Concoction for Cleaning Ford 5.4l w/ 104k

[Scraps]

I am planning an OC on my 2001 F-150, 5.4l with 104,000miles. I have only recently, based on info from BITOG, become aware of the differences in performance and usage of varied oils in this vehicle. Notoriously I do believe this engine can burn oil, but my own experience is that this may be due to some of the poor choices I have made in oils in the past. In particular due to my choices using low NOACK volatility conventional and synthetic oils. I have used Amsoil synthetics in the past 0w30 with good UOAs, but this does burn requiring too much add oil. I am in PA and my vehicle is spec’d to use 5W-20, MC blend so there is absolutely no need to go down to a 0W.

My driving is both highway and city and I do tow a 19ft bass boat on the highway 50miles at a clip and I drive conservatively. My current oil is leftover Brad Penn 10W30, and have been adding “cheap” Autozone conventional 10W30 for the last 3,000 miles. I have not burned 5W-20 in quite some time due to my high usage in the past.

I’ve read on BITOG that usage can be associated with stuck rings. So I wanted to eliminate that as a potential issue by “cleaning” so I have been adding Marvel Mystery Oil toward the end of this interval and will run it 500mi.

I am wondering if I’d get better cleaning results if I was to make a run of 5W-20/30, with MMO, assuming the thinner oil will get deeper into the engine and especially during the summer here in PA. I do assume that there is a little thinning when the MMO is added, but does anyone have experience adding MMO to the 5W and am I making any sense with this line of thinking?

I plan on using Pennzoil Platinum or Ultra in the 10w30 or 5w30. I am also considering adding Lubro-Moly oil saver and/or engine treatment at this change.

I've read quite a few posts on BITOG of people with this engine, evne in work trucks in very harsh environments that successfully run 5W-20 with little consumption. Just wondering why this is not my experience.

Thanks.

 

[Steve S]

What is the oil consumption?

 

[saberz]

Use MMO with what the truck is spec'd to run. I don't know if the truck/vehicle was back-specced for 5w20 but I am sure others will chime in. The reason being is that MMO will already shear the oil down some(MMO is close to 5w) so no need to worry about a thinner/lighter oil.

You could also do a MMO soak, which others like StevieC can detail for you.

 

[Scraps]

I don't have good records of my usage, unfortunately, but I think it was about 3qts at 5000 miles on a 0w30 Amsoil Syn. Again, I think that was the absolute wrong oil to use for my application.

 

[panthermike]

If you're just running the MMO at the end of an OCI, I wouldn't worry about the thinning. If you were to run a full OCI at 3K miles, I would do something like this; 4qts 5w20, 1qt 5w30 and 1qt of MMO(pretty sure your sump is 6qts).

You may want to check your PCV valve also.

 

[Scraps]

Checking the PCV, is it as simple as just assuring that there is vacuum at the end of the valve - take it out while running, and put my finger over the tip?

I did notice the other day that the boot on top of the PCV was not tight, and just pulled off of the valve itself - so I put a black ti-wrap around it.

At 100k the thing doesn't owe me a thing, maybe I'll just replace it.

 

[panthermike]

Yeah at 100K, I'd say it's due anyways.

 

[Scraps]

Sheza comin' out!

 

[panthermike]

Originally Posted By: Scraps
Sheza comin' out!


Make sure to get the Motorcraft though, OEM pcv valves work best!

 

[c3po]

Originally Posted By: panthermike
Originally Posted By: Scraps
Sheza comin' out!


Make sure to get the Motorcraft though, OEM pcv valves work best!


+1

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: Scraps

I’ve read on BITOG that usage can be associated with stuck rings. So I wanted to eliminate that as a potential issue by “cleaning” so I have been adding Marvel Mystery Oil toward the end of this interval and will run it 500mi.


First of all

Second do not beleive that just because you ran conventional oil for some time that you have stuck rings. This is NOT TRUE. (And proves my point about people needing to post FACTS instead of their tales. Plenty of people read this site as fact and sadly there are things being posted which is just bull)

That is just posted by some members who have to justify why they are running syn (or selling it) when conventional DOES the job just as well.

Millions of Fords are out there and very few have ANY problems. And what type of oil do they run the most? Either an conventional or blend oil and VERY FEW (less than 10% I'd bet prob lower) run a syn. They run down the road with no problems like stuck rings.

Stuck rings are cause mostly by people who do not change their oil per the recommended OCI.

Sounds like you have been taking care of the engine. ALL engines HAVE to consume oil. Some do more than others and that is not a problem. I have a Corolla that uses qt every 6-8k depending on the oil. Other Corolla use way less. Am I worried? Not a bit. Almost 180k and its running better than ever.

So unless you SEE ACTUAL problems with the engine, I'd just change the oil with any 5w-20 and get on with it.

I doubt (about 99%) that you have ANY "stuck" rings.

Take care, bill

PS: If you want to run 5w30 or 10w30 that would work too. Most fleets that run Fords they see more 5w30 than anything else in bulk.

 

[Meo]

I have a 1999 F150 Lariat 5.4 that I bought new.

It has 148,000 miles on it.

I have used evry brand of synthetic oil and filter brands there are. I change my oil/filter every 4 months.

I have also changed the transmission fluid every 30,000 miles.

My truck runs super strong and smooth, and it is almost as tight as the day I bought it.

 

[sw99]

My 2001 5.4L has had a wide variety of oils used in it over the years. I found a few OCI receipts that showed WM using 10w40 on occasion from the PO. At over 121k, the oil fill hole shows clean shiny metal so I have a good feeling it's pretty clean inside. I did run MMO at 20% for almost a year so that may have helped (eeek). Geee, that reminds me that I need to change the OEM plugs out soon... These are awesome engines!

 

[OVERKILL]

Our 2001 5.4L has been excellent. Likely saw Dino most of it's life. It's had M1 5w20, Delvac 1 5w40, M1 0w40 and currently Petro Canada Duron-E 0w40 in it since we bought it, roughly 60,000Km ago. It doesn't consume ANY of the 40-weight oils, so that's what I'm sticking with. I had 1L/10,000Km consumption with 5w20.

Bill is quite right: If it's had a regular OCI history, I'd be very surprised if it was gummed up at all inside. And that is very easy to check if you just glance down the oil fill hole.

PCV valve, as noted is a major contributor to consumption. So take care of that first, which it sounds like you've done. Go from there.