Oil?

[jetboat]

My son has a 99 Mustang with a 3.8 that has 154,XXX. He has put 30,000 miles on it since purchase and I have always put Valvoline 5-30 conventional. The oil is getting dark prior to 3,000 and that is what I have the interval set at. Is there any detergent oil to put in it?

[00pooterSS]

My son has a 99 Mustang with a 3.8 that has 154,XXX. He has put 30,000 miles on it since purchase and I have always put Valvoline 5-30 conventional. The oil is getting dark prior to 3,000 and that is what I have the interval set at. Is there any detergent oil to put in it?

Nothing wrong with it getting dark, that is completely normal, especially with that mileage. I wouldn't change a thing.

I changed it in my Camaro when it would get dark around 2500, but I drove the piss out of it and wanted the motor to have the best chance of survival. I literally drove the dog shit out of that car and the motor is one of the strongest around with over 190k on the clock.

The best thing you can do for a motor is frequent/consistent oil changes, detergents, cleaners and etc can cause more problems than they cure.

[crapstang]

The best thing you can do for a motor is frequent/consistent oil changes, detergents, cleaners and etc can cause more problems than they cure.

That's a solid fact. Nothing but fresh oil belongs in that engine.

[Lone Star Performance]

Agree with the above 2 statements.

[racrguy]

All engine oils come with detergent in them. You have to specifically seek out non-detergent oils, and they're clearly marked. The most common one you'll find is a Castrol ND-30 or ND-40. I think you can figure out what it means.

[00pooterSS]

All engine oils come with detergent in them. You have to specifically seek out non-detergent oils, and they're clearly marked. The most common one you'll find is a Castrol ND-30 or ND-40. I think you can figure out what it means.

Seriously question... Wasn't it different roughly 10-15 years ago? It seems like I remember oil being advertised as having detergent in it when it did have it.

[racrguy]

Seriously question... Wasn't it different roughly 10-15 years ago? It seems like I remember oil being advertised as having detergent in it when it did have it.

It's a marketing gimmick, gasoline engine oils have had detergents in them for years. Diesel oils have either an anti-foaming, or they're non-detergent, I can't recall. My folks have a 7.3 that had the HPOP go out and the Ford mechanic told them to run a diesel specific oil, because they are formulated differently than gasoline engine oils.

[00pooterSS]

It's a marketing gimmick, gasoline engine oils have had detergents in them for years. Diesel oils have either an anti-foaming, or they're non-detergent, I can't recall. My folks have a 7.3 that had the HPOP go out and the Ford mechanic told them to run a diesel specific oil, because they are formulated differently than gasoline engine oils.

Word. Found this, good summary.



Background
Motor oil detergents were introduced in the 1950s. The concept adjusts for the failings of oil filters by attaching to those particles too small to get caught in filters. Instead the detergent holds the particles in the oil so they don't deposit on engine parts and cause hot spots. If the oil is used for too long, however, it can't do its job. Thus, flushing out old oil regularly helps maintain the cleaning process and the benefit of the detergents.

Non-Detergent Motor Oil
Given the emphasis on keeping engines clean, most dealers and mechanics use motor oil with detergent. It can be a challenge to find a place that does oil changes with non-detergent motor oils. Many of the common non-detergent oils are instead used in appliances that run on gas, such as lawnmowers and tractors. Two-stroke oil would be another common non-detergent oil, mainly used in engines in motorcycles and watercraft.

Detergent Ingredients
Motor oil with detergents include chemicals that aid in trapping particles, dispersant additives that break down coagulating sludge in channels, rust preventers and alkaline to offset the acidic nature of oil in general as it begins to oxidize.

Appearance
Those who are used to working with motor oil can tell which type the motor oil is by its appearance. Frequently, because of the elements included in the oil to catch particles, the liquid appears darker. Non-detergent oil appears clearer and lighter since it is straight oil.

Retail Additives
Retail additives in addition to what already comes in motor oil, detergent or non-detergent, are questionable at best with regard to benefits. While these products come with quite a bit of marketing, they generally just add more stuff in the oil, negating the effect of the detergent already included. As these added particles clump up, they can cause blockages in oil channels and lines.

[momo]

dark oil is normal.

blackstone labs does oil analysis for ~$20

i send off a sample every other oil change from my evo.

[trailerparksuperstar]

I usually buy a 5-quart jug of Mobile 1 and then a quart of Lucas for my 6qt. oil change. 1 or 2 times in the absence of Lucas I'll get Slick 50. If what I just read is correct... I would be better off just buying another qt. of Mobile 1?

[Baron Von Crowder]

I usually buy a 5-quart jug of Mobile 1 and then a quart of Lucas for my 6qt. oil change. 1 or 2 times in the absence of Lucas I'll get Slick 50. If what I just read is correct... I would be better off just buying another qt. of Mobile 1?

yes

Lucas and Slick 50 both froth and foam, so there is a possibility of sucking up oil with air bubles in it.

[jlyon]

i have run mobil 1 in my 08 edge since the day i bought it, and the same in my 12 200 since the first oil change. both i run to 8-10,000 miles between changes. i had an 00 3.8 mustang that ford called for 5w30 for it. in 01 ford went to 5w20 full syn. i got 5 qts of the full syn 5w20 and put in my car, less then 500 miles later it was out because i had a knock. i put the 5w30 back in and the knock went away.

[00pooterSS]

I usually buy a 5-quart jug of Mobile 1 and then a quart of Lucas for my 6qt. oil change. 1 or 2 times in the absence of Lucas I'll get Slick 50. If what I just read is correct... I would be better off just buying another qt. of Mobile 1?

Yes, absolutely. Just use oil..

[jetboat]

Thanks guy's

[Captain Crawfish]

just keep it topped off. i wouldnt worry too much about the color of the oil unless its a milkshake then i would worry. you should see how dark the oil is in some of these old diesels running around. some of them probably havent had an oil change in years