Motorcraft oil is NOISY

[dogememe]

Bought my Escape with the 2.5L engine from the Ford dealer with fresh Motorcraft oil and filter and today it was time for the first oil change, with SynPower 5w30 and a Wix filter. Within a few seconds of startup I noticed how much quieter the engine was. It's not quiet and smooth like either of my V8s but it sounds more like a new Duramax than an 80s Mercedes diesel now

Anybody else have this experience with this oil?

 

[dgunay]

Nothing to do with Motorcraft. It's old vs new oil.

 

[SatinSilver]

They probably put 5w20 in it. So yes the 5w30 will be quieter. Noticed the same thing in the Matrix going from that to 5w30 MC syn-blend.

 

[dogememe]

Originally Posted By: dgunay
Nothing to do with Motorcraft. It's old vs new oil.


Well no, it's always been noisy. I just thought that was normal.

Originally Posted By: SatinSilver
They probably put 5w20 in it. So yes the 5w30 will be quieter. Noticed the same thing in the Matrix going from that to 5w30 MC syn-blend.


Hmm, valid point. Would it be that different at idle though?

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

The Mazda 2.5 you're referring to is not known to be a "quiet" engine, but it certainly is pretty durable. Good you found a quieter oil!

 

[dogememe]

Originally Posted By: SubieRubyRoo
The Mazda 2.5 is pretty durable. Good you found a quieter oil!


Now if only we could say the same of the 6F35 it's bolted to...

 

[BullittGT]

I noticed after going from MC 5w30 to 5w30 RP on my old Mach1 the same thing. MC always had a louder valve train noise.

On my old Escort it was much less noticeable difference.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

Hyundai dealership changed my FF which I believe is Quaker State and used Valvoline Premium Conventional. On way home I noticed car was smoother and quieter. I think you are on to something.

 

[KCJeep]

Motorcraft is boron heavy which in many engines runs very quietly. Could be old vs new, could just be that engine's characteristics, could be you didn't even necessarily get Motorcraft from the Ford dealer either. Who knows but glad you found something you are liking.

 

[Urshurak776]

I agree with satinsilver, I would think it would be very minor, but I think it has more to do with viscosity then the brand of oil.

 

[SirTanon]

Originally Posted By: dogememe
Originally Posted By: SubieRubyRoo
The Mazda 2.5 is pretty durable. Good you found a quieter oil!


Now if only we could say the same of the 6F35 it's bolted to...


.. just take good care of the trans, and it will last. Do a drain&fill when it hits 60,000 miles, then again every 30,000 miles. If you follow this plan, and use a good transmission fluid (MC Mercon LV or Valvoline Maxlife), it should get you well past 200k.

 

[burla]

My wife's vehicle a rav 4 was a rattle trap on Mobil 1 5w20, went to redline 5w20 and it was very smooth until I decided on Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5w30, that thing went from a rattle trap to butter smooth, I am assuming any 5w30 would have done the same. I never did like the idea of running 20 weight oil anyway, but the cure for those old rattle traps is a simple as going up to 5w30. I would never understand the thought process of choosing an oil that makes your engine noisy if there are ones that don't. If you like motor craft just go up in weight.

 

[dogememe]

Originally Posted By: SirTanon
Originally Posted By: dogememe
Originally Posted By: SubieRubyRoo
The Mazda 2.5 is pretty durable. Good you found a quieter oil!


Now if only we could say the same of the 6F35 it's bolted to...


.. just take good care of the trans, and it will last. Do a drain&fill when it hits 60,000 miles, then again every 30,000 miles. If you follow this plan, and use a good transmission fluid (MC Mercon LV or Valvoline Maxlife), it should get you well past 200k.


Yup, already did a drain and fill, plan to actually do it every year. genuine Mercon LV only

 

[Silverado12]

FWIW I'm running Motorcraft blend 5w30 in my Fords (2000 Mustang 4.6 and 2010 Mustang 4.6) and they run quietly.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

When are these engines making noise, upon start up, or at operating temperature?

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter
When are these engines making noise, upon start up, or at operating temperature?

If it's at start-up it's not the oil viscosity because all oil is basically "thick" at 50 to 80 deg F. If an engine making mechanical noise is sensitive to oil viscosity, it would be when the engine is fully warmed up and the oil has thinned down from heat.

 

[fordman65]

Maybe it might be associated with Valvoline putting the titanium additive in their oils now.
A few weeks ago when I heard this. I emailed Valvoline and their tech team responded and did confirm that Valvoline is putting a titanium additive into their oils.

I have always used Castrol with titanium or Kendall that has the titanium additive.
My cars with those oils where noticable quieter than when I tried a oil without the titanium additive.

 

[dogememe]

Originally Posted By: fordman65
Maybe it might be associated with Valvoline putting the titanium additive in their oils now.
A few weeks ago when I heard this. I emailed Valvoline and their tech team responded and did confirm that Valvoline is putting a titanium additive into their oils.

I have always used Castrol with titanium or Kendall that has the titanium additive.
My cars with those oils where noticable quieter than when I tried a oil without the titanium additive.


Hmm, I used the old style jug, SynPower branded oil, though it had a Dexos1 Gen2 label so I guess it was the new formulation...

 

[dave1251]

To me if it's not confirmed with a sound meter it is perception not reality.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Originally Posted By: dogememe
Bought my Escape with the 2.5L engine from the Ford dealer with fresh Motorcraft oil and filter and today it was time for the first oil change, with SynPower 5w30 and a Wix filter. Within a few seconds of startup I noticed how much quieter the engine was. It's not quiet and smooth like either of my V8s but it sounds more like a new Duramax than an 80s Mercedes diesel now

Anybody else have this experience with this oil?


What you heard was either a lower viscosity oil that was removed, or because the oil was spent / used. I see Fords running by me every day walking my dog. They use Motorcraft mostly and the engines are quiet.

You sometimes ask for issues buying used vehicles - not knowing what the prior owner did with that engine. Had you bought that Escape new, you would not be complaining about Motorcraft oil today. Conoco Philips is good stuff.