Blackstone lab report received today

[JeffWoodall]

My report from Blackstone said the following:

"Jeff, the sample from your Ranger's 2.3L Ecoboost is contaminated with gasoline. Some gas contamination can be the norm, but we're not sure this much of it's ok. The 325 degree flashpoint suggests about 3% of this sample is fuel, and the fuel dilution might be the reason for the
oil's thin viscosity. Everything else about this report is great."

I drive it like I stole it most of the time with most of it consisting of city driving. I know that short trips with predominant city driving can cause some of this issue.
I took the sample from the halfway point of the oil drain when changing.

Bottom line, should I take it in to the dealership to have injectors, etc. checked, or is it just part of having this truck? (2021 Ranger STX, use mobil 1 fully synthetic 5w30, 20K miles, change oil and motorcraft oil filter every 4-5K miles, along with a motorcraft air filter).
Thanks for any information. I will search when I have more time for more info as well, I know this is an issue for many.

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[CO2Ranger]

3% seems low compared to others we've seen (12!). I wouldn't even worry about it honestly. If it were an issue, you'd hear many more horror stories about grenaded engines. Just the nature of the beast.

 

[Trigganometry]

If it’s under warranty and you have that report in hand taking it to a reputable dealer and have a discussion about it might get you a further look. Some on here with same issues have new HPFP replaced and or injectors. If anything you get it logged with the mileage so now denying later that it wasn’t there.

 

[CO2Ranger]

My report from Blackstone said the following:

"Jeff, the sample from your Ranger's 2.3L Ecoboost is contaminated with gasoline. Some gas contamination can be the norm, but we're not sure this much of it's ok. The 325 degree flashpoint suggests about 3% of this sample is fuel, and the fuel dilution might be the reason for the
oil's thin viscosity. Everything else about this report is great."

I drive it like I stole it most of the time with most of it consisting of city driving. I know that short trips with predominant city driving can cause some of this issue.
I took the sample from the halfway point of the oil drain when changing.

Bottom line, should I take it in to the dealership to have injectors, etc. checked, or is it just part of having this truck? (2021 Ranger STX, use mobil 1 fully synthetic 5w30, 20K miles, change oil and motorcraft oil filter every 4-5K miles, along with a motorcraft air filter).
Thanks for any information. I will search when I have more time for more info as well, I know this is an issue for many.

Which Mobil1 are you using? Only certain ones meet the Ford spec.

 

[JeffWoodall]

If it’s under warranty and you have that report in hand taking it to a reputable dealer and have a discussion about it might get you a further look. Some on here with same issues have new HPFP replaced and or injectors. If anything you get it logged with the mileage so now denying later that it wasn’t there.

Excellent point about having it documented.

 

[JeffWoodall]

Which Mobil1 are you using? Only certain ones meet the Ford spec.

New one to me, but I’m pretty sure it’s mobil 1 extended performance.

 

[CO2Ranger]

New one to me, but I’m pretty sure it’s mobil 1 extended performance.

That's what I use as well and it meets the Ford spec! Drive it and don't sweat it.

 

[JasonTremor]

If you are doing primarily in the city short trips, you could always self-classify that as severe usage and change oil at 3k miles and get another sample to send off to see the results.

 

[JasonTremor]

The manual has an interval for extreme usage. See if your usage fits the description.

 

[Stevedbvik1]

My report from Blackstone said the following:

"Jeff, the sample from your Ranger's 2.3L Ecoboost is contaminated with gasoline. Some gas contamination can be the norm, but we're not sure this much of it's ok. The 325 degree flashpoint suggests about 3% of this sample is fuel, and the fuel dilution might be the reason for the
oil's thin viscosity. Everything else about this report is great."

I drive it like I stole it most of the time with most of it consisting of city driving. I know that short trips with predominant city driving can cause some of this issue.
I took the sample from the halfway point of the oil drain when changing.

Bottom line, should I take it in to the dealership to have injectors, etc. checked, or is it just part of having this truck? (2021 Ranger STX, use mobil 1 fully synthetic 5w30, 20K miles, change oil and motorcraft oil filter every 4-5K miles, along with a motorcraft air filter).
Thanks for any information. I will search when I have more time for more info as well, I know this is an issue for many.

So was this sample from the oil you ran this winter? If so then you probably hit the trifecta of fuel dilution. Cold weather, short trips and in the boost. See what your next sample says after running in warmer weather. 3% isn’t horrible, we HAD a 21 Honda CRV that sampled in excess of 15% at first oil change. Honda bought it back no questions asked.

 

[Langwilliams]

I agree 3% isn't that bad. Blackstone's own standard is 2% or less. No one seems to know how they came to that number or when it was determined. Direct injection engines seem to run a higher percentage. Mine was a little over 2%, I don't remember the season I ran the oil I had tested. I had two done an they were consistent so I haven't done on in a while. Winter is the worse like was pointed out so get a summer oil change results before freaking out. If I was at 3% or less I'd be ok with it (not necessarily happy with it), I'd just make sure I did the changes ever 5K

 

[TJC]

I think it has to do with weak spring tension on the piston rings which allow blowby. All done to meet EPA CAFE standards. I've had mechanics tell me that they can install the piston into the cylinder without needing a ring compressor!

 

[Vitis805]

I think it has to do with weak spring tension on the piston rings which allow blowby. All done to meet EPA CAFE standards. I've had mechanics tell me that they can install the piston into the cylinder without needing a ring compressor!

The lack of initial spring tension is by design. The compression pressure from combustion gases "push" our "loose" rings against the cylinder wall creating a better seal than a ring with high initial spring tension.

 

[Trustable]

There is a letter ford circulates internally that says it is not an issue. They may send this to you if you take it in. Mine has heavy dilution to the point where it no longer smells like oil. Ford did not care and says since it performed fine in a leakdown test so they will go no further in fixing it. I hope you have better luck than me if you take it to get diagnosed.
i am dealing with it until the interest rates drop or powertrain warranty comes to an end. it to be a downer but ford rejected doing an oil dilution test as well, so I wouldn’t get your hopes up for them caring.

 

[TJC]

The lack of initial spring tension is by design. The compression pressure from combustion gases "push" our "loose" rings against the cylinder wall creating a better seal than a ring with high initial spring tension.

Of course it is by design.

And none of that gas leaks past those rings before it pushes them against the cylinder wall.

And just how does downward vertical combustion pressure push rings out (horizontally) from the piston? If the ring grove in the piston is beveled out with a matching opposite bevel on the inner surface of the ring it might be possible, but piston wear would be a problem.

I guess I need to see the science behind this before I am going to believe Ford. Saying it doesn't make it so. But it is very good marketing hype.

It has been my experience in life, that people (and governments / businesses) will give you a good reason for their actions, but if you dig a bit, you'll end up uncovering the real reason.

Label me "Not convinced"

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