Oil dilution issue making me cancel purchase..

[WNCblueridge]

I wouldn't let that stop you from buying the truck you want. I purchased and drove Ranger worry free until I stumbled on this site with all the dilution threads and then worried enough to go get fuel analysis on 1st & 2nd oil change. Now driving worry free again because dilution was less than 2%. I believe a. proper engine break in period helps with that as well. Good luck and get that Ranger if you really want

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[Grumpaw]

Oil in the fuel !
Fuel in the oil ?
Right side is higher than the left...
Left side is higher then the right...
2 piece lug nuts...
Bed attached crooked.....
Bed on straight, rest of truck is crooked....
Clunks from somewhere...unknown location...
Squeaks from somewhere...unknown location.....
All these and more have been brought up numerous times, in one form or another, and there maybe some occurring, but certainly not to every truck.
Have had mine for almost a year, and have not had one problem , not one squeak, clunk, drip, gas smell in oil ect ect ect. I don't baby it, I tow a heavy travel trailer with it, and I would buy another Ranger tomorrow (but don't need too cause the one I have is perfect)

 

[IdahoRanger]

Oil in the fuel !
Fuel in the oil ?
Right side is higher than the left...
Left side is higher then the right...
2 piece lug nuts...
Bed attached crooked.....
Bed on straight, rest of truck is crooked....
Clunks from somewhere...unknown location...
Squeaks from somewhere...unknown location.....
All these and more have been brought up numerous times, in one form or another, and there maybe some occurring, but certainly not to every truck.
Have had mine for almost a year, and have not had one problem , not one squeak, clunk, drip, gas smell in oil ect ect ect. I don't baby it, I tow a heavy travel trailer with it, and I would buy another Ranger tomorrow (but don't need too cause the one I have is perfect)

Yeah, but no brake controller.

 

[wetidlerjr]

I was about to plunk down the down-payment and go ahead and buy my silver '22 Xlt Ranger but after coming across all the oil dilution issues (reading through the threads) I'm afraid I'll have to cross this otherwise great truck off my shopping list. I want something that has some longevity to it; something that I can trust to get me to 150k+. Is this decision just? Are these engines wearing out before 100k due to insufficient lubrication?
Problem is I don't like any other options. I hate the Tacoma, Frontier is too small and doesn't look good, and the Chevy has rock hard seats and no tech. Frustrated. Maybe the '23 ('24?) model will not have this issue? Thoughts? Am I nuts? lol

Thou doth protest too much, methinks (Paraphrasing; I hope Shakespeare will forgive me.).
I haven't seen this issue rise to a level that would concern me but feel free not to buy a Ranger. I'm sure someone will be happy you left one for them.

 

[Aonarch]

Don't let a few people on a forum decide for you.

Fuel dilution is not a widespread issue and has a giant magnifying glass here.

Generally the Internet has around 15:1 negative to positive ratio of public opinion.

Since this is a very specific group of people here, that ratio is probably doubled if not tripled.

 

[FordFreak]

20,300 miles. I haven't had any oil gain though the tech left a mess after my last oil change. I haven't had a single issue with my truck, or a single recall. I wish I could say the same about the 2018 F150 I traded in for this Ranger. 8 recalls, and a bad wheel bearing.

 

[Ron L.]

57,000 miles in 2.5 years and not a single problem. The question that comes to my mind is what percentage of the total ownership of Rangers are actually on this forum? So when a "problem" is discussed how many others are out there not even worried about said "problem" and totally enjoying their rides?

 

[9zero1790]

I was about to plunk down the down-payment and go ahead and buy my silver '22 Xlt Ranger but after coming across all the oil dilution issues (reading through the threads) I'm afraid I'll have to cross this otherwise great truck off my shopping list. I want something that has some longevity to it; something that I can trust to get me to 150k+. Is this decision just? Are these engines wearing out before 100k due to insufficient lubrication?

Problem is I don't like any other options. I hate the Tacoma, Frontier is too small and doesn't look good, and the Chevy has rock hard seats and no tech. Frustrated. Maybe the '23 ('24?) model will not have this issue?

Thoughts? Am I nuts? lol

this issue has been blown way out of proportion. im not saying some have not had it happen or that if you got one you would not. i will say that it is unlikely to ever make a problem. online forums tend to get the few negatives in large number since no one goes online to research or ask about things that do not seem strange. i say buy one if you want one, do the normal up keep and run the fire out of it. i am not aware of any of our members having a legit engine failure etc. from the "issue". I have seen a lot of folks worried over it and stressing.

 

[deleriumtremor]

I was about to plunk down the down-payment and go ahead and buy my silver '22 Xlt Ranger but after coming across all the oil dilution issues (reading through the threads) I'm afraid I'll have to cross this otherwise great truck off my shopping list. I want something that has some longevity to it; something that I can trust to get me to 150k+. Is this decision just? Are these engines wearing out before 100k due to insufficient lubrication?

Problem is I don't like any other options. I hate the Tacoma, Frontier is too small and doesn't look good, and the Chevy has rock hard seats and no tech. Frustrated. Maybe the '23 ('24?) model will not have this issue?

Thoughts? Am I nuts? lol

Glitches (real or more often perceived) usually take on mythic proportions when launched into the echo chamber of the internet.

Throw in the mighty power of suggestion and realize the squeakiest wheels are usually not someone you would want next to you in a foxhole and that is the modern internet.

In the end though, things usually work out for the best, whatever you decide will probably be the right thing for you.

 

[the5Gmartian]

I have 26,000 miles on mine along with a tune. I’ve never smelled my oil or paid to analyze how many atoms of fuel are in my oil and i’ve also never had any issues. Truck runs great!

 

[Wytchdctr]

One thing that doesn't help, the 2.3 likes to make a mess on its dipstick. Check it by the book, wait 15 minutes after it is shut down, or dead cold - no issue. Jump out of the truck and yank the dipstick; it might look like it's got extra oil (but if you look close you can see the real level but oil is all over the dipstick). I wonder how many are seeing that and thinking their oil level is up to the twist on the stick.

 

[RedlandRanger]

If you're worried about fuel in oil, change it every 5k not 10k miles.

I have 1,300 miles on my 22, the oil smells weird but the level has not increased at all so I do wonder how many people are mistaking the smell of oil for fuel diluted oil.

This ^^^

I've had mine for 3 years, 30k miles - never had any indication of oil dilution and changed the oil at the recommended 10k intervals (when the truck tells me it is time - usually slightly before it gets to 0%). I do not take short trips - most of my trips are 12+ miles so my engine does have the opportunity to warm up fully which is one theory as to why some have issues - the engine does not get warm enough to burn off the small amount of fuel that gets by the rings, which is an issue in ALL DI engines.

 

[SAZ Ranger]

This is common on most direct injection engines which is about 95% of what's on the road. The Ranger group is pretty vocal, so you just happened to hear about here first. Here are 3 videos to watch that will probably make you feel better.
This guy is very knowledgeable but talks a lot. He will answer your question starting at about the 5 minute mark in the video.


The next video is also very informative if you know a bit about how your engine works. Very good listen to the whole thing.


This one is also also very long, get some coffee and sit down for a break. At about the 9:00 minute he shows an important valve build up test.


One more for the road. I use synthetic oil for sure now. Change it about every 5,000 miles.

 

[TORQUERULES]

Just buy the truck and keep the oil changed and use synthetic. Not idiotic 10k or even 7.5k changes either. No matter what some stupid oil analysis or the manual tells you. Change at 3000, 3500, or 5000. You pick. Good clean oil, changed at a reasonable rate is your engine's best friend as well as that nice little turbo that gives the Ranger the type of grunt it's competition doesn't have.

 

[Big Blue]

I'll give you my take on this issue and you can do what you want with it. Fuel in the oil is a fact with all direct injection engines. is it bad, is it a chronic problem, yet to be determined. Is it specific to the Ranger, that is a definite NO!

Yes, some people on here have had a problem with their engines appearing to make oil at alarming rates. most if not all have been tracked to actual issues with either the high pressure fuel pump or the injectors.

If you have followed the multiple threads here, I know a lot of reading. The more minor issues with fuel in oil have been tracked to driving short trips, common with the COVID times, and to somewhat seasonal conditions. By this I mean, short trips do not get the engine warmed up enough for any excess fuel to be vaporized out of the oil. the seasonal affect is similar with the added condition of enrichened fuel mixtures and extended warmups. If you check your oil regularly, you will find the oil level will vary widely depending on season and recent driving conditions. Your Ranger likes to get out and stretch it's legs every once and a while. I know with current fuel prices this seems counterintuitive, but your truck needs it.

Yes, I agree getting a good reading with the Rangers dip stick is problematic. My best suggestion is to check it first thing in the morning, before starting. Do it the same all the time and forget about the whole warming it up and then waiting 15 minutes thing. that just gets too much oil in the tube and makes getting a clear reading almost impossible.

Finally use a good full synthetic oil that meets all the standards, a good filter and change it at 5000 miles. Don't get too concerned about oil level rising until after 1000 miles unless the rise is rapid and extreme.

I truly believe some some people have too much time on their hands and are overthinking this whole issue. As has been said there is no documentation that this has caused many if any engine failures in any of the many vehicles which this engine has been used.

This is absolutely not a reason to take the best mid-size truck on the market off your list.

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