| ENGINE OIL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FORD VEHICLES |
Engine Oil Recommendations For
Ford Vehicle Applications & Engines
The AERA Technical Committee offers the following information supplied by Ford Motor Company on recommended engine oil for Ford engines. Previously AERA published Technical Bulletin TB 1738, the information in this bulletin is an update to that bulletin. This latest information should be highly considered as quality improvements have been made to most engine oils. The current engine oil used by Ford during the vehicle manufacturing process is SAE 5W-20 Motorcraft oil. This oil may also be used for older vehicles described in chart 1 below.
The engine oil recommended for use in 2001 vehicles is SAE 5W-20 motor oil. This oil has an improved formulation to improve fuel economy. This oil can also be used to service some previous model year vehicles.
Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil at recommended oil change intervals for 2001 vehicles, with the exception of the following vehicles listed in the Exception 2001 Vehicles chart.
All 2001 vehicles other than those listed in the Exception 2001 Vehicles chart are being filled with SAE 5W-20 motor oil at the factory and should also be serviced with SAE 5W-20 oil.
Chart 1
1995-2000 2.5L Contour/Mystique
1999-2001 2.5L Cougar
1996-2001 3.0L 4V Taurus/Sable
1999-2001 3.0L (Vulcan) Ranger (Flexible Fuel & Gas), Windstar, Taurus/Sable (Flexible Fuel & Gas)
1996-1997 3.8L Thunderbird/Cougar
1996-2001 3.8L Mustang and 3.8L SPI Windstar
1997-2001 4.2L (SPI) F-150 (under 8500 GVW only), Econoline
1996-2001 4.6L 2V Mustang
1992-2001 4.6L Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis
1991-2001 4.6L Town Car 1994-1997 4.6L 2V Thunderbird/Cougar
1996-2001 4.6L 4V Mustang Cobra
1995-2001 4.6L Continental
1993-1998 4.6L 4V Mark VIII
1998-2001 5.4L 2V/4V Navigator 1997-2001 4.6L 2V Triton F-150/250 (under 8500 (GVW only), Econoline, Expedition
1997-2001 5.4L 2V F-150/250 (under 8500 GVW only) Expedition,E- 150/250/350, E-350 Chassis/RV/Cutaway
1997-2001 6.8L E-250/350, E-350 Chassis/RV/Cutaway
1999-2001 6.8L Super Duty F-Series 250 HD/350/450/550 Motorhome
2001 2.0L Zetec/2.0L SPI Focus
2001 2.0L Zetec/3.0L Escape
2001 2.0L SPI Escort
2000-2001 5.4L/6.8L Excursion
2000-2001 3.0L Lincoln LS
2001 2.0L Zetec Escort ZX2
NOTE: The following EXCEPTION 2001 VEHICLES should be serviced with SAE 5W-30 motor oil.
Chart 2
2001 2.5L Ranger
2001 3.3L Villager
2001 3.9L Lincoln LS
2001 4.0L Ranger, Explorer/Mountaineer, Explorer Sport and Explorer Sport Trac
2001 5.0L Explorer/Mountaineer
NOTE: If a vehicle is not listed in this application, SAE 5W-30 oil is recommended.
The AERA Technical Committee |
| OVERSIZE HOUSING BORES |
Oversize Main Bearing Housings On Some
Ford 2800 CC V6 Engines
Oversize main bearing housings have been found in some Ford 2800 cc V6 engines. the subject engines had main bearing saddles in the block with .015 oversize housings.
Ford Motor Co. supplies .015 oversize OD bearings for this engine with Standard, .010, .020 and .030 undersize ID.
The AERA Technical Committee |
| BEARING FAILURES |
Bearing Failures On
Ford 5.0 & 5.7L (302 & 351W CID) Engines
AERA members have experienced premature crankshaft bearing failures on 5.0 & 5.7L Ford engines.
Investigating these failures disclosed that all of the machined components were on size and the proper tolerances had been achieved. Closer inspection of other engine components revealed a crack in the exhaust crossover passage on the bottom side of the intake manifold.
Exhaust gases entering the crankcase through the crack not only contaminate the engine oil, but the oil itself is super heated to the point where it no longer lubricates resulting in contact between the bearing and the crankshaft journal.
Pressurizing the crankcase with exhaust gases should also overwhelm the PCV system leading to excessive oil consumption or oil in the air cleaner.
For additional information see AERA Technical Bulletins: TB 519 &
SB 146
The AERA Technical Committee |
| OIL IN THE COOLING SYSTEM |
Oil In The Cooling System On
Ford 3.8L (232 CID) Engines
AERA member machine shops have reported multiple instances of vehicles with cooling systems contaminated by engine oil.
One possible cause cited in many of the reported cases was that the engines were permitted to freeze up during cold ambient temperatures. Usually one or more of the core plugs was pushed out of the cylinder block, but the damage is not limited to that alone. The ice inside of the cylinder block water jacket expands and partially crushes an oil gallery.
When the core plugs are replaced and the cooling system is refilled, oil finds its way into the radiator. The cylinder block is no longer serviceable and must be replaced.
The AERA Technical Committee |
| INTAKE MANIFOLD COOLANT & VACUUM LEAKS |
Intake Manifold Coolant & Vacuum Leaks On
Ford 5.0L, 5.0L HO and 5.8L Engines
Intake manifold coolant and vacuum leaks have been found to be quite common on Ford 5.0L, 5.0L HO (High Output) and 5.8L engines. For this engine, following the proper intake manifold torque values and torque sequence is very critical.
Installation of the aluminum intake manifold should proceed as follows:
Clean all gasket surfaces of debris and oil residue.
Apply a 1/8 bead of silicone sealer in the 4 corners where the cylinder heads
meet the cylinder block (Figure 1).
Install the intake manifold side and end gaskets and apply a 1/16 bead of
silicone sealer in the 4 joints formed by the gaskets.
Mount the manifold and torque the bolts in sequence to 15-20 lbs.ft (Figure 2).
Torque the bolts in sequence to 23-25 lbs.ft.
After the engine has reached operating temperature, retorque the intake
manifold bolts to 23-25 lbs.ft.
The AERA Technical Committee |
| IGNITION FIRING ORDER ON HO ENGINES |
Ignition Firing Order On
Ford 5.0L HO (High Output) Engines
There seems to be much confusion about the firing order on Ford 5.0L HO (High Output) engines.
Contrary to the plain 5.0L engine, the HO (High Output) version uses the same firing order as the 5.8L engine. This is probably the case because early 5.0L HO engines used a 5.8L marine camshaft.
The firing order for the standard 5.0L is: 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8. The firing order for the HO engine is: 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. The rotor inside the distributor rotates counterclockwise on both engines (see illustration).
Using the plain 5.0L firing order on the HO engine does work, however the engines will have low vacuum and very poor idle. At higher rpm it appears to smooth out, but is very low on horse power, not at all what the customer will expect from this potent power plant.
The AERA Technical Committee |
| MYSTERIOUS COLLANT LOSS ON FORD 4.0L VIN E ENGINES |
Mysterious Coolant Loss On
1997-2000 Ford 4.0L VIN E Engines
The AERA Technical Committee offers the following information regarding coolant loss on 1997-2000 Ford 4.0L VIN E engines. The amount of loss reported varied depending on the driving habits of drivers. The area of coolant leakage has been in the exhaust port of the cylinder head. This engine is a V-6 SOHC design and either head may be suspect of leakage.
It has been reported the head casting temperature is a contributing factor on the amount of leakage. Short trip driving produces different amounts of loss than extended highway driving. Pressure testing suspect heads may not produce leakage until the head is heated. In these instances, a submergible type tester that has heated water in it is preferred. The vehicle diagnosis may be accomplished by loosening the exhaust manifold bolts on both heads and looking for coolant in the exhaust port.
In most instances there is no evidence of moisture (coolant) coming out the tailpipe until the leak gets bad enough to leak all the time. The cracks in the exhaust port(s) leak coolant into the hot exhaust flow and almost all traces of coolant are removed by the catalytic converter. Using a fluorescent dye in the coolant may show the coolant trail when checked with a blacklight at the tail pipe opening.
If the coolant leaks long enough an exhaust restriction may be created in the converter. It is suggested an engine exhaust backpressure be taken after this type of cylinder head failure.
The AERA Technical Committee |
| PISTON CAUTION ON STD BORE 1.9L FORD ENGINES |
Piston Caution For Standard Size Bore On
1988-96 Ford 1.9L VIN J Engines
The AERA Technical Committee offers the following piston caution regarding standard size bore Ford 1.9L 1988-96 VIN J engines. Ford offers three different piston diameters to adjust piston to wall clearance.
When the measured piston to bore clearance is in the lower one third of the specified clearance .0012-.0028 (.3040 -.0711 mm) use a RED (smallest) color-coded piston. If the measured piston to bore clearance is in the middle of the specified clearance, use a BLUE color-coded piston. Finally, be aware that there is a .004 (.101 mm) oversize YELLOW piston available from Ford. Any combination of the above piston sizes may have been installed in the original production engine. If the pistons are being considered for reuse during engine disassembly, keep them in order and save time later.
Desired Piston Clearance .0012-.0028 (.030-.071mm)
Color Mark Diameter
Red 3.224-3.225 (81.90-81.92 mm)
Blue 3.225-3.226 (81.92-81.92 mm)
Yellow +.004 3.226-3.227 (81.94-81.96 (mm)
The AERA Technical Committee |
| FRONT END ENGINE NOISE ON 1992-94 ENGINES |
Front End Engine Noise On
1992-94 Ford VIN X 2.3L Engines
AERA members have reported front-end engine noise on 1992-94 Ford VIN X 2.3L engines. The noise has been described as a ticking or clanging coming from the front crankshaft on some vehicles. A loose center hub of the vibration damper pulley could cause this noise.
Ford offers a replacement vibration damper pulley with a revised vibration damper pulley kit. The replacement parts kit can be purchased under Part #F6PZ-6312-AA. Ford also includes the following service procedure to change the revised parts.
When replacement is needed on the vibration damper pulley is to be replaced, remove the vibration damper retaining bolt and vibration damper. If necessary use bearing puller T77F-4220-B or equivalent. The bolt and washer included in the vibration damper pulley kit must be used with a torque specification of 123-143 ft/lbs when securing the revised pulley to the crankshaft. Do not use the original bolt and washer.
The vibration damper pulley kit, Part #F6PZ-6312-AA, includes the following:
1-Crankshaft Pulley Assembly
1-Flatwasher: 14 X 14.7 X 6.35 mm
1-Hex Flange Bolt: M14 X 1.5 X 44.7 mm
1-Instruction Sheet
The AERA Technical Committee |
| CAM TIMING CAUTION FOR 1997-2003 FORD 4.0L ENGINES |
Cam Timing Caution For
1997-2003 Ford 4.0L VIN E Engines
The AERA Technical Committee offers the following information concerning the cam timing for 1997-2003 Ford 4.0L VIN E engines. This information should be referenced before obtaining service manual information as some publications have erroneous content.
Ford published the correct information in a service bulletin dated May 2001 as part of a cam chain guide campaign. Subsequent year manuals should have the updated information depending on their source. Basically, the left and right side camshafts require 180° difference in their phasing. The engine, however, will run if both banks are timed in the same position. When correctly timed, the right bank camshaft valve timing should be 180° from the position the left bank camshaft is presently at.
The AERA Technical Committee |
