Motorsickle oil?

[rusty ol ranger]

Question....

What ill effects (if any) would be had by dumping motorcycle oil in a car engine?

I read that car oil has "friction modifiers" bike oil dont have.

But bikes also can rap twice the RPM and im guessing run much hotter and break oil down more, so its probably "stronger" then car oil, correct?

Disregard the price difference, can anyone tell me if this is a bad idea?

 

[Uncle Gump]

Still searching for more 2.9L power?

Now for the question... I think any oil that doesn't meet the spec the engine calls for... is likely a bad idea.

 

[Grumpaw]

It isn't going to hurt your car/truck engine in the short term, but not the best oil for your engine. MC oil has additives that were designed for those engines, exclusively. Air cooled MC engines like Harleys even require a different oil than what is used in liquid cooled MC engines. And, auto oil has additives that were designed for those engines.
Had a MC parts shop for a # of years, and also repaired them. Newby customers would always complain about the cost of good quality MC oil compared to auto oil, which I never carried in my shop. Even different manufacturers required different oil/grades for their particular bikes.
Never personally observed a MC engine fail for using wrong oil, but than again, it's a long term process and 90% of MC riders don't put a lot of miles on their bikes, so it would take awhile for on to be diagnosed as an oil related failure.
Same could be said for using MC oil in a car/truck.
And, remember, MC oil dosen't meet the same specs as oil required in car/truck engines. Whole different set of requirements.
If you just have a couple of quarts lying around, maybe split the difference and add a quart or two to your regular oil till it's used up, but I wouldn't advise it. Just find a MC buddy and give it to him/her.
Just like there are different anti freeze coolants for different engines, you should not use whats not recommended.
Grumpaw

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Well, the biggest reason i was thinking about it is to try and quiet my lifters down. They make 10w50 MC oil.

Maybe ill just stick to my original plan of max life 10w40, motorcraft filter and liqui moly

 

[Grumpaw]

Rusty, if you need to use a "thicker" oil, try any of the better 15w50 for car/truck engines, even a 20w50. But in your cold temps in Mich I would lean toward 5w50. The "5" will aid in cold starts, and the "50" will remain "thicker" at operating temps once the engine warms up.
Grumpaw

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Rusty, if you need to use a "thicker" oil, try any of the better 15w50 for car/truck engines, even a 20w50. But in your cold temps in Mich I would lean toward 5w50. The "5" will aid in cold starts, and the "50" will remain "thicker" at operating temps once the engine warms up.
Grumpaw

I ran 20w50 in my 77 when i used to tow my camper with it. It would get hot as hell and 10w40 would let the oil pressure hand sit just in the normal, the 20w50 made it sit considerably higher on a hot idle.

The 70s fords had actual gauges, well, better then the later trucks.

But i was nervous to put somethin so thick when cold in a 2.9.

I thought about the 5w50 but the 2.9 specs at 10w30 IIRC, id be afraid 5 would be to thin at cold,

 

[Grumpaw]

Your probably right about the "5" being too thin for your engine...I forgot that it's an older rig, and your engine tolerances probably aren't as close as a newer engine.
Heck, my Subi requires a 5w20...talk about thin...it pours like water!!! A "5" in your engine would probably flow right by the rings...
My 2009 2.3 calls for 5w20, and so does my E-450 Ford V-10 based motor home. But I run 5w30 in both as I never did like the thin "20".
But, bottom line...don't use MC oil in your rig.
Grumpaw

 

[19Walt93]

The formula for 10w40 is outdated compared to 5w30 or 10w30 so it may not protest as well, why not just fix the lifter noise?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

The formula for 10w40 is outdated compared to 5w30 or 10w30 so it may not protest as well, why not just fix the lifter noise?

Because its a 2.9 and thats what 2.9s do.

I ran 10w40 in rusty #1 forever and never had a tick.

This tick comes and goes, seems to be dependent on oil temp, itll tick then if it idles 10 min or so itll go away. Its quiet till it gets good and warm.

Im thinking its a combo of cheap victory lane oil, those itty bitty filters they use, and just the fact its a 2.9.

But i would like to shut it up.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Motorcycle oil is often shared with the trans and has additives for the clutches and stuff in the trans too.

why not just fix the lifter noise?

You can do that on a 2.9?

 

[19Walt93]

I don't remember the 2.9's being noisy back when we were selling them and anything can be fixed. There is no such thing as a lemon if that means a vehicle that can't be fixed.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I don't remember the 2.9's being noisy back when we were selling them and anything can be fixed. There is no such thing as a lemon if that means a vehicle that can't be fixed.

2.9 lifter noise is a common thing when they get some mileage.

 

[19Walt93]

Has no one identified the problem and come up with a fix?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Has no one identified the problem and come up with a fix?

The problem is... it’s a 2.9.

Down towards the bottom of this:

Ford Ranger 2.9L V-6 Engines - The Ranger Station

The Ford Cologne 2.9L V6 is a 60° cast iron block V6 engine built by the Ford Motor Company in Cologne, Germany, hence the name. Over the years, the Cologne V6 was available with engine displacements of 1.8, 2.0, 2.3, 2.4, 2.6, 2.8, 2.9 and 4.0 litres. All except the Cosworth 24v derivative and...

www.therangerstation.com

 

[19Walt93]

If the problem is restricted oil passages from worn cam bearings, why not overhaul it and replace the cam bearings? The article is wrong about 2.8's having only 2 exhaust ports per side, that was only true of the 2.6.