Decision time......

[demarpaint]

Well 6 months since my last oil change for my 88 E-150, and only 1600 miles. I'd let it go a year but this past OCI was an interesting one. The van spent a lot of time in various shops trying to resolve an engine surge issue, with very little success. Two FI cleanings via the rail, and about 4 bottles of Red line FI cleaner went through it. Now that the weather is cool it is running like a top again.

I won't spend $25 on a UOA when the cost of changing the oil and filter would be about $30. So do I dump 6 qts of Edge 5W30, of let it go until spring? I say change it, but want to see what others think.

 

[chubbs1]

Hey man, I have learned from you...change the oil not the engine...lol. But really it is probably fine though you have put all that FI cleaner through it and it has been in the shop. I would change it for $30. Err on the side of caution so to speak.

I know I'll get over-ruled on this one...

 

[demarpaint]

Thanks for the kind words! It was through a lot, idling, and very short 1 and 2 mile trips. I just want to see how others think that's all. If it was the spring time I'd probably let it go another 3 months.

 

[beast3300]

Change it.

 

[AuthorEditor]

I'd change it. Sounds like severe service to me, and you probably have more than the usual load of contaminants. Besides, you'll worry about it all winter if you don't!

 

[Sayjac]

Sounds like you want to/are leaning towards changing it. But only 1600 miles on Edge, with a good filter I assume, even with the FI treatments seems like a waste to me. I'd go at least 9 months on it. IMO, the oil and engine will handle it just fine.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

I would change it! Then I would run conventional oil in that old of a vehicle and change more often.

 

[demarpaint]

I was toying with 9 months but that might put me into some really lousy weather. I changed the garage around so I can no longer get the van into it to work on it.

 

[yeti]

decision time ...... you are a veteran bitoger, and a big boy. you can make such a life altering decision by yourself, man !i know that you can do it ! have a good day.

 

[hate2work]

Originally Posted By: yeti
decision time ...... you are a veteran bitoger, and a big boy. you can make such a life altering decision by yourself, man !i know that you can do it ! have a good day.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: hate2work
Originally Posted By: yeti
decision time ...... you are a veteran bitoger, and a big boy. you can make such a life altering decision by yourself, man !i know that you can do it ! have a good day.

LOL

 

[JHZR2]

With all those adds Id at least want to do a UOA to see if they have effected soft metal wear. Then you can make a decision...

 

[demarpaint]

I hear you, I just don't have much faith in UOA reports and the cost is about that of an oil change. Plus I don't have any prior UOA history on the vehicle, and the adds would most likely skew the report anyway. JMO

 

[J. A. Rizzo]

I would leave it, but I think your mind was made up before you even posted.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: J. A. Rizzo
I would leave it, but I think your mind was made up before you even posted.


LOL Bingo! But the cold weather today has me leaving it, and I'm very lazy today. The extended outlook for the week will probably have me leaving it too! I'm fishing for excuses I think.

 

[qdeezie]

My unscientific method based on that surge issue would be by how it appears visually and whether or not it has a strong gas smell. If it looks good visually and doesn't have a strong gas smell, I would let it stay.

 

[FZ1]

You asked the right question to the right Cowboy,Hoss......Change the oil.

 

[Scienceman]

If your uncomfortable..change it!
IMO..maybe insted of an expensive synthetic you could get motorcraft semi-synthetic for about $14 a jug and a good filter for about $5 dollars. Run it 6 months (it looks like its not driven much at all) and change it. Even if you wanted to keep it in for a year, going by this it would probally have only 2,000 miles on it. This oil can go to 6,000 IMO.
It sure would save money and not waste oil!

 

[demarpaint]

While dino sounds like a good idea, I won't do it. I've used synthetic oil in this van since its third OCI. Under normal conditions [not spending as much time in the shop and the frequent FI cleanings in the past 6 months] I'd normally let the oil stay 12-18 months in this vehicle. I'm hoping to go back to the normal routine again now that I'm 100% positive the injectors are not my problem.

I also have a pre-luber pump on the van, and temperatures under about 40*F synthetic oil builds pressure faster than dino of the same viscosity.

 

[fdcg27]

You don't drive this vehicle much.
If you did, I'd tell you to run it out to at least 3K, even with the FI cleaners.
Given that it has seen lots of short trips and has had plenty of cleaner run through it, which will show up in the oil, I'd change it.
It is your baby, so I'd go ahead and spend the few dollars involved in giving it fresh oil.
Also, Edge is not the only syn available.
I know you've had good results with Edge, and I have some myself that I'm anxious to try.
Still, there are less expensive options, like almost any other readily available syn.
Finally, twenty minutes in the cold won't kill you.
You've been there before, as have I.