5w30 Castrol Edge, 7k OCI, 2016 Ford Edge 2.0EB, 178K

[meborder]

This is my first oil analysis on this vehicle. We've owned this one since 2018 and 95k miles. It was a high-mileage, well-maintained fleet vehicle before we got it. Never really had a reason to pull a sample on this one until now.

For the last few OCI's I've just used the Castrol EDGE Extended Performance and changed it when the OLM got close to zero. This time it was down to about 12% but the oil level was significantly above the full mark. Best guess is that it was showing at least 2-3 quarts over full.

I hadn't been monitoring it as closely as I do some others because there was never really any reason to. The oil level on this vehicle was always pretty consistent, but would gain oil slightly over a 10k OCI. It's a direct injection (only) engine, so some dilution is to be expected. This time it was way over the normal amount, and I changed it as soon as I could when I saw the oil level had risen like it did. I'll have to be better about monitoring this one going forward.

My takeaway from this report, though, is that some fuel dilution (even relatively extreme) is not a big deal. Wear metals are low indicating that the Edge Gold EP is very capable of handling some dilution. The viscosity is low, as you'd expect with dilution. It is well down into the 20-weight range, but it looks like the engine doesn't care much. It could probably be quite happy on a diet of 5w20 if not for the fuel dilution.

Future maintenance plan for this one is just to monitor the oil level and change the oil when it starts showing at the top of the full mark. Forget about the miles. When the oil level gets too high, I'll change it out and keep motoring on. I may use the cheaper Castrol Edge in the black bottle instead of the Gold EP if the intervals start getting down around the 5,000 mile mark. I see no need to use and EP oil for such a short OCI. But with that said, the EP did well with pretty severe dilution, so maybe the EP is still the way to go.

I could be convinced either way.

 

[JavierH19]

You could use castrol edge 5w-30 K but yeah the engine seems fine with it. Has to be ordered as it's not in store. Only the a3/b4 api SL version is in store.

The 5w-30 K Is an api SP oil so it's safe for lspi engines but it's thicker like a euro oil.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Castrol-...d-Full-Synthetic-Motor-Oil-5-Quarts/291218344

 

[twX]

I really doubt that fuel dilution could be responsible for the oil level being high by 2-3 quarts. Are you sure it was filled and measured properly?

Assuming that the oil sheared down to around 9.5 cST, a measurement of 7.4 cST would indicate around 9% dilution. That could be expected to raise the oil level by around half a quart.

I'd suspect your engine might have an issue. How much short tripping do you do? I'd start by using some PEA fuel injector cleaner and making sure the thermostat isn't stuck open.

 

[JavierH19]

I really doubt that fuel dilution could be responsible for the oil level being high by 2-3 quarts. Are you sure it was filled and measured properly?

Assuming that the oil sheared down to around 9.5 cST, a measurement of 7.4 cST would indicate around 9% dilution. That could be expected to raise the oil level by around half a quart.

I'd suspect your engine might have an issue. How much short tripping do you do? I'd start by using some PEA fuel injector cleaner and making sure the thermostat isn't stuck open.

He said significantly but that's subjective. Adding an extra quart to my old trucks brings the level up by half an inch or just over from the full mark and those are larger v8's. I wonder if it was just 1/2-1 quart from the dilution. If it was 2-3 quarts over the level would it would probably be 2 inches above the top mark and likely would hit the crank. If there was that much fuel in that sump it'd barely be 3cst kv100 and the engine would sound like death and probably have the low oil pressure light at idle.

 

[MurkyAsparagus]

So, this is the Castrol EDGE Extended Performance and not the black bottle? Just trying to figure it out from the title vs the context in post. I'm presuming Castrol EDGE Extended Performance.

I'm switching one of my vehicles over to Castrol EDGE Extended Performance or Mobil 1 Truck and SUV for the remainder of its life, dependent upon availability. I like how the Castrol EDGE Extended Performance 0w20 had the MB229.71 approval and Dexos1 Gen3.

On another note, that's a lot of fuel dilution and thinning. I would look at the fuel system closely for issues. Even for these EcoBoost engines that are prone to fuel dilution, this is pretty severe.

 

[fantastic]

Definitely low viscosity. Could ask them to rerun the viscosity to confirm. Two options are staying at a lower mileage interval or going up a grade. Going up a grade & changing at say 7,500 would be the cheaper option. I'd still consider testing to monitor. What are your thoughts? Try @twX suggestion of adding some fuel injector cleaner for a while just to help any bad spray pattern. Do you use Top Tier fuel stations?

 

[meborder]

I really doubt that fuel dilution could be responsible for the oil level being high by 2-3 quarts. Are you sure it was filled and measured properly?

Assuming that the oil sheared down to around 9.5 cST, a measurement of 7.4 cST would indicate around 9% dilution. That could be expected to raise the oil level by around half a quart.

I'd suspect your engine might have an issue. How much short tripping do you do? I'd start by using some PEA fuel injector cleaner and making sure the thermostat isn't stuck open.

See comments below regarding normal use:

The thermostat is working properly as best as I can tell. No indications of it giving a problem, anyway.

I am sure that I did not severely overfill it and that the oil level was higher than the initial. I have occasionally gotten them too full, but if I had it as overfilled as it was when I changed it at the start, I would have pulled the plug and let some out. I've never overfilled one that badly and left it. I always start them about a quart short and then add to the safe marks once I get them off the ramps.

He said significantly but that's subjective. Adding an extra quart to my old trucks brings the level up by half an inch or just over from the full mark and those are larger v8's. I wonder if it was just 1/2-1 quart from the dilution. If it was 2-3 quarts over the level would it would probably be 2 inches above the top mark and likely would hit the crank. If there was that much fuel in that sump it'd barely be 3cst kv100 and the engine would sound like death and probably have the low oil pressure light at idle.

Agreed, very subjective. the oil level was nearly an inch over the top "full" mark. I can tell you that after the last oil change it would have been no higher than the top of the "hashmark/safe" mark. I usually fill them a quart shy and then add until it is in the "safe" range and call it good.

how much over was it? I didn't measure it, but it was WAY overfull and it definitely didn't start that way.

So, this is the Castrol EDGE Extended Performance and not the black bottle? Just trying to figure it out from the title vs the context in post. I'm presuming Castrol EDGE Extended Performance.

I'm switching one of my vehicles over to Castrol EDGE Extended Performance or Mobil 1 Truck and SUV for the remainder of its life, dependent upon availability. I like how the Castrol EDGE Extended Performance 0w20 had the MB229.71 approval and Dexos1 Gen3.

On another note, that's a lot of fuel dilution and thinning. I would look at the fuel system closely for issues. Even for these EcoBoost engines that are prone to fuel dilution, this is pretty severe.

Gold Bottle Edge Extended Performance, just as the title indicates.

Definitely low viscosity. Could ask them to rerun the viscosity to confirm. Two options are staying at a lower mileage interval or going up a grade. Going up a grade & changing at say 7,500 would be the cheaper option. I'd still consider testing to monitor. What are your thoughts? Try @twX suggestion of adding some fuel injector cleaner for a while just to help any bad spray pattern. Do you use Top Tier fuel stations?

Local station is a Top-Tier Sinclair station. When i saw the oil level so far over the full mark, I added some good fuel cleaner for a tank. I'll keep an eye on it this time around and see if it makes any difference, maybe even run some more (not easy to catch it on a full tank as i'm not the primary driver and my wife is TERRIBLE about parking them with ZERO gas).

This would have probably been a 15-18-month oil change. One long interstate run at the beginning of the OCI which would have been about 950 miles in one day down, and another 950 miles in one day back. But generally, it is the wife's commuter car.

General use of the car is driving 10 miles to get the kids in the evening, and 10 miles back. Then, once or twice a week, it drives 35 miles to work and 35 miles back home. Should be plenty of time to get the oil up to temp, but the level definitely climbed during the OCI. Just before i changed it, it went on a 1.5-hour trip west, and a 1.5-hour trip back home. I expected to see that the longer interstate run would have burned off any contaminants in the oil, but that did not appear to be the case, so i decided to change the oil earlier than normal.

I could go up a grade, but other than the lower viscosity, there isn't an indicated need. I suspect that the engine is designed for 5w20 and spec'd out for a 5w30, knowing that dilution is going to occur. for a 7500-mile OCI, the wear metals are surprisingly low, knowing that the oil has been diluted.

I'm assuming it is fuel dilution because that is the only thing that makes sense. It didn't smell "gassy" but it didn't smell "good" either. It had a lot of exhaust-type smell and it felt awful. Used oil never feels like new oil, but this just didn't feel good, and it took forever dripping out in a thin stream that danced all over the drain pan, which is usually what I see on something that I suspect has fuel in it.

Great input, keep it coming, I'm all ears.

I'm just not one to panic on such matters. The wear numbers look relatively good - much better than I expected.

 

[himemsys]

The low viscosity does indicate some fuel dilution. A couple of things you can try to nail it down.
1) measure what you drain and compare to what you put in.
2) change to Oil Analyzers which gives what many here believe is the most accurate fuel dilution measurement.

Otherwise, the wear metals look good.

Nice to see Castrol still putting a little Titanium in their Castrol EDGE Extended Performance.

 

[FZ1]

Use the better oil and change it when you notice the level rising.

 

[NMP]

I also have a Ford 2.0 and run used oil analysis every oil change. In 3,000 miles the viscosity is down from 30 wt. to a low 20 wt. My wear metals - and yours - are rock bottom. The question I haven't been able to answer "is fuel dilution a problem or an occurrence?" As long as there are normal wear metals it looks like it's an occurrence.

 

[Neniod]

Looks like Castrol EDGE Extended Performance handled it like a champ. I’d stick with it if you’re seeing good wear numbers even with fuel dilution. Just keep an eye on the level like you said.

 

[Trav]

If the oil smells like gasoline you may want to check the HPFP for leaking internally into the engine. This is very common with DI engines and yes it can dump a lot of fuel over the course of an OCI into the oil. This is a very easy DIY job and a new Bosch German made pump is $170 from Rock Auto. VW/Audi uses this pump and the smart money has replacing it every 100K as good preventive maintenance.

This is the one for you car.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...urbocharged,3330847,fuel+&+air,fuel+pump,6256

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=15231073&cc=3330847&pt=6256&jsn=9

 

[meborder]

Maybe I should get one of those on order to make sure I never need it!

This car has been very low maintenance.

Did the plugs around 120k. Rear struts around 160k. Some wiring issues related to the parking brakes. Not much else.

 

[fantastic]

Local station is a Top-Tier Sinclair station. When i saw the oil level so far over the full mark, I added some good fuel cleaner for a tank. I'll keep an eye on it this time around and see if it makes any difference, maybe even run some more (not easy to catch it on a full tank as i'm not the primary driver and my wife is TERRIBLE about parking them with ZERO gas).

I could go up a grade, but other than the lower viscosity, there isn't an indicated need. I suspect that the engine is designed for 5w20 and spec'd out for a 5w30, knowing that dilution is going to occur. for a 7500-mile OCI, the wear metals are surprisingly low, knowing that the oil has been diluted.

I'm assuming it is fuel dilution because that is the only thing that makes sense. It didn't smell "gassy" but it didn't smell "good" either. It had a lot of exhaust-type smell and it felt awful. Used oil never feels like new oil, but this just didn't feel good, and it took forever dripping out in a thin stream that danced all over the drain pan, which is usually what I see on something that I suspect has fuel in it.

Great input, keep it coming, I'm all ears.

I'm just not one to panic on such matters. The wear numbers look relatively good - much better than I expected.

You may be right about engine design & the metals are very low for sure especially for short commutes. Thanks for the details.

 

[rodinator1234]

If the oil smells like gasoline you may want to check the HPFP for leaking internally into the engine. This is very common with DI engines and yes it can dump a lot of fuel over the course of an OCI into the oil. This is a very easy DIY job and a new Bosch German made pump is $170 from Rock Auto. VW/Audi uses this pump and the smart money has replacing it every 100K as good preventive maintenance.

View attachment 304332
This is the one for you car.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...urbocharged,3330847,fuel+&+air,fuel+pump,6256

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=15231073&cc=3330847&pt=6256&jsn=9

My very first thought. You are spot on. Is the fuel mileage lower than is has been over the course of the life of the vehicle? Internal leaks of the High Pressure Fuel Pump are often unnoticed, until it is way too late.

 

[Trav]

My very first thought. You are spot on. Is the fuel mileage lower than is has been over the course of the life of the vehicle? Internal leaks of the High Pressure Fuel Pump are often unnoticed, until it is way too late.

A qt or two over the life of the OCI is not going to be really that noticeable in the MPG.
If the oil smells like gas (not just a slight whiff of fuel which is normal but really stinks of gas) when you remove the fill cap on a warm engine (engine off) you can bet the HPFP is a leaker.

 

[pbm]

I also have a Ford 2.0 and run used oil analysis every oil change. In 3,000 miles the viscosity is down from 30 wt. to a low 20 wt. My wear metals - and yours - are rock bottom. The question I haven't been able to answer "is fuel dilution a problem or an occurrence?" As long as there are normal wear metals it looks like it's an occurrence.

Is your Ford 2.0 a turbo? I have the NA 2.0 in my Focus and it's pretty easy on oil except it darkens much sooner than the NA 2.5 in our Escape (due to soot from DI vs. non DI in the Escape).