Very cool controlled experiment by Valvoline. Ran identical Explorers with 2.3L ecoboosts for 500K miles, side by side in a controlled environment. One running synthetic, the other running conventional. 10K change intervals (factory spec).
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Full synthetic vs. conventional 500K miles side-by-side teardown
- Thread starter rbstern
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Sounds like either engine might go one million miles. Granted a bit more of a gamble on conventional oil. Thing is, in my experience you can't use synthetic oil through the entire life of an engine. It will start using oil, blow by if you will. They didn't tell you how much oil they had to add between changes. I have engines approaching 400k that don't need oil added between changes. Now that said I have put thicker oil in as the engine got older to make up the difference in wear. Love to hear from some pros on here.....
I don't think they were adding oil, other than the routine changes. Both engines had repair events (a blown turbo at 200K on one; a front seal on one, a rear seal on the other, around 400K IIRC).
What leads you to believe that a lifetime of synthetic oil would do something to an engine that causes it to lose oil, other than an anecdotal experience? Doesn't make any sense.
If it's got a turbo its going to use some ol between chnages. Whether its brand new or has 300K miles on it. A turbo burns some oil no matter what.
My personal vehicles. That's fine if you've had a different experience. What matters is the end result. A turbo replacement ain't cheap. I looked it up. I'd probably not fixed it myself. Better fuel mileage and less tress on the engine at that age. Seals don't have to be a big deal. I'm sure that engine wouldn't be cheap though
If I drove a car 500K miles, and my engine repair expenses were a turbo and a front or rear seal, I'd be doing joyous backflips.
One of those turbos made it 500K miles. That's incredible. And that's with a 10K oil change interval.
I suspect running them in a lab, even with the automated "real world" stop and go they added to the schedule, had a big hand in extending the life.
Long oci’s and varnish are phaser killers. But Fords doing it to themselves. Cool test. Thanks for posting.
Yea, I never let oil go that long. Had to look that up
I'm sure. It was interesting though. My best friend growing up was a mechanic so I'm up on maintenance. I have to say I don't have to spend much on repairs so far. I used to spend about $1500 on parts, maintenance and repairs about every 100k miles. That's tires and everything as I recall. I don't keep up with it like I used to, money wise that is. I just don't worry too much about it. Do my maintenance and drive. Fix somethin if it needs it and keep going. Even my Dad is like buy your wife a new car....Why?? She's happy and purrs like a kitten. Goin on 400k......I'm still driving 40yr old cars....I know her's won't last forever, but I already have somethin else for her to drive when the time comes. It's not the engine that's goin, it's the original automatic transmission.....
My 2019 Ranger with 2.3L Ecoboost (same engine as in video) doesn't use a drop of oil between changes. Granted it only has 22K on it and I change the oil every 7500 miles, using Motorcraft synthetic blend. I am probably going to go to 4 or 5K on the intervals just for S&Gs.
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