20w50 too thick?????

TampaXJ · 11-25-2003, 11:58 AM

ok guys Ive been having problems with high oil pressure 70-80 psi all the time! Replaced the OPS about 5 months ago, so it shouldnt be that. So I'm thinking perhaps i just need to get a thinner oil maybe a 10w30. I mean is that a possibility that the 20w50 is too thick and causing higher pressures???? the engine has 109K on it but has great comp. all across the board. The only reason im using 20w50 is b/c A. its high mileage and B. I have no clue what the previous owner ran in it.

greenlawnjeeper · 11-25-2003, 02:01 PM

I know it's hot in Tampa, but 20-50

I would go with 10w-30 (which is probably what's recommended) to start with. If it smokes or clatters, well that's another matter. My .02

Quote:

Originally Posted by TampaXJ

ok guys Ive been having problems with high oil pressure 70-80 psi all the time! Replaced the OPS about 5 months ago, so it shouldnt be that. So I'm thinking perhaps i just need to get a thinner oil maybe a 10w30. I mean is that a possibility that the 20w50 is too thick and causing higher pressures???? the engine has 109K on it but has great comp. all across the board. The only reason im using 20w50 is b/c A. its high mileage and B. I have no clue what the previous owner ran in it.

ChrisinVA · 11-25-2003, 02:07 PM

10-40 in the summer, 5-30 winter. 20-50 is for severe duty in extremely hot climates...and Tampa doesn't qualify for that.

Maybe · 11-25-2003, 08:07 PM

20-50 is exreme even for tampa. I would run 10-30 in the winter, and 10-40 in the summer if your worried. That is what I would recommend to any customer in my shop. Hope it helps you.

getoffmylawn23 · 11-25-2003, 08:47 PM

Since people seem to know what they're talking about in here, would I have any problems runing 10w 40 year-round?

Maybe · 11-25-2003, 08:52 PM

No i really dont think so. I would think when you go to 10-40 you excessive oil pressure will go away.

**thephantum** · 11-25-2003, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by getoffmylawn23

Since people seem to know what they're talking about in here, would I have any problems runing 10w 40 year-round?

Probably not. I would run 5W-30 in winter climates where the temperature consistantly gets below freezing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TampaXJ

ok guys Ive been having problems with high oil pressure 70-80 psi all the time! Replaced the OPS about 5 months ago, so it shouldnt be that. So I'm thinking perhaps i just need to get a thinner oil maybe a 10w30. I mean is that a possibility that the 20w50 is too thick and causing higher pressures???? the engine has 109K on it but has great comp. all across the board. The only reason im using 20w50 is b/c A. its high mileage and B. I have no clue what the previous owner ran in it.

I would run 10w-30 or 40 (5W-30 in cold climates), use a good additive (like STP) and change it every 2-3000 miles.

Good Luck!

Rock On!

Steve

97cherokee · 11-25-2003, 09:28 PM

i amazes how people cant follow manufacturer recomendations. thick oil is not good. it takes a lot longer to reach the top of the engine and that means when u start, its running dry up there longer, take longer to get to all the little crevis'. it also makes fuel economy worse
10W-30 is what this motor needs. 5W-30 is only better when u live far north since 10-30 is good to 0 degrees F yes F. water freezes at 32 degrees F.
10W-30 is good up to well past 100 degrees F so this covers almost all of us.

**thephantum** · 11-25-2003, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97cherokee

i amazes how people cant follow manufacturer recomendations. thick oil is not good. it takes a lot longer to reach the top of the engine and that means when u start, its running dry up there longer, take longer to get to all the little crevis'. it also makes fuel economy worse
10W-30 is what this motor needs. 5W-30 is only better when u live far north since 10-30 is good to 0 degrees F yes F. water freezes at 32 degrees F.
10W-30 is good up to well past 100 degrees F so this covers almost all of us.

I thought that this is what I said.

Both of my owners manuals and both of my FSM's say 10W-30 and that 10W-40 is an acceptable substitute. Yes, 10W-30 oil is rated to 0 degrees F...but if the temp is consistantly 15-20 degrees, and I have high mileage I want a thinner oil to get the lubricant up through the engine quicker.

In the summer, especially when I'm wheeling, I prefer 10W40 oil since it's a little heavier and the engine is running a little hotter than it normally would.

Rock On!

Steve

97cherokee · 11-25-2003, 09:56 PM

10-4 you got it first

greenlawnjeeper · 11-26-2003, 07:29 AM

Forget oil additives ( ie: STP, Slick 50), the're hokus pokus and money makers for the companies that sell them. Oil nowadays has complete additive packages & you don't need anything else. It's more important to do frequent and regular oil & filter changes. As far as 10w-40 vs 10w30, I've read somewhere that when there is a 30 spread in the #'s (10-40), the oil doesn't protect as well (viscosity breakdown or something) as as 20 spread (10w-30)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97cherokee

10-4 you got it first

XJ99 · 11-26-2003, 07:44 AM

Stay away from 20/50. I personally use 10/30 in the winter and 10/40 in the summer. When I lived in Florida I used 10/40 year round.