03 Crown Vic with 199,983 miles on it.

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Coworker just had one fail because of oil starvation with 5w30 on the timing chain tensioner. Thats one reason Ford went to 5w-20. Too thick and the timing chain tensioner cant pump up fast enough. Good luck
 
5w30 too thick for the timing chain tensioner? Lol! Taxi drivers with Vics come into my store every day and buy oil... Some stick with 5w-20, some buy 20w-50, they drive their car every day and despite the fact that maybe I disagree with their choice to use thicker oil than 10w-30 (again, I prefer 5w30 for the 4.6) they put lots of miles on their cars, and as far as I can tell, the cars still run and drive.
 
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Under the valve covers the engine is spotless. Since I've owned it I put over 100k miles on it and have only used Motorcraft filters and would go 5k on conventional oil. Last 30k I've been using full synthetic and going 10k on the oci with no issues. I've changed the pcv valve and checked for leaks. I notice the Modulars tend to "rattle" a little upon cold starts and hot starts after the engine has been shut off for a bit. That's where I worry about going to a thicker viscosity.
 
Originally Posted by 6lbsoft
So my 03 P71 will hit 200,000 miles on tomorrows morning commute. I have roughly 10k miles on the current OCI (Kendall synthetic and Motorcraft filter). I upped to 5w30 because she is starting to consume a little more oil nowadays. Would it be safe in a Modular to go up to 10w-40?



Yup a 40 grade will be safe. In your climate, I'd consider a 15w40.
 
Originally Posted by dogememe
5w30 too thick for the timing chain tensioner? Lol! Taxi drivers with Vics come into my store every day and buy oil... Some stick with 5w-20, some buy 20w-50, they drive their car every day and despite the fact that maybe I disagree with their choice to use thicker oil than 10w-30 (again, I prefer 5w30 for the 4.6) they put lots of miles on their cars, and as far as I can tell, the cars still run and drive.


I really hate to get in on this, and shouldn't really, but I will anyway.

I agree with the above. People get way too hung up on the suggestion stamped on the oil cap. Tune the oil to the conditions and driving style.

I use Valvoline Maxlife 5w30 Synthetic in the Marauder. It has twice the cams and longer chains. And it goes to the drag strip every once in a while. It still does and has always run perfect and quiet. These engines were spec'd for 5w30 originally. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING changed in the capacity of these engines "requiring" 5w-20 in the changeover period. 5w30 works in these engines, pure and simple.
 
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Originally Posted by millerbl00
The timing chain tensioner was made for 5w-20. Anything else may bind the tensioner.


Incorrect.
 
Originally Posted by millerbl00
The timing chain tensioner was made for 5w-20. Anything else may bind the tensioner.


So what happens when it is -30C?

Viscosity varies FAR more with temperature than it does between grades. These systems simply cannot be as viscosity sensitive as some claim, if they were, engines would be loading their diapers left right and centre whenever the snow flies. Since that's obviously not the case, this line of thinking is wrong.
 
Originally Posted by millerbl00
Coworker just had one fail because of oil starvation with 5w30 on the timing chain tensioner. Thats one reason Ford went to 5w-20. Too thick and the timing chain tensioner cant pump up fast enough. Good luck

You're saying an oil with an HTHS of 2.8 will be fine, but an oil with an HTHS of 2.9 will bind the timing chain tensioner?
 
I agree w/ the idea of running a 15w40 HDEO in that engine in that climate. Tough oil, affordable, readily available. Can't go wrong with the Premium Blue, Rotella, etc.
 
Originally Posted by millerbl00
tell that to my co-worker. $2000 repair bill...

There's something else going on and a 2K bill for timing components? Someone got ripped off.
 
At 200,000 in SoCal I'd be all over Delo/Delvac 15w40 and never look back
smile.gif
 
Originally Posted by BrocLuno
At 200,000 in SoCal I'd be all over Delo/Delvac 15w40 and never look back
smile.gif



Plenty of fleet vehicles around here use 15W40 in modular's.
 
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