Motorcraft 5W20

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Somebody must have changed the cap on the '150, it should have originally said 5W-30.

It was one of those engines Ford backed up on and said to run 5W-20 after the fact in a TSB.

My brother still runs 5w-30 Motorcraft '97 4.6 in his per the original spec, his theory is the guy that designed the engine knew better than the guy that wanted to improve fuel economy. A couple months ago with 140k miles when he dropped the pan to change a seepy pan gasket while he was regearing it and had the front diff out. The inside of the engine looked like it was put together a week before and it still had the crosshatch in the bores. He did a and put it back together.

My '02 5.4 gets 5W-20 just like it calls for, my Ranger gets 10W-30 like what the engine originally called for.

OHC engines or engines with phasers do not like to deviate from the stock spec of oil... unless you enjoy putting phasers and/or tensioners in. IMO get out the manual and do as it says.

If more people read the owner's manual the amount of stupid, worthless posts would drop by 75%.
Some fools seem to think Ford, Dodge, and Honda are trying to make engines blow up quicker by specifying 5w-20 so they can sell more new vehicles.

 

[Jraymer360]

If more people read the owner's manual the amount of stupid, worthless posts would drop by 75%.
Some fools seem to think Ford, Dodge, and Honda are trying to make engines blow up quicker by specifying 5w-20 so they can sell more new vehicles.

one thing they need to work on harder is the frame and lower body. up here they rust out so quickly! they need a northern package that you can add which undercoats the body with that thicker paint..might help a bit.

 

[fordmandan87]

one thing they need to work on harder is the frame and lower body. up here they rust out so quickly! they need a northern package that you can add which undercoats the body with that thicker paint..might help a bit.

agreed




with an older engine typically with 100,000 miles plus a thicker oil can't hurt my 300i6 took 10w30 from the factory and as it has closae to 200,000 on it i run 15w40 diesel oil in it and the engine has not made one remark towards it not liking that oil.

 

[Froggmann]

I switched my truck over to MC 5w-20 syn. blend at around 145k miles (truck now has 170k). Great oil, engine is quieter with the MC 5w-20 than it was with valvoline 5w-30 conventional. As long as I own this truck I will continue the MC oil with wix Oil filter combo.

 

[shane96ranger]

Somebody must have changed the cap on the '150, it should have originally said 5W-30.

It was one of those engines Ford backed up on and said to run 5W-20 after the fact in a TSB.

The TSB, as well as the dealer are where I got my information from. Plus the PO's sticker he had said 5W-20. I just looked an my owners manual says 5W-30, and the cap just says engine oil. Here is a link to the TSB if anyone else would like to see it, as it encompasses a lot of Ford vehicles (including the Ranger):

http://www.ford-cruising.hu/miscimages/0219.pdf

ISSUE
Ford Motor Company now recommends SAE 5W-20
viscosity grade for servicing most gasoline and
flexible fueled vehicles.

 

[Twister]

Both my trucks for 10w30.

While were on the subject of oil, where can i find the diesel motorcraft oil in 10w30, they say the 2.8 and 2.9 like it for the flat tappet cam, but i can only find it in 15w40.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The TSB, as well as the dealer are where I got my information from. Plus the PO's sticker he had said 5W-20. I just looked an my owners manual says 5W-30, and the cap just says engine oil. Here is a link to the TSB if anyone else would like to see it, as it encompasses a lot of Ford vehicles (including the Ranger):

http://www.ford-cruising.hu/miscimages/0219.pdf

This makes it sound a whole lot less important. If it read "this oil is an improved formulation to decrease the chance of connecting rod seizure" it would be a little different.

This oil is an improved formulation to improve fuel economy.

It is neither here nor there, you are fine with either IMO.

Both my trucks for 10w30.

While were on the subject of oil, where can i find the diesel motorcraft oil in 10w30, they say the 2.8 and 2.9 like it for the flat tappet cam, but i can only find it in 15w40.

I have heard that is only really important with a new cam, after you get them "broke in" it isn't a big deal.

I think you can usually get 10w-30 diesel oil in Rotella though fairly easily.

 

[shane96ranger]

It is neither here nor there, you are fine with either IMO.

Kind of my thinking too. But the fact Walmart only carries the Motorcraft Synthetic Blend 5W-20 (not 5W-30) made my decision even easier.

Plus, it was used to it anyway..... or at least the last oil change was 5W-20.



EDIT: The other thing I found interesting after reading this again, is they recommend the 93-95 5.0 Mustang use 5W-20. There's not a lot of difference between my 89 and the 93-95 motor. The most significant difference is forged (mine) vs. hypereutectic pistons, which had zero tolerance rings IIRC. So apparently the piston change deemed them as a "recommended use" motor.

 

[adsm08]

IIRC 5w20 was being used from 04 on?

The last TSB I saw on oil weights (very old one) says that basically every engine design put into service after about 1993, and the Vulcan and Essex engines were all supposed to use 5-20 except for the 4.0s. So the 3.0, the 3.8, 4.6 and 5.4 and all the 4-cylinders get it.

Absolutely do not use anything thinner than 10-30 in a 2.9 unless you want a reason to need to put a 4.0 in it.

 

[cody93]

lol 5w-20 in a 2.9, not a good idea, stick with atleast 10w-30 unless you want to top off oil alot.

 

[CarsonChris]

My 7.3 diesel uses 5-40 in the winter. Only way to start that pig

 

[5speedin2.3]

My engine is a 2.5 out of a 99 and I've always ran 5w20 motorcraft oil and a motorcraft fl-1a.
It seems to have no problems with it, but the exhaust does smell like oil every once in a while. No smoke or soot is on/around the exhaust and it burns about 1/2qt every 7000 miles.

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

The first number is the weight spec of the oil in very cold temperatures.. the second number is the weight spec. at operating temperature.

I use my truck as a truck, so i use 30wt minimum, but since i also have a lot of bottom end noise when using 30wt i use 20w50 and it is nice and quiet.

Thicker oil handles a load better because it won't be squished out from the crankshaft bearings as easily as lighter oils.

Since the weather around here is always mild 5w, 10w, 20w means nothing to me. its the aft number that counts.

I do get slightly better fuel mileage using 30wt over 50wt, but the noises as idle drive me nuts.

 

[CanuckRanger]

My truck had 5w20 put in it last time the oil was changed I think. Im the parts guy at the dealer, and the tech who changed the oil uses Motorcraft 5w20 in everything. So would I be okay? Its a 4.0 2011.

 

[exbass94]

My truck had 5w20 put in it last time the oil was changed I think. Im the parts guy at the dealer, and the tech who changed the oil uses Motorcraft 5w20 in everything. So would I be okay? Its a 4.0 2011.

I wouldn't do it. There's a reason Ford specifically did not back spec it to 5w20, even when almost all the rest of their engines were back speced.