What do you think about Ford's recommendation (which is different from the past) to use 5W-30 oil. I put it in my Econoline 150 with 5.8L with 110k miles after reading the service bulletin and now it is leaking. I just bought it at 108k miles. Whatever came out of it was much thicker.

Here is the technical service bulletin (Article No. 99-8-16) from May 1999.

LIGHT TRUCK:
1989-1990 BRONCO II
1989-1996 BRONCO
1989-1997 AEROSTAR, F SUPER DUTY
1989-1999 ECONOLINE, F-150, F-250 LD, RANGER
1991-1999 EXPLORER
1993-1999 VILLAGER
1995-1999 WINDSTAR
1997-1999 EXPEDITION, MOUNTAINEER
1998-1999 NAVIGATOR
1999 SUPER DUTY F SERIES


ISSUE
Ford Motor Company now recommends SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade for servicing any Ford gasoline-powered vehicle regardless of model year.


ACTION
When servicing any Ford gasoline-powered vehicle, use SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade motor oil. Refer to the following text for further details.


Both SAE 10W-30 and SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade motor oils have been recommended in the past depending on vehicle model and model year.

Tests have proven SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade motor oil provides the optimum protection and benefits for Ford gasoline engines. At both high and low ambient temperature conditions, SAE 5W-30 provides the best overall protection. It allows faster starts under cold ambient temperatures.

SAE 5W-30 also provides approximately 1/2% increase in fuel economy over SAE 10W-30.

SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade motor oils certified for gasoline engines by the American Petroleum Institute (API) should be used for all service procedures requiring replacement of the motor oil.

 

I don't know what caused your leak, maybe it was coincidence. From the information given it seems your engine is a victim of the previous owner's use of 10w40 or worse 20w50. My F150 5.0 has 92,000 miles, has always had 10w30 weight oil, and doesn't leak or consume oil.
I can appreciate your desire to do what Ford reccomends however, I can't see changing to 5w30 for maybe 1/2 % better fuel mileage. I know the 5.0 and I think the 5.8 of that era specified 10w30. Just my opinion.

 

So what is better to use in my 99 F150 5.4 10w30 or 5w30

 

5W20 year round.

 

The question is, where is your leak coming from? Might be a simple fix. Then you can use the correct oil for your Ford van. But first, I would locate and fix your oil leak.

A neighbor has a F250 Ford, 1980 with the 300 CI 6. Truck is hammered, and used as a work truck. However, he parks it on a concrete driveway, 365 days out of the year. When the truck is gone, there is not a spot of anything, anywhere on the driveway.

Chances are, if you noticed the oil that came out of your Econoline van was much thicker, then what probably occured is when this thick oil is cold, start-up oil pressure is much higher than normal. Hence, a gasket or seal maybe was expanded or torn, from the high oil pressure. Now when you add a free flowing, lower viscosity (but correct) oil, this oil is able to flow faster and seek out where the leak is occuring.

Regardless, locate your leak after you clean and degrease the block area. Then go from there. Who knows, maybe some rear area valve covers simply need tightened down after 100,000 + miles. I've seen that happen, where valve cover bolts could be removed by hand, because they were loose.
Good luck...!

 

Thanks guys. I took a closer look and I feel kind of stupid but the leak looks to be coolant frome behind the water pump. The pump was replaced a few thousand miles ago. The leak is coming from what looks like a housing that the water pump is attached too, about 1.5 inches behind the water pump. I dried the area and could watch I seep out. I think the dark color was just caused by the leak taking some dirt and old oil grime with it as it leaked out.

 

That's the timing chain cover. I would fix it soon to make sure it doesn't start leaking into the crankcase.

 

The ? was 5w30 or 10w30 not 5w20

 

5W-30 works just fine. The topic of 5W-20 vs 5W-30 has been beat to death. I even go 0W-30 in the winter. You have more choices of brands in 5W-30 than 5W-20. ( where I live anyways )

I guess whatever makes you sleep better at night.....

 

Your Triton V8 will live longest with 5w20. The old 351W in the origanal post should get 5w20 year round with no towing and 10w30 in summer if worked hard.

The Triton 4.6, 5.4 and 6.8 should all get 5w20!

 

[QUOTE=99F150]Your Triton V8 will live longest with 5w20. [QUOTE]

I'm not trying to pick a fight here but is there any evidence of this statement? If there is then I would be interested in seeing it. If it in fact true, then yes I will change over in a heartbeat.

 

But my truck 99 5.4 calls for 5w30 just thugt with 112000 10w30 might be better?

 

[QUOTE=SMIGGS][QUOTE=99F150]Your Triton V8 will live longest with 5w20. Yes there is evidence that the 5w20 is better, start by searching posts from "Flash"

Norvous, 5w20 was not on the scene yet when your 99 truck was built. Ford has done extensive testing of 5w20 with the Triton engines, Now with your truck at 110,000+ miles having lived all of its life with 30 weight you may just as well stick with it. I would use a thin 30 or try VAlvoline MAx Life 5w20, it is almost a 30 any way and you will get the bennefit of the added moly and othe additives for your seasoned motor. I am using that oil in my 99 Ranger's 2.5L four and the engine has never been quieter or smoother.
Dan

 

Almost ALL oil related failures are from LACK of oil. NOT from the wrong viscosity.
Just about any oil will work longer then most of you will keep your vehicles.

 

Amen brother.