whats the best oil to use in my 2003 ranger

[bmann11]

I've a 2003 4 cyl 2.5L diesel with over 200.000 miles on her
currently putting 10w 40 oil in her.
shes smokey if she idles for a few minutes for the first couple of seconds.
my question is should i stick with 10w 40 or change
thanks

 

[RangerAl]

I used to use whatever oil I could get my hand on (cheap) on the ole days. Now with newer modern engine, its best to stay with whatever the manufacture recommends on your oil cap.

 

[DeanMk]

I've a 2003 4 cyl 2.5L diesel with over 200.000 miles on her
currently putting 10w 40 oil in her.
shes smokey if she idles for a few minutes for the first couple of seconds.
my question is should i stick with 10w 40 or change
thanks

@ 200K, I might switch to a diesel oil. Delo or Rotella.
higher zinc content (not like they used to have, but more than some others) will help save parts a little longer and 15W-40 weight might stop the smoking.....lessen it at least.

...however...

Be aware that the smoking is a sign that the engine is quickly approaching TBO. Switching to diesel oil will only buy you a little more time, so if you haven't started already, NOW is the time to start putting some money aside for an engine swap, or a rebuild, however you want to approach it.
Heed the warning signs and issues like this go a lot more smoothly.

Dean

 

[hankosaurus]

Hello Bmann11.

I think I would switch to 15W40. Delo or Rotella are fine. I ran 15W40 in my 85 Mercedes 300D. I drove it 29 years. When I sold it in Apr of 17, it had 390K miles, good compression, and ran strong. Original engine. No rebuild. Just changed that oil about every 3k or 4k miles. Never heard of running lighter weight oil in a diesel. Maybe it's the new technology.

Henry in GA

 

[DeanMk]

I ran 10W-40 and 10W-30 of various brands in my 1980 VW diesel for years.
It was fine.
I never used Diesel oil until I went to work at a shop that would allow us to change oil in our own vehicles.
That truck had a lifter tick problem that went back to a faulty oil pump design.
We ran Delo in that shop and it shut those lifters right up.
Sold ever since.