CATERHAM blend in 4.6 Modular vs other 0w20s?

[mercuryblues]

Hello everyone,

Even though I've been doing well using various easy-to-obtain 0w20s full synthetics (such as Mobil 1, QSUD and PP)... I've been giving a little bit of thought in perhaps trying the Caterham blend on the next OCI in my '01 Grand Marquis, maybe even using the mix year-round. (In my case, I'd consider going anywhere between 60-80% of the mix with the TGMO 0w20 before adding the rest with the M1 0w40.) The third option I had was going with straight TGMO 0w20.

The reasoning behind this is to see if a (super) high VI oil would provide an advantage in the case of my 4.6 Modular. I understand that thinner weights are more beneficial for the top end of the motor and that running straight M1 0w40 year-round is mainly not advisable, especially up here in Central New England. Also, I know a lot of people like the Motorcraft 5w20, a great oil as we all know, but I prefer a full synthetic.

As many of us understand, the '01 model year was the first to spec 5w20 with the 5-quart sump. Just to update my situation at this time, the car is approaching 198k miles, with about 60% city/40% highway driving right now. I still try to stretch the OCI to about 7.5-8k miles and I'll even goose it a little bit every now and then. The engine hardly uses any oil (maybe 6-7k miles/quart). Thanks again for your input everyone and take care.

 

[demarpaint]

I'd use M1 0W20 and call it a day. M1 0W20 is a great product all by itself.

 

[Shannow]

I've read here that TGMO shouldn't be used in a Ford, as it's on the thin side, and has to be bolstered some.

Not sure what you mean that thin oils are better for the top end, 'though.

 

[Zako2]

A short run on a close but out of spec oil shouldn't destroy the engine IMHO. You could keep the blend for say 3000 miles, send a sample for a UOA report, and then continue as advised.

 

[Falcon_LS]

Originally Posted By: mercuryblues
...running straight M1 0w40 year-round is mainly not advisable, especially up here in Central New England.


I'm having a very tough time understanding where people are coming up with statements like this from. There is nothing wrong with running a 40 weight in a Ford 4.6L. I've been running 0W-40/5W-40 (including M1) in my 4 different Panther platform vehicles without the slightest issue.

There are countless examples of 4.6L 2V's that have run on nothing but Group I based 20W-50 around here - in other words, the worst of the worst - and they still have over 600,000 kilometers on them despite the excessive varnish buildup. This is a very well engineered unit that can go thousands of miles on end.

Ford recommended 20W-40 for these engines in the export market up until 10w30 became the default standard in 1996. My '01 even specs 10w30 in the manual for all temperatures. IMHO the move to 5W-20 is for none other than CAFE.

Having said that, in this particular application , regardless of what oil you use - use the FL-820S filter. The aftermarket filters have a PRV at the dome end.

 

[RF Overlord]

Originally Posted By: mercuryblues
The reasoning behind this is to see if a (super) high VI oil would provide an advantage in the case of my 4.6 Modular.
Exactly what kind of "advantage" are you looking for?

Quote:
I understand that thinner weights are more beneficial for the top end of the motor
In general, that statement is true to the extent that thinner oils can get to the cams faster, especially in cold weather. Having said that, and I am not firmly in either camp, thin or thick, but I have to agree with Falcon LS...the 4.6 mod motors have been run for hundreds of thousands of miles on everything from 5W-20 to 15w40 and don't seem to care.

I think you have a solution in search of a problem.

 

[CATERHAM]

Hi mercuryblues,

I wouldn't recommend running TGMO straight, at least not without an OP gauge, because it is lighter at normal operating temp's than a virgin 5W-20, the grade spec'd for your car.
I'd suggest including one quart of M1 0W-40 and 4 quarts of TGMO to raise the HTHSV to 2.8cP but only lower the VI to 210. The end result will be a heavier 0W-20 that's still lighter on start-up in your climate than every OTC 0W-20.