MMO in ford explorer 4.0 sohc engine

[Russell]

Just changed the oil in my ford explorer 4.0 sohc engine. I used 1 quart of MMO and 4 quarts of Valvoline 5w30 conventional oil. I hope MMO cleans the engine a bit. I plan to leave it in for around 3,000 miles. BTW, the truck has 140,000 miles

Any opinions?

 

[expat]

Do you just Assume it needs it?

 

[Hermann]

MMO, Don't get it. Hopefully just a passing fad here on BITOG, like Havoline Dino and countless others. Maybe I would get it, if we knew what it is and is not. Do not like mysteries. JMO

 

[Russell]

Originally Posted By: expat
Do you just Assume it needs it?

Actually, I had the front and rear timing chains and plastic guides replaced about 3500 miles ago (and 2 oil/filter changes) I Just want to make sure there are as few plastic pieces floating around in the engine as possible. Still have what is believed to be an "lifter tick"

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Russell
Just changed the oil in my ford explorer 4.0 sohc engine. I used 1 quart of MMO and 4 quarts of Valvoline 5w30 conventional oil. I hope MMO cleans the engine a bit. I plan to leave it in for around 3,000 miles. BTW, the truck has 140,000 miles

Any opinions?


IMO you made a good choice for cleaning. I've been driving since the 70's, and was adding MMO to my father's cars before I was driving. I've used it for cleaning engines, freeing up lifters, floats in gas tanks, as well as a few other uses. I've had more success stories with it than I can count. I turned a lot of doubters on to it over the years too. Usually people who had passed remarks about it, then were looking for a fix for a dirty engine, or sticking lifters. These people started recommending it themselves shortly after they tried it. The product works and works well. I add it to my gas as too.

 

[bluestream]

Originally Posted By: Russell
Originally Posted By: expat
Do you just Assume it needs it?

Actually, I had the front and rear timing chains and plastic guides replaced about 3500 miles ago (and 2 oil/filter changes) I Just want to make sure there are as few plastic pieces floating around in the engine as possible. Still have what is believed to be an "lifter tick"


MMO will not remove any plastic pieces you may have in the engine? What makes you think it needs any cleaning?

 

[panthermike]

Good choice, I've had success w/ the product. Adding it for a total of around 3,000 miles(end of 3 oci's) yielded more visible results than two ARX cycles and a couple of synthetic runs prior to the ARX. This was on my 2000 Corolla.

Most people that are against a product, probably haven't used it before.

My advice to you; run the course, post results and make your own conclusions

 

[sw99]

Originally Posted By: Hermann
MMO, Don't get it. Hopefully just a passing fad here on BITOG, like Havoline Dino and countless others. Maybe I would get it, if we knew what it is and is not. Do not like mysteries. JMO


Sorry, but your free to move along...

MMO has worked great for me. My engines are nice and clean.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

Originally Posted By: Hermann
MMO, Don't get it. Hopefully just a passing fad here on BITOG, like Havoline Dino and countless others. Maybe I would get it, if we knew what it is and is not. Do not like mysteries. JMO


I am using 16 oz MMO with Havoline 10w30 in my 99 SL2. Spiked the brew with one bottle of EP Moly (left over from use making Mola's brew). Getting 35 mpg highway. Car has never performed better. I have been using MMO since last fall and car just runs better since using it. I plan to continue using MMO on a regular basis. Much cheaper then replacing my rings.

 

[Gary Allan]

Quote:
Any opinions?


Your engine was specifically NOT back spec'd to 5w-20 oils like every other Ford product. The engineers conceded that the oil system wasn't up to it. While the % of MMO you used may not take it out of grade, there are few (none that I know of) 30 grades that are close to the bottom of the 30 range ..and most 20 weights are nearer the top of the 20 range.

If you want to do this, I would suggest a heavier oil to compensate.

Most other engines could not care less (conditions and restrictions apply - YMMV)

 

[Russell]

Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Originally Posted By: Russell
Originally Posted By: expat
Do you just Assume it needs it?

Actually, I had the front and rear timing chains and plastic guides replaced about 3500 miles ago (and 2 oil/filter changes) I Just want to make sure there are as few plastic pieces floating around in the engine as possible. Still have what is believed to be an "lifter tick"


MMO will not remove any plastic pieces you may have in the engine? What makes you think it needs any cleaning?


Why not? If there is a tiny piece of remaining plastic that could stick in a lifter, it seems that making my engine cleaner "May" help it become dislodged. Of course, MMO will not disolve the plastic.

If it is just gunk stopping up the lifters, MMO should help. Anyway, the engine will be cleaner.

 

[demarpaint]

I have a buddy using it in a 115,000 mile 4.0 Explorer since 2001 when he bought it, no problems to report, just a clean well running engine. Just last week he had a valve cover off to replace a gasket, spotless was an understatement. If you are concerned about thinning the oil get a qt of your favorite oil in a 40 grade and add it to the mix. My buddy uses 5W30 in his with a qt of MMO.

 

[badtlc]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
I have a buddy using it in a 115,000 mile 4.0 Explorer since 2001 when he bought it, no problems to report, just a clean well running engine. Just last week he had a valve cover off to replace a gasket, spotless was an understatement. If you are concerned about thinning the oil get a qt of your favorite oil in a 40 grade and add it to the mix. My buddy uses 5W30 in his with a qt of MMO.


Did you happen to see the engine before the MMO use?

 

[Russell]

Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
Quote:
Any opinions?


Your engine was specifically NOT back spec'd to 5w-20 oils like every other Ford product. The engineers conceded that the oil system wasn't up to it. While the % of MMO you used may not take it out of grade, there are few (none that I know of) 30 grades that are close to the bottom of the 30 range ..and most 20 weights are nearer the top of the 20 range.

If you want to do this, I would suggest a heavier oil to compensate.

Most other engines could not care less (conditions and restrictions apply - YMMV)


Thanks for the advice. I may add just a bit of vicosity improver of some sort.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: badtlc
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
I have a buddy using it in a 115,000 mile 4.0 Explorer since 2001 when he bought it, no problems to report, just a clean well running engine. Just last week he had a valve cover off to replace a gasket, spotless was an understatement. If you are concerned about thinning the oil get a qt of your favorite oil in a 40 grade and add it to the mix. My buddy uses 5W30 in his with a qt of MMO.


Did you happen to see the engine before the MMO use?


I saw it opened up for the VC gasket change, no sludge, not even a hint of varnish, it looked like new. Prior to that, I never saw the internals. 5000 mile dino OCI's, Long Island NY driving, lots of stop and go, and short trip use. The naysayers will probably say any engine would be spotless under those conditions, I'd doubt it though.

 

[badtlc]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint

..... The naysayers will probably say any engine would be spotless under those conditions, I'd doubt it though.


To be fair, the naysayers would at least have logic on their side instead of doubts.

 

[demarpaint]

Perhaps, sometimes logic is flawed, depends on what outcome the naysayers are looking for.

MMO is always a hot topic. Logic tells me I should have seen some sludge and a fair amount of varnish. Long Island driving conditions STINK, and the short hop soccer Mom use compounds it.

 

[mechtech2]

After 80 years of successful use, MMO is not a passing fad.
But for warm weather use, you probably should have added a qt or two of heavier oil to compensate for the thinning effect of the thin MMO.

 

[Boss302fan]

MMO works...

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
After 80 years of successful use, MMO is not a passing fad.
But for warm weather use, you probably should have added a qt or two of heavier oil to compensate for the thinning effect of the thin MMO.


That's not a bad idea. I never did that, but most of the time if I was using a full qt it was during the winter months. The times I ran it in the summer I had no issues, but adding a qt or two of a thicker oil for summer use certainly won't hurt anything. Or just use a pint for the last 1000 miles of the OCI during the warmer seasons. Save the qt for the winter months if you live in colder climates.