Mixing oil weight
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Freshman User
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Mixing oil weight
Obviously I wouldn't do this as common practice, but I didn't notice until it was too late. When I changed the oil on my 04 F-150 I put in 3 qts of 10w-40 and 3 qts of 5w-40. Do I need to drain it and replace it or should I be ok until the next oil change?
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 454
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From: CT
If it were I and it was regular cheap dino oil, I would change it. The 40W might be a wee bit thick for the clearances. Don't really think you are hurting anything but peice of mind.
Looks like you made 7.5W 40.
I run 0W30 in my 2 Explorer's and 0W20 in my 05 F250 V10....thin is in
Looks like you made 7.5W 40.
I run 0W30 in my 2 Explorer's and 0W20 in my 05 F250 V10....thin is in
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Brentwood,CA
Originally Posted by stretch five oh
Obviously I wouldn't do this as common practice, but I didn't notice until it was too late. When I changed the oil on my 04 F-150 I put in 3 qts of 10w-40 and 3 qts of 5w-40. Do I need to drain it and replace it or should I be ok until the next oil change?
drain it all out and use the correct 5w20 oil.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2004
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The heavier weight oil will just shear, and sheared oil has a tendency to produce sludge. Sludge is not good for the engine.
Drain the oil at the first opportunity, and put the 5-20 oil in. Don't leave the heavier oil in there too long.
Drain the oil at the first opportunity, and put the 5-20 oil in. Don't leave the heavier oil in there too long.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
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Originally Posted by stretch five oh
Obviously I wouldn't do this as common practice, but I didn't notice until it was too late. When I changed the oil on my 04 F-150 I put in 3 qts of 10w-40 and 3 qts of 5w-40. Do I need to drain it and replace it or should I be ok until the next oil change?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2004
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I think I would change it, and not use either 10/40 or 5/40. I'm not worried about your clearances, but I would be slightly worried about your cold starts, as the synthetic blend 5/20 is going to hit your cam shafts a lot sooner than any thick oil or any non-blend oil.
These engines are a bit finicky on oiling the cam shafts on startup. That's mostly on the 5.4, but even the 4.6 calls for anti-drainback filters or the cam sounds like it is eating marbles on cold start.
With high quailty 5-20 oil cheap at Wal-Mart and other places, there really is no excuse to not take care of the engine.
Best of luck with it,
Chris
These engines are a bit finicky on oiling the cam shafts on startup. That's mostly on the 5.4, but even the 4.6 calls for anti-drainback filters or the cam sounds like it is eating marbles on cold start.
With high quailty 5-20 oil cheap at Wal-Mart and other places, there really is no excuse to not take care of the engine.
Best of luck with it,
Chris
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Freshman User
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Thanks for the advice. Looks like I'm on my way to buy oil. While I'm at it, what's everyones take on synthetic and synthetic blend oil? Also can someone break down what the numbers mean? 5w=? 20=?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Brentwood,CA
the best oil for your money is the mc 5w20 semi synthetic oil. walmart has it for 1.99 a quart. there is guys who swear by it it has been a flawless oil in tests i use it in my 03. also the oil filter is a fl8020s the s is important it has the silicone valve in it.
Posting Guru
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Originally Posted by ford390gashog
the best oil for your money is the mc 5w20 semi synthetic oil. walmart has it for 1.99 a quart. there is guys who swear by it it has been a flawless oil in tests i use it in my 03. also the oil filter is a fl8020s the s is important it has the silicone valve in it.
Yeah, what he said...
On the 5-20, skipping the actual true technical answer, (someone will post it)
the first w (winter weight) is the equivelant rate that it will flow at cold. The higher second weight is the weight. So think of 5-20 as an easy to pump cold oil that makes adequate pressure and thickness at any normal temp.
Someone will be along shortly to start the synthetic vs. blend vs. old style oil argument.
Meanwhile the oil the factory and dealer recommend (5w-20 synthetic blend) will treat you right.
Chris