V10 Excursion and oil usage
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,678
Likes: 1
From: Central Tx.
Interesting theory. I have had a few oil drinkers in the modular Ford world in all the various sizes, 4.6, 5.4 and V10. The worst offender was a 96GT Mustang that drank any weight oil you wanted to feed it without smoking or any other signs. Ran great. I based my decision to use 5w20 over higher weight on researching the oils themselves. A lot of reading on what various oils do under various conditions. (some 30 weight oils shear to 20 weight very fast) I really don't think luck was involved. Ford didn't spec out an oil to be used in super duty engines hoping to get lucky. Too many V10's in fleet service that got exactly what the manual calls for and lived 300+K miles for that to be true. I have learned though that oil can start heated debates on forums and that wasn't my intention here. I just like to see a reason and rationale for a recommendation away from the books before accepting it.
Poking around on the site I found this very interesting . It was posted by FORD.
"Engineer Response
The 6.2L engine switched from 5W-20 to 5W-30 oil for the 2016MY to improve high mileage durability in the heavy duty pickup application. Use of 5W-30 oil in past model 6.2L Super Duty trucks is fine and should not negatively impact vehicle function however, the warranty would be affected. If we provide a recommended oil we have tested it to meet all climates and conditions for our engine. If the customer decides to deviate from our Owner Guide they will void their warranty. "
Bleed Ford Blue
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,578
Likes: 157
From: Anchorage Alaska
I run the recommended 5-20 weight but use full synthetic in my 6.8 V10 and 6.2 V8 engines. Interesting note, both use the same motorcraft oil filter (FL 820S if I remember correctly) and the 6.2 V8 has an extra quart of oil capacity.
In my old 5.4 I ran both 5-30 and 5-20 full synthetic without issue. it never used oil instead leaked it out via the remote mount filter (factory)
In my old 5.4 I ran both 5-30 and 5-20 full synthetic without issue. it never used oil instead leaked it out via the remote mount filter (factory)
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 4
From: North Texas
My focus 4 banger, our Mountaineer v6 and my v10 excursion all use the fl820s. I like it. One theory is that Ford would like to mask cam phaser noises with thicker oil. Who knows, but we don't have a 3 valve engine and thus no cam phasers to click and rattle.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,678
Likes: 1
From: Central Tx.
I do not have a clue. I still find the statement from Ford interesting nonetheless.
The only reason I'm not running 15-50 in mine (I run full synthetic in everything) is the reading & did on the very small oil return holes in the heads & that is might be possible for too much oil to pool up, taking it away from where it was needed. I really do not see that happening with syn BUT heck I just don't know so I thinned it up a little...
The only reason I'm not running 15-50 in mine (I run full synthetic in everything) is the reading & did on the very small oil return holes in the heads & that is might be possible for too much oil to pool up, taking it away from where it was needed. I really do not see that happening with syn BUT heck I just don't know so I thinned it up a little...
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,678
Likes: 1
From: Central Tx.
Interesting theory. I have had a few oil drinkers in the modular Ford world in all the various sizes, 4.6, 5.4 and V10. The worst offender was a 96GT Mustang that drank any weight oil you wanted to feed it without smoking or any other signs. Ran great. I based my decision to use 5w20 over higher weight on researching the oils themselves. A lot of reading on what various oils do under various conditions. (some 30 weight oils shear to 20 weight very fast) I really don't think luck was involved. Ford didn't spec out an oil to be used in super duty engines hoping to get lucky. Too many V10's in fleet service that got exactly what the manual calls for and lived 300+K miles for that to be true. I have learned though that oil can start heated debates on forums and that wasn't my intention here. I just like to see a reason and rationale for a recommendation away from the books before accepting it.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 4
From: North Texas
The reading I did claimed that the motorcraft 5w20 was fairly stable at 20 weight after analysis. The same brand 30 weight had more ingredients that broke down faster. I am sure either way that synthetic is better and may not do this. However unless one were to do multiple oil analysis over a long test period using both oils in the same engine, it's all just guessing. I got tired of reading about oils though so I decided to rely on Fords testing and their results when it comes to motor oil. That is why I think one should do their own research so they can get comfortable with any changes they make. So many opinions on oil can be backed up with science on either side of an oil debate. It can start to look like a political topic real fast lol.
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 949
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
V10 Excursion and oil usage
My early 2001 has 5W20 clearly printed in bright yellow on the oil cap. Pic above.
Bleed Ford Blue
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,578
Likes: 157
From: Anchorage Alaska
my 2000 I owned said 5-30 and my 2002 and 2004 called for 5-20.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,758
Likes: 3
From: Colorado
Yes it uses oil but that's normal. I strictly use 5w20 motorcraft syn blend and a motorcraft filter.
For the people stating it should be smoking a lot if it burns oil, it should not.
Think about how much air/fuel is pumped thru that engine over the thousands of miles. A tiny tiny bit of oil on each revolution will not show at all but still cause it to be down after a thousand miles.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,758
Likes: 3
From: Colorado
Well maybe you got lucky.
My theory is that Ford machined a batch of engines with either just slightly out of round cylinders OR got a batch of inferior piston rings OR someone on the assembly line had a bad couple of months and lined up the rings on at least one cylinder. There has to be a reason so many of these motors "use" so much oil.
My theory is that Ford machined a batch of engines with either just slightly out of round cylinders OR got a batch of inferior piston rings OR someone on the assembly line had a bad couple of months and lined up the rings on at least one cylinder. There has to be a reason so many of these motors "use" so much oil.
The tolerances just aren't that tight on these engines. Many are used to work hard. They like to rev which for a v10 is a lot of moving parts.
Result: oil usage. Some more than others.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 5
16 years of Arizona heat hasn't broken mine down. 170K.
Yes it uses oil but that's normal. I strictly use 5w20 motorcraft syn blend and a motorcraft filter.
For the people stating it should be smoking a lot if it burns oil, it should not.
Think about how much air/fuel is pumped thru that engine over the thousands of miles. A tiny tiny bit of oil on each revolution will not show at all but still cause it to be down after a thousand miles.
Yes it uses oil but that's normal. I strictly use 5w20 motorcraft syn blend and a motorcraft filter.
For the people stating it should be smoking a lot if it burns oil, it should not.
Think about how much air/fuel is pumped thru that engine over the thousands of miles. A tiny tiny bit of oil on each revolution will not show at all but still cause it to be down after a thousand miles.