 Oh Nooooo..... another oil thread
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6
Worn Saddle
|
OP
Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6 |
I just got a 2000 Ford truck with the 5.4 V8. Changed the oil today, and I have often put a bottle of STP in my old motors (i.e, motors from the 60s thru 80s). But this "newer" motor is coming with 5-30 wt. oil. And the way I understand it, the newer motors run much "tighter" crank berings and such. So I'm concerned that should I put STP in it, I might thicken the oil enough to put it outside of lubrication tolerances. What do the oil experts here recomend? Is STP okay? The motor has 156 K on it. Thanks. And now..... (drum roll)... let the debate BEGIN! 
Fidelis et Fortis
|
|
|
Re: Oh Nooooo..... another oil thread
|
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971 |
Not an expert, but the experts I talk to say go strictly by the owner's manual. The rare exception may be to use 5-30 where 5-20 is indicated. The 5-20 thing may well be a CAFE achievement trick. Not sure of that though.
Consumer Reports did a lengthy engine oil test some years ago. At the time of publication, they stated that no oil additives of any brand did anything of value, although I would tend to agree on STP in warm weather for a highly worn engine.
FWIW - 'Round here Walmart was selling Castrol full synth at 5 quarts for $25. Seems like a decent price as compared to Mobil 1 at $26 for a gallon.
|
|
|
Re: Oh Nooooo..... another oil thread
|
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,048
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,048 |
Quote:
I just got a 2000 Ford truck with the 5.4 V8. Changed the oil today, and I have often put a bottle of STP in my old motors (i.e, motors from the 60s thru 80s). But this "newer" motor is coming with 5-30 wt. oil. And the way I understand it, the newer motors run much "tighter" crank berings and such. So I'm concerned that should I put STP in it, I might thicken the oil enough to put it outside of lubrication tolerances. What do the oil experts here recomend? Is STP okay? The motor has 156 K on it. Thanks. And now..... (drum roll)... let the debate BEGIN!
I won't get into a debate about WHY you shouldn't do it, but don't do it.
Use quality name brand oil. Change it when it's supposed to be changed if you use fossil oil, and follow the instructions on the bottle if you use FULL synthetic.
Clay
01010100 01110010 01101001 01110101 01101101 01110000 01101000 <3
|
|
|
Re: Oh Nooooo..... another oil thread
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
|
|
Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
At 156K, it would be a good idea to not "rock the boat". If you know the previous owner, ask what they used in it and continue to do the same unless they were feeding it some really bad stuff like paraffin based drugstore oil.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
|
|
|
Re: Oh Nooooo..... another oil thread
|
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063 Likes: 8
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063 Likes: 8 |
280,000k on my Chev Venture. Been running full synthetic since new and changing oil every 12,000k. No additives ever. Still runs like a top with excellent top end. Doesn't burn oil. The only work done to it were the notorious intake gasket change out....twice.
|
|
|
Re: Oh Nooooo..... another oil thread
|
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,302
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,302 |
with 156k on it I don't see a problem due to the fact that all your bearing clearances are larger now due to 156k miles of wear.In fact, a lot of oils out there targeting high mileage vehicles are most likely thicker oils to do just that. Do you know what your oil pressure is? If it is lower than most engines you had it won't hurt. The biggest thing with the thicker oil was when the engine first starts cold and it uses the high idle immediately the thicker oil did not make it to the cam lobes fast enough and that would wear the cam lobes round as evident with GM's cam lobe issues in the early 1980's. Their fix was thinner oil, 10w30. If your engine was as tight as new, just use oem spec. due to 156k, and your average temp. outside, if it is hot mostly use a can of stp or just use 10w30 or even 10w40 in it. I do on my high mileage gm.
mike
2006 neon blue speedmaster
|
|
|
Re: Oh Nooooo..... another oil thread
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6
Worn Saddle
|
|
OP
Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6 |
Thats kind of the thing. The motor does use a little oil, every 2000 miles or so. So I thought I would use STP, as I often have with older motors in the "older" cars that I own. But I wasn't sure it would be a good idea. Maybe it would be ok with a motor that is a little worn anyway? Or, irregardless, don't use it?
Fidelis et Fortis
|
|
|
Re: Oh Nooooo..... another oil thread
|
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063 Likes: 8
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063 Likes: 8 |
Quote:
with 156k on it I don't see a problem due to the fact that all your bearing clearances are larger now due to 156k miles of wear.In fact, a lot of oils out there targeting high mileage vehicles are most likely thicker oils to do just that.
If it is a 5w30 high mileage oil or a 5w30 regular oil, it has the same viscosity or the same thichness. High mileage oils have a different additive package designed to swell oil seals and prevent oil leaks. Never use a high mileage oil in a newer engine as it premotes oil seal wear. Once you switch back to a regular oil, the seals relax and leaks could start.
If engine wear is an issue I'd switch the multigrade viscosity from a 5w30 to a 5w40 to compensate. Additives....personally stay away from them.
12 Rocket Roadster
03 Bonneville America
69 BSA Firebird Scrambler
73 Yamaha TX 750
|
|
|
Re: Oh Nooooo..... another oil thread
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
|
|
Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
Stick with the 5w30. Modern oils are complete packages formulated to work with your engine. Quote:
Additives....personally stay away from them.
+1. No need for serpent squeezin's. Just crap to gunk up your engine.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
|
|
|
Re: Oh Nooooo..... another oil thread
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
|
|
Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
Quote:
unless they were feeding it some really bad stuff like paraffin based drugstore oil.
Dang! Can you even get that crap anymore?
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
|
|
|
Re: Oh Nooooo..... another oil thread
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
|
|
Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Yeah, Bill?! Well then, whaddaya think about adding THIS fine product to say, your 1957 Studebaker in that case  .... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQfD169CNl0(I mean, ya sure don't ever wanna have that bad ol' "Sticky Valve" character ridin' along with your wife when she's out in the middle o' nowhere, now DO YA???!!!) 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
|
|
|
Re: Oh Nooooo..... another oil thread
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 58
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 58 |
Hi Arstarin. I own an aussie 2003 falcon with the 5.4 v8 engine, ford australia spec 10w30..we don,t experience severe cold conditions like you do .I have only got 86,000kms (53.000 miles) up and use mobil 1. the engine uses approx 1 pint in 15,000kms, bear in mind nearly all engines use slightly more when running synthetic, hope this help, cheers, Tadpole
|
|
|
Re: Oh Nooooo..... another oil thread
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
|
|
Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
 Well, if I had a '57 Studebaker in '57, using '57 oil and '57 gasoline. Maybe. Of course that Bardahl character looked pretty smooth there. Kinda like a snake oil salesman  . (Probably used Burma Shave too.)
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
|
|
|
Re: Oh Nooooo..... another oil thread
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,254
Oil Expert
|
|
Oil Expert
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,254 |
Gotta an 04 F150 5.4 ,use regular 5w20 as per spec ,doesnt burn a drop of oil(only got 58k kms)but it certainly burns the gas. have a look on here http://www.fordf150.net/ lots of good info on there
|
|
|
Re: Oh Nooooo..... another oil thread
|
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,440
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,440 |
Quote:
Gotta an 04 F150 5.4 ,use regular 5w20 as per spec ,doesnt burn a drop of oil(only got 58k kms)but it certainly burns the gas. have a look on here http://www.fordf150.net/ lots of good info on there
+1 on the oil - ours is an '05, and I only use Ford synthetic blend 5W20 as recommended by the owner's manual. Wouldn't consider using anything else. Can't remember the last vehicle I put STP in. Maybe that old smokin' '56 Caddy I had in high school. Incidentally, motors run much hotter nowadays than 40 years ago, and they can develop internal hotspots that are really tough on oil. The wrong formulation can cause a lot of varnish buildup and sludge.
'08 America Blue/White; Custom Headlamps, Custom Lowers, Clearview 20", Bafflectomy
|
|
|
|
|
