Decided to use A3 oil in my 'Boost

[double vanos]

With all this talk about timing chain stretch / failure in the Ford truck Ecoboost engines I have decided to bump up the oil strength and start using an A3 rated oil in my baby.

As of today it has Castrol 0W40 in it. My figuring is with all the fuel dilution going on in these (and other DI) engines, by the time 4k miles roll around it'll probably be a 20 weight oil when I change it.

It seems to me that oil dilution coupled with soot contamination is partly responsible for these failures. Mine is a 2011 with 79k miles and is quiet as a mouse on start up and I'm going to try to keep it that way.

On the Mazdaspeed forums many are using Rotella T6 in the Speed 3 cars with no problems whatsoever. That may be my next oil, the only reason I started out with the Castrol was the SN classification. T6 is SM, which my engine might not even notice if I were to try it.

Any comments / observations?

 

[demarpaint]

Thicker than the OEM recommends? Look out.........

Honestly from what I've read about those engines I think its a good idea. Although I'm interested in learning how it will help with the timing chain stretching issues.

 

[d00df00d]

How could timing chain stretch be affected by lubricant choice?

 

[double vanos]

I don't think it'll be long before the 40 part of the equation is knocked down to a heavy 30 or less. The oil coming out of this thing on 4k OCIs reeks of gasoline big time. And oil analysis of these engines usually shows the 5W30 oils coming out at a 20 weight or less. I like the A3 rating that the Castrol 0W40 has - hopefully it will be fairly shear stable or should I say more shear stable than a SN 5W30.

So I am hoping for: viscosity retention through the use interval that is better than a SN 5w30, shear stability of the A3 oil, and short OCIs to keep soot level and abrasion down as low as possible. These three things hopefully will keep timing chain wear down to a minimum. Stretch is out of the realm of things that the oil service can do, but I wonder if wear on the chain and its sprockets might be part of the soot caused damage to these things that is being called stretch. Wear the chain a little, wear the sprocket a little and by the time the stack up is in, you have a lot of slack. Just a theory..

 

[Johnny248]

The EcoBoost engines don't call for 5w20 like the rest of the Ford fleet?

 

[jayg]

Originally Posted By: Johnny248
The EcoBoost engines don't call for 5w20 like the rest of the Ford fleet?


I would never put a 20 wt in these. The tunes are off from the factory in regards to running pig rich at boost tip in. I'd love to see a UOA with one on a 30 wt oil and a good aftermarket tune.

 

[jc1112]

the speed3 has a SM class requirement afaik. T6 is very popular, as you said, with this car on the ms3forums. Is it too thick? with DI,turbo and timing chain, idk, but i would keep the oci at 4000 as I will most likely with my ms3 in a 5w30(factory recommended). An array of uoa's would of course help to see how the engine is 'dynamically'.

For the ford, idk the required classification, but is the engine under load or used for towing? I think this engine formerly required a 5w20 and then they changed it to 5w30. I guess they had focused on the eco not the boost. anyhow, soot control is a claimed quality of the T6 and it could potentially be optimum for your application.

my recommendation - do an uoa and/or look for a xw30 with the A3 rating (if they exist).

 

[Colt45ws]

If I had a ecoboost (and Ive thought long and hard about ordering a ecoboost Interceptor utility) I would move to Mobil 1 0W40 from the first OCI and not look back.

 

[CT8]

Seems like a good idea. I would do the same.

 

[wemay]

I thought 5w30 was the current recommendation. If so, an Xw40 isnt a wild departure. Another consideration is to keep using the same oil but shorten the oci.

With regards to the Mazdaspeed3 alluded to, member MCompact has posted numerous uoa's using spec'd 5w30. Last I remember, he had over 140k miles and the uoa's looked great.

 

[crazyoildude]

i would not use thicker oil on that engine use what ford says to use

 

[itguy08]

Originally Posted By: Johnny248
The EcoBoost engines don't call for 5w20 like the rest of the Ford fleet?


Only the 2010 car/SUV applications called for 5w20 and were never back spec'ed. The rest of the EB 3.5's are 5w30.

 

[Revving2Redline]

Could have used redline 5w30 as its a3 or liquimoly toptec 4200 with uber long drain oci.

 

[volk06]

First I've heard of timing chains stretching and failing being a pandemic in the ecoboosts. Probably blown out of proportion on the forums and internet like usual? Not to mention how the engine was cared for. Will be interesting to say the least.

 

[itguy08]

There have been a few (maybe 10) reports on F150forum.com. Usually starts out as a noise on cold startup. It doesn't seem to affect the longevity though - just a noise at this point.

 

[wemay]

Originally Posted By: volk06
First I've heard of timing chains stretching and failing being a pandemic in the ecoboosts. Probably blown out of proportion on the forums and internet like usual? Not to mention how the engine was cared for. Will be interesting to say the least.


I agree. Internet noise grossly outpaces issues of all sorts.

 

[earlyre]

Originally Posted By: itguy08
Originally Posted By: Johnny248
The EcoBoost engines don't call for 5w20 like the rest of the Ford fleet?


Only the 2010 car/SUV applications called for 5w20 and were never back spec'ed. The rest of the EB 3.5's are 5w30.


NA 3.5's Run 5w20, Boosted 5w30.

 

[Johnny248]

Originally Posted By: itguy08
Originally Posted By: Johnny248
The EcoBoost engines don't call for 5w20 like the rest of the Ford fleet?


Only the 2010 car/SUV applications called for 5w20 and were never back spec'ed. The rest of the EB 3.5's are 5w30.


I think that says a lot. Ford was one of the first to trend to 5w20, and the fact that they are calling for 5w30 now shows that they either missed the mark with their new engine design.

 

[chrisri]

Smart move. Just use some A3/B4 5w40 with MB 229.5 spec. and you are good.

 

[Danh]

In Europe there is some talk about requiring particulate exhaust filters to capture soot from DI engines. So, given these particles are large enough to be captured, might it also be a good idea to add a high-end oil filter to go along with the viscosity change and shorter OCI? Something like a Mobil1, Purolator/Fram synthetic, et al.