Changing Viscosity for Summer and for Cleaning?

[Wristcheck]

Hello all, I have a 2015 F150 5.0 (Gen 2 coyote v8 engine) that I purchased not long ago. Very very long story short...I eventually found out that the engine was sludged. Extremely sludged. So I decided to dismantle the engine and clean it by hand, replace any parts needed, and reassemble it. I'm just a couple weeks away from having it reassembled and running again. Over 90% of the sludge is gone, and there are only a few really small places/corner that have a little sludge residue left. Ford originally called for 5W-20 in this engine...but then due to common oil pressure/viscosity related issues with VCT solenoids & cam phasers, ford later officially supported anything between 5W-20 and 5W-50. Many ford 5.0 owners that have switched away from 5W-20 to higher viscosities such as 5W-50 say that their truck has never ran better...and especially in hot weather climates.

I originally planning on refilling the newly rebuilt engine with Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W-30 in order to help continue the internal cleaning process. However after more research I'd really like to run 5W-50 in the engine due to the way the higher viscosity affects the timing components, and due to its additional protective nature in hot weather...as I live in south Texas where its regularly 95-100 degrees with 85% humidity for many months (tropical environment)...and mild winters that sit between 30-70 degrees and only last for a few months.

Here's my thought/question: Would it be ok to use a Amsoil 5w-50 during the summer months (to protect engine wear with the hot weather, to help timing components operate better)...then switch to Valvoline Restore and Protect 5w-30 during the winter months (to help continue cleaning)? Would changing brands & viscosities cause any problems?

I wish Valvoline made a Valvoline Restore and Protect in 5W-50...but they don't.

Thanks!

 

[JavierH19]

It's true ford engineers had you run 5w-50 with just some unrelated suspension part changes but 0/5w-40 is plenty thick. I'd use rp 5w-30 and change that every 2-3k for the rest of it's life even after it has cleaned up to help reduce further wear since sludge like that results in a lot of timing component wear especially in the chain.

 

[lazymiata]

There's no way he's putting back the factory timing components after disassembling the engine to that point!

 

[Astro14]

Or, pick something like the HPL 5W40 Supercar, and run that all year.

https://www.advlubrication.com/coll...s/super-car-engine-oil?variant=41318128812225

 

[scrllock]

I originally planning on refilling the newly rebuilt engine with Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W-30 in order to help continue the internal cleaning process. However after more research I'd really like to run 5W-50 in the engine due to the way the higher viscosity affects the timing components, and due to its additional protective nature in hot weather...as I live in south Texas where its regularly 95-100 degrees with 85% humidity for many months (tropical environment)...and mild winters that sit between 30-70 degrees and only last for a few months.

Here's my thought/question: Would it be ok to use a Amsoil 5w-50 during the summer months (to protect engine wear with the hot weather, to help timing components operate better)...then switch to Valvoline Restore and Protect 5w-30 during the winter months (to help continue cleaning)? Would changing brands & viscosities cause any problems?

I wish Valvoline made a Valvoline Restore and Protect in 5W-50...but they don't.

Thanks!

amazing, do you have any ideas what intervals they were running to let it get that bad?

I just picked up the exact same truck, but it had less than 70k and was in the dealer every 3-5k for oil changes... not worried about sludge.

personally, I drained the dealer fill acdelco junk for Mobil 1 Truck and SUV 5w30. I think you're technically correct in that ford did recommend 5w50 on the mustang version of the coyote, and there are no differences in the oiling system between the engines that would change this for the truck. in fact i think the only change at any point was the gen3 f150 motor got the larger gen1 mustang oil pump gear, which might bring pressure up faster.

my only reason for not running 5w50 is it's way more expensive and I don't think the usage really necessitates going any thicker. I'm curious how this oil holds up to extended intervals, if it can't handle 10k I'll just go back to Mobil 1 0w40. if any motor _can_ actually do extended changes it's the big port-injected V8 that only sees long drives.

There's no reason you can't switch back and forth, both oils are API rated. However, with reasonable intervals these trucks do just fine on 5w20, I would save the money and just run the Valvoline Restore and Protect, Mobil 1 ESP 0w30, or Advanced Clean and maybe pull the valve covers in a few changes to see how they've done if cleaning is the concern. In general though, these engines are not picky at all, and I think the only reason they have problems is garbage synthetic blend dealer fills combined with long intervals. I'm sure yours will stay pristine for a long time.

 

[AZjeff]

That first pic will cause nightmares tonight. Unbelievable. Hope you get it back together and it runs well. No need to complicate your OCs.

 

[EvoMan]

If you’re worried about the heat, you should make sure your coolant system is in good working order.

 

[barkingspider]

5w50 summer and 5w30 winter should be fine for your truck engine, but any good xW30 all year will be good, especially Valvoline Restore and Protect

 

[Wristcheck]

It's true ford engineers had you run 5w-50 with just some unrelated suspension part changes but 0/5w-40 is plenty thick. I'd use rp 5w-30 and change that every 2-3k for the rest of it's life even after it has cleaned up to help reduce further wear since sludge like that results in a lot of timing component wear especially in the chain.

What does sludge do to the chain?

 

[Wristcheck]

There's no way he's putting back the factory timing components after disassembling the engine to that point!

Engine & timing components had only 65K miles on them. Timing components worked fine prior to tear down. Just had low oil pressure code..which led to the sludge discovery

 

[Wristcheck]

amazing, do you have any ideas what intervals they were running to let it get that bad?

I just picked up the exact same truck, but it had less than 70k and was in the dealer every 3-5k for oil changes... not worried about sludge.

personally, I drained the dealer fill acdelco junk for Mobil 1 Truck and SUV 5w30. I think you're technically correct in that ford did recommend 5w50 on the mustang version of the coyote, and there are no differences in the oiling system between the engines that would change this for the truck. in fact i think the only change at any point was the gen3 f150 motor got the larger gen1 mustang oil pump gear, which might bring pressure up faster.

my only reason for not running 5w50 is it's way more expensive and I don't think the usage really necessitates going any thicker. I'm curious how this oil holds up to extended intervals, if it can't handle 10k I'll just go back to Mobil 1 0w40. if any motor _can_ actually do extended changes it's the big port-injected V8 that only sees long drives.

There's no reason you can't switch back and forth, both oils are API rated. However, with reasonable intervals these trucks do just fine on 5w20, I would save the money and just run the Valvoline Restore and Protect, Mobil 1 ESP 0w30, or Advanced Clean and maybe pull the valve covers in a few changes to see how they've done if cleaning is the concern. In general though, these engines are not picky at all, and I think the only reason they have problems is garbage synthetic blend dealer fills combined with long intervals. I'm sure yours will stay pristine for a long time.

No, I don’t know how long the previous owner went without an oil change. How is your truck reacting to the 5W-30? And what climate are you in?

 

[Japanese]

I would probably run any 0W-40 or 5W-40 year round. Mobil 1 FS 0W-40 is very budget friendly and widely available at any Walmart and auto parts store.
No need to change the oil in the winter, even 5W-50 will be fine, you don't get much cold. 5W oils are fine until -30°C (-22°F).

 

[TomYoung]

A short OCI is your best friend. If I were in your shoes, I would use a good 0W30 synthetic like RnP, Amsoil, HPL, or my new favorite when the price is right: Mobil 1 Cleaning Edition or whatever it is called. The engine has no idea whether it is winter or summer. I wish you the best and hope that horrendous sludge problem did not cause more hidden damage.

 

[Astro14]

@Wristcheck - If you’re looking to clean - the two best options are

1. Valvoline Restore and Protect
2. High Performance Lubricants

HPL is not inexpensive, but it does clean very, very well. And it comes in your desired viscosity choice.

If you’re OK with a 5W-30, then the Valvoline is the more affordable option.

 

[kschachn]

Is this you?

https://www.f150forum.com/f118/advice-needed-engine-salvageable-578896/

As a direct answer I’d be pretty unconcerned about summer viscosity given that level of sludge and deposits.

 

[Number_35]

I've considered similar (but adapted for the cold winters here) - Valvoline Restore & Protect 5W-30 for the summer, and Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30 for the winter.

 

[hemitom]

Either that thing had its odometer tampered with or had maybe one oil change in its life !

 

[DCDG]

Don't believe it's necessary to make seasonal changes etc. Pick a 5W-30 and stick with it following a 4,000 mile oil change interval. Not brand endorsing but I have heard Pennzoil Platinum and UP are clean oils maybe paired up with the new style Mobil 1 oil filter.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

Engine & timing components had only 65K miles on them. Timing components worked fine prior to tear down. Just had low oil pressure code..which led to the sludge discovery

With that sludge, 65k when you did it may be 1st oil change interval. Sad and scary.

 

[fantastic]

Wow, 40 grade after all of that wear & tear. 5w-40 R&P might come eventually but 5w-40 Mobil FS until.