Switching from M1 to MC 5W20. Any issues?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Since these engines have a history of quite starting on any type of oil you probabally have a mechanical problem of some sort. Just a thought.
 
I guess I should have been a little more specific. This is under light acceleration until op temp is reached. It is not an exhaust leak, but a light metallic tapping not quit as high pitched is a lifter and not as deep is a rod. My original thought was the VVT Cam phasers until warm. Whan warm the only sound is the injectors.

I have not had this engine apart and am not familiar with the VVT system. It might not be that.

New question. Since syn flows better than dino could the syn be too thin and create more of a tolerance until warm? Would the semi-syn be "less" thin?

Please remember I am not a chemical engineer. Thanks.
 
If synt. was your problem then we would hear of it a lot here on BITOG. Since we don't you have a mech. problem of some sort. I'm sure it wont shorten the life of the engine but it is annoying for sure. If this engine is still under warranty I would leave it with the Ford shop and insist it be repaired.
As for VVT engines I am new to them myself, but it's my understanding that VVT engines need thinner oil to perform at their peak.
 
Another interesting note.

When Ford developed the new 5.0 engine for the '11 Mustang they specified "conventional" oil during the endurance tests.
Don't know what weight. 4.6L was 5W20 and the GT500 was 5W30, I believe.

Is there a reason why they would use a conventional? No benefit to a syn?
 
Different brands seem to just run differently. I wouldn't assume it's a mechanical problem just yet. Has Mobil 1 always been run in the engine, and now just recently it's making noise? If that's the case, then maybe I'd go along with the working assumption that there's a problem.

But oil is cheap -- change brands and types first. My '07 T&C was so loud on Mobil 1 5W-20 that I almost took it to the dealer for diagnosis. Valvetrain noise at idle was very loud. It very much sounded like a lifter tap. A change of oil (and not even the filter) "fixed" the noise. This is an OHV pushrod engine. Other folks I know run Mobil 1 in their minivan engines with good success. Sometimes people just have odd results. It's not a noise that occurs with other oils for me, so I simply don't use the Mobil 1 in it. There are tons of threads on here about Mobil 1 making noise. It's nothing that anyone should get upset about. It just happens.

I'd go along with the notion that VVT engines need the PROPER oil to perform at their peak, not "thinner" oil. Cam phasers depend on oil pressure to operate, and if the best oil is 10w30, then that's what I'd run. If the OEM specified 5W-20, then that's what I'd run. Some engines don't seem to really care. You can run 0w30 (a "thick" oil) or you can run a thin 5W-20 in a Toyota 1ZZ-FE engine and the VVT system seems to work just the same. Some, however, are more sensitive than others and require a certain grade of oil.
 
Originally Posted By: tig1
If synt. was your problem then we would hear of it a lot here on BITOG. Since we don't you have a mech. problem of some sort. I'm sure it wont shorten the life of the engine but it is annoying for sure. If this engine is still under warranty I would leave it with the Ford shop and insist it be repaired.
As for VVT engines I am new to them myself, but it's my understanding that VVT engines need thinner oil to perform at their peak.


Thanks. I have taken it in and they have not been able to duplicate the issue, imagine that!! They did ask what oil I run in it. And I said M1 5W20. "HMM, we specify MC 5W20 semi syn." I was ready to discuss the Magnussen-Moss act with them but thought better of it.
 
Originally Posted By: Jason Adcock
Different brands seem to just run differently. I wouldn't assume it's a mechanical problem just yet. Has Mobil 1 always been run in the engine, and now just recently it's making noise? If that's the case, then maybe I'd go along with the working assumption that there's a problem.

But oil is cheap -- change brands and types first. My '07 T&C was so loud on Mobil 1 5W-20 that I almost took it to the dealer for diagnosis. Valvetrain noise at idle was very loud. It very much sounded like a lifter tap. A change of oil (and not even the filter) "fixed" the noise. This is an OHV pushrod engine. Other folks I know run Mobil 1 in their minivan engines with good success. Sometimes people just have odd results. It's not a noise that occurs with other oils for me, so I simply don't use the Mobil 1 in it. There are tons of threads on here about Mobil 1 making noise. It's nothing that anyone should get upset about. It just happens.

I'd go along with the notion that VVT engines need the PROPER oil to perform at their peak, not "thinner" oil. Cam phasers depend on oil pressure to operate, and if the best oil is 10w30, then that's what I'd run. If the OEM specified 5W-20, then that's what I'd run. Some engines don't seem to really care. You can run 0w30 (a "thick" oil) or you can run a thin 5W-20 in a Toyota 1ZZ-FE engine and the VVT system seems to work just the same. Some, however, are more sensitive than others and require a certain grade of oil.


Thanks Jason. I've run M1 in it since 4k miles but did not hear the "noise" until recently. Didn't drive it in the winter last year so I would assume its a ambient temp issue. It doesn't make the "noise" in the warmer months.

I assume that I will not have an issue with the engine becoming a leaker by switching to MC semi from M1, which was my original question. Some myths die hard and I am old and stubborn.
 
Last edited:
You should be okay. I've switched back and forth in our '07 T&C a lot. Currently, I'm using PP 5W-20, but I don't know why I'm not using the MC 5W-20. It's an excellent oil, and my OCI is every 5k, so it's more than enough for that service.
 
Switched to MC 5W20 Semi. Noise is gone or greatly reduced.

Noticed that the MC pours better than the M1 for some reason.
 
I have heard several folks around here say that M1 made for some noisy engines. No personal experience though. I have great luck with MC5w20 in my 2V 5.4L modular.
 
Originally Posted By: 825ltrgt
Another interesting note.

When Ford developed the new 5.0 engine for the '11 Mustang they specified "conventional" oil during the endurance tests.
Don't know what weight. 4.6L was 5W20 and the GT500 was 5W30, I believe.

Is there a reason why they would use a conventional? No benefit to a syn?


2007 - 2010 GT500 w/5.4L S/C engine specify 5W-50
 
Originally Posted By: timish
Originally Posted By: 825ltrgt
Another interesting note.

When Ford developed the new 5.0 engine for the '11 Mustang they specified "conventional" oil during the endurance tests.
Don't know what weight. 4.6L was 5W20 and the GT500 was 5W30, I believe.

Is there a reason why they would use a conventional? No benefit to a syn?


2007 - 2010 GT500 w/5.4L S/C engine specify 5W-50
Potentially more horsepower which makes more heat which thins the oil more.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom