How many of you guys/gals are having this problem? Im just curious because Im considering a new f150 as my next truck,but I've read some people posting about this and even thinking its "ok" for a truck to consume oil between 3000 mile intervals.Im a Toyota driver that would love to go back to a American truck,so Im hoping this isn't typical of these engines.

P.S.I know Im not going to see many "Yee Haw my truck doesn't use any oil" post,so thats why Im trying to get real world feedback from satisfied customers.

Thanks
Randy

 

Had two 5.4L and neither ever used any oil between 3000 mile changes.

Hope this helps.

 

Have a new ford falcon with the 3V head 5.4lit triton V8 and live in the outback of Australia where the tempiture can reach 110deg.
She hasn't used a drop of oil between services.
Davo

 

i drive a 99 250sd with 5.4 engine,does'nt use any oil between changes. id be interested to know how many with use problems are using motrcraft filters,i have never been able to get any other brand to totally seal on the block.

 

Mine hasn't used a drop either!!! I always use Motorcraft filters.

 

Thanks for the feedback,guys.I just saw a couple of post where people said they had 4.6 's using oil. I just wanted to make sure it was just a few isolated cases.

 

1997 4.6 windsor with automatic. Zero oil consumption between 3,000 mile oil changes. Truck has over 147,000 miles on it.

 

I took my van to the dealer because of the oil consumption. The service manager told me that this was normal for this motor (5.4) I cannot find any leaks anywhere and the exhaust does not have any signs of oil burning. I have a hard time accepting a new engine burning almost a quart of oil in 3k miles.

 

I'm new here (first post).

I have 111K on my 99 5.4 and it uses a quart every 1K. It has from the beginning. I bought the truck new. I was using Fram filters until I just learned some things about them. I'm using motorcraft now. I just made the switch last oil change. The first 1K since the oil change I'm only 1/2 quart low, so that seems to have had some affect.

Regardless, this engine uses more oil than all the other vehicles I've ever owned combined. Aside from the oil consumption issue though, I've been reasonably happy with it.

 

Every piston engine must consume some amount of oil, you have to allow lubrication of the rings on the bore and the valve guides. To control excessive consumption in the bore, they add the lower, usually 3 peice, oil control ring which is designed to "wipe" the excess oil out of the bore on downstroke, and they have the rubber (viton) valve guide seals. The question is what is excessive. I don't think a quart every 3000 miles is excessive, nor is it something to worry about. Even a quart in 1000 miles may be ok on a higher mileage motor, as long as the plugs are not getting fouled, and the engine is otherwise performing properly. I had a Ranger that used a bit less than a quart in 3000 miles, but ran fine. I look at it this way, oil is cheap, throw a quart in if it needs it and drive!

 

I think that if you have to 'add' between oil changes there is something amiss... Either you aren't changing oil properly. the engine is being exposed to unusual service, or the consumption is 'excessive'. It is true that some oil is lost, but it should be very little. I have had two 5.4L engines in my 99 Expedtion. First engine didn't loose enough oil to drip, but it did stink from the bad head gaskets. At 20K, new head gaskets were installed and no more oil consumption. At 30K, the engine was replaced due to piston knock (wrong size bore) and the replacement engine's oil level doesn't change over 3k miles. Although I wasn't thrilled at having these problems, I have to say 'kudos' to Ford for standing behind their products.

 

If I do any WOT driving, my 2001 will suck down a qt fast. From what I can tell from this board and discussions with the guys at my dealer, the 5.4 is prone to oil comsumtion. Mine can use a qt in 1000 - 2000 miles. The dealer tells me Ford considers 1qt/1000 "normal" for the 5.4

 

I had an 86 Toyota truck until about 2-3 years ago. It always used a little oil, and I bought it new.

 

OK, I'm getting my .02 cents in on this one. 95 T-Bird with the 4.6L V8. It burns a qt. every 2,000 miles from the day I bought it brand new! Not really used to this kind of oil consumption from new cars. Immediately went to 10-40w instead of the 5-30w or 10-30w ford recomends. Helped a little. At 60,000 miles I switched to 20-50w... helped a little. Still goes through oil.
At 115,000 still goes through oil.... but nothing has every gone wrong with the motor. Just gotta watch it so ya don't run out of oil. Only thing that has gone out was the tranny at 66,000 and the MAF on the air intake at 95,000. I'm in So. California.
Good Day All,
Harry

 

ggarrahan, agreed that piston engines must consume some oil due to oil vaporization during internal friction. for reasons unknown to all but Ford motor company, six quarts of fresh oil and an oil filter change leaves the dipstick about half full. There is some lettering on the dipstick and a fresh oil change leaves the oil level at the top side of the letter "O". I change my oil every 3,000 miles and check it regularly and always check the oil just before i refill. The engine oil level after 3,000 miles is on the bottom side of the letter "O" which on my truck is equivalent to about 1 ounce, maximum 2 ounces, of oil. Realistically speaking to me that is equivalent to zero oil consumption because a certain but unknown amount of oil is clinging to the engine insides. and as mentioned in my earlier post, this is on an engine that now has 148,500 miles.