switch to synthetic?
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Calgary, Canada
Originally Posted by TallPaul
Run your search like this:
Ford +extended +oil +change +wear -amsoil
The -amsoil will weed out most amsoil links.
Ford +extended +oil +change +wear -amsoil
The -amsoil will weed out most amsoil links.
I looked a little but didn't find anything specifically by ford about any extended oil change interval studies that they supposedly did. It was just hearsay anyway... a snippet on someones web page referring to some testing they did.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
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From: Southern California
Originally Posted by ford390gashog
has anyone noticed jfsully posts have all been removed!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Running Springs CA
Paul,
I think all Group III base oils are paraffinics (straight-chain hydrocarbons), which have better VI and thermal stability but less solvency. Chevron's base oil site lists Group III better than PAO, but inferior to Groups I and II for solvency.
Any idea as to the current Synpower formulation? Syntec is Group III and esters. Maybe Valvoline has some esters in there as well.
Jim
I think all Group III base oils are paraffinics (straight-chain hydrocarbons), which have better VI and thermal stability but less solvency. Chevron's base oil site lists Group III better than PAO, but inferior to Groups I and II for solvency.
Any idea as to the current Synpower formulation? Syntec is Group III and esters. Maybe Valvoline has some esters in there as well.
Jim
New User
Joined: Jan 2005
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I found the best way to switch to synthetic oil is to first change to semi-synthetic, at what ever age your engine. This gives your engine a chance to adjust to the new oil and to flush your system, I have used semi-synthetic and synthetic in engines as old as 1984, and never saw a single leak develop. In my opinion seals leak because they are faulty and worn not because the oil is or was synthetic. There is a couple of good reasons to change, increased milage, and reduced effort for starting especially in colder areas of the country. I am not an oil dealer, I am a retired heavy duty industrial equipment mechanic.
Doug
Doug
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Lynnwood, WA
Originally Posted by furball69
This is a quote from the synthetic oil life study.
While the wear metals all accumulated steadily over the course of the test, the highest concentrations of accumulation per mile occurred in the first 3,000 miles of the test!
In case it isn't obvious yet, this means that the most wear occurs in the first 3,000 miles."
While the wear metals all accumulated steadily over the course of the test, the highest concentrations of accumulation per mile occurred in the first 3,000 miles of the test!
In case it isn't obvious yet, this means that the most wear occurs in the first 3,000 miles."
In any case, I'm not going to argue with the results showing the amount of wear metals found in oil, but I'm not sure if the interpretation (less wear) is correct. I think both you and the author of the cited page assume that the amount of wear is proportional with the amount of wear metals found in the oil, but I think that's not necessarily (and as a matter of fact, probably) not the case. Some of the wear metals will end up in the filter, and they don't seem to account for that. So I think it's a measurement error by not properly accounting for all wear metals.
The alternative explanation would be that a somewhat used oil with, say, 2000 miles on it, is a better lubricant than a fresh oil (maybe those metal particles act as small bearings
). If you can find an explanation on how and why this can be true, that would be nice.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
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From: Iowa
Originally Posted by aurgathor
Interesting page and results, but it seems too good to be true to me.
In any case, I'm not going to argue with the results showing the amount of wear metals found in oil, but I'm not sure if the interpretation (less wear) is correct. I think both you and the author of the cited page assume that the amount of wear is proportional with the amount of wear metals found in the oil, but I think that's not necessarily (and as a matter of fact, probably) not the case. Some of the wear metals will end up in the filter, and they don't seem to account for that. So I think it's a measurement error by not properly accounting for all wear metals.
The alternative explanation would be that a somewhat used oil with, say, 2000 miles on it, is a better lubricant than a fresh oil (maybe those metal particles act as small bearings). If you can find an explanation on how and why this can be true, that would be nice.
In any case, I'm not going to argue with the results showing the amount of wear metals found in oil, but I'm not sure if the interpretation (less wear) is correct. I think both you and the author of the cited page assume that the amount of wear is proportional with the amount of wear metals found in the oil, but I think that's not necessarily (and as a matter of fact, probably) not the case. Some of the wear metals will end up in the filter, and they don't seem to account for that. So I think it's a measurement error by not properly accounting for all wear metals.
The alternative explanation would be that a somewhat used oil with, say, 2000 miles on it, is a better lubricant than a fresh oil (maybe those metal particles act as small bearings
). If you can find an explanation on how and why this can be true, that would be nice.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Originally Posted by jimandmandy
Paul,
I think all Group III base oils are paraffinics (straight-chain hydrocarbons), which have better VI and thermal stability but less solvency. Chevron's base oil site lists Group III better than PAO, but inferior to Groups I and II for solvency.
Any idea as to the current Synpower formulation? Syntec is Group III and esters. Maybe Valvoline has some esters in there as well.
Jim
I think all Group III base oils are paraffinics (straight-chain hydrocarbons), which have better VI and thermal stability but less solvency. Chevron's base oil site lists Group III better than PAO, but inferior to Groups I and II for solvency.
Any idea as to the current Synpower formulation? Syntec is Group III and esters. Maybe Valvoline has some esters in there as well.
Jim
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,899
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From: Lynnwood, WA
Originally Posted by rusty70f100
Interesting thoughts. I have a theory though. That is that since the oils viscosity tends to increase as the oil is used, that the increased viscosity contributes to the lower increase in wear metals. Since this is the case, this would point to a heavier oil for longer engine life. Am I completely off base here, or could I be on to something?
As for oils changing weight, it was the Amsoil that changed quite a bit in comparison to the Mobil 1, and strangely enough, it had lower metals. But I've also read that some other oils (conventional) can get thinner as the VI additives break down, and in that case one could expect wear metals to go up.
Because of CAFE, companies in the US may specify thinner oil than what would be optimal for minimal wear, that could explain lower wear metals with a slightly heavier oil.
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New User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14
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From: Huntsville, Texas
RE: Switch to synthetic
I have just bought two new Ford trucks. My wife's truck is a 2004 F-150 cc lariat with the 5.4L gas engine. Mine is a 2005 F-250 CC 6.0PSD with TS trans. This Mobil 1 synthetic oil everyone is talking about sounds like a good oil and avaliable at our local Wal Mart store. My question is: can I run this Mobil 1 synthetic in both the F-150 gas and F-250 PSD (the same weight and type oil) in both vehicles or do I need a special Mobile 1 for the 6.0L PSD. Since this is my first diesel vehicle I don't really know what type of oil to go to at my next change. It would be nice if I could keep just one type oil at the house for changes. Thanks for any assistance you can give me.
James (Huntsville, TX.)
James (Huntsville, TX.)
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
Ok. The M1 is fine to use in the gas engine (5.4L), but in the PSD you'll need a diesel rated oil. M1 WILL NOT WORK in a diesel engine. Their synthetic diesel product is Delvac 1. Some others of note are Shell Rotella, Chevron Delo, and Mystik JT-8. I prefer the Mystik because it's cheap and returns good UOA's.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 317
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From: Minnesota
Ford requires that you use 5w20 for your gas 5.4. The diesel uses 15w40 in warm weather, and 10w30 in cold or all season weather. If you want to run synthetic in the diesel, it comes in 5w40. You are going to need a different oil for each vehicle. Read your owners manuals. They are clear on what to use and what ratings the oil needs to be.
In my opinion, regular dino oil will make your trucks last a plenty long time and be easier on the pocketbook than synthetic. If synthetic makes you feel better, then by all means use it.
In my opinion, regular dino oil will make your trucks last a plenty long time and be easier on the pocketbook than synthetic. If synthetic makes you feel better, then by all means use it.