98,000 miles 2001 ranger. Leaking oil pan gasket that is getting worse, and will eventually have to be fixed. Only ever had 5w20. Had all of its oil changes at the dealer for first 60,000 miles, then I started changing it. I have used full synthetic twice and synthetic blend the rest of the time. I am looking for a good oil to go in it without spending to much. It always seems to turn oil dark faster than most cars. I don't mind frequent oil changes as long as the oil doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
Ford 3.0 recommedation
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Switch to Super 5000 5W30 once you get the gasket fixed, but until then use Supertech 5W30 as it is cheap, and since it is running out pretty decently out of the gasket, it will not break the bank to top off. I have the same engine and it runs better on 5W30.
My OM Says 5w20 for 2.3l 4cyl
5w30 for V6 3.0/4.0
5w30 for V6 3.0/4.0
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Is this the Ford Lima or Mazda designed DOHC 2.3?
neither its the 3.0 vulcan
in which 5w20 was either spec'ed or backspec'ed
the only exceptions for the ranger was the
2.5 4cyl and the 4.0.. neither of which were ever backspec'ed to 5w20
I'm sure you dont have to pull the engine to put on a pan gasket..but you will have to jack it up after disconnecting motor mounts.. and maybe some other stuff for clearance.
(esp on 4wd) you dont mention 2wd or 4x4
in which 5w20 was either spec'ed or backspec'ed
the only exceptions for the ranger was the
2.5 4cyl and the 4.0.. neither of which were ever backspec'ed to 5w20
I'm sure you dont have to pull the engine to put on a pan gasket..but you will have to jack it up after disconnecting motor mounts.. and maybe some other stuff for clearance.
(esp on 4wd) you dont mention 2wd or 4x4
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This is an Edge Ranger. It is a 2wd but has a 4wd torsion bar suspension. This is the only model of Ranger and one of the few cars that you can drop the oil pan without any engine unbolting/ removing. All that has to come off is the starter. And its not bad enough yet to need any topping off, but there is a rare drop on the ground.
Originally Posted By: Stephen_G
Switch to Super 5000 5W30 once you get the gasket fixed, but until then use Supertech 5W30 as it is cheap, and since it is running out pretty decently out of the gasket, it will not break the bank to top off. I have the same engine and it runs better on 5W30.
at my walmart, the mobil super 5000 is only $1 more per 5 quart jug than supertech. might as well us the mobil super for 20 cents more a quart.
Switch to Super 5000 5W30 once you get the gasket fixed, but until then use Supertech 5W30 as it is cheap, and since it is running out pretty decently out of the gasket, it will not break the bank to top off. I have the same engine and it runs better on 5W30.
at my walmart, the mobil super 5000 is only $1 more per 5 quart jug than supertech. might as well us the mobil super for 20 cents more a quart.
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I assume he meant the Vulcan when he asked if was the ford Lima, as the Vulcan was built @ the Lima Ford Engine Plant here in Lima, Ohio.
(Lima, like the bean, not the city in Peru.)
Last Vulcan rolled off the line in '08, Ranger was the last vehicle that used it.
you really can't go wrong with the motorcraft oil & Filter IMO
-Lima Engine now build the Duratec 3.5l btw,(that is seems ford is putting in everything) and might be doing the EcoBoost 3.7l (same block, bigger bore)
(Lima, like the bean, not the city in Peru.)
Last Vulcan rolled off the line in '08, Ranger was the last vehicle that used it.
you really can't go wrong with the motorcraft oil & Filter IMO
-Lima Engine now build the Duratec 3.5l btw,(that is seems ford is putting in everything) and might be doing the EcoBoost 3.7l (same block, bigger bore)
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Maxlife might help with your minor leak.
Might not.
It's good stuff either way.
You could go to AAP and get some Maxlife Nexgen 5W-30 for near FAR.
I've had an exceptional UOA with Nextgen Maxlife 10W-40 in my old e36, so I'd recommend it without hesitation.
We owned a '97 Aerostar with this engine and it was not at all picky about oil, although I used mostly synthetics in it, like a spendthrift fool.
In the 176K we drove it, consumption was pretty much nil and there were no leaks serious enough to ever leave any evidence on the ground.
Good engine, without much in the way of either peak power or torque.
I'd gladly buy another vehicle with this engine.
Might not.
It's good stuff either way.
You could go to AAP and get some Maxlife Nexgen 5W-30 for near FAR.
I've had an exceptional UOA with Nextgen Maxlife 10W-40 in my old e36, so I'd recommend it without hesitation.
We owned a '97 Aerostar with this engine and it was not at all picky about oil, although I used mostly synthetics in it, like a spendthrift fool.
In the 176K we drove it, consumption was pretty much nil and there were no leaks serious enough to ever leave any evidence on the ground.
Good engine, without much in the way of either peak power or torque.
I'd gladly buy another vehicle with this engine.
Mine was leaking, QSHM 10w30 SM w/slick 50 already in it (2-3 yrs ago) and a Supertech filter did the trick
Codyb: Just shop sales, see what you can get on a filter/oil combo. For filters purolator or motorcraft are the two i reccomend, napa proline (pepboys) or driveworks (autozone) are decent seconds, if you are ok with the fiber end caps of an E-Core filter STP is fine, if you are ok with the cardboard endcaps of a Fram, then use fram
Peak oil is decent stuff, as well as Supertech. Just use xW30
Peak oil is decent stuff, as well as Supertech. Just use xW30
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If the leak is getting worse, I'd try something like Maxlife.
I have 128,000 miles on my 3.0 with a little oil around the gasket, but no drips. It has been like this for 50,000+ miles so I continue using Mobil 1 5W20 at varying intervals. Pretty much all 3.0s, even those with the updated gaskets, tend to seep a little, so I wouldn't worry too much yet. Just keep an eye on it.
I have 128,000 miles on my 3.0 with a little oil around the gasket, but no drips. It has been like this for 50,000+ miles so I continue using Mobil 1 5W20 at varying intervals. Pretty much all 3.0s, even those with the updated gaskets, tend to seep a little, so I wouldn't worry too much yet. Just keep an eye on it.
The engine was designed around 5W30 and recieved no changes for 5w20 in 2001, honestly just use 5W30 and it will be happy.
I have a Taurus with a Vulcan.
Be careful removing the oil pan.
The oil pick up and tube that connects it to the pump are made of pot metal and will break off if you don't remove them with the pan.
A tutorial out on the Ford Taurus forums existed a couple years back when I was looking into fixing the timing chain cover on mine.
Let me see if I can find it.
Found it!
http://www.taurusclub.com/forum/1631315-post5.html
Be careful removing the oil pan.
The oil pick up and tube that connects it to the pump are made of pot metal and will break off if you don't remove them with the pan.
A tutorial out on the Ford Taurus forums existed a couple years back when I was looking into fixing the timing chain cover on mine.
Let me see if I can find it.
Found it!
http://www.taurusclub.com/forum/1631315-post5.html
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Originally Posted By: AITG
Originally Posted By: earlyre
(Lima, like the bean, not the city in Peru.)
I LOVE IT! At one of the F-150 forums I had to cover the proper pronunciation of "Rouge"
I wish i could take credit for that, but alas, i modified it from a poster in the background of an early episode of Glee(set in a completely fictional version of Lima, OH)
..though the city's official mascot is a 7 ft tall Lima Bean. Named Beanie.
now just so i don't sound like an idiot, is "Rouge" a shade of red, or some one like Han Solo?
Originally Posted By: earlyre
(Lima, like the bean, not the city in Peru.)
I LOVE IT! At one of the F-150 forums I had to cover the proper pronunciation of "Rouge"
I wish i could take credit for that, but alas, i modified it from a poster in the background of an early episode of Glee(set in a completely fictional version of Lima, OH)
..though the city's official mascot is a 7 ft tall Lima Bean. Named Beanie.
now just so i don't sound like an idiot, is "Rouge" a shade of red, or some one like Han Solo?
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try a high mileage oil max life or pennzoil hm they can work well
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