What engine oil are you using?

[Tedybear]

Just sitting back watching the results roll in. For what it's worth? I like using the syn. due to having the truck run mostly highway miles and I can run it several thousand more miles between oil changes. (normally 6,000 between changes) The truck has the usual lifter tick. Using thin oil helps a lot in the winter time to reduce the noise---and once the engine is up to temp and run in for a short while? It's actually quite the silent runner. (the ford dealership stated it's one of the quieter 2.9's they have ever seen)

Now 'n days it's getting more and more worn...And I'm looking at the usual knocks and pings--But I've put over 30,000 miles on this BII sense I purchased it. And the odo was already turning a corner....

For what it's worth? My truck loved the Rotella 5w40. (along with a napa gold filter) So it's getting that next oil change.

S-

 

[hondaxr650]

Motorscraft 5w30 since day one. Except for the time I figured it couldn't hurt to dump some 15w40 in it that we run in the diesels. I had several lifters that were bangin' like crazy. Drained it out the next day and put the 5w30 back in it and the lifters pumped up within 10 seconds. Didn't figure a little heavier oil could hurt with over 100k on the motor but it didn't like it one bit.

 

[holyford86]

That's a common misconception, that the oil in the pan is any warmer on a cold morning than the oil in the filter. If you use a pan heater, then yes, it could be warmer. But in a motor that's been sitting overnight, it's all cold.

I agree

Also, that 8psi is pressure drop across the filter, not total oil system pressure. You're sitting at about 14psi atmospheric pressure right now, in front of your computer. Do you notice it? What I'm saying is, that more filter media will mean less pressure drop across the filter, meaning less likelihood that the oil filter bypass will open. The reason that the oil filter has a bypass is so that the pressure differential across the filter doesn't become so great as to blow the filtering media out and into the engine!

I understand what you are saying and generally speaking it's true. To me it seems like cold oil going through a cold engine is still going to take the path of least resistance and just bypass before going through the filter media until the heat of the oil circulating in the filter raises the ambient temp of the cold oil in there. Another benefit of running a thinner oil would be that it's going to be thinner when cold and probably won't bypass like a thicker oil would.

This would happen, say, on a cold morning with thick oil, or in a filter filled up with contaminants and unable to flow any more. In the first example, a cold morning with thick oil, you need to lower the viscosity. Either through running a thinner oil, or heating the oil. In the second example, the filter and probably the oil are long overdue for changing.

One thing I have noticed in recent years is the trend among manufacturers towards physically smaller oil filters than previous years.

Note that this can only be worse with a smaller filter. With a smaller filter, you have less filtering media for the oil to go through. It will clog up quicker, and you'll have a greater pressure drop across the filter in all instances.

Right, but lack of maintenance would probably be the cause of a clogged filter in the first place. Under normal operating conditions with proper maintenance you probably wouldn't see a filter bypassing all the time.

Was the 279k mile engine you tore down a 2.9L V6? When was it made?

1986 ranger 2.9 manufactured in October '85. Engine was ALL original, everything from the heads to the oil pan.

why does every thread about oil, spark plugs, or intakes turn into a giant argument. the op just asked what people use not about everyones OPINIONS on synthetic vs. dino oil.

that said i used motorcraft 5w20 synth blend with the fl1a filter before but im using the shell rotella 15w40 with the fl1a and the lifter tick was drastically reduced

I'm just offering my opinion, I'm not trying to start an argument here, just stating what I think, is all.

 

[Mike Tonon]

I've heard that there is something not in newer oils that engines from the early 90's and before need. It can be added, but I forget the name of it.

 

[bobbywalter]

zinc

 

[holyford86]

zinc

It's an anti wear additive suited for flat tappet engines, protects surfaces that slide against one another. diesel oil has higher concentrations of it than gas oil.

 

[Carter89ranger]

When i crank up my ranger, there is this pining noise, after it idles for a while the noise fades ALITTLE then comes right back!! Is there any one who knows what this is or that can give some advice???

 

[bobbywalter]

tick or ping?


tick would be normal for anything 89.

 

[CountryBoy704]

dont know bout oil but synth atf helps the ol a4ld a LOT, my '87 has a lifter that ticks non-stop with 10w-40 should i go up to 20w-50?

 

[exbass94]

dont know bout oil but synth atf helps the ol a4ld a LOT, my '87 has a lifter that ticks non-stop with 10w-40 should i go up to 20w-50?

If your lifters are worn out, no oil is going to help. Oil cannot replace metal that has worn away. Thicker oil can mask noises, but doesn't make the real problem go away. 20w-50 is waaay too thick for a 2.9. Depending on how cold it gets in your area, it may have trouble starting and will have trouble pumping oil to the top end, exacerbating the lifter problem. Either live with the noise or replace the lifters.

 

[CountryBoy704]

the lifters can be accessed through the valve covers right? is it possible its jsut loose and i could tighten it back down? I'm in NC so I dont think i would have issues with getting too cold, so would a lighter oil get up there and lube things better then?

 

[bread4pres.]

I run rotella 15-40 in my 01 4.0l, slow to build oil psi in the cold. but over all good oil. I'm service advisor at a International shop, that all we run.

 

[79F1504X400]

Two Thumbs Up

On the Rotella 15W-40. I run it in my 400, and its ALL good!! Been thinking about trying it in the Ranger's 2.9L to see what if any difference it makes. Mine has a little lifter tick on start-up but quiets down in less that 10 seconds. As for what oil i use in my vehicles...Quaker State 5W-30 and FL1A all the way Baby!! Fram filters do not touch my engine blocks. (Except for my 97 'Bird, it gets an FL-820S.)

 

[Psychopete]

the lifters can be accessed through the valve covers right? is it possible its jsut loose and i could tighten it back down? I'm in NC so I dont think i would have issues with getting too cold, so would a lighter oil get up there and lube things better then?

Lifters ride on the cam lobes, they are deeper in there. Sucks because a lot of V engines, lifters can be pulled out of the engine with the lower intake off. But heads must be removed on the 2.9L to get them out. You must be thinking of the rocker arms or push rods.

 

[pontiacfieroguy]

i use valvoline vr1 racing oil when i can afford it because of the higher zddp levels and it seems to run much quieter and use less oil this way. when i cant i use 20w50 dino and it works just fine.