5.4L AMSOIL 5-20XL

[CarbonSteel]

Originally Posted By: Smokefan1977
I also fail to mention that this includes towing my 8,000LB truck and trailer loaded to Bowling Green KY and back.


Two of my UOAs had towing trips--one from Houston to Chicago and one from Houston to Colorado Springs; both heavily loaded. I saw no major changes in the wear metals during these OCs.

Originally Posted By: Smokefan1977
While your UOA look nice this more proves 5-30 doesn't hurt which has been the arguement.


The "argument" that I have seen is that 5w-30 is somehow better than 5w-20 and I do not believe that to be the case (or at least I have not seen enough information to convince me otherwise). 5w-20 has held up just as well as 5w-30 in every posting that I have seen on the board, but it somehow gets slighted because of the supposition that CAFE caused its use and therefore 5w-30 must be better.

Originally Posted By: Smokefan1977
Keep in mind please 5-20 was not the intended spec for this engine.

The initial 3V engines originally came with 5w-30 from the factory? What year was that?

Thanks for the information and your candor; more information is always better!

 

[CarbonSteel]

Originally Posted By: 2010_FX4
Originally Posted By: Smokefan1977
Keep in mind please 5-20 was not the intended spec for this engine.

The initial 3V engines originally came with 5w-30 from the factory? What year was that?

To satisfy my curiosity and because I hate a mystery, I did some research on the question of what oil was originally specified for these engines and found some good information. Only the original 2V [non-variable camshaft timing (VCT)] engines had 5W-30 specified for them and of these only from 1997-1999 [For01, For02, & For03]. Starting in 2000, the 2V versions were specified to use 5W-20 as the oil of choice [For04]. This **may** be where confusion sets in regarding 5W-20 not being the original specified oil for the engine.

However, ALL 3V (VCT) versions of the 4.6L/5.4L engines had 5W-20 specified oil from the onset. Here is the data to substantiate this information, thus hopefully clearing any potential confusion about 5W-30 versus 5W-20 in these engines.


4.6L 3V:

"The 3-valve SOHC 4.6 L with variable camshaft timing (VCT) first appeared in the redesigned 2005 Ford Mustang." [Wik01].

From the 2005 Mustang OM (page 201) -- "4.6L 3V V8 Engine. Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil." [For05].

5.4L 3V:

"In 2002, Ford introduced a new 3-valve SOHC cylinder head with variable camshaft timing (VCT), improving power and torque over the previous 2-valve SOHC version. The 3-valve 5.4 L was introduced to the North American market in the redesigned 2004 Ford F-150". [Wik01].

From the 2004 F-150 OM (page 236) -- "4.6L/5.4L V8 Engine. Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil." [For06].



References:


[For01]. Ford Motor Company. (1997). 1997 F-150 Owner's Manual. (pp. 160). Retrieved November 21, 2011 from http://www.motorcraftservice.com/pubs/content/~WOVF12/~MUS~LEN/36/97f12og1e.pdf

[For02]. Ford Motor Company. (1998). 1998 F-150 Owner's Manual. (pp.160). Retrieved November 21, 2011 from http://www.motorcraftservice.com/pubs/content/~WOWF12/~MUS~LEN/36/98f12og1e.pdf

[For03]. Ford Motor Company. (1999). 1999 F-150 Owner's Manual. (pp.174). Retrieved November 21, 2011 from http://www.motorcraftservice.com/pubs/content/~WOXF12/~MUS~LEN/36/99f12og1e.pdf

[For04]. Ford Motor Company. (2000). 2000 F-150 Owner's Manual. (pp. 203). Retrieved November 21, 2011 from http://www.motorcraftservice.com/pubs/content/~WOYF12/~MUS~LEN/36/00f12og5e.pdf

[For05]. Ford Motor Company. (2005). 2005 Mustang Owner's Manual. (pp. 201). Retrieved November 21, 2011 from http://www.motorcraftservice.com/pubs/content/~WO5MUS/~MUS~LEN/42/05musog3e.pdf

[For06]. Ford Motor Company. (2004). 2004 F-150 Owner's Manual. (pp. 236). Retrieved November 21, 2011 from http://www.motorcraftservice.com/pubs/content/~WO4F12/~MUS~LEN/36/04f12og5e.pdf

[Wik01]. Wikipedia. (2001). Ford Modular Engine. Retrieved November 21, 2011 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Modular_engine#3-valve_2

 

[YANCEY]

Thanks for the info, I did go with 5w-20 amsoil SS and i have 1k on it and the engine is a lot quiter then the motocraft 5w-20 full syn. The knocking noise that was very noticeable is now quite I like it so far..

 

[cb_13]

The 3 valve 5.4 was first used in the australian ford falcon. Where it may have specd 5w30 I don't know but even if it did I would think that the engine would have been designed for the north american market and the f150 using 5w20. Seeing as how f150 is the top selling vehicle in the world and the engine is made in canada. But if someone knows facts otherwise I am all ears

 

[Smokefan1977]

Correct this engine was 1st used NOT in the US and spec'ed for 5-30. This engine was built originally to run on 5-30 motor oil. You can post all of the owners manual [censored] you want the engine was manufactured before an owners manual was written for the US.

Much to people dismay MOST ford engines we see are not originally used in the US and have been used for a few years elsewhere before we ever see them.

CAFE= US and thus the changes for this engine to be used in the use included 7 qt pan and changes in engine cooling and oil cooling.

believe it or not it's the truth take it for what you want. I personally don't feel 5-20 will ever harm this engine but will always feel there is no harm in a little more barrier between bearings. I have run MANY test on this engine to what people believe effect VCT and have yet to see much change. Ff anything to the better with slighly heavier weight oil.

Ultra 5-30 will remain in mine. It has has HDD, Pennz Plat 5-30 and now ultra 5-30 since day 1 and recently turned 90,000 and has never had ANY type of reason to be worked on. Im so busy I haven't even changed the plugs on it yet

. really impressive is the coolant filter I manufactured for it though

The oil cap on my 99 say 5-30 on it

. Spec'ed and back Spec'ed are 2 different things.

How about that ecoboost......5-30. Secretly Ford is a huge fan of 5-30...Much like GM. I know it's really hard to believe.

 

[Unleashedbeast]

Smoke is correct. Australian Ford modular engines have been spec'd for 5W-30 still to this day. Although, I have heard some forum banter from the Aussie's that this is coming to a change. They are having a hard time finding 5W-20 lubricants in their country.

The smart Aussie's don't want it, and will continue to use 30 grade lubricants.

 

[MNgopher]

The funny thing in all of this is nobody has posted any facts whatsoever that back up 5w30 or 5w20 being beneficial or detrimental. Lots of it makes me feel better or similar, or the engine originally used, or its specified for this elsewhere... Like everything else, the lubrication industry doesn't sit still, and comparing that the 5.4l engines started on 5w30 in 1996 (97 model year F150s) is working off a comparison of the oils availible 15 years ago (and older when in development), which frankly is ages ago. I could care less what the engine uses in Australia, as the engine is specified to use readily availible lubricants in that market, no more, no less. Does the 5w30 work? Sure. Does that mean its better? Nobody here has any evidence either way.

Reality is that unless you are completely flogging your ride, you will see little to no difference using either 5w20 or 5w30.

 

[semaj281]

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/advice-for-2009-ford-mustang-gt-uoa-inside.163252/

Here's a somewhat relevant thread you guys might be interested in.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Originally Posted By: Smokefan1977
You can post all of the owners manual [censored] you want the engine was manufactured before an owners manual was written for the US.

I have only posted facts with supporting references--none of which is "bee ess" as you have stated.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Bayman
Originally Posted By: Artem
Originally Posted By: austinlunsford
i run 5w30 in our f150 during summer, 5w20 in winter. works great



I agree with this guy, except i'd do 0w20 in the winter

The OP lives in North Carolina, I am sure that 5W-20 will be fine in the wintertime.

If the OP lived in North Dakota, then I would agree with using 0W-20 during the winter time.


If you're paying the price for synthetic oil why not use 0W-xx all the time?