Oil recomendation for used and abused '01 Windstar

[JustinC25]

Hey Guys,

I've just been tasked with doing some work on my uncle's
'01 Windstar It has been used and abused. Currently it is 3k overdue for it's oil change. I believe that it has consistantly been driven past it's scheduled changes. And has been run on dino. I believe that it regularly sees 7-9k between changes.
Though I will be doing the maintenance on it from now on.
I'll make sure they stick to between 3-5k oci's.
This van has 163k on it currently, and they plan on keeping it for another year or two. What dino would you recommend for this van. I was thinking PYB 5w30, Maybe Maxlife, or Pennzoil HM. I was thinking 5w30 over the 5w20 that it specs, as it has been abused, and it is over 150k. I have had great luck running PYB in my Camry, and PP in my Windstar. So I do like the Pennzoil products (and supporting Johnny's pension).
But i'd be ok with another product. What do you guys think of the Pennzoil HM vs. Maxlife ?

Thanks,
Justin

 

[crazyoildude]

what engine?

 

[HTSS_TR]

As much as I like Pennzoil Platinum, of the the two HM oils you're mentioned I would pick Maxlife. Maxlife 5W30 can easily be used for 6-7k miles OCI's.

 

[JustinC25]

Sorry, I'm used to my '03. I forgot that there was a choice in '01.
It has the 3.8

 

[Not the Autorx Frank]

I just picked up some PYB for $10.50 per 5QT at Sams. Cant hardly beat that. Stocking up for some ARX runs..

 

[S2500Dog]

I would suggest Motorcraft Synthetic Blend 10W30 Motor Oil or whatever weight may be suitable for your climate and driving conditions. Ford recommends and uses Motorcraft Lubritacts and Parts for all vehicles manufactured under the Ford Motor Co.

 

[daves87rs]

Still like Maxlife...

 

[S2500Dog]

Valvoline is a great motor oil as well. I would not hesistate to use it at all !

 

[JustinC25]

Winter gets a little cold up here. I think a 10w maybe to thick for cold startup. My local WM only carries MC in a 5w20 in the 5qt jugs. The quarts are much more expensive.
It's $11.50 for PYB, $14.00 for Maxlife, and I think $13.50 for PZ-HM. (In 5qt bottles)

I'm thinking I might go for the Maxlife.

Oh and I almost forgot, I'll be running a Motorcraft FL-400S filter. For $3.27 you can't go wrong.

 

[S2500Dog]

The Motorcraft FL-400S Filter is a good choice. For my oil, I would recommend Motorcraft 5W-20 in the jug or Valvoline 5W-20. Both oils along with the filter will serve you well !

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: JustinC25
Winter gets a little cold up here. I think a 10w maybe to thick for cold startup. My local WM only carries MC in a 5w20 in the 5qt jugs. The quarts are much more expensive.
It's $11.50 for PYB, $14.00 for Maxlife, and I think $13.50 for PZ-HM. (In 5qt bottles)

I'm thinking I might go for the Maxlife.

Oh and I almost forgot, I'll be running a Motorcraft FL-400S filter. For $3.27 you can't go wrong.


I think the 5w30 Maxlife and MC FL400S filter sounds like a solid plan

Pennzoil HM 5w30 would be good too of course.

 

[greg_J35]

Originally Posted By: S2500Dog
I would suggest Motorcraft Synthetic Blend 10W30 Motor Oil or whatever weight may be suitable for your climate and driving conditions. Ford recommends and uses Motorcraft Lubritacts and Parts for all vehicles manufactured under the Ford Motor Co.
+1

 

[coffee]

Probably the MaxLife or even the Quaker State HM.

 

[fdcg27]

Does this thing show symptoms of sticky rings, or that it is really dirty?
How about any conventional with AutoRx?
AutoRx did make a noticeable difference in the two engines I ran it in.
I apologize to Mori and the other doubters, but it does seem to work.

 

[OVERKILL]

For S&G's, do a run of M1 5w20 and then cut open the filter. If you check my post history, particularly of the filters I've cut open you will get an idea why......

Your results may be able to affirm, or potentially cause me to question mine.

 

[HM12460]

super tech 5/30. just drive it.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: S2500Dog
The Motorcraft FL-400S Filter is a good choice. For my oil, I would recommend Motorcraft 5W-20 in the jug or Valvoline 5W-20. Both oils along with the filter will serve you well !


Exactly. Having owned a 2001 Windstar myself, these old school pushrod 3.8's will run happily on just about anything. I bought mine as a lease return and as far as I know it ran nothing but 5w20 until ~100Kmi and 2008 when I traded it in. The engine ran smooth, quiet and was clean as a whistle. Personally I'd be more concerned with what's in the AX4N trans and the power steering fluid. The only other common failure on them is vacuum leaks on the upper intake (search "isolator bolts") causing lean codes and performance issues.

Joel

 

[crazyoildude]

5w30 dino pretty much anything sm rated also be aware that those 3.8 ford engines have problems with the heads and head gaskets... We do many of them

 

[Mustang_Cougar]

I'm sort of in the same "MaxLife vs. Motorcraft" dilemma. I've got a '97 Grand Caravan 3.3l w/165K miles and I'd love to try MC 10w30 in it. But as mentioned earlier, 10w30 only comes in quarts...and that would make for a pricey oil change. So I'm currently running MaxLife (w/ST filter) and this seems to be fine (though I've yet to get a UOA done). My next oil change may see Pennzoil HM, especially if the price of MaxLife ($14.50) continues to climb towards that of Valvoline Synthetic ($18) and PP ($20).

 

[pavelow]

Pennzoil Platinum...."cheap" oil that protects very well. Perfect for your situation.