over 100K on engine-oil recommendations?

[MAKG]

Thanks for all the info. I'd heard that you didn't want to use synthetic oil in a high mileage engine that hadn't used it before, so that's why I thought I'd better check before I put anything in it. This used to be my father-in-laws (RIP) truck, so I don't know what he used in it, and it belonged to my brother-in-law for the last 8 years and he never did ANY maintenance on it. Normally I used Valvoline 30 wt for regular stuff, so thought it would be good to check.
Dan'o :}

A. You don't have a high mileage engine. Come back in another 150K, and maybe you will.

B. Consider the source before you believe it. Some people "learn" something and keep repeating it for many decades. The FIRST generation of synthetics had a problem. But it's not 1975 anymore.

I've switched a total of five vehicles to synthetic, each of which had at least DOUBLE the mileage yours does. Two are off the road (one was totalled at 300K, the other ate a camshaft at over 250K). The others are going strong.

 

[Donnie strickland]

My '94 4.0 has 198,700 miles...let's see, in oil, I've used Motorcraft, Pennzoil, Kendall, Quaker State, Coastal [Autozone brand], Super Tech [Walmart brand], Peak [yes, Peak], STP...I'm sure there are others. Always 5W-30.

In filters, I've used Motorcraft, Wix, AC, STP, Super Tech, etc...

You get the idea. What matters the most about engine oil, is changing it on schedule -- usually around 5000 miles for me. Your mileage, of course, may vary.

 

[ati190]

I use rotella 5w-30 fully synthetic on my current truck (continuation of what previous owner used). But on my past rangers, I just use the standard conventional motor oil, and I changed it maybe once a year (roughly driven 15-20k a year. My 89 made it to 278k, all original. I purchased it with 190k on the clock. it only received two oil changes throughout the time i had it. I really don't think it matters on oil choice, just as long as you keep it clean!

 

[MikeInIdaho]

and change it at regularly scheduled intervals!

 

[Yellowsplash]

Most fram filters are junk (extra and tough guard)...Cut one apart and you'll understand. Motorcraft, Mobil 1, and Purolator Pureone are all good filters. Any oil will work, conventional or synthetic, but spending the extra money to put royal purple in an rbv seems alittle overkill. I run mobil 1 5-30 with one of the filters mentioned above.

 

[krall66]

I currently own a 1994 xlt 4x4 with 220,000 miles on it and it has the same 4.0 v-6. The best oil that you can use is called "Schaeffers" full synthetic motor oil. I flog the crap out of this truck and it does not miss a beat or leak any oil or burn any oil. This oil sells for 75.00 a case but you only have to change it every 10,000 to 15,000 miles!!!!!!!! you do the math!!!! Go on the web and surf for "schaeffers specialized lubricants" or schaefferoil.com to get a listing of dealers in your area! While your at it get the gear lube and "Neutra" gas treat to clean your injectors. If you use these products your truck should run like a new one in a matter of a few miles!!!!!

Good Luck

 

[gamble71]

Wally world oil and motorcraft filters in the explorer. 172k with no problems, other than the rear seal leaking. Wife's jeep gets Mobil1 oil and filter, change it every 10k.

Like they're telling you, change it on a regular interval, and you'll be good. The jeep just gets the good stuff, cause we bought it new and I want to.

 

[rangerT]

i have close to the same mileage and i use 10w30 royal purple syn.(that is how i can get away with 10w30) and a oil additive called Proma....it is -33 celius with the wind here for the past 3 weeks or so and every morning when i start the truck up it starts awesome with no slap,burnt oil or noise at all.....very happy with the royal purple stuff..

 

[MikeInIdaho]

Just got done checking out the Schaeffer's site, seems like some top-notch stuff. Might have to make the switch when the car is due for it's next oil change...

 

[rangerbum]

Royal Purple if you dont mind dishing out the $$$. They make a hellova good product. With mileage like that DO NOT go to 5W-20. Stay at 5W-30.

Pacodiablo: At work I wash/inspect 08 and now 09 explorers, most of which have the 4.0's, and they do actually reccomend 5W-20. It could be different in the rangers, but I doubt it.

 

[MAKG]

5W-30 is fine this time of year (in northern temperate latitudes), but it's too thin cold for summer in warmer spots (10W-30 is called for there).

And reading through those Schaeffer specs, they don't sound different from Mobil 1 for the SM/CF rated oil (which is the only one you should even consider putting in your crankcase).

The ONLY way to determine extended drain intervals correctly is with used oil analysis. Your engine has different clearances than any other, even from the one that was right next to it on the assembly line.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

pacodiablo : At work I wash/inspect 08 and now 09 explorers, most of which have the 4.0's, and they do actually reccomend 5W-20. It could be different in the rangers, but I doubt it.

fixed it for ya

but anyway, the OPs truck is a 1990, 5-30 is what he should be using...unless he lives in the desert in which he may want to switch grades for the hotter summer months.

 

[rangerbum]

fixed it for ya

but anyway, the OPs truck is a 1990, 5-30 is what he should be using...unless he lives in the desert in which he may want to switch grades for the hotter summer months.

Oh, sorry man. I get so computer-burnt I cant tell who's who anymore

 

[7.5L_STX]

Gtx High Milage is what i ran in my jeep with over 280,000 miles and she ran perfect.....damn i miss that thing!

 

[HIPCHIP]

Thanks for all the info. Guess I can try a synthetic and see what happens, and if it don't work, drain it and fill with good ole real oil. Guess I'll try the K&N too as I do some off-roading with this.
Dan'o :}