MC - Synpower Observation

[JonC]

I have a 2006 F150 with the 5.4L engine. For the first 70K miles of the truck's life, I used MC 5W20 and MC filters. My only issue was that there was a light varnish on the dipstick.

Due to the varnish, I decided to switch to Valvoline Synpower 5W20. I kept using the MC filters.

Almost immediately, I noticed that when starting the truck in the morning or after sitting all day, there was some engine noise for a couple seconds. I heard that sound described for these engines when people used an oil filter without the proper backflow preventer. My first thought was that I had a bad filter.

The next filter change, I continued with the Synpower and a new MC filter. Again, there was noise at start up. At this point, I started to suspect the oil - maybe it was thinner than the MC and leaked past the filter seal.

To confirm this suspicion, I went back to MC 5W20 oil at the most recent change. Interestingly, the start up noise is gone.

I guess there's something about the Synpower (or possibly any/most synthestic 5W20?) that causes start up issues with my engine. I suspect it may have to do with either thickness or perhaps the lack of polarity for the GIII oil?

Jon

 

[panthermike]

No idea.

FYI, my brother has that engine in his 07'. No starting issues with PP for 35K miles, has 46K total.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Well there's good oil blends and bad oil blends then there good batches of good oil and bad batches of good oil. Like finding fine wine. IMO too much detergent % fighting for seat space w polar boundary lubricants.

 

[ottotheclown]

IMHO, if varnish is your biggest problem I would not concern myself. I have seen on alot of dip sticks with cars that ran for a very very very = long time.

 

[JonC]

Originally Posted By: ottotheclown
IMHO, if varnish is your biggest problem I would not concern myself. I have seen on alot of dip sticks with cars that ran for a very very very = long time.


I agree. I'm less concerned and more intrigued by the fact that I experienced this difference between the two oils. I don't think either situation is worth worrying about, but its the first time in 25 years I've seen or heard any difference in oils in one of my cars.

 

[Old Mustang Guy]

I've used MC 5W20 and PP 5W20 in my fords (Mustang GT and Escape). I would suggest either going back to MC or trying PP or their new PU.

 

[JonC]

Originally Posted By: Old Mustang Guy
I've used MC 5W20 and PP 5W20 in my fords (Mustang GT and Escape). I would suggest either going back to MC or trying PP or their new PU.


That would be an interesting experiment - does PP have the start up noise like Synpower or is it quiet like MC? Not sure I'll take the time to do it, but it would be interesting.

 

[skunkstevens1]

Are you using the Full Synthetic MC or the Synthetic Blend?

 

[JonC]

Originally Posted By: skunkstevens1
Are you using the Full Synthetic MC or the Synthetic Blend?


Synthetic blend.