Oil analysis as a predictor for cam phaser/timing chain/cam/follower issues?

We examined Blackstones report here with 3 sets of eyes and as expected, it really doesn't show any warning flags. The key items I was looking for are change in flashpoints, Viscosity after 15K although at only "19", the silicone(part of the additive package) is low and won't go much longer & the sodium and Boron are also part of that pkg.

I think, to put a hypothesis as to why this "works" I would guess is rooted in the full-sized oil filter used for this engine. It's capacity has to be the reason there doesn't appear to be massive particulate ie-Iron....but it's only a guess.

From the pics I've seen of those blown gaskets, they appeared to be the red-rubber high-temp o-rings that came out for "high heat situations" but in practice, they become hard & brittle. Are these made of the same stuff?

jeff

Yes, Jeff - my worries were also as you bored into - the oil properties essential for doing the job. Of course, in the study of automotive oils, as many know the additive packages are what is key to lasting. From what I understand the base will last much much longer than the additive packages. I concluded as you that for this motor it is a good point to change since as you mention the additive elements are getting low.

To your question, I never had to worry about color (we specified materials, then relied on QA programs to ensure the specs were followed). Therefore I have not ever researched to know if the different materials have different innate/natural colors. My guess is all of them are dyed to a color that is specified by the purchaser/engineer at end use to minimize selection error in assembly for whatever application the gaskets are used.

The Expedition will be up on my lift within the hour for changing the oil.

CHRIS HODGE said:

Great thread with a lot of good info. One post I noticed talked about shifting into neutral while rolling down the freeway and turning the engine off after oil light comes on. By shifting to neutral at that speed and taking load off of the engine, the rpm's will go very high before you can shut engine down and cause even more damage. Looking forward to following this thread.

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Are you trying to be funny?
I can't see how that could be, I thought it was understood before going to neutral, or mashing clutch pedal to firewall (lever to handlebar on motorcycles) you throttle DOWN/OFF?

Which would bring the engine rpm to idle almost immediately, then kill ignition. The worst part, would be loss of power steering and brakes, but the driver still has use of both, just requires hella more effort, the bigger the vehicle.

JExpedition07 said:

BTW 5150 Pops regarding your 18’, any details yet that you can share without consequence? Are you back in possession of the vehicle? I’m interested to find out more about the new style oil pump. Sounds like your issue is oil pump?

There may be some merit that planned obsolescence may be involved, or maybe it’s just keeping production costs down. The trend has been they design these things then sell updated service parts for the engines.

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The last communication I had was the Friday b4 our 24 hour nearly foot of snow.
They were planning to have the engine out, and fully disassembled by the following Friday. That would have been the 14th.

I have zero desire to call.
I think it's reasonable they likely did not work, that Monday or Tuesday, for that matter, and if they did, certainly not with a full staff.

That much snow, down here is a nutstomper.
Yes we have adequate equipment and resources easily capable of 3" accumulation in a day, but VDOT gets exponentially challenged every inch thereafter. Most schools were closed from Mon-Thursday, yep they went back on Friday. So factor that into the employees that might not be able to work last week, because of lack of childcare.

I thought I might get an update today, but the phone hasn't rang, nor any email come through.

I'm not sure if I mentioned it in this forum, but there's a strong possibility I will never get a straight scoop, if they do indeed pony up and cover the problem. They surely would be inundated with owners of a myriad of platforms utilizing the new variable displacement pump, that previously were sent packing with a new head, or vct replacement, etc.

inmanlanier said:

Andy - good for you, let's keep in contact with each other. Can you share with me what's going on with your fuel? I hope you've reached out to Ford on that.

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I'm not sure what is going on with the fuel right now. I checked with ford and they have not TSB or anything that fixes fuel in the oil. When I first bought the truck I was semi retired and worked from home teaching college classes online. The school closed in September. I had been there 5-1/2 years fortunately I had been offered a job so now I drive back and forth to work 13 miles each way with half of that at highway speeds. I asked Blackstone if they can produce a TSB that I can take to Ford, we'll have to wait and see what answer they have if any.

Andy,

I assume so correct me if I'm wrong but you are using the same make & grade oil for each of your Blackstone reports? I also assume that you aren't lugging the engine but fuel blow-by dilution caused that Flashpoint & Viscosity to drop. The 240F that shows in the Feb/18 report is getting lower than you really want.



jeff

Andy - in addition to Jeff's comment, if you're under warranty this analysis should stand on it's own merit for the local dealership to engage in dialogue with Ford Corporate for thoughts on what to do. It is not normal, they should be tickled pink their customer is funding his own analysis of oil that may same them some high $$ warranty charges later.

Inman

inmanlanier said:

Andy - in addition to Jeff's comment, if you're under warranty this analysis should stand on it's own merit for the local dealership to engage in dialogue with Ford Corporate for thoughts on what to do. It is not normal, they should be tickled pink their customer is funding his own analysis of oil that may same them some high $$ warranty charges later.

Inman

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Unfortunately they won't be tickled at all. They'll be more aggravated that you're armed with actual proof of things being wrong. They really hope you'll just go away , die, live with it, or trade the vehicle in.

Dealers and opposition lawyers, never like proof they can't dispel. It's like your going in with your own blood sample to the doctor. But in this case you don't have to pay the doctor, they pay you. You can bet they won't be their usual syrupy self.

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

5150 pops said:

Are you trying to be funny?
I can't see how that could be, I thought it was understood before going to neutral, or mashing clutch pedal to firewall (lever to handlebar on motorcycles) you throttle DOWN/OFF?

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Your making assumptions that not every driver can/would make.