Losing Faith in Motorcraft 5w20

[C4Dave]

My Taurus and my Dad's Expedition have both been on a diet of 5w20 Motorcraft for about 20,000 miles with 5000 mile oil change intervals. Recently the Expedition has started using oil. Last oil change he added 1 quart after about 3000 miles. Now it is a quart low with about 2000 miles on it. I added AutoRx in hopes that the consumption is due to ring pack deposits.

Last weekend I pulled the PCV valve in my Taurus after noticing an increase in oil usage. Previously, it would be 1/2 quart low after 5000 miles, but now it is 1/2 quart low after 1500 miles. The PCV valve had sludge deposits in it, but it still rattled when shook.

Maybe MC isn't as good as I thought. Any suggestions on what oil to run in the future? I'm thinking about Mobil 7500.

 

[crossbow]

Or maybe your vehicle is having issues that aren't related to what oil you run? Any used oil analysis in any of these intervals?

 

[wander2039]

Change the PCV valves on both with a genuine Motorcraft pcv valve and it should stop. Just because a PCV valve rattles doesn't mean it's still good, the spring gets weak and loses it effectiveness. The reasoning behind using only Motorcraft parts is that alot of people have had oil consumption on 4.6/5.4's and was only cured by changing a aftermarket to the stock pcv valve. My 2000 5.4 uses about quart every 1500 miles but so far hasn't used any MC 5w30 in 1000 miles. I'm going to change mine as soon as I get the dealer but it maybe a mute point due the fact I'll be switching to Havoline/Pennzoil 5w-20 in the future. Good luck.

 

[C4Dave]

I did an UOA on the Expedition after about the second interval with MC 5w20. That UOA was done after 4200 miles, and it looked great.

The Taurus has not had any used oil analysis.

Eric, I will change the PCV valves on both of these vehicles with Motorcraft parts.

 

[benjamming]

C4Dave,

Do you know when was the last time that the PCV valves were actually changed?

 

[C4Dave]

quote:

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Originally posted by benjamming:
C4Dave,

Do you know when was the last time that the PCV valves were actually changed?

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They have never been changed. The Taurus has 76,000 miles on it and the Expedition has 42,000. I also have an Explorer with 170,000 and no PCV valve change.

I changed the Taurus and Explorer with Motorcraft parts last night. The dealer lists 2 differenct PCV valves for the Expedition, a push on and twist on. I'll have to look this weekend to see which it is.

 

[Pablo]

I can't say this wouldn't have happened with any other oil.

But I think you may be on the right track with an AutoRx clean. Follow the directions to the T.

You may want to try a synthetic 10w30 and see what happens.

 

[trooper99]

I'm currently doing auto-rx treatments on three vehicals, but I've seen three different instructions. One on their forums, one on the website and one on the bottle and paper in the shipment. I'm doing 1500 miles clean w/ 2000m rinse. Hope it helps!

 

[fuel tanker man]

I did a "Delo RX" treatment on my old Escort.

It had been burning about a quart of oil every 800 to 1000 miles.

I ran a gallon of the high detergent HDEO Chevron Delo for about 2000 miles last summer and the engine stopped using oil.

I'm back on MC 5W30 right now with no consumption issues.

Dan

 

[C4Dave]

quote:

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Originally posted by Pablo:
You may want to try a synthetic 10w30 and see what happens.

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I just happened to pick up 2 cases of 10w30 Valvoline SynPower on clearance at Walmart.

I'll be using it after the AutoRx.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

I'm not a fan of using such a thin oil in a big Excpedition engine while living in a relatively warm climate state. I would of fed it 5-30... in the summer heat ... 10-30.