Best oil wieght for high mileage motor

[silver03svt]

Wife drives a 2000 Explorer 5.0 (old skool) with 200,000 miles. We have had it since 92,000 miles and I have always used Motorcraft synthetic (factory recommended wiight) with Motorcraft filter. The motor has never had so much as a valve cover taken off of it (knock on wood here), but I have noticed a TINY bit of what I think is valve chatter in it. It doesn't happen often though.

Should I still be using the factory recommended weight or switch to something a little thicker to account for wear in the engine?

 

[UnleashedBeast]

Does the engine have any leaks at all?

I ask because it's not uncommon for a high mileage engine using synthetic blends to leak after going full synthetic. It's not a fault of the better lubricant, it's that the true synthetic will clean better and may remove build up that is blocking a leak.

In those events, I always recommend a lubricant with seal sweller in them.

 

[silver03svt]

Actually no, it has not a single oil leak in it. It does have a small bit of blow-by, I think though, as I go 5000 miles between changes, and it may be slighty more than half-quart low between changes.

 

[UnleashedBeast]

Actually no, it has not a single oil leak in it. It does have a small bit of blow-by, I think though, as I go 5000 miles between changes, and it may be slighty more than half-quart low between changes.

This is what I run in my high mileage engines, with great results. Only have to change the oil in the vehicle once a year assuming I do not exceed 15,000 miles. They also gain mpg with it over lesser base stock lubricants. You may or may not notice a decrease in consumption, depending on the condition of your rings. However, if consumption is due to the formulation (higher NOACK on Motorcraft), you will see a decrease.

Amsoil 0W-30

Amsoil EaO11

 

[silver03svt]

Thanks for the advice. Two more questions. 1. Do you know if R.P. makes anything in those weights? 2. Can I use that weight year round in VIrginia?

 

[UnleashedBeast]

Thanks for the advice. Two more questions. 1. Do you know if R.P. makes anything in those weights? 2. Can I use that weight year round in VIrginia?

Anything RP makes in a 5W-30 will be fine for your climate.

In a pinch, Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5W-30 is another off the shelf choice.

 

[silver03svt]

Thanks for the advice Beast. And thanks for being here to answer all our questions.

 

[UnleashedBeast]

Thanks for the advice Beast. And thanks for being here to answer all our questions.

You are welcome, anytime. :beer:

 

[jrgoffin]

Another good choice is the M1 High-Mileage oil, especially since it's an SL formulation. I use the HM 5w30 in both my DOHC 4.6's that actually have relatively LOW miles (they HM oil has an elevated level of Zn & P plus some other conditioners). The Cobra gets an oil change once a year, but with less than 1,000 miles in between and my SUV goes about 10 months & 5,000 miles.

 

[UnleashedBeast]

Another good choice is the M1 High-Mileage oil, especially since it's an SL formulation. I use the HM 5w30 in both my DOHC 4.6's that actually have relatively LOW miles (they HM oil has an elevated level of Zn & P plus some other conditioners). The Cobra gets an oil change once a year, but with less than 1,000 miles in between and my SUV goes about 10 months & 5,000 miles.

The newer high mileage lubricants from Mobil 1 show normal API SN levels of ZDDP, at least from the VOAs I have viewed.

 

[Boomer182]

Just stay with motor craft. My 04 F150 5.4 has 184k miles on it, and all it has ever used was 5w30 Syn Blend and a motor craft filter. No noises, no leaks, no blow by, nothing. I know we are not talking a old push rod motor, but to change the oil to something different now, will more then likely bring on oil consumption. I have seen it 3 times with my own vehicles. I would just stick with what you are running now, it hasn't failed you yet.

 

[ZV Cobra]

Does the engine have any leaks at all?

I ask because it's not uncommon for a high mileage engine using synthetic blends to leak after going full synthetic. It's not a fault of the better lubricant, it's that the true synthetic will clean better and may remove build up that is blocking a leak.

In those events, I always recommend a lubricant with seal sweller in them.

This same thing happened to me. I bought my car with 88k miles and put RP in it. It now leaks a small amount of oil. What product with seal sweller do you recommend. Thanks

 

[UnleashedBeast]

Valvoline MaxLife has seal swellers in them, as does Mobil 1 high mileage.

My girlfriends 2002 Jaguar X type leaked/consumed oil. I used Amsoil ATM 10W-30 to see if consumption would slow down a bit, it really did not. Against my morals, I tried a stop leak additive that had a very viscous base stock and seal swellers. It worked like a champ. The leaks/consumption slowed down so much, I can't tell it's still occurring.

I waited until the oil was 1 quart low, then added the stop leak. It was a 1 quart bottle. Wish I could remember what it was, but it works.

 

[ZV Cobra]

Valvoline MaxLife has seal swellers in them, as does Mobil 1 high mileage.

My girlfriends 2002 Jaguar X type leaked/consumed oil. I used Amsoil ATM 10W-30 to see if consumption would slow does a bit, it really did not. Against my morals, I tried a stop leak additive that had a very viscous base stock and seal swellers. It worked like a champ. The leaks/consumption slowed down so much, I can't tell it's still occurring.

I waited until the oil was 1 quart low, then added the stop leak. It was a 1 quart bottle. Wish I could remember what it was, but it works.

Thanks for the help man appreciate it. I think I will give the mobil 1 a shot. I have also looked at the stop leak products but have been told not to go near them. Who knows