Short trips, Cold weather, Condensation- Oil

[mnm567]

Hello, I was wondering what oil would suit me best if I make short trips, (6 miles or less), live in Indiana where the winters are cold, and have noticed the milky film on my oil cap due to condensation. I drive a 2004 Ford F150 5.4L, currently run Motorcraft 5W20, and sometimes it seems as though I experience dry starts after the truck sits overnight. Thanks in advance!

 

[paul246]

The type of oil or brand of oil doesn't matter. You have to take the vehicle out for a good run periodically to keep the oil in good condition. If you can drive the vehicle at highway speed for an hour or so it will rid itself of the moisture collected in the crankcase.

 

[mnm567]

Good point. I wish I had that hour. Do you think the fact that the truck sits for 24 hours every third day would negate a shorter OCI?

 

[Jim Allen]

My opinion is that you already have the right oil viscosity, 5W20. I have a similar truck ('05 F-150 5.4L), by the way, and live not far from you, so I think I understand your needs.

You didn't say which oil brand you use. Fords are pretty happy with the Motorcraft brand and it's a good value oil, so it doesn't have to chew hard on your wallet. You can, of course, go higher up the food chain but I wouldn't count on that being a cure in your situation. Make sure you use a Motorcraft filter, or any other that has a good anti-drainback valve (ADBV). The Ford modular engines are prone to various rattles on startup, not all of them worthy of a great deal of concern, IMO, but a good ADBV is vital and the MC filter has that. Again, it's a good value product.

Yeah, six miles is a pretty short run, especially in the winter. If the truck lives outside, you might want to consider a block heater. It will drastically cut warmup time and extend engine life. This may be the best answer overall. Any oil will be stressed in your scenario. Condensation and fuel dilution can kill the best oil, so in your case, the old 3000 mile OCI is probably one you should follow if you make no other changes.

One almost free thing you could do is to make a point to drive the 469 loop once a week and cook out all that condensate and fuel dilution. Also, in the coldest part of winter, you could partially cover the radiator with cardboard for a quicker warmup... but you'll have to remember it's there!

 

[mnm567]

Thanks Jim, Where in Ohio do you live? I do currently use Motorcraft 5W20. The Walmart on 37 has it in 5qt jugs for $12.50! They are currently out of course. I also have been using the Motorcraft filter (also a great value at Walmart).

I think I am experiencing cam chain tensioner leak down. So the chains and guides are the culpret for the 1-2 second rattle on start-up.

I had a block heater on my last truck and I worked great. I may go that route again. It was the true block heater that had an element in the freeze plug location.

I wasn't sure if I should go full synthetic or stay with the blend? I only put maybe 8K on the truck a year. I owe a lot on the truck and need it to perform for many miles and years.

 

[rg200amp]

You will be fine with motorcraft changed every 3-4000 miles.

I used Pennzoil Platnium in my F250 with the 6.8L V10 (same motor as yours just two more cylinders) Out of all the oils a tried, I liked Pennzoil Platnium or Royal purple the best in my truck.

 

[Johnny]

I would stick with the Motorcraft oil and filter and under your driving conditions I would change both 3-times per year (Oct, Feb, and June). Still a good idea to drive the 469 loop once a week.

Both of my vehicles see the same type of driving as your truck. Every Saturday morning I drive 30 miles down the highway to have breakfast with my son, then 30 miles back home. It does make a difference.

 

[Jim Allen]

I live out in the country between Lima and Defiance. My truck gets less miles per year than you (which is why it only has 16K miles so far) but when I drive, it gets a minimum of 10-15 miles at 55-60 no matter where I go. I change my oil once a year or 7500 mi. I use either Castrol (a mix of 5 GTX and 2 Syntec) or Motorcraft 5W20 but it has comped RP 5W20 SL in it now for tests. No startup rattles on mine... yet and hopefully never.

I honest don't think a Full Synthetic would do you much good. Wouldn't hurt, except your wallet, but you would still be stuck with a short OCI unless you went the block heater route. To me that dictates a value oil, like MC, that you can afford to dump. Wouldn't want to use really [censored] oil, but the MC is excellent for the price and very good even against a higher standard.

When I change my coolant, I was thinking about a block heater myself. Have one in my diesel truck and both tractors. The '05 lives in a warm garage and really doesn't need it, but why not just in case. If you do a Google search, you'll find a lot about block heaters and how they reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Lotsa big cities in the snow belt are recommending them in all vehicles for that reason.