What would be a good oil to use for a 97 Explorer 4.0 sohc with 150k and I am not sure of its history.
Oil for 97 Explorer?
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I know it takes 5w30 per the owners manual, just wanted some opinions.
I've got this one as a current owner of the exact same model, engine and year Explorer. Mine is at 298k miles, almost 299k. At 150k it's just purring like it should.
Here's what I do:
Always been syn 5w30 but the brand didn't mater. I ran GC for awhile when it was all the rage, like having your own Rubik's Cube. Before and after typically ran M1 but also Castrol and Penn but M1 was 90% of the time. I changed it at 5k but over the past 5 years or so I bumped it to 7.5k.
My mileage is a little less than when new bc the drivetrain is going, I burn the same 1/2 quart over 5k that it always has and as far as emissions, when the state tests it for re-registration, it's always within spec for a new engine. Bc it's so old, last year the state asked that I bring it in for a random check bc the age is within the suspected gross polluter categoy and once again, it passed with flying colors and even amazed the tech.
The interior of the overhead valves through the fill hole is spotless.
That said, the truck is now a falling apart in most places, except for the engine. Plugs and wires were replaced every 100k, it gets a bottle of Redline in the gas tank before an oil change but that's it.
Engine is fine I suspect for a long time to come but the other parts have seen better days.
Oh, the oil filter was the M1 once they came out and before that, the blue Purolator. The air filter has always been the K&N replacement once it was available. I don't have an iota of faith in the naysayers of K&N because I've run the same filter for nearly 20 years and I find that people who don't like them have little long term use as an owner of one or they just know someone who had one or saw a picture of one that was over oiled.
If I fill the tank to the tippy top and do just highway driving, even with the drivetrain starting to go, I still manage to get 400+ miles per tank.
Here's what I do:
Always been syn 5w30 but the brand didn't mater. I ran GC for awhile when it was all the rage, like having your own Rubik's Cube. Before and after typically ran M1 but also Castrol and Penn but M1 was 90% of the time. I changed it at 5k but over the past 5 years or so I bumped it to 7.5k.
My mileage is a little less than when new bc the drivetrain is going, I burn the same 1/2 quart over 5k that it always has and as far as emissions, when the state tests it for re-registration, it's always within spec for a new engine. Bc it's so old, last year the state asked that I bring it in for a random check bc the age is within the suspected gross polluter categoy and once again, it passed with flying colors and even amazed the tech.
The interior of the overhead valves through the fill hole is spotless.
That said, the truck is now a falling apart in most places, except for the engine. Plugs and wires were replaced every 100k, it gets a bottle of Redline in the gas tank before an oil change but that's it.
Engine is fine I suspect for a long time to come but the other parts have seen better days.
Oh, the oil filter was the M1 once they came out and before that, the blue Purolator. The air filter has always been the K&N replacement once it was available. I don't have an iota of faith in the naysayers of K&N because I've run the same filter for nearly 20 years and I find that people who don't like them have little long term use as an owner of one or they just know someone who had one or saw a picture of one that was over oiled.
If I fill the tank to the tippy top and do just highway driving, even with the drivetrain starting to go, I still manage to get 400+ miles per tank.
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Check with the local Ford dealer, they might still have a few bottles of the old "Motorcraft SOHC V6 Motor Oil" in stock (the bottles might be a bit dusty though).
Or you could try a "High Mileage Ford" oil from one of the major labels. That may work nicely for ya, since it's a '97.
Or you could try a "High Mileage Ford" oil from one of the major labels. That may work nicely for ya, since it's a '97.
I am getting nice results on conventional oils. If it is using or losing oil, increase the viscosity within reason. If it is losing oil switch to one of the HM versions.
Whatever is on sale from the list below:
Quaker State Advanced Durability - 5W30, 10W30, 10W40
Pennzoil Conventional - 5W30, 10W30, 10W40
Mobil Super 5000 - 5W30, 10W30, 10W40
Valvoline Premium Conventional - 5W30, 10W30, 10W40
Some of the 20W50 oils might have a place also.
My '04 Ranger SOHC 4.0L V6 is running Mobil Super 5000 5w30 now and is not using or losing a drop of oil. I have 148K miles on it now.
Whatever is on sale from the list below:
Quaker State Advanced Durability - 5W30, 10W30, 10W40
Pennzoil Conventional - 5W30, 10W30, 10W40
Mobil Super 5000 - 5W30, 10W30, 10W40
Valvoline Premium Conventional - 5W30, 10W30, 10W40
Some of the 20W50 oils might have a place also.
My '04 Ranger SOHC 4.0L V6 is running Mobil Super 5000 5w30 now and is not using or losing a drop of oil. I have 148K miles on it now.
I was thinking of trying synthetic, but not sure if I should at this mileage. it does not burn or leak any oil.
Originally Posted By: jfug97
I was thinking of trying synthetic, but not sure if I should at this mileage. it does not burn or leak any oil.
Hello? Did you see my post a few up from this one? Run syn and call it good.
I was thinking of trying synthetic, but not sure if I should at this mileage. it does not burn or leak any oil.
Hello? Did you see my post a few up from this one? Run syn and call it good.
Nothing wrong with synthetic. The first 140K on my Ranger were done with Mobil 1. During my cleanup, I found the conventional oils to be quite good. So why go the expense of the synthetic? Especially if I am not going to go for long OCI.
Synthetics are great for long OCI and for extreme temperatures.
Synthetics are great for long OCI and for extreme temperatures.
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Name brand 5w30 conventional oil served my previous 97 4.0 SOHC Explorer well. Mine had the tensioner recall done early in its life, and was trouble free in that department after.
The transmission, not so much, and is why it was dumped around 180,000 miles...
The transmission, not so much, and is why it was dumped around 180,000 miles...
Valvoline MaxLife SynBlend 5w30 or Pennzoil High Mileage 5w30.
If you prefer a non-high mileage oil, Pennzoil or Valvoline conventionals are always excellent.
If you prefer a non-high mileage oil, Pennzoil or Valvoline conventionals are always excellent.
Thanks for all the replies.
Pennzoil Conventional 5w30.
Originally Posted By: Branson304
Valvoline MaxLife SynBlend 5w30 or Pennzoil High Mileage 5w30.
+1 on Maxlife. At 150K, I'd prolly switch up to 10W-40 if there is any top end noise to speak of ...
Valvoline MaxLife SynBlend 5w30 or Pennzoil High Mileage 5w30.
+1 on Maxlife. At 150K, I'd prolly switch up to 10W-40 if there is any top end noise to speak of ...
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