Oil Viscocity Opinions

[AzTumbleweed]

The latest technical service bulletin (TSB) from Ford on oil type says to use 5W20 oil in Escorts. (2nd and 3rd generation, I think). I've always believed that the main reason for a lighter oil is to get it up to the overhead cam as soon as possible. Others say it gives better mileage because it pumps easier. I've also heard you need a thin oil to get in the tight tolerances that are found in modern engines. So what is it? All of the above? My engine is getting old and I was thinking of going to a 20W50. That should fill in the formerly loose tolerances. I always warm my car up so I'm not too concerned about it taking a moment or two to get pumping good. It rarely freezez here. In the summer it can get near 120 degrees here. 5W20 would be water at that type of temperature. What do you guys think?

[Davescort97]

Yep. Today's Escort engine is measured in ten thousandths instead of thousandths for an engine overhaul. I believe in the lighter oil for these reasonsl

I pumps ups faster and the oil light doesn't stay lit up as long. I think a lower viscosity will cool the parts it comes into contact with. I think (just my opinion) that 5w-20 is too thin unless you live in a northern state that gets really cold out. I do believe that 5w- 30 is okay for the winter months in a warmer climate like the southern US. My scort has 140k on it. I use 10w30 in the summertime and 5w 30 in the wintertime. Brand is GTX high mileage.
I know that thicker oil will make your engine sluggish because I put a can of STP in after an oil change and the throttle response was a lot left to be desired. It was so bad I changed the oil again the next day. It really ran like crap. I read the service bulletin about 5w-20 oil and couldn't believe my eyes. You guys can put it in your engines, but I'm not putting it in mine. Thanks for the poll. I think there will be a lot of response on it.

[dougand3]

93 1.9L 188k miles - I use 5W30 in Fall, Winter, Spring and 10W30 in HOT summer. Been using Walmart SuperTech for last 120k miles or so. I don't think I've ever seen 5W20 - sure wouldn't pay extra for it.

[llerrad]

Don't think I would go with 20-50 in the winder too long for the oil pres. to reach when winter cold. I would use it in the summer with high mileage engine.

[Jet-Lee]

i use 10W30 Full Synthetic year round in my 167k mile 99lx.

Once you go synthetic, though, you can never go back to regular without replacing EVERY gasket the oil touches.

[AzTumbleweed]

Originally Posted by dougand3

93 1.9L 188k miles - I use 5W30 in Fall, Winter, Spring and 10W30 in HOT summer. Been using Walmart SuperTech for last 120k miles or so. I don't think I've ever seen 5W20 - sure wouldn't pay extra for it.

Wal-Mart only has it in the Motorcraft (Ford) brand. I've used super Tech almost exclusively and it's done just fine. Guess I'll stick with 5W30 for the winter. Tomorrow it's supposed to only get to 70 degrees here. Brrrr....

[AzTumbleweed]

Originally Posted by Jet-Lee

i use 10W30 Full Synthetic year round in my 167k mile 99lx.

Once you go synthetic, though, you can never go back to regular without replacing EVERY gasket the oil touches.

I 'went back' and didn't have any problems.

[Jet-Lee]

have you checked your gaskets?

how long did you use synthetic?

[AzTumbleweed]

I only ran the full synthetic once. No problem with my gaskets. I wonder how the synthetic blend works then? It's synthetic and petroleum based mixed.

[Jet-Lee]

It's been said, even by the oil companies, that after running synthetic through your system, that regular will cause your gaskets to sweat. Friends claim to have blown engines yada yada yada.

I really like the way my engine runs with the synthetic, so I'm not complaining.

[mustang302]

Originally Posted by Jet-Lee

I really like the way my engine runs with the synthetic, so I'm not complaining.

How many miles did the car have when you made the switch to fully synthetic, or was it since new? If there are potential problems going from petroleum to synthetic and back to petroleum, are there any chances of problems from just the first switch to petroleum? Are there any worries you know of about switching at a higher mileage?

I have a '93 lx with 154k on it, I was considering going to fully synthetic, especially because I have a ticking sound once it warms up. I've started to think it is because of the oil thinning out once it is hot, nothing else makes sense anymore (I've been down many roads with this ticking). I was thinking of trying synthetic to see what happens, although it is a pretty long term commitment.

Thanks.

[escort0526]

For a long time I never considered the weight of the oil in my '93, then one day i read a post here about it. But, I've used 10w30 in it since day one and it doesn't leak, doesn't burn, (157k)so i'm sticking with it.

[Jet-Lee]

it had about 160k miles on it when I switched to synthetic.

[tturnpaw]

basically, synthetic is better to use when going thinner applications because it maintains its viscocity even through rough heat changes. if i would use it i would never go back its like running cheap gas then premium....doesnt work out. sooo i would run the 10w 30 synthetic...ran fine in my GT and lx not to mention the mustang....but that only sees royal purple