Oil viscosity change for a 5.7 Hemi?

[mrmikey]

The recall of the GM engine and the 'warranty' fix of going with a heavier weight oil got me thinking. I've got a '19 Ram 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi, 90K on it now and it calls for 5W-20 oil which I've always used. Seems as if one of the problems with this engine is flatspotting the roller lifters. I do an oil analysis every oil change and there's no wear or non to speak of nor particles in the filter.
What's the collective thoughts of going to a heavier oil say a 10W-30 or a 15W-40?. The lighter oils were supposedly spec'd for mileage which I find hard to believe oil viscosity will make a hill of beans difference on a warm engine. My concern is oil flow at lower temps. Summer's not so bad but winters get as low as -10C around here and I don't want to cause starvation issues. Even saying that, I would think there's more than enough residual oil left on an engine to lubricate it during a cold start until the oil starts flowing. Thoughts?

 

[big bubba]

can't really say which viscosity, but i would be hesitant of using 15/40 in an engine that calls for 5/20 esp on those cold starts given your location

 

[mrmikey]

True, 15-40 is a major jump in viscosity from 5W-20.

 

[LouNY]

The recall of the GM engine and the 'warranty' fix of going with a heavier weight oil got me thinking. I've got a '19 Ram 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi, 90K on it now and it calls for 5W-20 oil which I've always used. Seems as if one of the problems with this engine is flatspotting the roller lifters. I do an oil analysis every oil change and there's no wear or non to speak of nor particles in the filter.
What's the collective thoughts of going to a heavier oil say a 10W-30 or a 15W-40?. The lighter oils were supposedly spec'd for mileage which I find hard to believe oil viscosity will make a hill of beans difference on a warm engine. My concern is oil flow at lower temps. Summer's not so bad but winters get as low as -10C around here and I don't want to cause starvation issues. Even saying that, I would think there's more than enough residual oil left on an engine to lubricate it during a cold start until the oil starts flowing. Thoughts?

From what I have seen and read on the various RAM forums it seems like the "lifter" tick is often caused by malfunctions in the MDS system which is what deactivates 4 cylinders when it thinks the engine doesn't require them for power. I would be leery of changing an oil that has worked for 90,000 miles, unless to a 5W-30.

 

[JJT]

If the used oil analysis is good why would you change from the OEM recommendation? If you are running conventional oil I'd switch to a named brand 5w-20 synthetic.

 

[mrmikey]

If the used oil analysis is good why would you change from the OEM recommendation?

My thinking is a slightly thicker oil would give better protection.

If you are running conventional oil I'd switch to a named brand 5w-20 synthetic.

I'm using a synthetic, Kirkland made by Warren which is supposed to be a good brand. I change it regularly at 12,000KM (7,500 miles) with the oil life reading still at 25% remaining. 90%+ of my driving is at highway speeds and usual runtime is a minimum of 20 minutes a shot. As I've said, I check the filter for bits and send it (oil) for analysis with good results.

 

[5030]

From what I have seen and read on the various RAM forums it seems like the "lifter" tick is often caused by malfunctions in the MDS system which is what deactivates 4 cylinders when it thinks the engine doesn't require them for power. I would be leery of changing an oil that has worked for 90,000 miles, unless to a 5W-30.

I wonder if Holley Performance offers a delete kit? I installed one in my wife's Suburban V8 and it resulted in no loss of average fuel mileage (not that it was all that good to begin with) but it did eliminate the 'tick' that the cutout produced and it was using oil at the rate of 1.5 quarts between changes. Once I installed the Holley delete unit, it quit using oil entirely and the 'tick' vanished.

I've also read that the VVT assemblies on the Hemi engine can be an issue but not owning one, not sure of that for certain.

 

[ConawayFarms]

If your oil analysis is clean, I'd stick with the 5W-20. Switching to a heavier oil could mess with oil flow at low temps. If you're set on a change, maybe try 5W-30, but honestly, I wouldn't overthink it. If everything's running smooth, don't fix what ain't broke.

 

[RandyT]

From my research a few years ago from forums with people that tried using oil other than recommended 5w20 was heavier oil doesn't play nice with the MDS system. Basically expect an miss at idle because the engine won't come out of MDS mode.

 

[5030]

Just install a delete and be done with it. Those cylinder delete's are an excuse for manufacturers to attain their CAFE mileage stats. They add unnecessary components and shorten engine life by drying out the deleted cylinders and in the case of GM engines, cause excessive oil consumption.

 

[LouNY]

Just install a delete and be done with it. Those cylinder delete's are an excuse for manufacturers to attain their CAFE mileage stats. They add unnecessary components and shorten engine life by drying out the deleted cylinders and in the case of GM engines, cause excessive oil consumption.

Much more work then a "simple" job, plus programming require which means an unlocked PCM.

 

[5030]

Much more work then a "simple" job, plus programming require which means an unlocked PCM.

Had very little issue deleting the wife's Suburban actually. Simple hand tools and follow the directions and the entire kit was under 300 bucks.

Earlier delete's require even less and can be accomplished via a module plugged into the OBD port.

I have no idea about any Stellantis products as we don't own any and candidly speaking, don't want any either. Only GM and Ford here and our Ford's don't have the cylinder cutout anyway.

I do know one thing for certain and that is, I'll never buy another Ford product. Their engineering on their front wheel drive, transverse engine vehicles leaves a lot to be desired. Talk about inaccessible engine bays and poor design (unfriendly user access), there it is. At least you can easily access GM's for maintenance.

 

[bmaverick]

The recall of the GM engine and the 'warranty' fix of going with a heavier weight oil got me thinking. I've got a '19 Ram 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi, 90K on it now and it calls for 5W-20 oil which I've always used. Seems as if one of the problems with this engine is flatspotting the roller lifters. I do an oil analysis every oil change and there's no wear or non to speak of nor particles in the filter.
What's the collective thoughts of going to a heavier oil say a 10W-30 or a 15W-40?. The lighter oils were supposedly spec'd for mileage which I find hard to believe oil viscosity will make a hill of beans difference on a warm engine. My concern is oil flow at lower temps. Summer's not so bad but winters get as low as -10C around here and I don't want to cause starvation issues. Even saying that, I would think there's more than enough residual oil left on an engine to lubricate it during a cold start until the oil starts flowing. Thoughts?

The same 5.7L Hemi from the early 2000s takes 5W30. The only reason why 5W20 was pushed during the Obama era was to take the lab findings to prove it helped with MPG for the EPA. It got rubber stamped to make the switch. In real life applications, 5W30 offers the best protection vs 5W20.

On the RAM forums, some of us use 10W30 in the hotter summer down south. 5W30 is a winter grade normally.

 

[jayroget]

The recall of the GM engine and the 'warranty' fix of going with a heavier weight oil got me thinking. I've got a '19 Ram 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi, 90K on it now and it calls for 5W-20 oil which I've always used. Seems as if one of the problems with this engine is flatspotting the roller lifters. I do an oil analysis every oil change and there's no wear or non to speak of nor particles in the filter.
What's the collective thoughts of going to a heavier oil say a 10W-30 or a 15W-40?. The lighter oils were supposedly spec'd for mileage which I find hard to believe oil viscosity will make a hill of beans difference on a warm engine. My concern is oil flow at lower temps. Summer's not so bad but winters get as low as -10C around here and I don't want to cause starvation issues. Even saying that, I would think there's more than enough residual oil left on an engine to lubricate it during a cold start until the oil starts flowing. Thoughts?

The Hemi motors NEED a light viscosity oil as there are certain areas in the heads that have very small holes that oil needs to transfer through. I was told this by a reputable mechanic. I am actually an independent AMSOIL dealer and have sold the extended life full synthetic 0-20 oils to many Hemi owners with no issues whatsoever. My father has a 2010 5.7 v8 and is still running strong.(don’t know off hand the mileage on it).

 

[NibbanaFarm]

10w30 is good down to 0C, 5w-30 good to -18C. I would not go higher than 30. 15w-40 is for diesels and older OPE.

 

[PA-Kubota]

Not sure if the GM oil 0w-40 is a fix or just a band-aid or not, but that's what engineers are for. I only use synthetic in everything I own... been doing that for decades! started way back when our vehicle sat outside in very cold weather... engine just cranks faster with synthetic.

 

[dodge man]

Everyone has pretty much hit it on the head. The MDS requires the 5w-20. You can turn off the MDS but starting I think in 2016 the computers are locked. You can get around it by getting an unlocked pcm and get a programmer but you’re getting over a $1000. You can delete the engine, it’s not difficult but you have to crack the engine open, not simple either.

I have a 2010 Dodge Challenger and turned off the MDS with a programmer. I was a little surprised by how much it hurt fuel mileage, I’d say 10%. They have improved the programming on the MDS, on my 2010 it’s was very annoying, turning off and on a lot. On my wife’s 2019 300c, it’s much better.

 

[Blue Mule]

The recall of the GM engine and the 'warranty' fix of going with a heavier weight oil got me thinking. I've got a '19 Ram 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi, 90K on it now and it calls for 5W-20 oil which I've always used. Seems as if one of the problems with this engine is flatspotting the roller lifters. I do an oil analysis every oil change and there's no wear or non to speak of nor particles in the filter.
What's the collective thoughts of going to a heavier oil say a 10W-30 or a 15W-40?. The lighter oils were supposedly spec'd for mileage which I find hard to believe oil viscosity will make a hill of beans difference on a warm engine. My concern is oil flow at lower temps. Summer's not so bad but winters get as low as -10C around here and I don't want to cause starvation issues. Even saying that, I would think there's more than enough residual oil left on an engine to lubricate it during a cold start until the oil starts flowing. Thoughts?

There are videos on YouTube about that very topic. Yes, it is an excellent idea to ditch the 0W20 water, er, oil if you plan to keep your truck. The "Hemi tick" and other issues will disappear if you do this when the truck is brand new. 5W30 minimum. 5W40 if you live in a warm climate.

"MDS requires 0W20". No it does not. 100% myth. There are engines such as Ford's 5.0L Coyote V8 that spec 5W20 or 5W50 depending solely upon whether you order the Track Pack on the car. They know harder use needs better viscosity. Trucks should NEVER come with 0W20 or 5W20 oil.

In the case of the 5.7L Hemi, it had 4 different oil specs over the years as EPA certification started tightening up...and as the oil got thinner the problems began to increase. What does that clearly tell you?

Now GM has V8 engines eating rod bearings (I've seen the damage in a 50k mile engine, it's bad) and they are going away from 0W20. No kidding?

 

[mrmikey]

MDS requires 0W20

Mines 5W-20

 

[90cummins]

The motor oil Geek responded to the GM RECALL recommending that 0w40 be used rather than 0w20.
0w40 protects crankshaft bearings much better than 0w20 because of thicker film thickness.
The sole reason for GM recommending 0w20 was to raise their corporate average fuel economy which raises their profits.
The auto industry is not making decisions in your best interest!!

90cummins