New Oil Specification for GDI (Ecoboost) engines

[buildbigboats]

From my understanding, fuel has nothing to do with the issue. It is that fuel does not pass through the valves, being directly injected into the combustion chamber. This causes the unburned oil, returned through the emissions system, to coat the valves. I am optimistic that the new oil spec will be helpful and a catch can is already a proven process to reduce the problem.

My understanding is that good quality fuel and occasional use of an injector cleaner does not directly help with carbon build up on the intake valves but it does keep the injectors clean meaning they actuate properly and spray pattern remains as designed ensuring good atomization and therefore good combustion, an attribute that seems especially critical in direct injection engines.

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[da_jokker]

Blackstone is the reason I settled on a 10k mile interval as well.

So many opinions on motor oil type/intervals are based on BroScience or how people 'feel'. If you want actual data points regarding changes in viscosity, breakdown of anti-friction additives, metals, etc, then it's money well spent.

Using all OEM Subaru filters and their rebranded Idemitsu full synthetic, my oil changes are $70 even doing it myself, so working out a longer interval with oil analysis pays for itself within one oil change.

Ouch... even IF I had used factory filters, mine are only $35 total. I typically go with either pure one or mobil 1 filters instead though. About $10 each.

 

[Go_Galt]

Ouch... even IF I had used factory filters, mine are only $35 total. I typically go with either pure one or mobil 1 filters instead though. About $10 each.

Amazon definitely cornholes you on OEM Subaru synthetic.

It's possible I'll switch down the road, but I'm only using OEM everything while in warranty.

 

[Rob Stop It]

Anyone else base their oil decisions on results from "Project Farm" testing on youtube?

 

[Squidma]

I’m certainly not a mechanic and i also do not work for Valvoline or own any stock...

Valvoline has created this oil for GDI engines

https://www.valvoline.com/our-products/motor-oil/modern-engine-full-synthetic-motor-oil

Additionally, their service centers have a cleaning service for the intake valves on GDI engines which they claim takes off the buildup.

I can’t speak to it’s efficacy, but they’re options that are on the market for those looking to get the 2.3.

 

[fastone]

Anyone else base their oil decisions on results from "Project Farm" testing on youtube?

Yup. Now using Shell Rotella for Gas Trucks in my 2013 F-150 5.0.

Just checked the label and it appears to meet the Ford requirements. The difference is the Rotella states GF-5 verses GF-6 and I'm not sure about the difference between the two. I'll make damn sure before using the Rotella. Maybe someone here knows.

Label from the Rotella followed by the one from the post above.

 

[JesseS]

So you're saying you *don't* have a Costco membership? ~$30 for 10qts full synthetic. Only crappy part is they only have 0W20 and 5W30.

My Flex takes 5W30 so I'm fine. My wife's Milan calls for 5W20, so she gets 0W20.

This! My RV takes 8 qts of 5W30, so I always get it at Costco, best price in town.

 

[Mattwings]

Yup. Now using Shell Rotella for Gas Trucks in my 2013 F-150 5.0.

Just checked the label and it appears to meet the Ford requirements. The difference is the Rotella states GF-5 verses GF-6 and I'm not sure about the difference between the two. I'll make damn sure before using the Rotella. Maybe someone here knows.

Label from the Rotella followed by the one from the post above.

Is Rotella available in 5w30 or 5w20? I assume the 2.3 will use that in the Bronco, but not sure. I like the stuff, but stopped using it when I sold my LJ

 

[fastone]

Is Rotella available in 5w30 or 5w20? I assume the 2.3 will use that in the Bronco, but not sure. I like the stuff, but stopped using it when I sold my LJ

Yes. Use 5W-20 in the 5.0 and 5W-30 in my Escape 2.0 Ecoboost.

 

[Mattwings]

Yes. Use 5W-20 in the 5.0 and 5W-30 in my Escape 2.0 Ecoboost.

I should have looked, good deal. I am going to check it out. Mobil 1 does not have the specification, at least yet.

 

[chartzilla]

So it looks like based on this info, we should ideally be using API SP (or ILSAC GF-6) rated oil in ecoboost engines right? The only oil brand I could find with that rating on Amazon was Valvoline, although i admittedly didn't spend a ton of time searching. Sounds like that spec came out fairly recently so some oil manufacturers may be still playing catch-up.

 

[da_jokker]

Costco's ears were burning... but again.. basically more expensive than wally at least in my region

 

[Fly by Nite]

....I do not believe it applies to the directly to the 2.7 as it uses both DI and Port injection.
....

From my understanding, fuel has nothing to do with the issue. It is that fuel does not pass through the valves, being directly injected into the combustion chamber.
.....

......a cleaning service for the intake valves on GDI engines which they claim takes off the buildup.
.....

The 2.7 was updated (second gen) in 2018 to include port injectors to help address the valve fouling issue.
Valve overlap, when both exhaust is closing/intake is opening, contributes to the fouling as well. The 2.7 has variable valve timing that may help alleviate the fouling (have to research this more, unsure if they significantly change the timing at idle to address the fouling). Increased valve overlap improves higher rpm performance.... I'll guess Ford reduces overlap at idle?

Using a 'Cleaning service' for the valves could result in the crap going thru the turbochargers, damaging them! Check with Ford before having someone perform this!

I'm new to the EcoBoost, but not to engines. Just passing on some tidbits I've found on the EB.

 

[Broncocito]

Finally a thread that actually in a good way gets down to business on the 2.3.

 

[Mattwings]

So I just looked at the Mobil oil site. It has a good explanation of the new standards and reports all of their synthetic oils will comply. I am kind of pissed my latest packages of Mobil 1 (I but my next oil change whenever it goes on sale at Costco) was not current. My Explorer is the non EB 3.5 and my F150 is 2.7EB. Not a huge deal, but I like the improvement to timing chain life at a minimum. Now that I know Rotella meets the standard and is available in the lower viscosity blends, I may be switching.

https://www.mobil.com/en/lubricants/about-us/mobil-1/mobil-1-modern-engines/ilsac-gf-6

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