I learned a lesson today. It seems that it's normal for my 5.4 to have water in the oil. I've been mechanicin' perfessionall like for almost 15 years and I thought you were supposed to keep the water and oil separate. The service manager today told me I had it wrong. He says my 04 doesn't use any kind of PCV so the moisture will stay trapped in "certain weather". My father with the measley 34 years in an engine shop thinks maybe the oil and water should stay separate. The fill cap was almost completely full with the white slime. Icleaned it out with the oil change. I took it in with 100 miles on the change and almost completely covered again. "That's normal".

I have the warranty for another two years and 35k. I'm thinking of starting a pool to see when this junk will blow. It's an 04 35k pulls a heavy trailer about 30% of the time. Pretty heavy use the rest. Any takers.

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...re-in-oil.html?

 

Yup, a little moisture on the cap is normal. I was worried the first time I saw it, but I have 89K miles on my 04 and no problems. Just keep an eye on the oil when you chainge it. As long as the oil coming out isn't all foamy, etc, no worries....

 

Ive heard of some in there from short trips and cold weather. I understand condensation build up. This truck usually goes a minimum of thirty miles at highway speed per trip. It gets warm. This thing was a mess but like I said is still got plenty of extended warranty left so we'll see.

 

Looking at the '07 workshop manual, the 5.4 doesn't have the normal PCV valve that is on the 4.6, but it does have a "PCV heater element" that I would think serves some function to vent the crankcase. Does an '04 have the same system?

If it does and it's working properly, maybe you have especially good rings in that engine that don't blow by enough to cycle the moisture out in your normal drive times.

 

Must be something with the Mod motors. My 06 did it(5.4) and now my 01 is doing it also. what the hell was Ford thinking, having such a long oil fill neck. That is the highest point in the motor, and thats where the water condensates. The outside of the neck is cold and the inside of it gets warm from the engine. My 2 cents
Rich

 

Hey VFR_Man where can i find this workshop manual that you speak of?

 

Helminc.com has all the shop manuals for the OEMs.

 

Just bought my 04 SCAB and found the same when changing the oil yesterday. The oil filler cap had that emulsified, brown crap underneath it and there was a little in the oil fill tube as well. I kinda figured it was a case of short trips.

 

Keep in mind that this is not just a case of cold outside air vs. warm(er/ing) air inside the motor. As that is not a closed system, the outside air that enters is bringing in whatever humidity content is normal for your climate. As the motor approaches operating temperatures, that moisture-laden air will be heated up and rise. If it hits something with a cool enough surface, it will deposit its water on that surface in the form of condensation. As the air in the motor sheds most of its moisture, it becomes out of balance with outside air. Osmosis helps move air around, and you end up with more moisture--and hence, condensation--in the motor.


You can also hit www.motorcraftservice.com for the OEM service manuals. I am not sure if Helm, Inc. is cheaper, but at least it gives you an alternative.