Im brand new to the forum, so be easy with me lol. Ive got a 2005 Ford F150 Stx with a 4.6L engine. 3.55 rearend. super cab. the truck has almost 1900 miles. I noticed when i bought the truck that it didnt have much power, but then im used to 305's and 350's. Now the truck is having some probs. On acceleration there is something rattleing or pinging in the motor. At least that is what the tech said at the dealership when i drove with him. A motor ping. Its a light but noticeable sound. When we checked the oil yesterday it was 3/4 of a quart low. The tech says that according to ford it is normal to burn a quart between each oil change. What do you guys think? Seems to me the truck doesnt have enough miles to burn that much oil. Its at the shop now being checked for the engine ping. any comments or suggestions are welcomed

 

Did you check the oil prior to this check? A ping is not right, you have an anti knock sensor so it should make the appropriate engine adjustments to keep it from pimging. Maybe the sensor and/or sensors are bad, this could be the reason for power loss.
My 2004 5.4 does not use oil nor has it ever.

 

My 95 F-150 didn`t burn any oil between changes with 160,000 miles on it,and my 04 FX4 doesn`t use any oil between the first 2 changes.I think that tech is full of crap.

Jim.....

 

my 1997 5.4 burned about a quart or so inbetween oil changes. I never noticed any smoking, or leakage, but it did use a quart. It would also ping if I used a cheaper grade fuel. I began to use mid grade, and it stopped the pinging.
My 2004 fx4 used a quart before the first oil change, now the second, and third showed no signs of using any oil. I'm betting this is from te piston rings not being fully seated when the engine was new.

Try a higher grade fuel, and monitor the oil level. See if it makes any difference.
MK

 

Thanks for replying all.... will try the higher grade gas. My husband says that new motors will use oil till they get broke in. What killed me was that it had burned the oil before it hit 2000 miles. So if I go 3000 miles between oil changes I had better keep a really good eye on the oil level. Still doesnt seem right tho. You pay all this money to have a new truck so you dont have to worry about things like that. But thats a woman talking soooooo. Thanks for all your help. Will let you know what happens when i get the truck back from the shop.

 

The engine should settle in now and you shouldn't see it burning oil going forward. It's never a good idea to get your mind set on the oil consuption or gas mileage in the first 2000 miles because the engine does need to settle in. I have also noticed over the years that virtually every auto manufacturer has the same "talk track" about the acceptable level of oil consumption. I'm thinking they say that so if there is a longer term oil consumption problem they have established that as "normal" with their consumers. It's total BS and there should be very little if any oil consumption after the engine "breaks in".

 

I would not go to a higher octane fuel. The engine is designed to use 87, anything more is money out the tailpipe. If it is pinging, take it back and have them fix it!!!!!!!!! The knock sensor could be out of spec, or your engine could be running a little lean!
My 2004 5.4 runs on 87 pulling an 7,000lb boat, and it does not ping. The 5.4 has higher compression than the 4.6. If anything were to ping it would be the 5.4 pulling a load! It doesn't even in 90+ degree weather!
You never answered my question, did you check the oil level when you picked it up. It could have been shipped a qt low. If you did not check the oil then I don't think you can with any conviction say your engine used any oil in the first 2,000 miles!!!! Most don't check the oil level when picking up the vehicle because the assumption that it is new means the oil was filled to level prior to ship! Bad assumption!

 

laura'srose, how did you measure the "3/4 qtr low".

The next time you change your oil, make sure the correct volume of oil is added, pull your dip stick and look where the oil hits the dip stick. But only do the dip stick test after your truck is idle overnight. Make a mental note of where the oil laps on the dip stick (it will read less than maximum full). THis reading represents your steady state full level. Compare all subsequent oil check comparisons to where the oil level lapped on y0our test.

the "full" dip stick mark is not touched when you put in the factory recommended amount of oil. So dont be alarmed about "using oil" until you check it out as described above.

you bought a truck with a great engine. Enjoy and use 87 octane.

 

This morning i received a call from the shop. The oil was now way over filled. I have never heard that the oil stick can be read wrong. In all our years of having trucks and cars, that is a new one on us. The shop is changing the oil and setting it at the proper level. They tried to tell us that it could have caused the pinging being over filled but this has been happening since before the oil was added so that cannot be the problem. I hope the motor isnt damaged now from the overfill. What do you think? Thanks for all your help.

 

What good is a dipstick if you cant trust it?

 

My thoughts exactly.

 

The 4.6 takes 6 quarts of oil. After changing oil and filter and then letting it sit overnight, it shows about a quarter of the way between min and max fill. I have found that filling the truck with 6.33 quarts when changing the oil leaves it at about 3/4 of the way to max fill. My 4.6 has never pinged on 87, you may have just got a bad tank of fuel.

 

If after sitting over night filled to specs it does not read at max fill on the stick and adding oil to the max fill causes it to be overfilled, what use is it? I'm not trying to be a wise *** i just want to know if i'm not getting something. Also Im getting ready to go to the dealer with wavy doors, bad clutch packs, hesitation and pinging. I dont think with what I payed for this truck that I should have to pay for a higher octaine. I thaught the computer was supposed to compinsate to eliminate pinging.