2.3 oil

matt cook · 04-15-1999, 11:31 AM

I use 20w-50 in my 82 GT, and just to make it easy on myself am thinking about switching my 2.3 Ranger (140,000 miles) to 20w-50 also. Has anyone experienced problems using heavy oil in a 2.3, there should not be any, but just checking.

thanks

Mark McDaniel · 05-01-1999, 11:15 AM

The only problem area you'll experience with using the heavier oil is upon engine startup. This extent of this will vary depending on the temperatures outside. Approximately 80% of all engine wear occures during engine startup. You don't want to use a heavy oil in Alaska or Montana. I used 10-50 Mobile One synthetic for my 11 years driving the German autobahns and never once experienced an oil related problem. You might want to consider the synthitic oils. They last longer, lubricate better, have better flow charactoristics, and are better on our enviroment. Oil pressure will be a bit lower using a synthetic due to the better flow charactoristics though, so don't be alarmed.

Undertaker · 05-19-1999, 06:31 PM

In my rebuilt 2.3 I put in high Vol. oil pump,I put in castrol 20-50 and blew my distributer on first 6 grand burn.It may have been dist. as it had over 40k on it but when I put in new dist I switched to mobil 1 and never had a problem and thats shifting at 7500 rpm.The day I blw dist it was 65degrees F.

jime · 05-19-1999, 09:40 PM

i have seen 4 2.3 motors destroy the gear that runs the distributor and oil pump. i would not put extra strain on this gear with heavy oil. 12w30 premium oil should be fine. jim

jime · 05-19-1999, 09:43 PM

10w30 jim [oops]

Unit 5302 · 05-22-1999, 12:07 AM

Oil that heavy will increase your oil pressure significantly, and possibly enough to cause some problems. It is possible to blow the oil filter apart on the inside with to much pressure. All they use is a paper endcap in them to control the oil flow. Not to mention some of the problems described above.

04-15-1999, 11:31 AM	#1
matt cook Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: Richmond, Virginia Posts: 449	2.3 oil I use 20w-50 in my 82 GT, and just to make it easy on myself am thinking about switching my 2.3 Ranger (140,000 miles) to 20w-50 also. Has anyone experienced problems using heavy oil in a 2.3, there should not be any, but just checking. thanks

05-01-1999, 11:15 AM	#2
Mark McDaniel Registered Member Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: St. Regis, Montana Posts: 26	The only problem area you'll experience with using the heavier oil is upon engine startup. This extent of this will vary depending on the temperatures outside. Approximately 80% of all engine wear occures during engine startup. You don't want to use a heavy oil in Alaska or Montana. I used 10-50 Mobile One synthetic for my 11 years driving the German autobahns and never once experienced an oil related problem. You might want to consider the synthitic oils. They last longer, lubricate better, have better flow charactoristics, and are better on our enviroment. Oil pressure will be a bit lower using a synthetic due to the better flow charactoristics though, so don't be alarmed.

05-19-1999, 06:31 PM	#3
Undertaker Registered Member Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: Wassaic,NY,USA Posts: 13	In my rebuilt 2.3 I put in high Vol. oil pump,I put in castrol 20-50 and blew my distributer on first 6 grand burn.It may have been dist. as it had over 40k on it but when I put in new dist I switched to mobil 1 and never had a problem and thats shifting at 7500 rpm.The day I blw dist it was 65degrees F.

05-19-1999, 09:40 PM	#4
jime Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: byron,michigan, Posts: 141	i have seen 4 2.3 motors destroy the gear that runs the distributor and oil pump. i would not put extra strain on this gear with heavy oil. 12w30 premium oil should be fine. jim

05-19-1999, 09:43 PM	#5
jime Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: byron,michigan, Posts: 141	10w30 jim [oops]

05-22-1999, 12:07 AM	#6
Unit 5302 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 5,246	Oil that heavy will increase your oil pressure significantly, and possibly enough to cause some problems. It is possible to blow the oil filter apart on the inside with to much pressure. All they use is a paper endcap in them to control the oil flow. Not to mention some of the problems described above.