Whoops just put 5w20 in the truck - is that bad?

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MalcolmV8
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Whoops just put 5w20 in the truck - is that bad?

Post by MalcolmV8 »

Long story short I didn't realize my jug was 5w20 till I had already drained the oil out so that's all I had to put back in. How bad is it to run that? Will I be ok or do I need to drain that Monday and put in the proper 10w30. The motor is a 302 from a 2000 Explorer, in my blue truck.

Thanks guys
Malcolm
92 302 Ranger - sold
94 302 Ranger AWD - sold
07 BMW 335xi - tuned, boost turned up, E85 - sold
04 911 TT - to many mods to list. Over 600 All Wheel HP on pump gas - sold
2015 Coyote - daily driver
03 Cobra - 2.3 TVS on a built 12:1 CR motor with ported heads, cams, long tubes etc.
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usmcrp1044
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Post by usmcrp1044 »

well, the wrong oil is better than no oil :wink:

I would change it myself, for the few bucks it costs. Not to say that anything bad would happen, it's a lighter weight so it might not hold as much oil pressure.

I had a lawn mower that was ran dry on oil and stayed that way for I dont know how long. The only thing that came out when you removed the dipstick was a little smoke. We didnt have any oil, so it got filled with hydralic gear lube. It ran for years after that. :lol:
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cgrey8
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Post by cgrey8 »

5w-20 and 0w-20 are the new high MPG weights being used in the new engines as of probably 2005. Being it's Winter up where you are, I would think the 5w-20 would actually be better. If you put it in during the summer, you "might" be thinner than what would be better. But being what you put in is likely synthetic and you change it every 3000 miles, I would personally leave it in there and not think 2nd about it.
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89 Ranger Supercab, 331, ported GT40p heads w/1.6RRs, Crane Powermax 2020 cam, ported Explorer lower, FMS Explorer (GT40p) headers, aftermarket T5 'Z-Spec', 8.8" rear w/3.27s, Powertrax Locker, A9L w/Moates QuarterHorse, Innovate LC-1, James Duff traction bars, iDelta DC Fan controller

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MalcolmV8
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Post by MalcolmV8 »

Yeah 5w20 is what goes in newer motors, even my 03 Cobra, but I have no idea if tolerances in the motors are different or what. I normally run mobil 1 but they are out around here due to hurricane ike so I it got castrol syntec.
I change very 5k miles as it's just easier to keep track of. Change it on the fives, 10k miles, 15k miles, 20k miles etc.
92 302 Ranger - sold
94 302 Ranger AWD - sold
07 BMW 335xi - tuned, boost turned up, E85 - sold
04 911 TT - to many mods to list. Over 600 All Wheel HP on pump gas - sold
2015 Coyote - daily driver
03 Cobra - 2.3 TVS on a built 12:1 CR motor with ported heads, cams, long tubes etc.
MD Racing Lean Protection Module
E85

Tuned by MD Racing

https://www.youtube.com/c/MalcolmV8
broncobowsher
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Post by broncobowsher »

As long as you have a tight engine that holds oil pressure, then nothing wrong with it. Older engines may use it a little faster then a heavy oil. But in cold weather it will flow faster on a cold start. I like to run the lightest oil possible. I have had engines that I could easily tell the difference between 10W30 and 5W30.
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MalcolmV8
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Post by MalcolmV8 »

Yeah 5w30 I wouldn't have worried about at all but it's the 20 part (5w20) that worries me. That means at working temp the oil is thinner. Does this mean when you get on the gas hard it's going to push the oil out the rod bearings for example?
I'll keep an eye on oil level.
92 302 Ranger - sold
94 302 Ranger AWD - sold
07 BMW 335xi - tuned, boost turned up, E85 - sold
04 911 TT - to many mods to list. Over 600 All Wheel HP on pump gas - sold
2015 Coyote - daily driver
03 Cobra - 2.3 TVS on a built 12:1 CR motor with ported heads, cams, long tubes etc.
MD Racing Lean Protection Module
E85

Tuned by MD Racing

https://www.youtube.com/c/MalcolmV8
cjcnomor4
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Post by cjcnomor4 »

5w20 is the recommended oil for a 2000 5.0L, you should be fine. I run 5w20 in my 94 2.3L with 270,000.
95 2wd shortbed styleside with a 98 mountaineer 5.0
ported GT-40P heads, E-303 cam, Trick Flow Street Heat intake, 1.7 rollers, 24lb injs,155lph in-tank pump, built AOD, 2800 converter, Torque Monster headers, dropped 3/4 on 98 Cobra wheels. Eternal work in progress.
94 Ranger XLT b. 6/10/94 d.3/28/11 300,842 miles RIP
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MalcolmV8
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Post by MalcolmV8 »

Very cool. Thanks.
92 302 Ranger - sold
94 302 Ranger AWD - sold
07 BMW 335xi - tuned, boost turned up, E85 - sold
04 911 TT - to many mods to list. Over 600 All Wheel HP on pump gas - sold
2015 Coyote - daily driver
03 Cobra - 2.3 TVS on a built 12:1 CR motor with ported heads, cams, long tubes etc.
MD Racing Lean Protection Module
E85

Tuned by MD Racing

https://www.youtube.com/c/MalcolmV8
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Dave
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Post by Dave »

I was thinking you'd be alright, just couldn't find anything to support it. Don't imagine Ford changed the tolerances any in the motor but like Chris said, probably for the mpg.
Dave
'66'Ranchero 302/5 speed
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v8ranger
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Post by v8ranger »

Just my opinion, I would never run any oil that had the consistancy of water. Maybe im just old school, but I dont run anything thinner than 10w30 in the winter and 10w40 in the summer, but thats just me.
Unless you are in below zero temps all the time then I could see running somthing thin in the winter. But I dont drive my Ranger in the winter.
1986 Ranger with 1990 5.0 HO roller motor
Ported GT-40 heads
Duel plane air gap intake with 750cfm Holly
Paxton SN93 Supercharger with 3 1/2" pulley.
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MalcolmV8
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Post by MalcolmV8 »

Well this morning was 3F with a windchill of something crazy, I think -14 it said. Seems cold enough for thinner oil.
You are right though, I noticed when pouring the oil it was noticeably thinner.
92 302 Ranger - sold
94 302 Ranger AWD - sold
07 BMW 335xi - tuned, boost turned up, E85 - sold
04 911 TT - to many mods to list. Over 600 All Wheel HP on pump gas - sold
2015 Coyote - daily driver
03 Cobra - 2.3 TVS on a built 12:1 CR motor with ported heads, cams, long tubes etc.
MD Racing Lean Protection Module
E85

Tuned by MD Racing

https://www.youtube.com/c/MalcolmV8
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