Odd Reaction to Oil

[Bradley P]

2002 Ford Ranger 3.0 5Speed [85k Engine, 190k Everything Else] [V6, 2v PushRod] [3.73s open]

So I’ve been using Castrol GTX High Mileage Part Syn oil in my engine for a while now, and decided to change to Motorcraft Part Syn [Recommended by Ford @ 5w-20]. Now my engine is alot quieter, and more smoother, not just a minor nor major, but noticeably quieter and smoothing reving. And I have no idea why, it happen right after I changed my oil. Could this be because the Motorcraft has a higher ratio of normal oil vs syn oil? Which would lead me to believe that my engine has minor damage from the previous owner of the engine; which is why it would run better with an oil that has a higher ratio? I’m just taking a guess, at why this is happening, I haven’t changed anything else, and am assuming all of this, and would like some input for reasons why this could be happening? Also keep in mind I regularly change my oil every 2,000miles. Why?I run my engine pretty hard when warmed up, NEVER cold, which is why I do oil changes at every 2,000miles, and is why I use part syn oil to help with heat & to have a more ‘stable’ oil.

Topic

[twiggy]

I used to have a 1999 ? Ford Ranger 3.0V6 and also had very good results with the Motorcraft 5w20 part syn. The biggest benefit for me was a noticeable difference in ease of starting in the cold winter mornings.

[David]

That is a very thin oil 5w 20.
Maybe your motor just likes thin oil.

[Dest]

Why are you changing every 2k miles?

[Bradley P]

[quote=”wokko7″ post=65738]That is a very thin oil 5w 20.
Maybe your motor just likes thin oil.[/quote]

Always used 5w-20, however my results are from changing from Castrol GTX part Syn, to Motorcraft Syn Blend. Also according to Ford, that is the correct oil to put into it.

[quote=”Dest” post=65747]Why are you changing every 2k miles?[/quote]

Already answered this in my first post, I run my engine pretty hard, which is why I change it every 2k. [With motorcraft filters as well each time]

[Dest]

I guess I have a hard time believing that a ford ranger is run hard enough to warrant an oil change every 2k. I don’t even know what you could be doing with it.

[Bluesnut]

If truly noticeable the only thing I can see is the effect of the thinner viscosity oil.
Just my 2 cents but run hard or not, it seems to me that changing the oil every 2k miles is a bit of overkill.

[Bradley P]

[quote=”Dest” post=65826]I guess I have a hard time believing that a ford ranger is run hard enough to warrant an oil change every 2k. I don’t even know what you could be doing with it.[/quote]

I tend to drive my Ranger like I drive my bikes, high revs [only when warmed up]. Is 2k oil changes a bit too much? Yes, but it allows me to feel better. Also, if you know anything about Rangers, you know they are not the fastest things in the book, however if you know how to drive it, it can be pretty fast[if you have a 5spd].

Also, 5w-20 is the recommended oil by Ford, and they also recommend Motorcraft 5w-20 Syn Blend according to the owner’s book. I’ve seen that alot of people feel that 5w-20 is pretty thin, however, I’m pretty sure Ford, when they built this engine, they did not choose that rating for no reason with how much $$$ they put into engineering.

—–

However my main question in short is: I’ve been using Castrol GTX “Part Syn”, and decided to switch to the OEM recommended Motorcraft “Syn Blend”. And noticed with the Ford oil it is smoother, less loud, runs betters; why is this? They are both a blend of oil/synthetic oil?

The only ideas I have are (where I need help deciding which is more likely: 85k on engine):
1) Castrol has more Synthetic Oil [and therefore my engine has more wear/slack in engine tolerances]
2) Motorcraft has more Synthetic Oil [and therefore my engine runs better with it]

Detailed Info w/ Correct Product Name/Info:
-Castrol GTX High Mileage Part Synthetic 5w-20
-Motorcraft Synthetic Blend 5w-20
-2002 Ford Ranger 3.0 v6

Edit: Also, just so it be noted again, I never changed the weight of the oil, only brands, this isn’t a discussion of the weight of the oil, since it is not a variable.

Edit: A little pic of my baby:

[Edwin]

Was your oil level low before changing it?

[Connie]

Maybe you have gone from a low detergent oil to a high detergent oil, and that has made a difference.

[Rudy Wilmoth]

🙂 I believe your answer may be in your oil types. You used a high mileage type of oil, and I am sure it has additives to help make gasket swell and seal up. It may also make the oil too thin for your engine. Your new oil is normal oil with no high mileage additives in it and your engine responds better to oil with normal lubrication properties. Good Luck.

[Author]

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