Engine Oil Grade

[mcosworth]

Hello, i would like your opinion on this: I use 5W40 engine oil and i have noticed that it dissapears quite fast. In a couple hundred of k's it was almost empty. In addition when i take the foot of the gas i can see that i have a small "ball" of smoke coming from the exhaust. Do you think the problem may be in the oil used? I live in Portugal, so i have to take the highest temperatures in account. What would you recomend me to use as grade for a Portuguese Cossie? Do you think the smoke can be a result of a use of engine oil too thin? Thanks in advance, Miguel

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[rog]

I'd say it's unlikely to be an oil grade issue you have, but I run 10/60 and probably about 80% of people on here as well. More related to engine/turbo wear or a breather issue if you're lucky.

[martysmartie]

Does it smoke when hot/cold or both?

The second number, i.e. 40 is the viscosity of the oil when hot, so it isn't that bad just slightly thinner than a 50 weight oil, however the 5 is the cold rating which obviously is a lot thinner than say a 10 or 15 weight.

Remember these are old engines and don't have the tolerances of modern engines and so it's too thin really, Ford recommended 15W/50!

Martin

[C8SEE]

I always run what ford recommend 15W50. Use that!

[mcosworth]

I believe it smokes both hot and cold.
It only smokes (and it isn t a lot) with the foot of the gas

However the oil level goes down a bit....

[martysmartie]

The most likely cause is worn valve guides.

Martin

[Cozzie Bhoy]

I've tried most of them and the best I've found is 10w 50 Fuchs Titan Race Pro S. Only one to use IMO..

[ECOS95]

Originally Posted by Cozzie Bhoy

I've tried most of them and the best I've found is 10w 50 Fuchs Titan Race Pro S. Only one to use IMO..

2nd that.

[ECOS95]

My Ford manual says to use 5w50 fully synth, but that would be on a new engine.

[martysmartie]

Originally Posted by ECOS95

My Ford manual says to use 5w50 fully synth, but that would be on a new engine.

There does seem to be discrepancy's, the Rouse actually has a badge with use Shell 15W/50 on the engine.

Martin

[phs84]

Originally Posted by martysmartie

The most likely cause is worn valve guides.

Martin

or the turbocharger!i had the same years ago..the bearing of the charger wasn´t good anymore-new bearings and no smoke after that!it was the same like your´s(foot of the gas)
check your bearing clearence!i you´ve to much play in the direction of the axle then the charger will burn the oil.

cheers,
philipp

[mcosworth]

Thank you all.

I will try and change to a 10W50. For road use only can you advise me a brand?

Phs84, thanks for your tip, i will also check the Turbocharger to see if i get rid of the smoke.

Cheers,
Miguel

[fluxysaph]

Originally Posted by ECOS95

2nd that.

3RD that

[ECOS95]

Originally Posted by martysmartie

There does seem to be discrepancy's, the Rouse actually has a badge with use Shell 15W/50 on the engine.

Martin

Mines a ST Escort Cos.

I've run mine on anything from 5w50 to 15w50 (always Fully Synth) & most of the time you won't know the difference, except in cold weather when the 15w50 does take a bit longer to pump round the engine from cold.

I always think it’s best to find the one that works best for your engine & circumstances.

[ECOS95]

Originally Posted by mcosworth

Thank you all.

I will try and change to a 10W50. For road use only can you advise me a brand?

Phs84, thanks for your tip, i will also check the Turbocharger to see if i get rid of the smoke.

Cheers,
Miguel

This stuff is good.
10w 50 Fuchs Titan Race Pro S

[mcosworth]

Hi,

i'm finding it quite difficult to find 10w 50 Fuchs Titan Race Pro S here in Portugal.

For now i only found Total Quartz Racing 10w50 and Selenia Abarth 10W50.

Any experience on using these ones?

Regards,
Miguel

[Mike Rainbird]

Any good quality fully synthetic 10w50 will be fine. The 5w oil is definitely too thin for an old engine and a Cossie will drink this like a fish.

However, if you do track days, then it is worth tracking down the Titan oil (formerly Silkolene, so may still trade as that in your country?), as it's shear properties are way better than most others on the market.