'02 Explorer 4.6 - UOA now or wait?

[JMK3rd]

Hi,
My 2002 Explorer 4.6 is due soon for it's oil change. I'd like to do a UOA in the future so I can see if I can extend my OCI's. Here's where I stand:

April 1, 2005: 51,100 miles, changed oil & filter - 3 quarts Mobil1 EP 5W-30 - 3 quarts Mobil 7500 5W-20 with a MC 820-S filter

May 30, 2005: 55,850 miles, changed filter with a new MC 820-S and added 1 quart of Mobil1 EP 5W-30

July 20, 2005 - 59,100 miles, added a little over .5 quart of Mobil1 EP 5W-30 to bring it up the full mark.

I'd like to change the oil/filter at 60,000 miles. This time I'll be going with all Mobil1 EP 5W-30.

Should I get a UOA now or wait for the next time when I run the EP oil exclusively?

Thanks!,
Jim

 

[Whimsey]

I'd wait until you ran the EP exclusively if you want to see how a "realistic" repeatable oil fairs in your engine, not a homemade brew. If you wanted to get an idea of how your engine is doing to see whether you have any unusual wear or coolant and fuel in the oil then do an UOA with your "witches brew"

.

My wife just got a new 2005 Eddie Bauer Explorer with the 4.6. Previously she had a 2002 XLT with the 4.0 V-6. It's Medium Wedgewood Blue and it's "pimped out" compared to the XLT

. How has your 2002 with the 4.6 V-8 been for you? What kind of gas mileage are you getting? She averaged 16 mpg with her V-6. I average 15 with the 4.6 in my 2002 F-150, Supercab with the 8' bed and a super size 300 lb Fiberglass cap. I don't think her new Explorer with the V-8 can be any worse. On all highway driving she got about 18-19 mpg at best with the V-6. I get 16+ with NJ gas. When I used PA gas I got 21 mpg for the same highway driving

! It wasn't that oxygenated garbage we get in NJ.

Whimsey

 

[JMK3rd]

Hi,
I was considering getting the UOA this time to check for coolant/fuel, etc. Since I used oils from the same 'family' I think I'll get a pretty good picture of things. I hate to throw the $ away though. So..I may wait until next time. :-0

My 2002 is an Eddie Bauer - medium green. It's been great so far. The gas mileage has been a bummer though, 15 mpg average. Last April we went to Sanibel, Florida and averaged 19 mpg round trip. This included several 90+ mph stretches. So...not so bad on the highway - terrible around town

 

[Whimsey]

Actually 15 around town is not bad for the V-8 unless you factor in $2.30/gal regular

. Glad to see your highway mileage was decent at least. Unless we get a 4-6 cyl engine in a lighter vehicle the gas mileage is what it is. I have a friend with a 2003 Pathfinder with the 3.5L V-6 and he only gets around 15 mpg for "normal" usuage. I have a 1996 Contour with the 2.0L 4 and 5 speed manual. It gets high 20's for local driving and in the low to mid 30's for highway driving. Somehow I think it will get driven more with the gas prices being what they are

. Maybe one of these days I'll see you around town.

Whimsey

 

[Triple_Se7en]

I would change it now. I would also substitute one quart of 5W-30 for a quart of 15W-50 (or) use 5.5 quarts 5W-30 with a full bottle of Valvoline Synpower Oil Treatment (gray bottle 16oz).

I'll bet the 15W-50 slightly reduces consumption & the Oil Treatment saves you at least a half-quart.

Lots of moly & boron to reduce friction in that oil treatment. Many engines starting off on Mobil-1 use oil initially (2 OCIs). Many engines use oil with Mobil-1 period. Mine doesn't use a drop of oil after 6K so far.

I think it's a combination of the 15W-50 and Valvoline Synpower Oil Treatment causing my ride to not use a single ounce of oil & remain super quiet & clean. BTW.... I also have a six quart capacity in my Colorado P/U.