Oil for Zetec, supply and consumption

I finally got around to looking in the boot of that 15quid Mondeo Zetec I bought the other week - and found a half empty can of £5.99 engine oil/chip fat. This may or may not have been connected with the fact that the engine's seized solid.

Also found a useful pair of jump leads, which was nice.

In message , Tony Brett writes

Well 5w-30 is the correct grade to use. With oil consumption like that I'd be using the cheapest oil I could find. I can buy Fords own 5w-30 oil for £13 and I believe that places like Morrisons sell Texaco Havoline 5w-30 for around £12. Its widely believed that Texaco Havoline make the Ford oil anyway so take you pick. Some Ford dealers charge up to £20 for their own oil so watch out.

The one litre/1000 miles sounds ominous though. Sounds like one of the rings may have gone. This isn't unknown on some Zetec SE engines that have been thrashed from cold.

A compression test in order then? Would that show a dud ring?

The engine does have a bit of a rattle at the top when it's cold but nothing nasty and it goes within 30 seconds - I assumed this was just things filling with oil.

Tony

A compression test will not show any problems- its the oil scraper rings that shatter on revved from cold motors, neither will you hear any strange noises.

The tinkling on cold start is probably alittle slack in the valve gear- they are abit loose when cold but fine when hot- thats the idea.

I would carry on using the Ford Formula E oil from your dealer- ask for a discount if you buy 2 or 3 cans + filters at at time- you will surely get

Its not worth using a semi or fully synth oil as you are being a good boy and changing it every 6months.

Tim..

Yes - I thought that might be the case. Is that the bottom ring on the piston then? Is it worth replacing them or should I live with it? Is there any risk of further damage if I just live with it?

Indeed. As I thought.

Thanks,

Tony

If the engine continues to run fine, and the oil consumption doesnt increase any more to a point where its costing serious amounts in oil, i'd leave it.

Would be cheaper to find a lower mileage good engine (from a running car) and drop that in in its entireity to be honest.

Tim. .