Would you change this oil?

[wavinwayne]

I changed the oil in my '97 Expedition 4.6L back on 12-26-06. I used 5 qt's of Pennzoil Platinum 10w30 & 1 quart of Pennzoil dino 10w30. This mixture is simply because it's what I had on hand at the time. Make up oil has been 1/3 qt. of Q Advanced engine synthetic 5w30.

Since 12-26-06, I've only put 1580 miles on the Expedition. I ran a full bottle of Redline fuel system cleaner through it in January or February. The Expedition has 128765 miles on it.

If you BITOGers were in charge of the Expedition's maintenance, when would you change this oil, and why?

 

[Ramblin Fever]

No, but I would take it out for a good 2-3hr drive within the next few weeks to make sure all the moisture is out of the oil.

 

[UncleS2]

I have a similar situation with Mom's '94 Mercury Grand Marquis. Oil was changed in Nov '06, filled with Havoline dino 5w20 w/Lube Control & Motorcraft oil filter- now has less than 1500(maybe less than 1300!) miles on that oil. For the past several years I've had oil changed on that car twice a year, in May & November. But this year I plan to wait longer- maybe as soon as July, or more likely wait until Nov. '07, will play it by ear for the next 7 months or so. If Mom's current driving habits remain the same, Nov. '07 for sure. About once a month it gets driven for a round trip of 70+ miles, & no signs of moisture so far. Oil level is holding steady- I've only added a single 2.5 oz "booster dose" of LC in Feb, will probably add another in May.

For your Expedition, I'd echo the above advice to take it for a good long moisture-cooking-out drive soon. Other than that- If that big Ford was my responsibility, and I could spot no signs of moisture contamination after that drive(or even before!

), I'd keep an eye on it & run your current oil fill for at least another 1500 miles. At the current driving rate, I might very well just wait till Dec. '07 & get a full year out of that oil- 4.5 to 5K miles should be no problem at all.

 

[Cutehumor]

It hasn't been four months yet on the oil. Your asking, you must be leaning on changing it and wants us to change your mind. the 3k/3mo rule is totally bogus. 6 months easy! syn a year.

 

[Gary Allan]

I'm of the 6 month persuasion. That should cover almost all the bases except for truly severe duty

 

[Doc8404]

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No, but I would take it out for a good 2-3hr drive within the next few weeks to make sure all the moisture is out of the oil.

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that's excessive, 30 minutes of highway will burn that out.

 

[BearZDefect]

With a quality oil on a low use vehicle like that I'd leave it in for a year.

 

[Mr_Incredible]

Nope. Like Ramblin Fever, I'd drive somewhere an hour or better away for lunch, and then drive back. Take some nice cigars for the trip.

 

[Doc8404]

WADR, you guys are crazy....doesn't take an hour+ to burn condensation off.

 

[Papa Bear]

I'd change it on the first Friday the 13th of '08.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

No... leave it in for an entire year or 6K - whichever comes first.

Just curious! Were you getting oil consumption before Platinum?

 

[wavinwayne]

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No... leave it in for an entire year or 6K - whichever comes first.

Just curious! Were you getting oil consumption before Platinum?

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Yes, the Expedition has always consumed some oil. I bought it used in '01 with 65k miles & an unknown maintenance history. In my pre-BITOG days, I used to get the oil changed at local quick lubes every 3k miles, but I hardly ever checked the oil between changes. The one time I do remember checking it, I was 2 qt's low, approx 1k miles before my next scheduled oil change. I topped up with Mobil Drive Clean & kept driving it until the next oil change.

All that to say that the Expedition was not loved until I began taking maintenance seriously in 2004. No doubt the neglect contributed to the oil burning.

Once I installed a new pcv valve & began using good oil, and keeping things in good tune, oil consumption was cut in approx. 1/2 of what it was in the pre-BITOG days. It now consumes approx. 1/2 qt every 2k miles.

 

[The Critic]

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Once I installed a new pcv valve & began using good oil, and keeping things in good tune, oil consumption was cut in approx. 1/2 of what it was in the pre-BITOG days. It now consumes approx. 1/2 qt every 2k miles.

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I would check for any oil leaks as well, especially in uncommon places. For instance, repairing my leaking spark plug tube seals reduced my oil consumption drastically as well.

 

[wavinwayne]

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Once I installed a new pcv valve & began using good oil, and keeping things in good tune, oil consumption was cut in approx. 1/2 of what it was in the pre-BITOG days. It now consumes approx. 1/2 qt every 2k miles.

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I would check for any oil leaks as well, especially in uncommon places. For instance, repairing my leaking spark plug tube seals reduced my oil consumption drastically as well.

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It doesn't leak any oil, anywhere. I accept the fact that it uses a little oil. It gives me a reason to pop the hood & check things every couple of weeks.

 

[wavinwayne]

One more question:

Would anybody change their answer about leaving the oil in, since I used that whole bottle of Redline fuel system cleaner back in Jan. or Feb.?

 

[PT1]

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One more question:

Would anybody change their answer about leaving the oil in, since I used that whole bottle of Redline fuel system cleaner back in Jan. or Feb.?

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No, if it was techron yes......but I'd change at 6 months because I'm anal about engine corrosion because I have owned boats for years and have seen people ruin engines by not changing oil often enough or using automotive oil on marine engines.

 

[Doc8404]

and if it was techron, NO.
both contain PEA, what's in the techron that's so BAD?

 

[Ramblin Fever]

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WADR, you guys are crazy....doesn't take an hour+ to burn condensation off.

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No, it shouldn't take nearly 2-3hrs to burn moisture off, but it will also help burn out other crud accumilated from a lot of stop/go city driving.

Also makes for a nice scenic drive.

 

[The Critic]

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WADR, you guys are crazy....doesn't take an hour+ to burn condensation off.

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No, it shouldn't take nearly 2-3hrs to burn moisture off, but it will also help burn out other crud accumilated from a lot of stop/go city driving.

Also makes for a nice scenic drive.

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At today's gas prices?

 

[wavinwayne]

Friday afternoon, we took the Expedition on a road trip to Ringgold, GA. to pick up my FIL at the Peterbilt dealer. That was a couple hundred miles round trip. Any condensation is long gone.

I've decided the oil will stay in for 5-6k miles.