I started my coolant flush late last night just out of curiosity checked my oil to find it barely registering on the dipstick. I have been plugging it in since the last oil change generally I go just slightly over what about to capacity is there any guesses as to where is the oil would have gone no visible leaks under the truck

 

How many miles since your last change?

 

5k. I installed and oil bypass filter and actually add a little bit of oil to make up for the filter and the lines. But again there's been no visible leaks anywhere other than me plugging it in. Everyday but I wouldn't think that would make a wild disappear

 

What are you plugging in, block heater? The trucks will use a little oil over time during the injection process, so you may have to add a little as the miles go up before a oil change. Or the injector could be using more oil than there supposed to if injector o-rings are bad, truck would tend to smoke a lot at start up on a engine that has had time to cool down.

 

What does the fuel filter look like?

 

X2 is the fuel filter black? do you have any gray smoke?

 

OK, the fuel filter was a little dirtier than normal. I finished my coolant flush and change over (went well but very messy). I also decided to change oil and bypass filter and main filter - trying Mobil Delvac 15/40 since it was on sale at Wally World. The truck has not been "smokey" actually I am very perplexed as to where it went. I have been plugging it in constantly but I can't imagine it would make that much of a difference. I will keep an eye on it and also I ordered a BlackStone test when I get ready to chagne the oil again if it might tell me if there is an issue. I assumed there might be an injector issue but I don't really know - hence me asking FTE.

Thank you all for your quick replies.

 

I know you said you haven't noticed any leaks but have you checked the dipstick tube where it connects to the pan? It can be a massive leak and in my case it didn't drip on the ground at all. Just coated the entire rear of the truck in oil that appeared to be road grime.

 

Caution; if you start to lose lots of oil (half gallon or more) with no visible sign of leak and your fuel filter looks black, you've got injector o-ring issues. The oil is getting past an o-ring and returning through the fuel filter.<O</O

 

Thank you for your response, I have included a couple of pictures of the fuel filter, does it look black or just dirty? I have discovered when I drained the oil that I had oil in there but not enough to register on the dipstick. I also just cleaned the underside of the truck and did notice more oil dirt - but now that it is clean - I will be able to tell more specifically if anything is leaking. In regards to the injector (oh $%$^&), I have totally wanted to stay away from thinking about them because of my "basic/intermediate" mechanical skills , and everyone talks about upgrading them, getting the right ones compared to stock, etc... so they freak me out a little.

If an injector is leaking (which I remember reading that the orings go out on these injectors and to replace them from the website - oringguy.com or something like that.... Is there another method to determine if it is an injector, if so which one, and is it feasible to only replace "one" or are these things you need to do all at once? Are the orings considered a tune up sort of thing where you need to do all the orings - is that cost feasible?

I assume if your into it that far that just doing orings wouldn't be cost effective - that more should be done or something. I did just watch a youtube video on removing 7.3 injectors and the one thing that stuck out in my head is when he said "There are lots of places/holes for parts to fall down in the motor so be very careful"....



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filter looks fine to me

 

Hmmm, darn, kind of wished it wasn't.

Oh well, I think I will just monitor this since I just chagned the oil. If you think of anything I should be watching let me know, and I appreciate your help.