Changing oil grades - 1.4 Escort (1992)

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Fri 30 Jan 2004 19:00
Changing oil grades - 1.4 Escort (1992) - escort man
Hi,
just wanted an opinion....

i drive a 92 1.4 escort, with the CVH engine. Since getting it reconditioned a while ago ive been using 5W30 semi synth oil as recommended in the Haynes manual(and on this site!).
Ive started noticing the level has been slowely dropping (not seriously - just enough to need topping up every month or so...)

i cant see any obvious leeks (oil filter, sump plug, seals etc) so am assuming its burning a bit - i do a lot of motorway driving - M25s constant slowing and accelerating, and M3 rolling hills - and i admit to driving hard and fast (no reprimands please)

Getting to the point, as thw 5W30 is a thin oil at the best of times, would upgrading to a 40 weight oil (hot temp) stop the oil buring off quite so much - as its thicker and may not seep past slighlty worn pistin rings/valves etc quite so easily..
Ideally id like to keep the 5w for the quick circulation at startup - CVH has hydraulic tappets.
This means getting a 5w40 oil which i can only find in fully synthetic form - and ive been told that synthetic oil and CVH engines do not mix well. Is this true and am i going to do any serious damage to the engine by using such am oil.

Many thanks,
Dave
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Fri 30 Jan 2004 20:24
Changing oil grades... - Civic8
I would stick to what you are using.I have known some to go to extreme and put in 20/50 problem wont go away.But a top up once a month is not serious as even some newer cars burn some oil.thats the reason why it should be checked weekly.Cant see you have much to worry about.
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Fri 30 Jan 2004 20:30
Changing oil grades... - Ford Dagenham
Hello all

What about 15w40.

Martin Winters
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Fri 30 Jan 2004 21:59
Changing oil grades... - frostbite
I wouldn't worry about that sort of consumption but I would also have thought that 'plain old' Castrol GTX was good enough for that engine.
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Fri 30 Jan 2004 22:22
Changing oil grades... - Andy P
i cant see any obvious leeks (oil filter, sump plug, seals
etc) so am assuming its burning a bit - i do
a lot of motorway driving - M25s constant slowing and


I should hope not!!!!



Andy

(P.S. I hope there weren't any other vegetables around...)
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Fri 30 Jan 2004 23:45
Changing oil grades... - Sooty Tailpipes
I had a Ford/Mazda engine which stipulated a 30 grade, but I always used 5w40 or 0w40 usually Comma Synergy as it was readily available where I got my supplies from. Never had any engine problems, never heard any hydraulic tappet clatter except on very cold mornings for a fraction of a second, and many people on a forum I was on would have them rattling for several minutes, despite using the correct oil. Just try and and listen for the rattle, if its all quiet then dont worry.

I always use 5w40 fully synthetic in my mower which says use SAE30, and no problems, starts first pull and a nice even cut.
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Sat 31 Jan 2004 07:21
Changing oil grades... - Andrew Moorey (Tune-Up)
Before Ford went to a 'blanket' 5w/30, 10w/30 was the recommended brew. Find a good quality one, I use Texaco but I understand it is difficult to get from their filling stations, a good quality mineral is perfectly adequate but I wouldnt advocate using a full synth as it will burn it even faster!
Andrew


Simplicate and add lightness!!
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