Engine Oil for 1997 Ford Taurus

[partsman]

Okay, so bought a 1997 Ford Taurus that the wife liked, now I see it calls for 5W30, now in a search at the library in a Haynes book the chart shows it for weather that gets cooler than here, and shows 10W30 for what I feel is more like our climate here in BC Canada which is shown as 0 degrees farenheit to +100 degrees farenheit or -18 celsius to +38 degrees celsius.
Which would be better?
And can I replace the oil pan gasket myself on these 3.0 litre Vulcan engines or is it dealer only?

 

[XPR]

I would use AMSOIL Signature Series 0w30 or ASL 5w30 oil.

 

[jazztrumpet216]

What is the upper limit of the 5w30 spec? I would use 5w30 in winter and 10w30 in summer if that is what the manual specifies by the temperature ranges.

 

[Gary Allan]

Is this a Vulcan or the DOHC 24-valve (Duratec?)??

I think either will do well on 5w-20 ..regardless of the puked out spec. I assure you the Vulcan will do well on it ..even in the high temp scenario.

 

[partsman]

Sorry, it is the Vulcan engine OHV 12 valve

Thanks for the input.

 

[wiswind]

FORD did issue a TSB # 02-1-9 that lists your vehicle,
Tauras from 1993 forward, 3.0L and 3.8L, in it.....
that states that 5W-20 oil is now recommended.
So you would be just fine with the 5W-20 oil.

I would follow the FORD information versus the Haynes.

They list the Tauras from 1993 forward, 3.0L and 3.8L, as included in this TSB.

 

[unDummy]

Location is north. Stick with the thinner oils. I've always like thicker 0w40 and 5w40 in the vulcan 'cause it just sounded/ felt better, and burned less. Benefits of thicker!

The Vulcan doesn't make enough power to break itself. Any oil will work well. 0w and 5w should be considered for your climate. Let oil consumption guide you on whether to use a 20, 30, or 40wt.

 

[oilboy123]

Wiswind is correct.

As long as it is in good shape go with the 0,5w-20. I have a 98 Taurus and Daughter has a 97.

I just switched when the Amsoil 0w-20 came out. It seemed like the engine felt a little friskier when I first changed.
I will be changing my Daughters over in the next week.

I fiqure if it should do as well on wear control. If it eeks out a fraction of a MPG on gas it's worth it. Especially with gassing jacking to the sky....................

 

[oilboy123]

So I guess all the Amsoil people drink coffee and read the newspaper now..........

 

[partsman]

Well have seen the leak from the oil pan on this car I bought, which I was told about, but they said is not that bad, I am hoping it may be a simple retourquing of the pan, but if not I can either pay Ford 190.00 in labour to change it and then what ever parts are worth, or I can do it myself and just pay 45.00 for the gasket, so will have to look it over good and decide.

 

[mitchcoyote]

A synthetic 5w30 would work year round up there....

 

[wiswind]

Not sure how it is on the Taurus, but the Windstar (which is on the Taurus platform) requires you to drop the "Y" pipe, which includes the catalytic converters.....in order to remove the oil pan.

Once you look at it from underneath, it should be clear to you if this is needed or not.
If you DO drop the "Y" pipe, I would soak the nuts on the exhaust manifold good with P-Blaster.
Also, in addition to being very careful with the oxygen sensors, DO LABEL the connectors before disconnecting them from the oxygen sensors, it is pretty easy to plug them back into the wrong sensor....which can be a real pain to track down.
At the rear of the "Y" pipe, there is a flex pipe.
Before you disconnect the flex pipe from the "Y" pipe (or drop the front part of the "Y" pipe) support the front of the flex pipe with some wire so that it does not dangle....which could result in breaking the flex parts of it.
That will save you about $100 for a new flex pipe.

As for type of oil, I would suggest a 5W-20 OR 5w30 YEAR ROUND, whichever one you feel most comfortable with.
I have 5W-20 in my '96 3.8L windstar with 190K miles on it.....and it is just fine.
Ran 5w30 up until last year with great results also.
Your 3.0L is a more stout engine than mine, so either one will be fine for you.

 

[GreggC]

Hey I have a 97 Sable with the same engine with 180,000 miles. I have been running it with conventional 10w40, I was told it would run better on this thicker oil. The previous owned was not one to change the oil or perform regular maintenance as often as they should have so I'm sure the engine has taken quite a beating. Would you all recommend sticking with the 10w40 or using something else?

Didn't mean to steal your thread just figured since we are talking about the same engine i could add another perspective.