Blackstone lab report received today

[2021Ranger]

In the racing world they drill a very small hole in the top of the piston to the back side of the top ring land. The compression puts pressure in that hole and forces the ring against the cyd wall.. Not sure if ranger has them holes or not…

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[GTGallop]

My wife's uncle worked at Ford. When we got her Mustang and again when we got my Ranger, he explained that the piston rings in the 2.3 EcoBoost run on the looser end of tolerances on the seal of the piston on the cylinder wall. He explained that this would be he norm if you drive with your foot off in it and took short trips.

Recommended correction is to take it on a good warm drive for 30+ minutes at highway speeds once a weel / every other week. It cooks off the fuel and moisture build up in the oil. Or put a catch can on it and then clean that thing out once a month.

 

[BladeRanger]

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.

Good info, my dealership had the injector cleaned (fuel induction service) at 30K miles and 15k - 20K miles interval there after. They don't do walnut cleaning though. The only thing is it cost $300.

 

[Vitis805]

And just how does downward vertical combustion pressure push rings out (horizontally) from the piston?

I guess I need to see the science behind this before I am going to believe Ford.

 

[TJC]

That gap exists in all rings, no matter the tension strength. Wouldn't widening the gap allow more combustion gas to bypass the rings. I know that the ring gaps are offset, but the gas flow will still follow the path of least resistance.

 

[NotBudule]

I guess I need to see the science behind this before I am going to believe Ford.

 

[landiscarrier]

Drive it. Change the oil and filter when recommended. Live your life.

 

[dtech]

Low tension piston rings have been in use for decades now and like the pistons themselves ring designs have been markedly improved over the years - these changes have reduced internal engine friction losses by as much as 40% - and yes result in improved fuel economy. There are scientific papers that do evaluate the effectiveness of the changes and many engines today are able to handle higher thermal levels from boosted engines and gdi . Like nearly everything in the ICE engine in the past 40 yrs has been redesigned for improved efficiency and lower emissions. This has allowed consumers to drive heavy powerful vehicles that are more fuel efficient than lighter vehicles of decades past.
So yeah just drive it and enjoy.

https://www.underhoodservice.com/advances-in-piston-ring-technology/

 

[TJC]

Low tension piston rings have been in use for decades now and like the pistons themselves ring designs have been markedly improved over the years - these changes have reduced internal engine friction losses by as much as 40% - and yes result in improved fuel economy.

https://www.underhoodservice.com/advances-in-piston-ring-technology/

Interesting and informative read. Thanks!

 

[Zaph]

See where you stand and enter your results.

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/poll-test-results-for-fuel-in-oil.9986/

 

[Vitis805]

Thanks!

You're welcome.

 

[TICKLE ZOMBIE]

I had a Blackstone Analysis done after my second oil change (first one at 880, second one at 3350). I used Amsoil OE and a Motorcraft filter for the first oil change.
They noted that fuel dilution was at 2% and the flashpoint was on the lower side and they noticed the “assembly lube stuff” that I was told will go away after a few oil changes. They did note that the oil had a very high TBN rating.

I did a lot of highway miles but also a ton of idling and short trips on that oil.

I drive a few extra miles out of my way to go to and from work to get in some good consistent highway speeds based on what I read about short trips and idling with fuel dilution.

As of now I don’t plan on any oil reports but I do plan on consistent and early oil changes and general maintenance. My oil (Amsoil OE) IMO only has a slight gas smell.

 

[JoeC]

Drive it. Change the oil and filter when recommended. Live your life.

Yup.
I have a 2019 Lariat: read the posts, got concerned about it, sent 6 samples to Blackstone Labs over 3 years, they say a little gas in the oil, and today everything's fine so far.
Drive it.
Worry about something else.

 

[TJC]

You're welcome.

Have a glass of wine

 

[JustSteve]

Here is a 162 page thread on oil dilution
https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/fuel-in-oil.4803/

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