'06 Explorer 4.6L V8, 4.5k OCI, Motorcraft SynBlen

[kam327]

Happy with how the MC Syn Blend worked in our grocery getter. This truck used to be my daily commuter (5k OCIs on GTX), but for the past 18 months has been my wife's around towner. Used mostly to ferry the kids about 1 mile to/from school and events a few miles away. I towed a utility trailer about 200 miles on this oil and we also took around 4-5 100+ mile trips.

Filter was a PureOne.

I'll definitely run MCSB a good 5,000 miles in the future and will probably run the current PP to 6,000 or more.

Code:


COMMENTS: As far as we can see, your Explorer's engine handled all those short

trips just fine with this syntheticoil. Of course, we don't have any history

for this engine, so it's possible the conventional you used in thepast would

have done just as well -- some engines just produce really low wear, regardless

of the type of oilthey use -- but whatever the case, this engine looks good to

us. Universal averages are based on ~5,000miles for this engine. Your metals

are low, no fuel or dirt was found, and the TBN is good at 2.1, so you've got

no obvious issues at 63,300 miles. Nice!



MAKE/MODEL: Ford 4.6L V-8 24V

OIL TYPE & GRADE: Motorcraft Synthetic 5w20

MI/HR on Oil 4,500

MI/HR on Unit 63,300

Sample Date 05/18/13

Make Up Oil Added 0 qts



UNIVERSAL

AVERAGES

ALUMINUM 3 3

CHROMIUM 2 1

IRON 12 20

COPPER 5 25

LEAD 0 1

TIN 0 1

MOLYBDENUM 68 83

NICKEL 1 1

MANGANESE 0 7

SILVER 0 0

TITANIUM 1 0

POTASSIUM 3 2

BORON 82 62

SILICON 10 13

SODIUM 21 41

CALCIUM 2144 2232

MAGNESIUM 11 167

PHOSPHORUS 760 693

ZINC 774 823

BARIUM 0 0



Values

Should Be

PROPERTIES

SUS Viscosity @ 210°F 51.6 46-57

cSt Viscosity @ 100°C 7.75 6.0-9.7

Flashpoint in °F 445 >355

Fuel %
Antifreeze % 0.0 0.0

Water % 0.0 0.0

Insolubles % 0.2
TBN 2.1 >1.0

 

[Hallmark]

Looks good...it encourages me to continue using MC blend (2010 Fusion) and its clone with titanium Kendall GT-1 blend (2012 Veloster) at 5K OCIs. The top end interiors of both engines are sparkling clean at 13-25K miles. Ditto the 5.4 F-150 at 56K.

 

[BISCUT]

I'm running MC5-20 to 5k on my 04 Lariat 150 and feel great about it. Will post my next UOA. Ive had 2 Explorers and a Mountaineer. 97 6cy SOHC went over 210k with everything original before it was crashed (sold to second party, all miles were mine til then). 02 Explorer had a trans go around 150k. Sold to fellow cop I work with for his daughter. New trans and now is 180's and they love it no issues. Wife has 06 Mountaineer that saw nada but oil changes til a deer hit totaled it at about 90k.

Explorers I've had were not tough on oil so be comfortable with MC as its [censored] good to boot.

 

[kam327]

I seriously hope this one lasts as long as yours. It's already had a head gasket job and some other work that I believe was caused by that job. But now it's running great (knock on wood). Wouldn't mind keeping it for a few more years.

 

[The_Captain]

Nice report. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Art_Vandelay]

Originally Posted By: kam327
I seriously hope this one lasts as long as yours. It's already had a head gasket job and some other work that I believe was caused by that job. But now it's running great (knock on wood). Wouldn't mind keeping it for a few more years.


Was it under warranty when you had the head gasket done? I'm surprised that happened to the 4.6. They just seem to effortlessly accumulate hundreds of thousands of miles.

Never heard a bad word about Motorcraft oil that's for sure. Everyone seems to rave how good it is.
The only thing I'll say is the Motorcraft 820S filter is the best match for that engine. Anywhere Ford specs an "S" filter it's so done for a reason. The combination of bypass location and silicon anti-drainback valve really matter.
If you search around the net there are a lot of posts where people have start up noise with any filter other than the 820S. I have a 4.6 myself and it happened to me using a Mobil 1 filter. As soon as I swapped it out for an 820S it was gone. It's more of an issue in the cold based on my experience. So perhaps the warm climate in Florida makes it less of a concern for you. Still something to keep in mind.
The warm climate of Florida. I

 

[Clevy]

Your uoa looks well within acceptable wear and the motorcraft oil certainly is no slouch.
I see no reason to change anything at this point. Carry on doing what your doing and this will be another 4.6 that goes into the mileage these engines are known to be able to achieve.

 

[kam327]

Originally Posted By: Art_Vandelay
Originally Posted By: kam327
I seriously hope this one lasts as long as yours. It's already had a head gasket job and some other work that I believe was caused by that job. But now it's running great (knock on wood). Wouldn't mind keeping it for a few more years.


Was it under warranty when you had the head gasket done? I'm surprised that happened to the 4.6. They just seem to effortlessly accumulate hundreds of thousands of miles.

Never heard a bad word about Motorcraft oil that's for sure. Everyone seems to rave how good it is.
The only thing I'll say is the Motorcraft 820S filter is the best match for that engine. Anywhere Ford specs an "S" filter it's so done for a reason. The combination of bypass location and silicon anti-drainback valve really matter.
If you search around the net there are a lot of posts where people have start up noise with any filter other than the 820S. I have a 4.6 myself and it happened to me using a Mobil 1 filter. As soon as I swapped it out for an 820S it was gone. It's more of an issue in the cold based on my experience. So perhaps the warm climate in Florida makes it less of a concern for you. Still something to keep in mind.
The warm climate of Florida. I


It didn’t fully blow, it was just a “seep.” But it was under extended warranty, thank goodness. The night I took it home the instrument cluster went, which was clearly a result of their work. Then a few months later the torque converter started to go. Hard to see how that was caused by the engine work but it’s too much of a coincidence for me. Luckily it was covered no questions asked.

I’ve run Motorcraft, PureOne and now K&N filters. I don’t notice any difference between the 3.

I know the 4.6’s and 5.4’s have a long history of longevity. But these early 4.6L 3-valves seem to have more trouble with most. I’m expecting an exhaust manifold leak in the future based on reports from other ’06 / ’07 owners.

 

[badtlc]

Originally Posted By: Hallmark
Looks good...it encourages me to continue using MC blend (2010 Fusion) and its clone with titanium Kendall GT-1 blend (2012 Veloster) at 5K OCIs. The top end interiors of both engines are sparkling clean at 13-25K miles. Ditto the 5.4 F-150 at 56K.


Kendall and MC are two completely different formulations.

 

[Art_Vandelay]

Originally Posted By: kam327
Originally Posted By: Art_Vandelay
Originally Posted By: kam327
I seriously hope this one lasts as long as yours. It's already had a head gasket job and some other work that I believe was caused by that job. But now it's running great (knock on wood). Wouldn't mind keeping it for a few more years.


Was it under warranty when you had the head gasket done? I'm surprised that happened to the 4.6. They just seem to effortlessly accumulate hundreds of thousands of miles.

Never heard a bad word about Motorcraft oil that's for sure. Everyone seems to rave how good it is.
The only thing I'll say is the Motorcraft 820S filter is the best match for that engine. Anywhere Ford specs an "S" filter it's so done for a reason. The combination of bypass location and silicon anti-drainback valve really matter.
If you search around the net there are a lot of posts where people have start up noise with any filter other than the 820S. I have a 4.6 myself and it happened to me using a Mobil 1 filter. As soon as I swapped it out for an 820S it was gone. It's more of an issue in the cold based on my experience. So perhaps the warm climate in Florida makes it less of a concern for you. Still something to keep in mind.
The warm climate of Florida. I


It didn’t fully blow, it was just a “seep.” But it was under extended warranty, thank goodness. The night I took it home the instrument cluster went, which was clearly a result of their work. Then a few months later the torque converter started to go. Hard to see how that was caused by the engine work but it’s too much of a coincidence for me. Luckily it was covered no questions asked.

I’ve run Motorcraft, PureOne and now K&N filters. I don’t notice any difference between the 3.

I know the 4.6’s and 5.4’s have a long history of longevity. But these early 4.6L 3-valves seem to have more trouble with most. I’m expecting an exhaust manifold leak in the future based on reports from other ’06 / ’07 owners.


Yeah, it's never a good feeling when things go wrong like that. Even if it's under warranty it still colors your overall impression of the vehicle. Hopefully all that's behind you and the future is filled with trouble free miles.

Best of luck with it.

 

[dave1251]

Originally Posted By: badtlc
Originally Posted By: Hallmark
Looks good...it encourages me to continue using MC blend (2010 Fusion) and its clone with titanium Kendall GT-1 blend (2012 Veloster) at 5K OCIs. The top end interiors of both engines are sparkling clean at 13-25K miles. Ditto the 5.4 F-150 at 56K.


Kendall and MC are two completely different formulations.


How is it completely different the only differance I see Kendall has about 100 ppm of titanium. Other additives viscosity and TBN are nearly identical.

 

[badtlc]

Originally Posted By: dave1251

How is it completely different the only differance I see Kendall has about 100 ppm of titanium. Other additives viscosity and TBN are nearly identical.


yes, you are right. They just added some titanium to Ford's "proprietary" formulation and called it good..../sarcasm off.

They aren't the same. The VOA doesn't tell you everything.

 

[DragRace]

Originally Posted By: badtlc

They aren't the same. The VOA doesn't tell you everything.


Finally someone says it! Pay attention people because it's a FACT - VOA's do not show what an oil is completely made of - period!

 

[kam327]

Originally Posted By: badtlc

yes, you are right. They just added some titanium to Ford's "proprietary" formulation and called it good..../sarcasm off.

They aren't the same. The VOA doesn't tell you everything.


Wow, you can turn the sarcasm off? Must be a first. Ever the source of friendly, polite banter aren't you?

Care to share your infinite wisdom and how you know they are two "completely different formulations"?

 

[dave1251]

I am waiting for sure.