then yes, the engines are identical.
If they change, then something changed.

[junehhan]

I wouldn't say I'm skeptical... call it "patiently awaiting concrete details supporting the issue". As always, I try to remain open-minded to changing my opinion on matters... knowledge is power, and all that jazz... so I really hope someone can cough up some proof on the tolerances/oil-weight issue.

Until then, I have my 'opinion' on the matter... and I'll be honest in saying that recently there are LOTS of issues regarding overheating cylinder heads and bad valve guides and oil puffs at startup and ticks at idle... whereas I honestly didn't really hear these of these things some 2-3 years ago. *shrug*

I'm shrugging as well, but a thinner oil does help to keep the engine cooler, and would help cool hot moving parts faster.............

[Hawaii 5-0]

I was not refering to the Marauder as one was not made in 2000, however there are many ford products, F-150 Truck, Crown Vic (although it did get the PI heads), Mustang ect. That in the 2000 model year called for 5W-20 and then in the 2001 Model year called for 5W-20, logic would suggest that it was to save fuel, not that Ford now made all their engines to a higher standard and needed thinnner oil..... also look at all the engine part numbers that interchange between the engines that call for 5W20 and the ones that call for 5W30, all indications suggest that 5W20 was used for fuel economy... Also if Ford all of a sudden made engines with better standards I think there would have been some sort of mention of it.... I remember when I got my 2001 Crown Vic noboby even had 5W-20 Oil (other then the dealer) ford was very quiet about it... it just sorta changed.... I'm no expert by any means but I think the facts point to fuel economy.... :burnout:

[studio460]

I see Motorcraft all the time in AutoZone.
Great! Thanks, 67435animal!

[studio460]

. . . but a thinner oil does help to keep the engine cooler, and would help cool hot moving parts faster . . .
Wow! I JUST changed to Mobil 1 0W-20 (from Mobil 1 5W-30), and my engine knock (which I've had since my timing has been advanced during an SCT dynotune earlier this year) has significantly decreased! I thought it was due to the summer-blend gasoline? Maybe my engine is running cooler now thanks to the thinner oil . . .