Switching to Synthetic Oil??

[Guest]

I am in the process of purchasing a used 2001-2002 EB (25k-45k miles) and wanted to check on what the current thoughts are on running synthetic oil vs. the regular oil.

Is it an easy decision to go with sythetic over regular?

any suggested info/websites on the regular vs. synthetic debate?

What Sythetic oil do you use or recommend?

I want to take care of the engine as much as possible....this would be a 5.4L engine.

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[Guest]

It is my understanding that yes, it is an easy decision. There was good link to a page discussing engine oil on here the other day. Try searching the archives.

Personally I am a little on the cheap side and I use a blended synthetic. It is about half the price of a full synthetic and I still change my oil about every 5000 miles. Valvoline DuraBlend. I have been using it for the last 50,000 miles or so with no problems.

 

[rwinch]

Easy Answer

- FULL Synthetic
- Mobil1 5W-30
- Quality oil filter (do not use Fram)
- oil change 3-5k

 

[Guest]

I just bought a 2000 Eddie Bauer and I swithced it over to Synthetic. I use Valvoline Synpower 5w30 in all of my vehicles. I have had great results. I would recommend that you use a Motorcraft oil filter. I have worked at a Ford Dealership for the last 18 years and we have never had a vehicle fail due to a oil filter concern.

 

[Guest]

With synthetic oil would you say that 4k-5k between changes is good, or should i extend to 5k or reduce to 3k....

when i first started looking at expeditions i saw that folks were changing at 5k and i thought that was a nice bonus...currently on my explorer i change every 2.5k to 3K...

thanks for any info.

 

[kidzstang]

synth oil change frequency

I use full synthetic oil, buy Mobil 1 at Walmart for $18.00 / 5 quarts, and Mobil 1 oil filters. I change at 3 - 4 thousand mile intervals. Because the oil is used to carry away the engine borne contaminates I can't see what good leaving the oil for longer intervals will do. Of course it costs about $500 more over doing $7500 mile changes @$25.00 per change for 100,000 miles but I think its good insurance. I just need to get my garage heated for those mid winter changes.

 

[monsta]

Synthetics usually contain more acid neutralizers and resist thermal breakdown better than their dino counterparts. This is why they can go longer before changing.

I use semi-synth in my Expy (Motorcraft 5w-20) and dino in all my others.

I used Fram filters in my last Dodge Grand Caravan 3.8 that was at 187K when I sold it and still running stong. If you change every 3-5K I see no reason NOT to use Fram.

However, I only use Motorcraft filters in my Ford truck(s).

 

[rwinch]

Please read this link:

http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/oil_filter_study/

This is the "famous" oil filter study that haas been floating around the web. I do not know the individuals credentials, but his conclusions are based on actually ripping filters apart and examining them. It is woth reading.

The short of it is:

1) STAY AWAY FROM FRAM
2) It seems Motorcraft filters are made by Purolator

Anyway, food for thought.

 

[monsta]

I've read it and others.

I base my findings on experience in using them. I, personally, have no reason to bash them they way they get bashed on the internet. Again, just from their performance with one of my vehicles over a 5 year period. (And 37 Fram filters)

BTW, that report is 4 years old.

I also see no reason to use them when the Motorcraft counterpart is sitting right next to it for basically the same price.

 

[rwinch]

I know its dated, but the info on contruction is relevant. That report (and discussion on other forums) where what helped me make the decision to switch away from Fram X2's, but then again, I did not have any problems with them!

I suppose it is just a case of what is on the shelf consistantly, as I don't like to jump back and forth between brands, and right now, it seems the Purolator (Motorcraft) brand is always on the shelf.

 

[Guest]

I started using Royal Purple a couple of years ago. It is full syn and cost ~6bucks a quart. I started with it in my Harley and using a heat gun, I got a 15degree difference in normal operating temperature. Of course this is true of alot of syn's out there, less friction=less heat

My buddy is a distributor so I was gettin git at cost. They make excellent gear oil that I use in my tranny and rear end on my BMW bike.

Synthetic is good stuff and worth the money, especially if you tow or put your vehicle to the extremes, like sand driving on the beaches...

 

[alvin1]

I have used Mobil 1 in my work car (geo prizm) since it was new and it has 262000 miles on it and still runs like new. I just put Mobil 1 5-30 with Napa Gold filter in my expy on its first oil change and plan on changing it every 5k.

Also don't buy into the 3k change your oil thing. Go on whatever the manufacture recommends, they know best. On my Prizm I go every 7500 and look at the miles it has racked up with no problems.

One thing you might consider is that I'm a mechanic for a major airline and we use synthetic oil in all our aircraft and we never change the oil. We just keep adding oil and change the filters frequently. We only change the oil when metal is found in the filters or when engineering request it. Of course the oil is little more pricey than car synth's, but it's still based on the same same thing.

 

[rwinch]

I used to travel quite a bit by air for work, and this may pick back up soon, so all I have to say is:

One thing you might consider is that I'm a mechanic for a major airline and we use synthetic oil in all our aircraft and we never change the oil

YIKES!!!!!

and

We just keep adding oil

FIX THE LEAK!!!!

and

We only change the oil when metal is found in the filters

OMG - where is that coming from?????

Just kidding......I have flown quite a lot, and I know its safe!

 

[whitehat]

I use the valvoline max life 5w30. 111000 thousand miles and counting. It dose'nt use any or smoke when started. I use nothing but motorcraft filters. Does the synthetic stop or reduce the ever famous piston knock in the morning until the oil gets to the top of the motor?

 

[Bigtop]

I was told by my dealership, NOT to use synthetic oils in the Expedition. He said that there is an increased risk of gasket leaking if you did use synthetic oils and the engine is designed to use regular oils.

 

[rwinch]

Thats a dealership for you. Guess what.....they want your business. They also want you to use the average quality (at a high markup) products they sell. A MAJOR part of the dealerships profit is in the service end.

My '98 has nothing but synthetic in it...no leaks.

In terms of engine design, thats just plain nonsense. The only thing that has to be considered when changing fluid type is seal/o-ring/rubber compatibility (example, silicone brake fluid kills the normal seals in brake systems), and all manufacturers of synthetic fluids design the fluids to be fully compatible with dino stuff. All the other aspects such as film thickness, temp vs. viscosity compatibility, detergents, etc. are all specified and usually are a direct crossover.

Take a minute and read the majority of posts on this and other forums, and you will see that listening to the dealership is not always in your best interest!

 

[bnvus]

I was told by my dealership, NOT to use synthetic oils in the Expedition. He said that there is an increased risk of gasket leaking if you did use synthetic oils and the engine is designed to use regular oils.

This is only true if you intially used conventional oils for the first 60,000 miles. Switching can produce leaks because your seals have been conditioned with conventional oils. Synthetic is alot thinner and will not allow the seal to "swell" to prevent leaks.

 

[kidzstang]

synth oils

I think that's a little BS about not using synth in engines not designed for them and creating leaks. I have changed over:

1) an Expedition at 75K mikes - now at 125K
2) a Jaguar at 30K miles - now at 50K
3) a Mustang at 20K miles - now at 45K
4) a Sebring Convert at 80K miles - now at 98K
5) a Focus at 40K miles - now at 50K

and none, repeat none, of the cars above have experienced any leaks.

 

[danketchpel]

After much debate I switched over to synthetic oil at the 10,000 mile mark. The debate was mostly centered around which syth. to use.

I chose the Mobil 1 0-20w. It was the only Mobil 1 oil that actually stated that it met the Ford WW-M2C153-H spec.

I have not experienced any leaks so far or strange noises on startup or otherwise. I haven't had the chance to do a good mileage test yet. I'll know in the next few tank fulls.

I am going to stick with the Motorcraft filter. It seems like a pretty good filter based on the research I found and it removes any doubts on warrenty issues.

 

[3 NAILS 1 CROSS]

have never needed to use synthetic, i have never seen results that show it is better. i have used regular motor oil in all my vehicles and i change every 3k or less . i currently have a 93 gmc with 315,000 no smoke or leaks,a 1989 accord 225,000 no smoke but small leak from sitting for 1 year {car wasnt needed at the time} and i have a 27' rv with 130,000 . they all run perfect, is there really a need for change?