View Poll Results: Specifically for the 2004-2008 5.4L V8 Triton, what oil do YOU use?
0W-40
9
1.06%
5W-20
474
55.76%
5W-30
289
34.00%
5W-40
18
2.12%
10W-30
33
3.88%
10W-40
13
1.53%
Any of them, it doesn't matter
5
0.59%
Other
9
1.06%
Voters: 850. You may not vote on this poll
5.4L Engine Oil - "What Should I Use?"
01-13-2017, 12:35 PM
#102
You would probably be safe with 5w-20 or 5w-30 as long as it is quality oil and changed frequently. Extended oil change intervals, non motorcraft filters and poor maintenance kills these motors.
The following users liked this post:
bbrad1775 (01-13-2017)
01-13-2017, 11:13 PM
#106
These trucks are ten plus years old now. They have changed hands several times and i am sure new owners have the same questions as old ones. Not to mention oil tech has advanced in ten years as we are on group 4 oils readily available now so it is natural to see these questions asked again and again.
Last edited by 4.6owner; 01-14-2017 at 12:22 AM.
01-14-2017, 02:38 AM
#107
Void
Irrelevant as this engine has fixed cam gears.
I had a 2000 5.4 that I bought with 30,000 miles & sold it with over 200,000 miles. I used 20w50 in it but like I noted above these model engines have fixed cam gears & doesn't pertain to this thread.
I didnt start having phasor/timing system issues till 90,000 miles.
I bought the truck new & had always used motorcraft 5w20 & filter.
(So motorcraft 5w20 & filter doesn't prove that they will prevent phasor/timing system issues)
Also note the 2009 models came with the updated phasors & VCT solenoids. I have a 2009
Again Irrelevant as these engines have fixed cam gears.
I had never run 5w30 in my 2009 5.4 until after I swapped all the timing system parts as I now know that motorcraft 5w20 & filter will not prevent phasor/timing system issues.
I so far have driven 23,xxx miles using 5w30 Synthetic oil after I swapped all the timing system parts
I also dont think 5w30 will prevent having phasor/timing system issues either.
I think the timing system was just poorly engineered.
.
I had a 2000 5.4 that I bought with 30,000 miles & sold it with over 200,000 miles. I used 20w50 in it but like I noted above these model engines have fixed cam gears & doesn't pertain to this thread.
I bought the truck new & had always used motorcraft 5w20 & filter.
(So motorcraft 5w20 & filter doesn't prove that they will prevent phasor/timing system issues)
Also note the 2009 models came with the updated phasors & VCT solenoids. I have a 2009
Before that I had a 04 Focus and a 01 Excursion, put 150K on them combined, they both used Motorcraft 5W20. So in 400K miles of driving with 5W20 Motorcraft oil, guess how many oil related/internal engine problems I have had? Zero, nada, zilch. I will stick with what works best for me.
I had never run 5w30 in my 2009 5.4 until after I swapped all the timing system parts as I now know that motorcraft 5w20 & filter will not prevent phasor/timing system issues.
I so far have driven 23,xxx miles using 5w30 Synthetic oil after I swapped all the timing system parts
I also dont think 5w30 will prevent having phasor/timing system issues either.
I think the timing system was just poorly engineered.
.
Last edited by Fordjunkync; 01-14-2017 at 03:07 AM.
01-14-2017, 09:36 AM
#108
It isn't so much as the VCT is poorly engineered (it isnt the best but) it is that ford asked too much of its oiling system, pump and the oil spec'd for the modular 3V's. The last things the oil goes to before returning to the pan is the VCT solenoid and tensioner. If you are going to control cam timing with oil you need to do it early in the oiling system pathway not late. By then whatever sludge, junk, buildup or blockage has accumulated over the years with poor maintenance, extended oil change intervals and just wear and tear won't matter nearly as much because you have the pressure there to operate it. The pump ford uses was inadequate when these motors first were developed. This is why you see the updated pump, solenoid, tensioners, followers and lash adjusters to compensate for the way they designed the system.
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Summers22 (01-14-2017)
01-14-2017, 10:12 AM
#109
It isn't so much as the VCT is poorly engineered (it isnt the best but) it is that ford asked too much of its oiling system, pump and the oil spec'd for the modular 3V's. The last things the oil goes to before returning to the pan is the VCT solenoid and tensioner. If you are going to control cam timing with oil you need to do it early in the oiling system pathway not late. By then whatever sludge, junk, buildup or blockage has accumulated over the years with poor maintenance, extended oil change intervals and just wear and tear won't matter nearly as much because you have the pressure there to operate it. The pump ford uses was inadequate when these motors first were developed. This is why you see the updated pump, solenoid, tensioners, followers and lash adjusters to compensate for the way they designed the system.