5.4L Which oil?
#31
02-10-2017, 09:22 AM
I just sold the 2003 E150 due to major rust issues in the underbody and it the frame around the rear body mounts. I ran 5W20 in the 5.4L until about 120K miles. The engine started to develop the notorious head gasket oil leak at the back of the heads. It was NOT a valve cover leak. It wasn't bad but it was leaving drips. I switched to 10W30 and ran that from 120K to 152K miles when we sold the truck. I never noticed a difference in fuel economy and never heard any engine knock at startup with either oil. I did notice that the oil leak became just a very slight seep with the 10W30.
#32
04-27-2019, 10:01 AM
What oil are you running in the 5.4 once it's out of warranty? Do you run the required oil, 5W20 or have you switched to something heavier? I was thinking about switching to 10W30 once the truck is out of warranty. Has anyone done this and gotten more than 150K miles out of the motor? I am concerned that the 5W20 is going to severely limit the life of the 5.4.
Is there any reason not to switch to a heavier oil?
thanks,
ron
Is there any reason not to switch to a heavier oil?
thanks,
ron
#33
05-02-2019, 02:33 PM
What oil are you running in the 5.4 once it's out of warranty? Do you run the required oil, 5W20 or have you switched to something heavier? I was thinking about switching to 10W30 once the truck is out of warranty. Has anyone done this and gotten more than 150K miles out of the motor? I am concerned that the 5W20 is going to severely limit the life of the 5.4.
Is there any reason not to switch to a heavier oil?
thanks,
ron
Is there any reason not to switch to a heavier oil?
thanks,
ron
#34
09-19-2019, 05:14 PM
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When I first started asking around about the Ford usage of 5W20 oil in their motors, the "word on the street" was that Ford was doing this only for CAFE reasons. I think what I am reading here is that Ford's decision to use that oil is based on solid engineering reasoning.
If this is true, then there should be a whole bunch of people out there who have 150K+ miles on 4.6 and 5.4 motor which have only been lubricated with 5W20. How many of you have seen high mileage while using only the recommended 5W20 oil?
We can read data sheets "til the cows come home" about how 5W20 oils are great for these motors but without the emperical data to support this, the data sheets are worthless. So, let's see some support for the data sheets. Has anybody gotten 150K miles out of the 4.6/5.4 motors while using only 5W20? For those of you that have switched to another weight oil: Why did you switch and what criteria did you use to select the oil you are now using.
Thanks,
ron
If this is true, then there should be a whole bunch of people out there who have 150K+ miles on 4.6 and 5.4 motor which have only been lubricated with 5W20. How many of you have seen high mileage while using only the recommended 5W20 oil?
We can read data sheets "til the cows come home" about how 5W20 oils are great for these motors but without the emperical data to support this, the data sheets are worthless. So, let's see some support for the data sheets. Has anybody gotten 150K miles out of the 4.6/5.4 motors while using only 5W20? For those of you that have switched to another weight oil: Why did you switch and what criteria did you use to select the oil you are now using.
Thanks,
ron
I have an E-350 extended passenger van bought from a hospital where it was on a maintenance schedule with oil changes ~5k miles using ONLY Pennzoil 5W20 full synthetic oil. It had 125k miles when I got it 4 years ago. Zero oil related problems. I continue with the same schedule and the same oil.
#35
11-23-2019, 09:16 AM
#36
11-23-2019, 01:16 PM
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Ford recommends using synthetic blend oil with a weight of 5W-20. My 2004 E350 5.4l was bought new by a hospital in OKC. I got the maintenance records which show that Pennzoil 5W-20 was always used so I continue doing the same.
Last edited by OleF500; 11-23-2019 at 01:32 PM. Reason: Added info
#38
12-06-2019, 07:10 AM
What oil are you running in the 5.4 once it's out of warranty? Do you run the required oil, 5W20 or have you switched to something heavier? I was thinking about switching to 10W30 once the truck is out of warranty. Has anyone done this and gotten more than 150K miles out of the motor? I am concerned that the 5W20 is going to severely limit the life of the 5.4.
Is there any reason not to switch to a heavier oil?
thanks,
ron
Is there any reason not to switch to a heavier oil?
thanks,
ron
#39
12-21-2020, 02:20 PM
I have a 1999 5.4 with 117k, and have been looking at a number of posts regarding the best oil to use, but many of these threads are 15+ years old.
I have been using the Motorcraft semi-synethic 5W-20 specified for the newer engines, but have noticed an increase in oil consumption over the last three changes....roughly 12K miles. I have replaced the plugs and air filter, and do not notice any indication of leaking, seeping, or burning.
My question is, could the oil choice be a contributing factor? Would a semi-synethic 5W-30 be better for combating oil consumption? What about going back to full dinosaur based, and if so, what viscosity...5W-20, 5W-30 or 10W-30?
Thank you for your help and input...it is much appreciated!
I have been using the Motorcraft semi-synethic 5W-20 specified for the newer engines, but have noticed an increase in oil consumption over the last three changes....roughly 12K miles. I have replaced the plugs and air filter, and do not notice any indication of leaking, seeping, or burning.
My question is, could the oil choice be a contributing factor? Would a semi-synethic 5W-30 be better for combating oil consumption? What about going back to full dinosaur based, and if so, what viscosity...5W-20, 5W-30 or 10W-30?
Thank you for your help and input...it is much appreciated!
#40
12-22-2020, 04:51 AM
I have been using the Motorcraft semi-synethic 5W-20 specified for the newer engines, but have noticed an increase in oil consumption over the last three changes....roughly 12K miles. I have replaced the plugs and air filter, and do not notice any indication of leaking, seeping, or burning.
The 20W oil shouldn't be a huge contributor to oil loss between oil changes. Switching to 30W won't necessarily "improve" this, just be sure to check oil level more frequently.
#41
12-22-2020, 03:03 PM
Thanks...I have a new PCV in my box of "things to do". I have an E150, and had this waiting for the next time the doghouse came off...I think this might be the reason.
I had been checking the oil more frequently....after I was surprised and felt like a dumb***** a year or so ago when I found it almost two quarts low. The oil use between changes had been pretty negligible before that.
I appreciate the input on the oil weight....thanks again!
I had been checking the oil more frequently....after I was surprised and felt like a dumb***** a year or so ago when I found it almost two quarts low. The oil use between changes had been pretty negligible before that.
I appreciate the input on the oil weight....thanks again!
#42
12-23-2020, 05:51 AM
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