20W-50 Oil on 92 Cruiser 3FE?

[AJM0617]

Hey guys, is it Ok to use 20W-50 oil on my 92 FJ80 with 3fE engine? I live in Oregon which we rarely see temperature drops in to teens on winter seasons. I have been reading about oils for few days now and found out that anywhere in the world except U.S. uses thicker oil.. U.S seems to be more worried about fuel economy than what's best for the car. 20W-50 seems to be common anywhere but US. I am currently running Rotella T 15W-40 which seems to be popular here in IH8MUD but I am curious about 20W-50.. also my oil pressure sits just below the 3rd using the Rotella T 15W-40.. I replaced my Oil pressure sending unit brand new from Toyota just a few months ago, still my pressure does not come up above the 3rd line.. any thoughts or anyone drives a 3fe powered cruisers using 20W-50, I would like to hear from you.

Thank you in advace.

 

[floridan surfer]

I'd stick with what you currently use. If anything, consider 5w-40.

Pat

 

[Alleycats]

I run 5w 40 rotella and am happy in my 3fe, if your engine is running hot it will thin the oil and register as low on the pressure gauge, what temp. is your engine running at?

 

[tirewater]

If you think your oil pressure is too low you should get it checked with an external gauge. If there's a potential future problem it's better to know now so you can plan for it. Just my 2 cents.

 

[AJM0617]

I run 5w 40 rotella and am happy in my 3fe, if your engine is running hot it will thin the oil and register as low on the pressure gauge, what temp. is your engine running at?

I don't exactly know the temp of my engine.. but I have an OE thermostat which is 190*

 

[jonheld]

Dude. It's a 3FE. You can pour beer in the fuel tank and urinate in the crank case and it will run for another 100K miles.

 

[AJP]

my 1981 BMW 633CSI (3.3l 6 cyl inline) calls for 20w-50 ... fwiw. In warm weather (above 65-70F) I think you would be fine in your 3FE. I wouldnt run it in February in Alaska though!! The non-North American market includes some very hot climates and 20-50 is probably fine there ...

ALSO I have used the Rotella T6 synthetic 5/40 and it has been fine year round as near as I can tell so - "if it aint broke" etc (I also use the Rotella in two diesel tractors - a small JD lawn tractor - 455 and a Kioti DK... works ok there too)

 

[maxamillion2345]

I wouldn't run it if it will drop into the teens -- I'd stick with 1540-- but if not, sure go ahead.

 

[TAOTAOMOTNA]

Beer and piss

I don't know about that but, on my 89 3fe the head gasket blew and the engine still ran w/out fluid in radiator and water mixed oil for about six months after (not daily driving,weekly warm ups and emergency pulling, 20' aluminum shipping containers to straighten them out to build as a home.) and this thing finaly died due to to long start up intervals, but to me it is proven. bless her fj62 soul. But some die to save others.

 

[SUMMIT CRUISERS]

It's ok to run 20w50; however, the thicker the oil you use the more horsepower it takes to use it. Since the 3FE is horsepower deprived, I wouldn't use anything thicker than 15w40.

 

[Lka1988]

I ran 20W-50 in my 80. She started burning about 2 quarts of oil a month while I was running the regular 15W-40, so I switched up. Never had any problems and the temps dropped well into single digits.