Added MMO

devo357 · Oct 25, 2010

I have a 1997 Expolrer OHV motor 180,000 miles the previous owner didnt take very good care of it and I have done most of the things that need to be done on a Explorer with this many miles, intake gaskets, IAC etc.
I have had a ticking sound at startup and when warm that increases with engine speed

I changed my oil with 4 quarts of castrol GTX 10-30 and added one quart of MMO and after about 500 miles so far the ticking has gotten a little better but not gone, I am thinking maybe I should change the oil again at 1500 do you think this might help? or maybe just change the filter?
I dont know when the oil was changed before but when I drained it it was black.
I used a motorcraft filter FL1A

Scienceman · Oct 25, 2010

Do a flush...change it.

devo357 · Oct 25, 2010

Isnt using MMO like doing a flush? sorry for the noob question but I thought it did the same thing only slower.

HTSS_TR · Oct 25, 2010

Yes, you should do 2 oil changes at 1500-2000 miles interval to flush out the junks in the engine.

1WildPig · Oct 25, 2010

Well, it all depends on exactly what shape the inside of the engine is in. It never hurts to change the oil sooner than later but whether or not it would be that much more helpful to do at 1500 miles depends on how dirty the inside of the engine is. If you're looking for a "plan" to go by, then change it all after 1,500 miles, replace oil and filter and use another qt of MMO and change again after 2,500 miles and then start going 3,000 miles between changes with 1/2 qt of MMO. If your climate is warm then maybe use Rotella 15w40 for the oil along with the MMO.

Spyder7 · Oct 25, 2010

I would change neither that early. I'd take it to 2,500 miles, dump both, then do a standard 3k oci with a quart of MMO added for just the last 1,000 miles. Then stick with reasonable oil change intervals and decent oil and filters, like you are now.

I'd also look over the PCV system, if you haven't already. My engine was pretty dirty when I bought the car used, and when I removed the PCV valve it looked like mud. Penz Platinum was on sale for about the price of dino, so I bought a couple jugs and did an OC with that and a fresh filter, then added some MMO to help it along. The engine seems to have cleaned up nicely, and I'm nearing 3k on the OCI. I'll dump the filter and oil soon and do a regular OC schedule going forward. I'm looking forward to cutting the filter open and seeing how much junk it trapped over the OCI.

-Spyder

Turk · Oct 26, 2010

Essentially what I was gonna say - change the PCV Valve!

demarpaint · Oct 26, 2010

I think Spyder pretty much nailed it. I'd run the current fill for 2,500 miles. Then change the oil add a qt of MMO and run a 3000 mile OCI. If it is still winter you'll reap the added benefits of MMO making cold starts easier.

Once you complete that OCI then add a pint of MMO for the last 1000 miles of your OCI's to keep things clean.

mechtech2 · Oct 26, 2010

Valve train ticking can be from sticky parts, or the opposite - loose parts.
Cleaning them can result in MORE noise.

Familyguy · Oct 27, 2010

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Valve train ticking can be from sticky parts, or the opposite - loose parts.
Cleaning them can result in MORE noise.

Well, the fact that he got an almost immediate reduction in noise seems to indicate it's the former in this case.

I'd agree with Spyder's recommendations in this case.

Best,

devo357 · Oct 29, 2010

I am just about ready to to empty it out I am almost at 1100 miles ticking is still there.

I have a question how are you guys cutting open your filters? hacksaw? tin snips?

I want to see if I can cut it open to see whats in there just wondering how.

Thanks everyone,

Dean

Oh and I am changing the PCV tonight! thanks again!

sunfire · Oct 29, 2010

Be sure to take some pictures of the filter and the fill hole and post it in the oil filter section.

Spyder7 · Oct 30, 2010

Originally Posted By: devo357
I am just about ready to to empty it out I am almost at 1100 miles ticking is still there.

I have a question how are you guys cutting open your filters? hacksaw? tin snips?

I like my dremel for that. A hack saw would likely work as well or better; tin snips will do too, although the cut won't be as clean (which doesn't really matter unless posting pics and aiming to make the dismantling look cleanly done)

-Spyder

motorguy222 · Oct 30, 2010

I use a hacksaw.If you cut the seam where the can meets the top,it is pretty thin and doesnt take very long,just make sure that the blade is sharp.

wrcsixeight · Oct 30, 2010

I open my filters with a 1 inch wide chisel. I just work it around the perimeter just above the base plate. Then take needle nose pliers and open up the inward bends, and the filter element falls out.

But I have made a serious mess of it before when I did not have a good area to keep the filter from rolling around.

I now use some 4 1/2 inch long screws and put 3 them in the holes of the baseplate to lift the ADBV and hold it up side down to drain for a long while inside the drain pan. Makes it much easier to open when it is not saturated and leaking oil.

I have a dremel, angle grinder with a cut off wheel, but the chisel does not add any metal particles to the insides, and the chisel is probably the fastest.

I'm not saying it is the best, and it is not good for the chisel, but I'm good at sharpening them with a belt sander, or an angle grinder, and I've got a set that I don't mind damaging. HF.

devo357 · Oct 31, 2010

Ok so just cut around the seam, I got it yea I'm going to let it drain for a few days.
I think I will take Spyders advise and do it at 2500 I am interested to see what is in the filter.

Thank you for all the help!

Dean

devo357 · Nov 1, 2010

I changed the PCV yesterday new motorcraft part from the dealer.

devo357 · Nov 16, 2010

I was at the parts store buying my oil to change this weekend and I picked up some lucas fuel additive (it was on sale) added it to half a tank this morning before work. The ticking is still present and I am at about 2100 miles since my last oil change with MMO. It has not gone back to as loud as it was before but I am curious to see what the oil looks like and the inside of the filter, I will post back with some pictures.

dwendt44 · Nov 19, 2010

HDEO has more detergents than regular motor oils do. So it works well as a cleaner for older engines. Since you are in a warm climate, the 15W-40 won't affect you much.
Rotella is excellent.

devo357 · Nov 28, 2010

Ok changed the oil today it was black I have the filter I will post some pics after I cut it open.
Started it up and let it idle for a few minutes and there is no ticking.
The only change is that I went from 1 quart of MMO with 4 quarts of Castrol 10-30 to 1 quart of MMO and 4 quarts of Pennzoil 5-30 (it was on sale).
I havent driven it yet but for the few minutes it was at idle I could not hear any ticking. Maybe the switch to 5-30 and MMO?
How thin is the oil now since I have switched to 5-30 plus the MMO?

I changed it out at 2200 miles since my last OC I will go back to 3000 mile OCI after this one

Added MMO

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