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I just bought an 2008 F150 5.4 liter with about 81000 mi on it, it has a fresh dealer oil change of Castrol 5w-20 full synthetic, I've been reading some stories about the timing chain tensioners and maybe switching to 5w-30 or maybe some high mileage oil, any one else tried this?
Yep! Didn’t ever want to believe the hype about doing this but yeah my timing chain got all stretched out and the guides broke on me. I still drove it for days like that. Just couldn’t get past 35mph though. So I know your manual states 5w20. And I know your oil cap says this too. I ran 5w20 in it for a year at 98,000 miles. I’d never do it again. Just trust me on this, I just went through a rebuild. 5w30 from now on. These Triton’s need it. I didn’t want to believe it but it silenced the truck. Get yourself a cheap Melling high pressure oil pump. Don’t forget about getting a tune up. Make sure spark plugs and coils are good to go. You’re coming close to that VCT solenoid change time too. You can pick up two Ford ones for about 140. Should be pretty safe after all that. Sweet looking Triton btw. Those FX’s are sweet.
True story. Doesn't matter... 5w20 or 5w30. What really matters is clean oil every 5,000 like clockwork. Buy the cheap stuff, it'll do fine, but don't skimp on the filter. Use Motorcraft or Mobil1 filters.
If you're going to look at putting a higher volume oil pump on it (which you should) look at the Melling MV360HV. And do the phasers/chains/guides/tensioners while you're in there. You'll thank us later for that bit of info.
And one last, but extremely important thing... DO NOT USE AFTER MARKET PARTS ON THESE TRUCKS. USE ONLY GENUINE FORD/MOTORCRAFT
(except the oil pump).
I always change oil at 5k and I normally use Pennzoil or wally super tech full syn, k&n pro series filters without the nut on the end, I'm going to use a motor craft next time, won't be due for a while, thanks for the come back
Skip the K&N filters for this engine. Motorcraft is your best bet. It's all about the anti drain back valve because of the position. Motorcraft has solid filters for that reason. As for oil, I am currently running 0w-40. It on a remaned engine, and it makes a world of difference. with 5w-20, there is the usual noise, 5w-30 slightly quieter, and 0w-40 its non existent and my gas mileage is great. Granted, I also have an edge tuner. But since it is warming up I plan on going with a 5w-40. I use mobil 1 full syn euro, so it's a very light 40 weight. Once it sheers it's basically a 30 weight, but the additives are what I use it for. Honestly, if you don't have excessive noise and it just sounds like a typical 5.4l, I'd stick with Motorcraft syn blend, mobil 1 full syn, or pennzoil full syn 5w-20. Unless you can hear the belt, which oil viscosity will not fix, 5w-20 is going to be just fine. If you really are set on going to 5w-30, go mobil 1 full syn. Get some blackstone testing done on your first couple oil changes and adjust (fix parts) accordingly if needed.
As for oil, I am currently running 0w-40. It on a remaned engine, and it makes a world of difference. with 5w-20, there is the usual noise, 5w-30 slightly quieter, and 0w-40 its non existent and my gas mileage is great. Granted, I also have an edge tuner. But since it is warming up I plan on going with a 5w-40. I use mobil 1 full syn euro, so it's a very light 40 weight. Once it sheers it's basically a 30 weight, but the additives are what I use it for. Honestly, if you don't have excessive noise and it just sounds like a typical 5.4l, I'd stick with Motorcraft syn blend, mobil 1 full syn, or pennzoil full syn 5w-20. Unless you can hear the belt, which oil viscosity will not fix, 5w-20 is going to be just fine.
Same here. 8,000 mile engine running on M1 0W-40. I replaced the last oil change which was M1 5W-30 with M1 0W-40. I didn't really notice any change. M1 0W-40 seems to be a highly regarded oil, so I'm thinking about running it in everything I own and maintain. My truck is the only one factory spec. 5W-20. Everything else is 5W-30 and, as you stated, the leap to M1 0W-40 isn't a very big one.
