I change the oil according to the factory recommended intervals. I use Motorcraft 5W-20. As such, I have no need for synthetic. The purpose of synthetic oil is to allow extended oil change intervals for those that travel very high miles in a year.

 

Okay so here's my situation.......

Bought my current 5.4 in an '00 E250 with 203K miles, all original and since its first oil change I've used mostly NAPA or Valvoline high mileage 10w-40 every 3K miles along with Lucas conditioner. At first there was a slight but noticable slap when first starting which I was told might be one of the lower rod bearings. With 250K miles now that slap isn't noticable but I'm sure it's not cured either.

Am I doing any long term damage or other disservice to my engine? I'll either trade/sell this van once I've located another suitable one but may also consider a new Ford engine in the meantime.

Any advice or first-hand experience with the higher viscosity oils would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks

 

Motorcraft 5W20 semi synthetic from Walmart with a MC filter.

 

I went with valvoline durablend 5w-20 with a motorcraft filter

 

Why would anybody run a higher viscosity oil than recommended by the factory and then raise the viscosity some more by adding Lucas?

 

And here I thought asking a question would get an answer not some smart a**ed "question in return! Guess I was mistaken huh?

Higher viscosity because I'm somewhat new to the Ford Modular Motors, Lucas Oil Stabilizer because I was advised to do so by a trusted mechanic who happens to be an avid Ford fanatic------does that now get me a knowledgeable answer or just more smart BS in reply?

 

And how often do you change the atf and differentials fluids

 

Well JWA, I ask because right on the filler cap of every Ford since at least 1989 you will see what oil viscosity is recommended for the particular engine. Every owners manual will tell a person what is recommended and there is probably a sticker somewhere in the engine compartment telling the same thing.

Yet, people seem to know better. People who have no engineering background, have no knowledge of oil formulations and what is required by a particular engine will take and mix up their own viscosity by adding Lucas, ending up with an oil formulation they know nothing about, yet convinced they are doing something better that what the manufacturer recommended.

I ask why. It is a valid question.

I work in the Trucking industry, where Lucas does a whole lot of marketing, convincing truck owners that their product will "Keep that Engine Alive" like somehow there is something missing from all oils that only Lucas can give the consumer. I usually have traded my trucks in around the 600,000 mile mark but have many friends that have gone past the 1,000,000 mile mark with nothing but regular oil changes, not even sticking to a particular brand from one oil change to the next, yet is you listen to Lucas tell it, you can't do that without their product. Talk about B.S.

I did not mean to be a smart ***, sorry you took it that way.

 

I use full synthetic 5w20.O Reilly's and NAPA have sales where their house brand synthetics are comparable to dino oils in price. I use NAPA or Wix filters.In the winter I take it to a place where they use Pennzoil Platinum.At 162,000 miles my engine is quiet and it runs like a million dollars.

 

I change my ATF once a year.I like to alternate between a fluid flush and a pan drop/filter change. My differential fluid gets changed every 2 years. Every 2 1/2 years I change coolant.

 

What ever the guys in the service bay put in! Could be yesterdays coffee, either way its still running.

 

I use castrol 20 50 high milage oil with lucas add mix.. Best stuff ever befor then my engine was burning alot of oil and making nosie.. castrol is the only way to go !!! 220,000 miles and getting betta

 

Yer money, yer truck, yer choice.

 

Plus that engine was already toast so why not run 20/50 sludge through it. Never good when you have to start increasing the oil viscosity to "fix" your engine.

Just hope no one with a healthy engine reads that and thinks they need to run 20/50.

 

JWA,

You should go to the bob is the oil guy website (- Bob is the Oil Guy) and read the Motor Oil University sections - they give a really good explanation of viscosity and what our engines need.

Having said that, after reading the Motor Oil University, I would probably recommend a 0w20 or 5w20 for maximum startup protection (which is where most of the wear occurs).

Matt