Going from HM Syn to Normal Syn?

[ossyoos]

I have an 03 Ford Focus 2.0 spi engine at 100k miles. A couple changes ago I changed from Motorcraft 5w20 to M1 Syn High Mileage 5w20.
I am wondering if I could introduce new problems going to PP or PP ultra? I know high mileage has certain conditioners that can swell the seals, and I wanted to know if going to the other oil would cause issues.
I don't have a big reason to change oil types, but I thought I would ask.

As a side note. I use Syn because of extreme weather changes. Also it is my wife's car, and 75% of the use is a 5 mile commute on surface roads 5 days a week.

 

[qdeezie]

Not oil related, but has your SPI suffered the dropped valve that they are known for or were you proactive and got it fixed ahead of time?

 

[ossyoos]

It hasn't had the problem yet, but i've read up on it. What is the preemptive fix?

 

[qdeezie]

Remove the head and have a machine shop press in new valve seats.

However, there's one extra step required after installing the new seats which involves rolling the metal of the heads over the valve seats so they don't drop.

Here's a thread that covers it in more depth: http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=287792

And honestly, if you go that far, get top quality valve stem seals installed and you probably won't have to worry about oil consumption for a long time.

 

[ossyoos]

Thanks for that. I had just stumbled upon that link as well. We'll see if its something I can do in the next while.

Now, oil?

 

[jmb3675]

If you had a leak before using the high mileage oil, that stopped while using the high mileage oil, it may come back after a while.
I just changed from QSDefy 5w-20 to Quaker State Ultimate Durability full synthetic in my 2002 Focus with the 2.0 ZTEC. Before the Defy I had Maxlife blend in it. It has a small valve cover leak. It is just enough of a leak to smell a hint of burned oil once in a while and needs a half a quart or so in 5000 miles. With the Maxlife and Defy I never smelled oil, never had to add any and it ran pretty quiet with the Defy. It was noisy with the Maxlife. With the Quaker State Ultimate Durability, after 2000 miles the oil smell is back, but not as bad or as often. It also does not start any easier in the cold than it did with the high mileage blends which really surprised me. My next oil change I am going back to Defy.

 

[qdeezie]

^
I pretty much agree with this. As long as you didn't have oil leaks or oil consumption, there's nothing to really worry about.

 

[ossyoos]

I haven't had any leaks so far, nor does it burn any oil. I'm thinking i'll be safe switching, but part of me doesn't want to change if all is well.

 

[tig1]

Mobil 1 0w20.

 

[ossyoos]

I was under the impression that this engine wasn't back specced to 0w20 like other engines were. Why should I change from 5w20 which is the proper spec to something else?

 

[ossyoos]

While i'm here. I have used Wix, P1, M1, and Motorcraft filters. I haven't noticed much difference, but does anyone suggest which would do well with PP? Once again, i'm sure it won't make much of a difference. I'll probably keep running 4-5k oci's while I live in this area.

 

[qdeezie]

Motorcraft (probably FL400s for your car). Cheap, usually, less than $4 at the auto parts store and works just fine and honestly, all you need.

Another thing to mention, make sure you look at and replace that PCV valve. That has a lot to do with eliminating any potential oil consumption as well. Preferably Motorcraft if reasonably priced.

 

[ossyoos]

Yeah, that's the one I have gotten. I'll swing over to walmart and get both. You don't think there are any worthwhile advantages to get anything more with my situation?

 

[qdeezie]

Not really. Unless you were going with an extended OCI, then you'd probably want a different filter.

 

[ossyoos]

Alright. Thanks everyone for the help. Also for the valve advice...