After long and PITA nights of narrowing down my smoke haze at start up I come to the conclusion that mine may be due to switching to full synthetic oil. About 1k miles ago I went from using Motocraft 5w-20 semi and Motocraft 820s filter to using Castrol Syntek 5w-30 with Napa gold filter. Ever since then (after the oil ran for a few hundred miles) I have been seeing a blue ish haze only at cold start up. It last for about 2 seconds then all systems are normal. I had maybe 1500 on the oil then yesterday I switched back to motocraft semi oil hoping it will clear back up. Anyone else have this issue? I have currently 122k on the truck with no abuse what so ever. I just dont see the seals on the valves just going just like that. I have seen them slowly go out on high mile abused motors. It has me a little worried..... Forgot to mention I changed the PCV valve as well. I dont have more than 2 miles on this oil and its still doing it but I know I have to put more miles on it before I will or hopefully see change.

 

Bingo, if not a Motorcraft PCV.


It's not the oil.

MGD

 

Ditto^.. The cheap aftermarket pcv allow to much blow by.

 

The original Motocraft PCV seemed ok. The valve inside was at least moving freely. I did however change to a puralator brand PCV. I'll go get a motocraft one and see if it helps. Had to settle with puralator at the time because thats all they had in stock.. Im hoping that solves the issue.

 

I used a non-Motorcraft pcv in my 02 for the last 60k miles and never had to add oil between 5k oil changes. I did buy the Motorcraft last week and changed it out as routine maintenance. It's plastic! The one I replaced was stainless.

 

I'd say you were fortunate.

It's not what it's constructed of that's important - it's how it works.

Using Search to pull up some of Jbrew's many, many posts on this topic will net you hours of reading.

Just a couple:

https://www.f150online.com/forums/v8...rt-number.html

https://www.f150online.com/forums/v8...2001-5-4l.html

MGD

 

I just ordered a new motocraft pcv off ebay for $6. Half of what ford wants for them. Sucks I spent money on a puralator one and have maybe 10miles on it but oh well it is what it is. I will post an up after I get some miles on the new pcv and new oil....

 

I have a '99 4.2 six, mostly stock, 227k miles - all original running gear - engine, trans, and rear. Do most all my own work - mine doesn't smoke. Most late 90's f-150's I see don't.
Best vehicle I ever owned - and can say that after 45 years of driving. One time in a lapse of good mechanical judgment, I found I had less than 1 qt. of oil in the crank case - and had actually been driving back & forth to work like that at 70mph+ for close to 800 miles.
Have since fixed the leak - and put another 20k miles on her - I'm convinced - the truck is bullet proof. Good luck with yours - I plan to keep my '99 forever.

 

04 f150 stx 4.6 v8 has only had in it full Synthetic oil since new. Over 200k on it, sounds and runs like a new motor still. Hope to get another 200k out of her before it rusts away.

 

I am not a mechanic, but my Grandpa was. He told me when I first started driving to never change the kind of oil that you put into one vehicle. Scientifically it probably doesn't matter, but I have always followed this advice and it hasn't steered me wrong.

 

Don't have a clue what the original owner used in my truck, but I bought it with 55k on it and switched it to Mobil 1 EP. 180k on it now and it uses a quart every 6k, exactly the same amount it did when I bought it.

Your Grandpa's oils have no resemblance to today's oils except they are both slippery.

 

This is an age old debate about the differences and causes between oils.
There are a few parameters to consider.
What oil was used before, how old is the motor etc.
What often happens is the gaskets and seals are affected the most by oil formulation.
They swell, wear seal in that condition then, shrink when another formulation is used.
This can cause leaks that is blamed on the oil.
The same happens when leak seal additives are used. Once they are used you have to keep them in any oil changes or the seals shrink again.
Same for transmission front seal leaks using seal additives.
IMO it is fool hardy to change to expensive oils after the motor is aged and worn. It doesn't help anything.
Good luck.

 

Here is a interesting video on oils. I use cheap, no name, full synthetic oil.
http://safeshare.tv/w/qAvaBYxrCx

 

Many years ago, I did some research on oils and came across an oil-specific forum: bobistheoilguy. After reading through tons of info there, I decided to run motorcraft syn blend in my fords. Mainly because it is cheaper than most everything else, and it's what Ford recommends. I've never had any problems.
Most people on that forum say full synthetic is a complete waste of money.
I have heard horror stories about the high mileage oils. I used to use valvoline max life in a Honda Accord. It broke a timing belt way before the belt was due for a change. I can't say it was the oil that caused the belt to break - it was probably just a coincidence, but motorcraft syn blend is cheaper anyway.