Question on 5.4L in 2000 Expy Eddie Bauer
#1
12-04-2013, 01:21 PM
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Question on 5.4L in 2000 Expy Eddie Bauer
Hey y'all,
Just a quick general question about oil viscosity/type in my 2000 Expy E.B. 5.4.
This is not an "oil thread", but a thread with a request for clarification.
I know in the past LX1Man has posted extensively about the piston slap/knock the 5.4 is famous for and the reasons for that.
Per the dipstick for my 5.4 it calls for 5-30W oil which is what I put in it this past June when I serviced the truck (it only gets an annual service due to very limited miles, it's a spare).
I used the 5-30W because I tow a 5K lb travel trailer with it and figured when it gets hot, an engine of this age (has about 108K on it) would benifit from the thicker oil.
If I remeber correctly LX1Man has stated in the past the 5.4 was designed to be a 300K mile motor by Ford and my 5.4 does seem to be pretty stout yet for 14 yrs old and over 100k.
My issue is that I notice some piston slap/knock when it's cold using the 5-30W. If I also remeber correctly LX1Man advised it's OK to use 5-20W in my vintage 5.4 and that helps with piston slap/knock. I have run 5-20 in the past and the slap is not as bad with the thinner oil.
It's not horrible with the 5-30W, but is more noticeable. So to make a long story short, should I stick with the 5-30W because I'm working it hard to tow the travel trailer, or do you all think 5-20W is OK even working it that hard in the summer months.
Remeber, I only run about 2500 miles per year with it so I only change the oil once per year, right before annual inspection.
Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions.
Sincerely,
Greg
Just a quick general question about oil viscosity/type in my 2000 Expy E.B. 5.4.
This is not an "oil thread", but a thread with a request for clarification.
I know in the past LX1Man has posted extensively about the piston slap/knock the 5.4 is famous for and the reasons for that.
Per the dipstick for my 5.4 it calls for 5-30W oil which is what I put in it this past June when I serviced the truck (it only gets an annual service due to very limited miles, it's a spare).
I used the 5-30W because I tow a 5K lb travel trailer with it and figured when it gets hot, an engine of this age (has about 108K on it) would benifit from the thicker oil.
If I remeber correctly LX1Man has stated in the past the 5.4 was designed to be a 300K mile motor by Ford and my 5.4 does seem to be pretty stout yet for 14 yrs old and over 100k.
My issue is that I notice some piston slap/knock when it's cold using the 5-30W. If I also remeber correctly LX1Man advised it's OK to use 5-20W in my vintage 5.4 and that helps with piston slap/knock. I have run 5-20 in the past and the slap is not as bad with the thinner oil.
It's not horrible with the 5-30W, but is more noticeable. So to make a long story short, should I stick with the 5-30W because I'm working it hard to tow the travel trailer, or do you all think 5-20W is OK even working it that hard in the summer months.
Remeber, I only run about 2500 miles per year with it so I only change the oil once per year, right before annual inspection.
Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions.
Sincerely,
Greg
#2
12-06-2013, 02:13 AM
5w30 is ok to run. Around 2001 they switched to 5w20. This is a bit thinner and will reach the heads faster on a cold start-up. It also puts a little less drag on the oil pum so it may free up a hp or two. The main reason that they switched to 5w20 is to try to get every possible mpg improvement possible.
That being said, it is really up to you. The 01 that I had always ran 5w20 and I have towed 7500lbs+ in 98 degree weather and the a/c on with no oil issues at all. I always used Motorcraft semi-synthetic 5w20 and a Motorcraft filter.
That being said, it is really up to you. The 01 that I had always ran 5w20 and I have towed 7500lbs+ in 98 degree weather and the a/c on with no oil issues at all. I always used Motorcraft semi-synthetic 5w20 and a Motorcraft filter.
#3
12-21-2013, 05:37 AM
Join Date: May 2010
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5w30 is ok to run. Around 2001 they switched to 5w20. This is a bit thinner and will reach the heads faster on a cold start-up. It also puts a little less drag on the oil pum so it may free up a hp or two. The main reason that they switched to 5w20 is to try to get every possible mpg improvement possible.
That being said, it is really up to you. The 01 that I had always ran 5w20 and I have towed 7500lbs+ in 98 degree weather and the a/c on with no oil issues at all. I always used Motorcraft semi-synthetic 5w20 and a Motorcraft filter.
That being said, it is really up to you. The 01 that I had always ran 5w20 and I have towed 7500lbs+ in 98 degree weather and the a/c on with no oil issues at all. I always used Motorcraft semi-synthetic 5w20 and a Motorcraft filter.
Thanks again,
Greg
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