? on recent syn change and oil usage

[Gator]

V-8 Mustang, I used Valvoline Dino 5w30 for the previous 3 oil changes and changed it at 5000 miles each time. This last change I used Castrol Edge 5w30, and it has used exactly 1 qt of oil in the firt 2500 miles, Car has less than 40,000 miles on it. Is this typical, will the usage stop, and why would the engine start to use oil when changing to a synthetic. I had thought the Edge was a great oil but I won't continue to use it if it makes the engine consume oil, I even think I might be able to see the engine smoke a little now on first start up.

 

[mechtech2]

Edge is on the thinner 'edge' of the viscosity range, but this massive increase in oil use shows your car does not like it for other reasons.
Sometimes, this fixes itself. A change of oil brand causes use, then eventually settles down- - sometimes requiring a change or two.
But I would NOT waste money or time on this chance.
Edge is no miracle product, and there is no reason to stick with it.
There are too may fine oils out there.

 

[Gator]

So would you continue with trying synthetic, I would try Pennzoil or Mobil 1 or just go back to cheap Dino. I would say after this happened to me, this is why you get the rumors of bad things happen when switching.

 

[sicko]

It's your call if you want to continue to use synthetic or not. It really depends on how rough you are on the oil and how long of an OCI you want. Personally I don't think it's that much of a risk to keep going with synthetic, even Edge if that's what you want to use. Just check your oil when you fill up gas (or every other time), and top up as needed. It's not uncommon for the oil loss to decrease and stop on its own.

Gotta ask though, what year is the vehicle. Cause there's also the possibility that the synthetic oil might clean out some dirty/sludge that was sealing a small leak. With only 40k miles I don't think that's the case but it's a possibility.

Also, what weight oil is the vehicle spec'ed for? I thought even the Mustang was switched over to 5w-20, but I don't keep up with it enough to be sure

 

[Gator]

it is a 2006, and it is specéd for 5w20, I have never bought into the thin 20 weight oil myself, I feel like when the engine is warm the 30 weight will protect the engine better than 20 weight and I am not worried about losing a little gas mileage. What I am not wanting is to add to the price of my oil changes by having to add a qt of expensive oil, maybe it will stop but I am like you why in the world would it all of a sudden start using oil, same driver same driving habits just a switch from dino to syn.

 

[Deltona_Dave]

Those Ford 4.6's really like Motorcraft 5w-20, especially the Syn blend. Our fleet of CVPI's run 130K, plus thousands of idle hours and very few use any oil during 5K changes. We also use MotorCraft filters. Engines stay pretty clean too. MC syn blend is pretty cheap in a 5Qt jug.

Dave

 

[Old Mustang Guy]

I agree with Dave. I used MC 5W20 for 140k total on my wife's Escape with no usage. I use PP 5W20 in my 06 Mustang GT. I recently switched the Escape to PP because I was out of MC. Still got no usage so I decided to standardize on the PP. Also use the MC 820S filter. These are my top two picks for Fords.

 

[Gator]

I will give Edge the rest of this change and then I have enough for the next change also, if the oil consumption still has not stopped, I will be switching over to whatever I have the most of, or whatever goes on sell in the next 2 to 3 months. Right now I have I jug of PP and 1 Jug of Mobil 1 EP. I am not giving up yet, but I can't figure out why a engine fully broken in and a long ways from being worn out would use oil, I mean where could it be going, surely not by the rings or down the valveguides, hmmm time will tell.

 

[Gary Allan]

You'll know if the consumption starts decreasing the longer you have it in service.