5.4 triton oil

[DuckHunter]

Hi guys, first post here.

I am currently driving a 2001 ford f-150 with around 180,000 miles, as it was used for a commuter truck for around 8 years. I am currently running Pennzoil conventional 10w30 in it, but between my 3000 mile oil changes I need to add just under a quart of oil. While I realize this Isn't a major issue, I was told by several people that running 15w40 diesel oil may solve the problem, some having done so themselves. Will this thicker oil hurt my engine? I wasn't planning on running that oil during the winters due to the very cold conditions I sometimes need to run the truck in (about -10 below) , but would it be that bad of an idea to try during the summer? Just looking for some input. Thanks, NHD

 

[Jim Allen]

Since your engine is a non-VCT (VARIABLE CAM TIMING) you could get away with it, but it wouldn't be ideal in a cool New England climate. It would be a better idea if you lived in the hot Southwest.The Tritons make really high oil pressure and even if yours is diminished by age and wear, cold flow would tend to spike the pressure, open the oil pump relief and maybe even put the oil filter into bypass. Not optimal. Odds are oil consumption would be minimally reduced anyway.

If it were my truck, I wouldn't. I would suggest you find a high mileage oil in 10W30 and try that, or an HDEO (dual diesel and gas rated) oil like Shell Rotella-T 10W30. Both of these suggestions would deliver more of what a tired engine needs without going overboard with 15W40. The Rotella is quite a bit thicker (still in the 30 grade) than most gas 10W30s oils.

Whatever you do, especially if you decide to risk going with 15W40, keep us posted as to what happens.

 

[ChiTDI]

The HDEO may accomplish exactly what you want, but more. It may create a new headache that you'll have to contend with. The diesel oil quite often contains much more additive content that gets "burned" and deposited on your O2 sensors and cat converter.
A thought you have to decide upon.

 

[danster]

just to confirm, does your oil cap say "use 5W20 oil?"

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Pennzoil High Mileage is a thick 30wt and rotella T5 10w30 is a great suggestion. Baby steps, no need to go overboard to a hdeo 40wt just yet. The newer CJ-4/SM HDEO in the lighter grades have additisation in line with catalyst preservation on a light truck passenger car application.

 

[DuckHunter]

yeah, It does say use 5w20 which is what we used for the first 120,000 miles or so, but since then we've been using assorted 10w30's and a quality filter such as a napa gold or purolator

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Originally Posted By: danster
just to confirm, does your oil cap say "use 5W20 oil?"
The oil cap doenst "say" anything - but I think ther emay be something printed on it

At 180K miles in a truck engine, should the OP disregard his high oil usage?

 

[tmorris1]

That isn't high oil usage, it would be normal. I would keep using 5W30.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

I dont know what the large modular has for a PCV system, but make sure any associated hoses, baffles, filters and the valve itself is clear and functioning.

 

[Nick R]

It is possible (It's happened before) that switching back to 5W-20, 5w30 will reduce oil consumption. As backwards as it seems, that is sometimes the effect.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Originally Posted By: tmorris1
That isn't high oil usage, it would be normal. I would keep using 5W30.
He hasnt used 5w30.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Make sure you give it an italian tuneup periodically - gotta get oil into the rings and get out that varnish.

 

[tmorris1]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Originally Posted By: tmorris1
That isn't high oil usage, it would be normal. I would keep using 5W30.
He hasnt used 5w30.

So what? That is what I would use. That or 5W20. That is what these engines were designed for. If he is already using a 10W30 a 5W30 will work as good or better.

 

[TireDude]

The 99 F-150 calls for 5w30. Not sure about the 2000 F-150.

To the OP: I run a shop, and had an old man come in with a 302 in an 82 F-150 the other day. He runs 15w40 Rotella in it. Not what I would do, but what he wants. The truck got 165k original miles out of it before he rebuilt it two years ago and it now has 30k on it. I don't know why he rebuilt it or what the issues where leading up to the rebuild.

However, if this was me, I would be running a 5W-20 in it. If you really want to get close to that 15w40, go with a 10W-40. But I wouldn't put and HD oil in it.

 

[DuckHunter]

Eaton, They re-vamped the 5.4 in '99, I imagine that was when they made the change to the 5w-20 from the 5w30.

I think, after reading all the above comments, that my next oil change will be with the Rotella 10w30, as I dont see any sense in taking any risks with the 15-40 over such a minor issue. BTW, do you guys have any recommendations for filters? Or are the basic Purolators and Napa Golds fine for my purposes? Thanks for all the input!

 

[TireDude]

If they revamped, it, I didn't get the memo. My owners manual, Shell Lube Match, FoMoCo, etc. tells me that the truck calls for 5w30. So I'm guessing they revamped it in 2001 that they started the 5W-20 craze due to CAFE. A 2000 on Shell lube match, Chiltons, and the original first printing of the owners manual all call for 5w30, whereas the fifth printing of the owners manual for the 2000 right before they get into the 2001's calls for 5W-20.

Regardless, put whatever you want in there. If it was me, and it's only a quart, I would keep going on the 5W-20.

 

[DuckHunter]

Actually, Im not sure if it was a total "revamp" per se, but in 99 the power rating for the 5.4 went from 235 to 260 bhp

 

[tmorris1]

I believe Ford issued a TSB that made 5W20 the recommended weight for all 4.6 and 5.4 Tritons all the way back to 1997.

 

[Jim Allen]

The 5W20 is most necessary with the VCT engines. It's pretty optional in the non-VCT. It's true, though, that a robust 5W20 actually reduces oil consumption sometimes. I imagine it's about as prevalent as a heavier oil reducing it. A High Mileage oil or the Rotella would be a good first step. The 10W30 Rotella is a little harder to find. The big "Super" WalMarts sometimes carry it. Sometimes Tractor Supply and Rural King. If they have Menards home improvement stores in New England, they always seem to have it around here and elsewhere by many reports. There is a Chevron DELO 10W30 also, sometimes seen, and an even rarer Motorcraft diesel 10W30. Any of them would be fine.

Good luck DuckHunter and welcome to the gang.

 

[Odysseus2010]

My 2004 Triton 5.4 calls for 5W-20. I had two other Ford motors that required 5W-20 and neither ran well on it. I run the '04 on Pennzoil Conventional 5w30. Have considered 10w30 since I live in the South.