Fuel in oil

[JasonTremor]

Got my oil analysis back today. I forgot to include my 5w30 oil weight so they didn't include the sus viscosity (55-63) or cst viscosity (8.8-11.3) acceptable ranges on the report.

Oil level at about 34 miles was at max fill hole and at 1960 miles it was 3/8" above max fill. Recovered about 6.75 quarts on the drain and lost a little. When I refilled engine with 6.25 quarts, it was at max fill hole. So somewhere between .5 and .75 quart will bring it from max fill hole to 3/8" above max fill.

Im cautiously optimistic that mine may be improving. I have more than 2k miles on my oil change and the oil level has only risen about 1/16th of an inch as opposed to the 3/8 inch rise on the factory fill in the first 1960 miles.

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[JustSteve]

Did you change the oil? Or just pull off a sample to send in?

I think it could be informative if someone could draw multiple samples between oil changes to see if 1) the fuel dilution continually increases with increased miles on the oil, 2) It hits some sort of equilibrium point, or 3) the fuel levels just fluctuate all over the place.

I extracted the oil for my most recent analysis. The previous three were taken during an oil change.

 

[Vitis805]

Did you change the oil? Or just pull off a sample to send in?

I think it could be informative if someone could draw multiple samples between oil changes to see if 1) the fuel dilution continually increases with increased miles on the oil, 2) It hits some sort of equilibrium point, or 3) the fuel levels just fluctuate all over the place.

These (among other theories) are exactly what I am trying to do in my spare time. I have collected all the Blackstone reports posted, and so far fuel dilution seems to correlate with specific driving habits only. Nothing points to it increasing with increased miles on the oil.

I used to change the oil at 5k because of dilution around 2% BUT MOSTLY because the viscosity sheared to 5w20 by then. The shearing worried me more. I have switched to my own more robust blend and the shearing occurs around 7.5k now but the dilution has stayed the same or decreased depending on how I drove those 7.5k miles.

 

[JustSteve]

With all due respect, please post an image of this report for validity.

It's not that I don't believe you. I just like adding as many Blackstone reports to my database as I can. I have argued in my previous posts that regardless of fuel dilution this engine beats up oil and shears its viscosity quickly.

 

[jsphlynch]

I extracted the oil for my most recent analysis. The previous three were taken during an oil change.

How long do you think you'll go before changing the oil? And do you plan on sending another sample at that time?

 

[JustSteve]

How long do you think you'll go before changing the oil? And do you plan on sending another sample at that time?

I changed it 500 miles later. I didn't collect another sample.

 

[JustSteve]

These (among other theories) are exactly what I am trying to do in my spare time. I have collected all the Blackstone reports posted, and so far fuel dilution seems to correlate with specific driving habits only. Nothing points to it increasing with increased miles on the oil.

I used to change the oil at 5k because of dilution around 2% BUT MOSTLY because the viscosity sheared to 5w20 by then. The shearing worried me more. I have switched to my own more robust blend and the shearing occurs around 7.5k now but the dilution has stayed the same or decreased depending on how I drove those 7.5k miles.

What do you mean by robust blend? I have been thinking about going to a 5W40 synthetic for my next oil change.

 

[NotBudule]

Didnt they extend your warranty to 100000 miles ? or was that a different truck ?

Not sure your footnote will be observed ...
NOTE: if this issue doesn't affect your Ranger or you, don't feel obligated to comment about it being a non-issue and we should ignore it or drive longer distances or drive the truck harder.

 

[JustSteve]

Didnt they extend your warranty to 100000 miles ? or was that a different truck ?

Not sure your footnote will be observed ...
NOTE: if this issue doesn't affect your Ranger or you, don't feel obligated to comment about it being a non-issue and we should ignore it or drive longer distances or drive the truck harder.

My warranty hasn't been extended. Ford has refused to acknowledge that there is an issue. They refused to accept my Blackstone reports and didn't document the issue on the work order. Ford Customer Service stated that would not do anything for me.

 

[NotBudule]

My warranty hasn't been extended. Ford has refused to acknowledge that there is an issue. They refused to accept my Blackstone reports and didn't document the issue on the work order. Ford Customer Service stated that would not do anything for me.

My bad , i swear somebody here said that they Ford had extended their warranty to 100 , maybe you could shoot for that ? and , im not being trying to mean here, (which is EXACTLY what somebody says right before they get mean) but , you are not enjoying your truck at all , and , at this point im not sure its possible as this is always gona be in your brain like inception , it may never knock or it may start at 51 thousand miles and 61 months in . Just trade or sell when the warranty is close to up and be done with the worry , too much worry to have more worry about something that has not been proven to need worring about , afaik ...seems like lifters and cams and such would be failing by now ...

 

[JustSteve]

My bad , i swear somebody here said that they Ford had extended their warranty to 100 , maybe you could shoot for that ? and , im not being trying to mean here, (which is EXACTLY what somebody says right before they get mean) but , you are not enjoying your truck at all , and , at this point im not sure its possible as this is always gona be in your brain like inception , it may never knock or it may start at 51 thousand miles and 61 months in . Just trade or sell when the warranty is close to up and be done with the worry , too much worry to have more worry about something that has not been proven to need worring about , afaik ...seems like lifters and cams and such would be failing by now ...

I get what you are saying. And in normal times, I would do just that. Maybe when new cars become more available and at "normal" prices I will do just that.

But what to buy? There simply isn't another good midsize truck on the market. For all its faults, the Ranger is still a more appealing truck. I actually do like my Ranger, except for the fuel dilution and Ford's response. If Ford would extend my warranty to 100,000 then I would strongly consider buying 6G Ranger when it comes out later this year(?). But I can't trust Ford at this point.

Maybe I will take a look at the new Colorado in the fall. The 2.7L looks impressive. But Chevy's quality has been horrible. And the new Nissan Frontier is boring and gets horrible gas mileage. The Toyota Tacoma is looooooooooog in the tooth. New VW truck will be based on the Ranger platform but have a VW engine; Pass.

 

[NotBudule]

I get what you are saying. And in normal times, I would do just that. Maybe when new cars become more available and at "normal" prices I will do just that.

But what to buy? There simply isn't another good midsize truck on the market. For all its faults, the Ranger is still a more appealing truck. I actually do like my Ranger, except for the fuel dilution and Ford's response. If Ford would extend my warranty to 100,000 then I would strongly consider buying 6G Ranger when it comes out later this year(?). But I can't trust Ford at this point.

Maybe I will take a look at the new Colorado in the fall. The 2.7L looks impressive. But Chevy's quality has been horrible. And the new Nissan Frontier is boring and gets horrible gas mileage. The Toyota Tacoma is looooooooooog in the tooth. New VW truck will be based on the Ranger platform but have a VW engine; Pass.

You still got a good ways to go on factory warranty , lots can happen between now and then ... good things only I mean , trucks are upside down in value , but so is yours , kinda a wash really... you also have to add value to what this has "cost " you , money and peace of mind , you will never trust this particular truck until the problem is found , and corrected , ... EVEN THEN , you gonna wonder how much damage had already been done and how much sooner you have to replace it ? ... extended warranty or different truck will be your only peaceful sleep I'm afraid... I'm the same way , that's how I know... ...sucks

 

[Trigganometry]

I have posted in this thread numerous times. I have Blackstone reports and last change was at the 2% amount. Owning the truck long enough I’m seeing some trends now as well as having a better understanding of why. Our compression is 10:1 so rings are not like normal FI setups. The DI does have something to do with it. Our rings are spaced slightly different than other Ford 2.3 engines. So under boost they expand without causing premature wear. Under normal loads there will be some blow by.

When it’s cold seems the problem is exacerbated. More moisture is retained along with blow by if only doing short drives. Anything under a half an hour is short.

Again, the members of this board are for the most part better educated in understanding what is happening under the hood. There are 100’s of thousands of Rangers on the road doing the same thing. I have yet to hear of anyone blowing up an engine from this issue. My level always stops at top hole and stays there.

 

[Stevedbvik1]

I get what you are saying. And in normal times, I would do just that. Maybe when new cars become more available and at "normal" prices I will do just that.

But what to buy? There simply isn't another good midsize truck on the market. For all its faults, the Ranger is still a more appealing truck. I actually do like my Ranger, except for the fuel dilution and Ford's response. If Ford would extend my warranty to 100,000 then I would strongly consider buying 6G Ranger when it comes out later this year(?). But I can't trust Ford at this point.

Maybe I will take a look at the new Colorado in the fall. The 2.7L looks impressive. But Chevy's quality has been horrible. And the new Nissan Frontier is boring and gets horrible gas mileage. The Toyota Tacoma is looooooooooog in the tooth. New VW truck will be based on the Ranger platform but have a VW engine; Pass.

The 2.7L is also DI and turbocharged. Have seen fuel dilution discussions on it also.

 

[Vitis805]

What do you mean by robust blend? I have been thinking about going to a 5W40 synthetic for my next oil change.

My blend is equal parts (2 quarts each) a gas station's 5w30, Castrol Edge 5w30, and a certain brand that starts with A and ends with soil 0w40. I would name the gas station but they seem to have discontinued their oil products and frankly I want it all to myself .

Straight 5w40 should keep your shear rates in check, but cold flow and MPG will probably be slightly affected. It is also difficult to find API SP or SN Plus rated 5w40.

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