Oil levels

TJ Johnson · #1 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 07:53 AM

Gentlemen, I have a '94 F-150 4x4 with the 4.9 six. The last couple of times after changing the oil and using the recommended Motorcraft filter the oil level is over the full mark on the dip stick. I don't think that it is a case of some oil remaining in the sump or what ever since the oil is still looking like "new" after 1000+ miles.
My manual calls for 6 qts with filter change and the dipstick reads higher than the last oil change, I don't see any indication of foaming and the motor runs strong and no knocking , ticking or clatter ......I'm puzzled.
I really like this truck and don't want anything to happen to Traveler.
Any thoughts?
TJ

pawpaw · #2 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009, 07:57 AM

Given the description you've posted, the first thought that comes to mind is fuel dilution.

So does the oil on the dipstick smell strongly of fuel, if so, maybe consider having one of our sponsers like Blackstone Labs do an oil analisis, paying close attention to the fuel dilution & wear figures.

Or maybe do a fuel pressure & pressure leak down test, to see if you have fuel injector leakdown, or if the fuel pressure regulator is acting out & over pressurizing the system.

If fuel consumption is up, that could be another clue about the injectors leaking, OR if you have a fuel rail mounted pressure regulator, pull it's vacuum line right after shutting the engine down & see if the vacuum line is wet inside with fuel, if so, the pressure regulators diaphragm is ruptured & system vacuum is sucking fuel into the vacuum system & engine, so replace the fuel pressure regulator.

Then do an oil & filter change to get rid of the fuel diluted oil, so you don't suffer undue engine wear!!!!

Some thoughts for pondering, let us know what you find.

cmlind · #3 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009, 01:59 PM

Is the oil level high immediately after changing or after driving a while?

How much higher is the level - 1/4", 1/2"??

In my truck 6 quarts brings the dipstick level 1/4" above the full mark, so I usually fill 5 3/4 quarts.

TJ Johnson · #4 (**permalink**) 10-22-2009, 07:43 AM

Guys, The oil level is above the full mark just as soon as I change the oil.
Paw-Paw thanks for the heads up-I did check the vacuum line on the FPR and glad to report its dry.
cmlind thanks for the reply- I'm glad to know this not just me.
Thank you both for your help....is this a Great Site or not!!!!!!!!!!!!
TJ

pawpaw · #5 (**permalink**) 10-22-2009, 07:51 AM

Antother thought came to mind this morning, if you have a vacuum modulator on the tranny, if it's diaphragm is compromised, system vacuum could be sucking tranny fluid into the engine, burning some & the remainder draining past the rings into the crankcase.

But I'd imagine if that were happening the oil would be discolored & you'd maybe notice exhaust smoke & if it sucked out enough you'd likely notice the tranny fluid level dropping without leak signs, or mayby be having tranny shift problems.

Edit: Well I see you were posting while I was trying to file this response.

I forgot to add, if the tranny vacuum modulator diaphragm is leaking, it's vacuum line at the intake manafold connection would be wet inside with tranny fluid.

If the dipstick indicates an over full condition after an oil change, maybe it has the wrong dipstick.

It's happened at the factory, at the Dealer & quick oil change places!!!!

More thoughts to ponder.

Would be interesting to know what you find.

Potomac30 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-22-2009, 09:56 AM

I had the wrong dipstick in a '51 Ford pickup about 27 years ago. The oil level on the dipstick looked fine, but when I finally decided to change the oil, I only got about a quart out.

Freaksh0w · #7 (**permalink**) 10-22-2009, 09:26 PM

*Oops delete*

pawpaw · #8 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ Johnson

Guys, The oil level is above the full mark just as soon as I change the oil.
Paw-Paw thanks for the heads up-I did check the vacuum line on the FPR and glad to report its dry.
cmlind thanks for the reply- I'm glad to know this not just me.
Thank you both for your help....is this a Great Site or not!!!!!!!!!!!!
TJ

After re-reading your first post & this last one & thinking about this some more, especially the first sentence of this last post, another possibility may exist.

If your not, or can't pre-fill the oil filter before installation, or if your not disabiling the fuel pump so you can turn the engine over with the starter motor, without it starting, to prime the oil pump, fill the new oil filter & burp the empty oil filters air bubble out of the oiling system, so you don't get a dry start, then the new oil that would normally be in a pre-filled filter, is now in the crankcase.

So for example, if your engine uses the FL-1A filter, which holds almost one qt, then that qt is now in the crankcase.

So on an oil change, if you take a crankcase level reading immediately after pouring in the last qt, but haven't pre-filled the oil filter before installation, or before cranking the engine to fill the filter, then the dipstick would indicate the crankcase is about 1 qt Over full!!!!

But after you crank the engine to prime the oil pump, fill the filter & burp the empty filters air bubble from the system, the oil sump level will drop to the normal "cross hatch" area on the dipstick.

Yet another thought for consideration!!!!

Sport45 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-24-2009, 05:24 AM

Could you have filled with a 5-qt jug thinking it was a gallon? I almost put 2 quarts in our '83 after dumping the jug in but my son saw it was a 5-qt jug and stopped me in time.

TJ Johnson · #10 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 07:32 AM

Guys,(Paw-Paw, Sport45) The oil level is after start up and just 6 qts with a fresh
Motorcraft FL-1A filter and I do pour some oil in the filter prior to install.
But with the angle of the filter (horizontal) you can't put much in or it spills out when you go to screw it on.
I've looked without any success for a oil filter adapter to get the filter into a more vertical position ( 45* or better ) does anyone know of one?

TJ

pawpaw · #11 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ Johnson

Guys,(Paw-Paw, Sport45) The oil level is after start up and just 6 qts with a fresh
Motorcraft FL-1A filter and I do pour some oil in the filter prior to install.
But with the angle of the filter (horizontal) you can't put much in or it spills out when you go to screw it on.
I've looked without any success for a oil filter adapter to get the filter into a more vertical position ( 45* or better ) does anyone know of one?

TJ

OK, well then it doesn't leave many more possibilities.

Either it has the wrong dipstick, or oil pan, your pouring in more than you think, as has been sugested, some old loil remains as you've suggested, or something in the bottom of the pan has raised the level of the oil poured in!!!!

After re-reading your initial & last post, where you say this has happened the last couple of times you've changed oil, I assume this condition has just happened & with the level reading having been made After running the engine, if all other things have remained the same, it seems to me we are left looking at how much has been poured in, or something is in the bottom of the oil pan thats raised the oil level!!!!????

The pistions haven't been swapping holes in this puppy have they!!!!???? lol

More thoughts for pondering.
Will be interesting to learn what you find.

Ed · #12 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 09:09 AM

If you are adding some oil to the new oil filter, then adding 6 (or close to) 6 quarts of new oil, + residula oil already inside the engine, up in the heads, ect. that is probably where the extra oil is coming from, if you don't have an injector leaking slightly ect. I once left the oil drain plug off overnight, and slipping a clean, empty pan under it. I'll bet there was at least 1/2 quart there, from a slow drip...drip...drip... flow overnight. So, any engine has more residual oil still remaining than you might think, but you don't know if you change it in the normal amount of time. All considered, you might only want to add 5 1/2 5 2/3 quarts of new oil during your next oil and oil filter change. It's never a good idea to have oil levels past the full or "Max" mark on the dipstick.

Good luck.