need oil advice
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need oil advice
I have a 1986 f150 351 with 78,000 miles on it.I have been using 10w30, now that the weather is getting a little warmer I was wondering if I should go to 10w40. the reason I was thinking of this is I noticed the oil pressure looked a little low (not sure about the factory oil gauge?) when the weather is hotter out and thought of nmaybe alittle thicker oil. any help on this one? 
Thanks
Thanks
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From: So Cal
I wouldn't expect an engine with your miles to have enough wear(in the bearings etc) to cause the oil pressure to drop. On the other hand that is unusually low miles for that old an engine, I would expect closer to at least 200K. Do you do a lot of short trips etc? If that is the case it is possible that your engine has sludged up over the years due to never really warming up. The sludge can eventually cause wear or cut oil pressure. If you do a lot of short trips you need to change oil more often, usually at most 3,000 miles or every 6 months at the most.
The 10W40 should be thick enough to handle most temps you would see unless you live where it regularly hits over 110 or so. You could try a 20W50 and see if that helps, usually this is a bandaid for engines that are getting loose from wear.
I would put on an accurate mechanical gauge and compare it to the factory gauge. Factory gauges aren't often very accurate.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
The 10W40 should be thick enough to handle most temps you would see unless you live where it regularly hits over 110 or so. You could try a 20W50 and see if that helps, usually this is a bandaid for engines that are getting loose from wear.
I would put on an accurate mechanical gauge and compare it to the factory gauge. Factory gauges aren't often very accurate.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
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I would agree with Jim on the sludge. I would suggest that if you move out of the 10w-30 range and want a heavier oil, use either Rotella T or Delo 400+ in 15w-40. These oils will have much better cleaning qualities than a 10w-40 and be less likely to sludge because of polymerization on the part of the 10w-40. I also wouldn't trust the dash gauge. Rarely are they accurate and as they age, rarely do they work right. If you go with a heavier oil, watch the temp gauge. Heavier oils do not transfer heat as do thinner oils. The oil system on any engine is for lubrication AND to dissapate heat. The oil system is about 15% of the cooling capacity of the truck.
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thanks Jim, I've had the truck about six months,but suspect it sat quite abit, based on the mileage. looks like it was used for a holiday trailer puller. do you think I should run a engine flush through it before changing oil, or is that a bad idea for a motor of this age? the summers here average around 90 degrees
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Flash we must of posted at the same time.never heard of rotella T or delo 400+ but I'll see if my local parts store has it, I always remember my Dad running a pint of trans fluid in his oil a couple days before he changed it, said it helped clean the sludge, ever heard of that trick?
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2003
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From: Scenic Wisconsin
I'd say no on the ATF. It's like adding 10W hydraulic oil and to me offers more in the line of risk than potential benefit.
Like Flash, I'd recommend a diesel-grade oil like Rotella or Delo - both of which offer a 10W-30 which you can use in the colder months. The diesel oil will help clean out any sludge the engine may have built up.
Like Flash, I'd recommend a diesel-grade oil like Rotella or Delo - both of which offer a 10W-30 which you can use in the colder months. The diesel oil will help clean out any sludge the engine may have built up.
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FE "Freakin Expensive"
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Smith Mountain Lake, VA
Also depending on how much sludge is in the motor?? more than one Oil change maybe required...and repeat the process if needed...
I think I would buy and Oil filter cutter....(dont use a hack saw) it'll get metal shavings in the filter.....Cut your filter open to see if your still pulling crap out of the engine!!
Good Luck!!
Russ
I think I would buy and Oil filter cutter....(dont use a hack saw) it'll get metal shavings in the filter.....Cut your filter open to see if your still pulling crap out of the engine!!
Good Luck!!
Russ
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From: Calgary, Canada
Factory oil indicators are not guages unless there are actual graduations AND PSI/KPA indications. They are either on or off and should never be relied upon to tell you your oil pressure - because there is no pressure markings. You need a real guage if you want to know your oil pressure.
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funny never heard of running diesel oil in a gas motor, well its in there now, I found rotella 15w-40, ran engine flush before changing oil. I noticed the drian plug has a magnet on it, looks like it caught a few filings, first vehicle I seen with a magnet plug.thanks everyone for the help on this. learn something new every day