Educate me on 'High Zinc Content' motor oil

[ModMech]

I just had a new rebuilt 5.4L V3 Triton engine put into my F150 and the warranty demands the use of a 'high zinc content' 15w40 oil.

Well they are IDIOTS!!!!!! Let me make sure I was clear, T H E Y A R E I D I O T S!

Interesting that my OEM engine called for 5w20. Apparently the redesigned engine needs thicker high zinc content oil and its very important. Looking to get an education here!

Apparently NOT. I can assure you no rebuilder "redesigned" the engine, they have neither the mental nor financial capacity to do so. It is WELL understood in the Ford community that even 10W-40 oil can do SEVERE start-up damage to the "modular" engines. This is because of the time it takes oil to reach the cam bearings on an OHC engine. Additionally, the 3V engines have VCT (variable cam timing) which are "powered" by engine oil. Ford specified 5W-20 oil in these engines for a number of reasons, if the engines in the Ford GT don't need "special oil" at 500HP/500Tq, then it stands to reason these rebuilders are off their rocker.

 

[sd455dan]

Well they are IDIOTS!!!!!! Let me make sure I was clear, T H E Y A R E I D I O T S!



Apparently NOT. I can assure you no rebuilder "redesigned" the engine, they have neither the mental nor financial capacity to do so. It is WELL understood in the Ford community that even 10W-40 oil can do SEVERE start-up damage to the "modular" engines. This is because of the time it takes oil to reach the cam bearings on an OHC engine. Additionally, the 3V engines have VCT (variable cam timing) which are "powered" by engine oil. Ford specified 5W-20 oil in these engines for a number of reasons, if the engines in the Ford GT don't need "special oil" at 500HP/500Tq, then it stands to reason these rebuilders are off their rocker.

Well Unless Ford is going to warranty the rebuilt engine It would make sense to follow the instructions given by the company that can deny warranty coverage.

If they say Rotella is OK why not run the 5w-40 synthetic T6 if acceptable. It does pump much better (faster) when cold than the 15w-40

 

[Copperhead]

Well they are IDIOTS!!!!!! Let me make sure I was clear, T H E Y A R E I D I O T S!



Apparently NOT. I can assure you no rebuilder "redesigned" the engine, they have neither the mental nor financial capacity to do so. It is WELL understood in the Ford community that even 10W-40 oil can do SEVERE start-up damage to the "modular" engines. This is because of the time it takes oil to reach the cam bearings on an OHC engine. Additionally, the 3V engines have VCT (variable cam timing) which are "powered" by engine oil. Ford specified 5W-20 oil in these engines for a number of reasons, if the engines in the Ford GT don't need "special oil" at 500HP/500Tq, then it stands to reason these rebuilders are off their rocker.

But, a 5w20, a 5w30, and a 5w40 all flow at the same rate at the same startup temperature. That is what what the number in front of the "w" stands for... winter flow rating (not weight), which in this case of 5wXX it meets the cold crank simulator testing for an oil at -30C A 10wXX meets the cold flow specs for -25C. Yes, 10w30 and 10w40. This idea that not using a 5w20 causes EXTREME engine damage is bit of a stretch. I suppose if someone starts the vehicle on a cold morning and IMMEDIATELY redlines it getting on the freeway. But just the moderate drive from driveway down the street a couple of blocks, the oil has gotten completely circulated thru the engine components. Now, maybe if it is -50F your argument would be more realistic. there is still a more than enough to the oil and add pack up in the engine after the last operation to protect the components for the time it take oil to get up there. And on engine startup in the morning, component variances are greater to some degree so that oil flows into the areas easier.

Both my 2006 Cadillac and my 2015 2500 have variable valve timing, with the Caddy also having OHC valve train. They both run a 10w30 year round and do just fine. One will have a hard time proving your contention when I have a 11 year old car still running great on a 10w30 as opposed to the 5w30 that was the OEM recommendation.

And yes, the 5w40 would probably be a better recommendation than 15w40. The cold flow is better on the 5w40 and they are both 40w oils. And many fleet users will use the grade of oil that they use for all their vehicles. There is not a high volume of Ford engine failures among those users. And many of them are using a XXw30 or XXw40 oil in place of the XXw20 that Ford recommends.

 

[ModMech]

This idea that not using a 5w20 causes EXTREME engine damage is bit of a stretch. I suppose if someone starts the vehicle on a cold morning and IMMEDIATELY redlines it getting on the freeway.

Notice I did not say that not using 5W-20 causes extreme engine damage, but that using 10w-40 can do SEVERE start-up damage, while similar, the two statements are not the same.

And yes, the 5w40 would probably be a better recommendation than 15w40. The cold flow is better on the 5w40 and they are both 40w oils. And many fleet users will use the grade of oil that they use for all their vehicles. There is not a high volume of Ford engine failures among those users. And many of them are using a XXw30 or XXw40 oil in place of the XXw20 that Ford recommends.

And in the cold climates like MN and ND, they suffer an alarmingly high camshaft failure rate, compared to normal, for their lack of adherence to FoMoCo's guidelines.

 

[dragoneggs]

Apparently NOT. I can assure you no rebuilder "redesigned" the engine, they have neither the mental nor financial capacity to do so. It is WELL understood in the Ford community that even 10W-40 oil can do SEVERE start-up damage to the "modular" engines. This is because of the time it takes oil to reach the cam bearings on an OHC engine. Additionally, the 3V engines have VCT (variable cam timing) which are "powered" by engine oil. Ford specified 5W-20 oil in these engines for a number of reasons, if the engines in the Ford GT don't need "special oil" at 500HP/500Tq, then it stands to reason these rebuilders are off their rocker.

The rebuilder did not redesign the engine. These are Ford improvements. Not sure where the oil requirements are originating. but Ford engineers tweaked this engine calling for different pump, tighter machine tolerances, etc.

 

[dragoneggs]

Well Unless Ford is going to warranty the rebuilt engine It would make sense to follow the instructions given by the company that can deny warranty coverage.

If they say Rotella is OK why not run the 5w-40 synthetic T6 if acceptable. It does pump much better (faster) when cold than the 15w-40

Don't think I have a choice really... gonna follow what they say. I am questioning the whole oil thing at least to the point where I understand the rationale.

 

[sld]

Ask your mechanic exactly which oil to use. Don't just guess.

 

[Copperhead]

Notice I did not say that not using 5W-20 causes extreme engine damage, but that using 10w-40 can do SEVERE start-up damage, while similar, the two statements are not the same.



And in the cold climates like MN and ND, they suffer an alarmingly high camshaft failure rate, compared to normal, for their lack of adherence to FoMoCo's guidelines.

Don't act like MN and ND are all that extreme. I run those areas throughout the winter, and yes, they have some periods of temps dropping into the basement, but not that terrible. And just because folks have little clue on how they should prep their vehicles for those extremes is probably more of what it going on in regards to failures than the oil. I lived in the interior of Alaska for 10 years. Fairbanks can make ND and MN in winter look like summer getaways sometimes. I used a 10w30 the entire time. Never had an engine failure. But I used common sense in how I took care of my stuff.... block heaters, oil pan heaters, battery warmers, etc. Engines would start like a warm summer day at -50F (have no clue what wind chill was) on a 10w30. My FORD did great the entire time I lived there. Not a seal or anything failed on it.

A 5w40 will flow at cold start on a cold day as well as a 5w20. Else it would not be a API rated at a 5 cold flow rate. The oil does not exhibit the higher viscosity until the oil has reached operating temperature. To be a 5wxx rated oil it must pass the CCS crank test for -30F. And both the 5w20 and 5w40 pass that.

 

[RNeumann]

Well they are IDIOTS!!!!!! Let me make sure I was clear, T H E Y A R E I D I O T S!



Apparently NOT. I can assure you no rebuilder "redesigned" the engine, they have neither the mental nor financial capacity to do so. It is WELL understood in the Ford community that even 10W-40 oil can do SEVERE start-up damage to the "modular" engines. This is because of the time it takes oil to reach the cam bearings on an OHC engine. Additionally, the 3V engines have VCT (variable cam timing) which are "powered" by engine oil. Ford specified 5W-20 oil in these engines for a number of reasons, if the engines in the Ford GT don't need "special oil" at 500HP/500Tq, then it stands to reason these rebuilders are off their rocker.

Off their rocker? OHC engines don't have rockers do they!?! Haha "off their rocker" is the best line of the week!

 

[sixdogs]

While all this talk is out there about "viscosity', I have a question. How true are the viscosity readings? Is a 5W30 really 5 weight or does it change with use or was it never 5? Is it 10 after 1,000 miles?

What about on the high end and is 30 really 30 or does it evolve and change with use to maybe 20?