I have just discovered that I have been filling my Mondeo TD with the "wrong" oil and would appreciate your views.
With the Endura DE being a conventional, old tech diesel, at the last two services I have just been out and bought a good quality 10W/40 semi synthetic diesel oil wherever I could find a decent deal on it (used Havoline and Comma respectively). Car has run fine and in neither case has it needed even a small top up between services.
I have since learned that Ford recommend their 5W/30 Formula E petrol engine oil for these cars built from 1998 onwards. Not only does the grade ring alarm bells on such an old design, low tech engine, but I was always led to believe that one should use a dedicated diesel oil in diesel engines because the added detergents perform such an important job.
I don't wish to argue with the manufacturer, but I just wondered what you would do on a 117,000 mile car that is now WELL out of warranty? Would you stick with the 10W/40, or would you switch back to the 5W/30?
I always change the oil and filter at 6k instead of the 10k Ford intervals if this is relevant. As I said, the car runs fine on 10W/40 but I don't want to run the risk of doing any damage longer term. I can get the Formula E stuff easily (use it in the Fiesta), so it makes no odds either way from a convenience/cost point of view.
Any advice appreciated
Cheers
DP
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If you're running short service intervals,use what Ford recommend which is not semi-synthetic-Ford only went to semi-synthetic when they went to 10,000-12,500 servicing.The recommended oil for this engine is Ford 10w/30 or 10w/40.
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I cant see where they recommend a petrol oil or even understand why they would.
They work differently inside the engine.
at 100k outside of warranty i would be using 10/40 diesel oil or even maybe 15/40 if its beginning to show any engine wear, smoking at start up or idle etc.
semi synthetic wont hurt it, its just dearer than it needs (but it is generally better oil).
Stick to good qulaity oils whjatever grade you chjoose though.
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I think you will find most 10/40 oils, semi that is, are A3/B3 for petrol and diesel, in fact i've been told petrol oil in my dti vectra is better for top end lubricity than straight diesel oil.
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i wonder why they make diesel oil at all then?
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It is normally now only large truck engines that require a unique oil for diesels;this is because these engines operate at much lower oil temperatures and at much lower RPM and because of this use a higher concentration of detergent.
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i wonder why they make diesel oil at all then?
Marketing.
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>> i wonder why they make diesel oil at all then? >> Marketing.
I've been assured that Mobil-1 and Mobil-1 Turbo Diesel are exactly the same - the data sheets are certainly identical (except that one has Turbo Diesel written at the top).
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I have since learned that Ford recommend their 5W/30 Formula E petrol engine oil for these cars built from 1998 onwards.
I would simply use oil of the spec recomended in your car's handbook.
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Thanks for all the replies.
Cheddar - unfortunately I don't have the handbook. It was missing out of the book pack when I bought the car.
I found the information in the specs section of a Ford CD manual that I recently bought. 10W/40 or 15W/40 is recommended for pre-98 cars (I misread it and thought it applied to all), and 5W/30 "Formula E" for post 98 cars. Mine's a 2000.
Just seemed really odd to me knowing that Formula E is a petrol engine oil and there being no mention of any spec changes to the engine between 98 and 99. This engine was pretty much at the end of its development cycle by this point anyway, with attention turning to the common rail and direct injection versions of it.
Anyhow, I guess I'll be buying some Formula E this weekend then!
Cheers guys
DP
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There were no spec changes on the engines-what did change were the the service intervals-they went to semi-synthetic with the longer interval.If they'd changed to 20,000 intervals,they'd have probably specified fully synthetic.
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Makes sense. I think Formula E is a mineral oil though. It certainly doesn't mention the word Synthetic at all on the packaging.
Anyhow, thanks for all the advice. I'll go with the Ford recommendations.
Incidentally, the engine seems in good fettle. Starts instantly and runs evenly, doesn't burn oil, doesn't smoke (apart from the usual diesel puffs under load)
Cheers again all
DP
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I have just looked at a pack of Formule E and at a pack of Formula E;one German packaged and one one UK packaged and agree that there is no mention of synthetic but I have seen elsewhere that this oil is part-synthetic-it's refined by Texaco.The synthetic part was the reason for increasing the service interval.
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In that case, the change in recommendation makes sense.
Cheers for all your help! :-)
DP
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Sorry guys if i disagree with you.
There is a need for diesel oils, they do actually do different work inside the engine.
Use what you want to use, but I will always specify the right oil for the right car. i dont believe in the fleet idea of 1 oil is ok for everything. It's ok generally but not perfect.
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