5w20 in a 2.3L ?

[Pmgo4th]

I have a 1991 FordRanger with a 2.3 and a 5 speed trans. I've owned it for a year and a half now and always ran 5w30 whatever is cheapest in it. I had some 15w40 delvac left over from my last powerstroke so I used that for my last oil change about 300 miles ago. All seemed well and the overhead cam valve train sounded quiter. Now that its really getting cold here the mornings are in the 20 degree range. When I first start the truck it sounds like its knocking real bad. It's not a normal start up rattle. It sounds like this for 2-3 min. I don't have any 5w30 on hand but I had 5 quarts of wolfs head semi syn 5w20 so I changed it with that. Start up sounds normal now but is this oil up to the job for my old motor with 230,000 miles on it.?

 

[volk06]

It will do just fine. You can run your normal OCI and switch back with no worries.

 

[RiceCake]

With it getting cold anyhow it should be fine but I'd be worried about your knocking sounds if there is real issues in the engine. If it gets warm out you could have a worn enough engine that you'll start getting low oil pressure.

 

[simple_gifts]

Just drain 2 qts of 15w40 out and top off with the 5w-20

 

[Pmgo4th]

I didn't want to change the oil filter again so I just drained the pan. It has 4 quarts of 5w20 and about a quart of 15w40 in the filter. This morning the start up noise was only there for a second or two compared to minutes before.

 

[troyb43]

What oil filter are you currently using?

 

[Pmgo4th]

I'm using a Napa gold 1515. I'm a napa gold/ wix fan. I've switched to them after start up noise with other filters on cars that never made noise before.

 

[troyb43]

did you try a motocraft filter when trying filters? Not that I am really partial to any filters that work, but I have found some to exhibit more start up noise than others.

 

[Pmgo4th]

I haven't on this truck yet. I have use MC in the past and like them. I live in a small town 35 miles away from a walmart and I like to put my money back into our town whenever possible. Next time we have to go to WM I'll get one.

 

[troyb43]

good luck with trying a mc filter, most generally have good luck using them, and I like your idea of buying local, I do the same as much as I can