Thoughts of using high weight engine oil

[dscowell]

What are your guys thoughts on using high weight motor oil? My friend suggested I try 15w-40 to maybe help with my lifter tick. He was thinking since I have ~270k miles the engine internals have more of a gap so the engine will be able to move the heavier weight easier. I don't know much about motor oil.. is this something worth trying or could something go seriously wrong?

[PhillipG65]

I don't know about the use of heavier oil, but I use full synthetic and it seems to lower the lifter tick.

[ExplorerTom]

15w oil will flow very slowly when cold.

[dieseldoc]

If you do it look up the "quality oils" thread.
Call Greg.
He will be able to help you with great oil and a few other things.
There 15w-40 parsythetic is some great oil and a great price.
I think it's a bit heave but who know.

[Bob]

I would think the lifter noise is more due to wear in the lifter hydraulic valve, or a pushrod adjustment, and trying to fix a leaky lifter with oil could have other side effects.

My understanding is that thicker oil is a no-no because thicker oil flows more slowly and doesn't remove as much heat, resulting in higher oil temperatures in bearings and other wear points, less oil life and more wear.

I would be very reluctant to use a viscosity not specified by the manufacturer. But I'm not much of a gear head, so look forward to hearing other comments.

[redneck23ms]

i ran 15w40 rotella in my jeep with no ill effects. it had over 314k on it when i sold it. but it wasnt real happy when it was cold out until the motor warmed up. id say its a good alternative for summer but with where you are i'd run 10-30 or 5-30 for winter

[Hypoid]

Don't do it! Like people have already said, it takes longer for the oil to reach the bearings and lifters on a cold (dry) start condition. This alone will cause more damage than the problem you are trying to mitigate.

[Spieg]

If its ticking that bad then the engine is probably on its way out anyway. The obvious remedy is mechanical work. Having said that, I believe a higher viscosity can be appropriate for use in a high mileage engine to make them last a little longer. How is your oil pressure? If it is good, then don't mess with the oil... If it's showing signs of wear/age (lower than desired pressure at operating temperature) then a heavier oil may help. As previously mentioned, it's critical to have adequate flow on cold start, so in a multi-weight oil you don't really want a thicker oil on the low temperature end (especially in winter). But, on the high temp rating I'd have no issue stepping up 5-10 (especially in summer).

Can't comment on your specific question about 15w40 as I don't know how far that is from the original factory spec...

[TJS86TOY]

i ran 15w40 rotella in my jeep with no ill effects. it had over 314k on it when i sold it. but it wasnt real happy when it was cold out until the motor warmed up. id say its a good alternative for summer but with where you are i'd run 10-30 or 5-30 for winter

Completely agree.

[dscowell]

Thanks guys! I wasn't real set on changing the oil but figured I'd ask and get some input.

One thing that is a little off topic is I posted the same question on a Facebook group and got some very short, passive aggressive or overall poor answers. Thank you guys for giving good straight forward answers with out all the other crap!

[Bob]

One other comment. I believe it's usually ok to reduce the winter viscosity number a notch for really cold weather, such as going from 10W-30 to 5W-30. Once the engine is warm, the viscosity will be the second number, in this case 30. Of course, don't do it unless the manufacturer allows it.

It seems most newer cars have only one oil specified until you get to arctic conditions (which we don't have here) and the engine tolerances are so tight that the oil spec is pretty thin, like 0W-20.

[dscowell]

One other comment. I believe it's usually ok to reduce the winter viscosity number a notch for really cold weather, such as going from 10W-30 to 5W-30.

That's generally what I do.

[Java]

I use 10w30 Mobil 1 in my entire drivetrain, engine, transmission and transfercase. I would use it in my axles if I didn't have truetracs. It made my engine quieter and leakier as soon as I switched it-

http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?18467-Mobil-1-Synthetic-Oil

[Eagle6]

I've been running 5w20 syn and confirmed with the dealership that was what they were recommending even in the winter. But, I'm also going to drive to CA and back in Dec so, we shall see.