Scotty, love the content right now, I have a interesting question, a 99 3.0l engine in the rangers call for 5w-30 right? Well my dad runs his on 15w-40 oil, and I’m wondering how he hasn’t blown it up yet. How’s that work?
Why do you think that 15W40 oil would make the engine "blow up"?
Well not so much as blow up, but how has the engine not worn out with a heavier oil than what is called for, is it because it’s a little older so it can take a heavier oil?
As long as the oil is capable of flowing through the clearances inside the engine to keep the parts lubricated, and otherwise meets the engine's requirements, it's not going to cause any severe damage. Things like variable valve timing designed for a specific range of oil viscosity may not work properly with a heavier oil.
Ok, just kinda wondering how that was
It used to be common practice to use heavier oils like 20W50 in old, worn, high mileage engines to improve oil pressure, dampen engine noises, and reduce oil burning. An oil that heavy would probably wreak havoc with the cam phasers on modern engines.
Could you do that in a old engine From 99? Or is that pushing it?
Depends on the engine design. I'm not familiar with the engine in the Ranger. I've seen the heavy oil trick done mostly in 1950s through 1970s cars.
Ok Thanks