5w20 Oil consumption

[erogers]

I've been seeing the topic of 5W-20 producing more oil consumption in older engines more and more in recent posts. After a lot of research and reading the comments left from various posts I made here on BITOG, I decided to use Motorcraft 5W-20 in my 1994 Thunderbird (4.6L V8) for my Auto-RX rinse phase. I have 103,500 miles on this car. My engine has never consumed any noticeable quantity of oil during its OCIs. I intend to use this particular OCI as an experiment, to test whether the 5W-20 oil consumption issue is valid (at least with my old engine). I'm not doubting it happens to others, but I'm a bit concerned with my car.

Anyone out there with a 4.6 that has experienced 5W-20 consumption issues? I've only used 5w30 prior to this recent switch.

 

[lostwrench]

I have used only 5w30 in my 4.6 since new. It now has 116,000 miles without any problems. I'm not switching to 5w-20.

 

[Curious Kid]

I wonder if the consumption has more to do with piston ring tension, assuming they, the bore and piston are in good running order. Less control = more left behind to join in the combustion event.

???

 

[wiswind]

FORD TSB # 02-1-9 Includes your 1994 4.6L 2V Thunderbird in the list of vehicles that they now recommend 5W-20 oil for.

Not that continuing to use 5w30 is going to cause any harm, but you should feel safe using the 5W-20 that you are asking about as it has the Ford Motor Company "seal of approval".

The only question that I have....is Motorcraft 5W-20 a conventional oil, as called for in the AutoRX instructions for the rinse phase?.....or is it a "synthetic blend"?.
Give the label a good read.

You might read up on other people's experiences during the AutoRX rinse phase, to see if they notice any temporary consumption increase that is a factor of the ARX process, and not a permenant factor caused by the oil.

I switched from 5w30 to 5W-20 in my '96 3.8L Windstar last year.....it is now at 190K miles, and I did not notice anything negative from the switch.

 

[Forest]

I decided to use Motorcraft 5W-20 in my 1994 Thunderbird (4.6L V8) for my Auto-RX rinse phase. I have 103,500 miles on this car. My engine has never consumed any noticeable quantity of oil during its OCIs.

Why switch now at 103K?

I've only used 5w30 prior to this recent switch.

Stay with it.

 

[Gary Allan]

No problem with the 5w-20 with AutoRX its a blend.

There is no reason to think that this is "bad" for your engine. I'll offer that it's a transitional deal with the Auto-Rx doing its thing.

Does anyone really think that, under any kind of normal conditions (as in anything short of EXTREME/INTENSE/UNREAL), that you could possibly damage an engine to the point where it would not consume oil with a 30 weight ..yet consume it with a 20 weight in the span of ONE OCI?

Anticipating a "NO" for the answer ..then there's nothing to worry about. If it doesn't go away or get reduced in the next OCI using the 5w-20 ..then go back to your 5w30.

Change your PCV valve.

 

[erogers]

I only have about 65 miles on the 5W-20, so it's too early to tell about any consumption. Actually, I doubt it will burn any. This engine has always been great. I usually drive short trips, so I'm thinking this oil will probably be perfect...especially for the freezing weather ahead. I have to say, I've been a 20-weight doubter for a long time, but due to the way I drive, my oil was probably a true 30-weight only about 10% of the time anyway.