How much damage?
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Freshman User
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How much damage?
How much damage can be done from dino with long drain intervals? I recently purchase a 1999 ranger with 41k miles. I found the previous owners oil change log which went something like this:
3,019 10/29/1999
7,101 3/26/2000
10,045 6/22/2000
20,353 4/5/2001
30,000 2/15/2002
40,962 5/03/2003
All of the oil changes were with Valvoline All Climate 10w-40 and fram filters. The previous owner started to do a good job of changing the oil but then went to 10k mile intervals. How much damage do you guys think was done to the bearings, etc.?
Thanks
Greg
3,019 10/29/1999
7,101 3/26/2000
10,045 6/22/2000
20,353 4/5/2001
30,000 2/15/2002
40,962 5/03/2003
All of the oil changes were with Valvoline All Climate 10w-40 and fram filters. The previous owner started to do a good job of changing the oil but then went to 10k mile intervals. How much damage do you guys think was done to the bearings, etc.?
Thanks
Greg
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
Probably a little damage was done, and probably not enough to worry about. The 10w40 probably sheared out a little and started to form some sludge. If he had gone 100,000 miles this way it may have been more of a problem.
I would use a diesel rated oil that has the ratings CH-4, or CI-4, as it has better cleaning abilities than regular oil. 10w30 would be the closest viscosity to the recommended viscosity for this engine in diesel rated oil. Change it out when it gets real black (or 3000 miles if that comes first), and repeat often enough to get the gunk cleaned out. Before you change it every time, dump in 1/2 quart of Marvel Mystery oil in the oil and run it another 100 miles. This should clean up any gunk left behind from the 10w40 and fram filter. Make sure you use a good filter like a Napa Gold or Motorcraft.
I would use a diesel rated oil that has the ratings CH-4, or CI-4, as it has better cleaning abilities than regular oil. 10w30 would be the closest viscosity to the recommended viscosity for this engine in diesel rated oil. Change it out when it gets real black (or 3000 miles if that comes first), and repeat often enough to get the gunk cleaned out. Before you change it every time, dump in 1/2 quart of Marvel Mystery oil in the oil and run it another 100 miles. This should clean up any gunk left behind from the 10w40 and fram filter. Make sure you use a good filter like a Napa Gold or Motorcraft.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 692
Likes: 1
From: Saratoga USA
Greg- If the Ranger runs well, doesn't burn an excessive amount of oil, and doesn't make any weird knocking sounds, then it's probably fine! You've already bought the truck, so there's nothing much you can do about it, why worry! Just change the oil and filter at the 3K intervals recommended above and enjoy the truck. A passing thought, since the original owner gave the truck such excellent maintenance, I'd have the cooling system flushed and refilled, and if you've got an automatic, change that fluid also. Put in a new air filter, too. Good luck, you'll probably get 100K plus more miles out of the Ranger!
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 211
Likes: 55
From: Montgomery, AL
In the event a bit of sludge may have formed, I would do an Auto-Rx treatment instead of MMO to clean it all out. Rx works over time (1,500 miles) instead of sporadically during brief intervals. One treatment should be all you need. If you don't like the prospect of using a HDDO, then you could go with a high mileage formula oil that has some esters to help keep the engine clean.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
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From: Connecticut
Originally posted by ggarrahan
Greg- If the Ranger runs well, doesn't burn an excessive amount of oil, and doesn't make any weird knocking sounds, then it's probably fine! You've already bought the truck, so there's nothing much you can do about it, why worry! Just change the oil and filter at the 3K intervals recommended above and enjoy the truck. A passing thought, since the original owner gave the truck such excellent maintenance, I'd have the cooling system flushed and refilled, and if you've got an automatic, change that fluid also. Put in a new air filter, too. Good luck, you'll probably get 100K plus more miles out of the Ranger!
Greg- If the Ranger runs well, doesn't burn an excessive amount of oil, and doesn't make any weird knocking sounds, then it's probably fine! You've already bought the truck, so there's nothing much you can do about it, why worry! Just change the oil and filter at the 3K intervals recommended above and enjoy the truck. A passing thought, since the original owner gave the truck such excellent maintenance, I'd have the cooling system flushed and refilled, and if you've got an automatic, change that fluid also. Put in a new air filter, too. Good luck, you'll probably get 100K plus more miles out of the Ranger!
The Fram filters might cause me a little concern, but with only 41K on the engine, I wouldn't worry about it the oil change intervals ...at least the oil did get changed on occasion, and in the early stages, the intervals are more than adequate.
The Auto-Rx is treatment is probably a good idea for peace of mind as much as anything.
Welcome to Ford Truck Enthusiasts, and good luck with the "new" Ranger! Be sure to drop by the FTE Ranger Forum (and some of the other forums) when you get a chance.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 447
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I find it funny that the Fram filter would cause more concern than the late oil changes. Don’t let the 10,000 mile oil changes or Fram bother you. Since it runs well its safe to say no real damage was done. I would do the auto-rx treatment or marvel mystery oil just to make sure your lifters are not gumming up. There is no need for immediate drain with marvel mystery oil, it also works over time.
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