Switch to Motorcraft 5W30?

BlueOvalFitter · Sep 25, 2004

97 F150,4.2V6,103K miles
I'm currently running 3 quarts of Mobil 1 10W30 along with 3 quarts of Chevron Supreme 10w30 conventional.I see that Motorcraft 5W30 is a synthetic blend and is only $1.42 a quart at Wal-Mart.Do ya'll think it would be ok to run this in my 4.2?

like a rock · Sep 25, 2004

The motorcraft will do a good job. I know of a truck that has run motorcraft 10w30 for most of it's life. 99 f-150 4.2 six banger 155,000 miles. The inside of the valve cover is spotless.

Audi Junkie · Sep 25, 2004

MC 5w30 is my new winter oil. 11cSt and great CC, a definate hit.

mikemc · Sep 25, 2004

Yeah, I think full synthetic is a waste of money for Florida "winters". The MC 5w30 will do a fine job for you.

BlueOvalFitter · Sep 25, 2004

What i'm getting at is,as long as Motorcraft 5W30 stays a synthetic blend,and being ive been using 10W30,can I use it year round?

jorton · Sep 25, 2004

What is your rate of comsumption? I have that motor in my 99 and it uses 1 qt in 5000 miles.

mikemc · Sep 25, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by BlueOvalFitter:
What i'm getting at is,as long as Motorcraft 5W30 stays a synthetic blend,and being ive been using 10W30,can I use it year round?

As long as you don't see oil consumpsion of over 1 qt. between drains, no problem with using it all year.

BlueOvalFitter · Sep 30, 2004

My engine does not burn nor leak any oil.I change the oil every 3k miles.I was just wondering if going back to a 5W30 would harm anything being ive been using 10W30 for the last 40k miles.

BlueOvalFitter · Oct 1, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by dustyjoe1:
BTW: with 103k on that 97 be on the lookout for signs of the dreaded Hydrolock due to defective gaskets problem. Its a potential engine killer. See Ford truck enthusiests web site for detail on the timing cover and intake manifold defective gasket problem on that year.

I'm way ahead of ya there brother! I had my lowers replaced back in Nov.2002 to prevent that!Also,the timing cover gasket was done in 1999 on a recall!And,being you own a 98 you should read this;
www.leakingfords.com

[ October 01, 2004, 06:35 PM: Message edited by: BlueOvalFitter ]

BlueOvalFitter · Oct 1, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by dustyjoe1:
BTW: with 103k on that 97 be on the lookout for signs of the dreaded Hydrolock due to defective gaskets problem. Its a potential engine killer. See Ford truck enthusiests web site for detail on the timing cover and intake manifold defective gasket problem on that year.

I'm way ahead of ya there brother! I had my lowers replaced back in Nov.2002 to prevent that!And,being you own a 98 you should read this;
www.leakingfords.com

dustyjoe1 · Oct 1, 2004

I've read that one. Thanks. Mine does exhibit some or the sympthoms, but I've held the beast at bay by introducing two bottles of barr's stop leak into the cooling system...its holding, but I know I will need to get into the engine soon. I guess at 115k I'm due to change some gaskets anyway...

TheFuror · Oct 1, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by Audi Junkie:
MC 5w30 is my new winter oil. 11cSt and great CC, a definate hit.

My only criticism of the oil is that is has a relatively low flash point (410 degrees f). Other than that, it's numbers seem quite good.

Bob W.

leanintoit · Oct 1, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by TheFuror:

quote:

Originally posted by Audi Junkie:
MC 5w30 is my new winter oil. 11cSt and great CC, a definate hit.

Click to expand...

My only criticism of the oil is that is has a relatively low flash point (410 degrees f). Other than that, it's numbers seem quite good.

Bob W.

If you got that 410* flash point from the motorcraft website you should look again as it also says it's API SJ. The motorcraft website is several years out of date. If this is indeed conoco/phillips oil as many believe, it would have a 430* flash point.

Synthetic Blend

Sin City · Oct 1, 2004

leanintoit is correct. Ford should get an award for having the most outdated automotive web site.

Ugly3 · Oct 1, 2004

MC 5W30 year around will serve you well.

ToyotaNSaturn · Oct 1, 2004

Castrol's web site isn't up to date, either. Their going on 2 1/2 year old info on most of their product data sheets.

dustyjoe1 · Oct 1, 2004

That oil will work fine year round, for that matter so will the MC 5w20. I switched my 98 f150 v6 to the 20 a while back, runs fine. BTW: with 103k on that 97 be on the lookout for signs of the dreaded Hydrolock due to defective gaskets problem. Its a potential engine killer. See Ford truck enthusiests web site for detail on the timing cover and intake manifold defective gasket problem on that year.

r.

97flairside · Oct 2, 2004

I had tried the MC 5W30 in my f150 with the 4.6 and will never do it again. My mpg dropped significantly. I had been using Mobil 1 10w30 synthetic. I switched back to the mobil 1 last week and my mpg have gone back up to what i was normally getting. Concensus was blow buy with the thinner oil.

Whimsey · Oct 2, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by 97flairside:
I had tried the MC 5W30 in my f150 with the 4.6 and will never do it again. My mpg dropped significantly. I had been using Mobil 1 10w30 synthetic. I switched back to the mobil 1 last week and my mpg have gone back up to what i was normally getting. Concensus was blow buy with the thinner oil.

I believe that from your earlier posts you tried the Motorcraft 5W-20, not the Motorcraft 5w30, and lost MPG. I'm glad the Mobil 1 10w30 works so well for you. How are your cold starts in the winter season with the Mobil 1 10w30, any clacking or ticking? Though I have to admit that I'm really surprised that you LOST MPG with the Motorcraft 5W-20 compared to the Mobil 1 10w30

. You seem to be defying the laws of physics, logic and Ford marketing with your truck

.

Whimsey

Gene K · Oct 3, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by 97flairside:
I had tried the MC 5W30 in my f150 with the 4.6 and will never do it again. My mpg dropped significantly. I had been using Mobil 1 10w30 synthetic. I switched back to the mobil 1 last week and my mpg have gone back up to what i was normally getting. Concensus was blow buy with the thinner oil.

Actually the Mobil 10w30 (Mobil 1 30 weights are some of the thinnest on the market) is the thinner oil. The improved MPG may have been from the reduced pumping losses. Try the Motocraft 5W-20 (Now approved for your 4.6) if mpg is the primary goal. Actually the best mpg would likely come from Torco SR-1 5W-20.

If the oil you tried was in fact 5W-20 I can not explain the loss in mpg. I suspect some as yet undetermined factor.

Gene

Switch to Motorcraft 5W30?

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