oil level
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2012
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oil level
hi everyone. i have an 06 e150 with the 4.6. i changed the oil and the dipstick oil level is different than normal. it has the normal add mark then goes into the normal (X) pattern up the dipstick and then stops. where the X pattern stops is what has me confused. usually for years when the X pattern stops it has the hole for the full mark. this van does not have that. the hole is higher than the top of the X pattern.
my question is this. do i fill the oil to the end of the X pattern or take the oil level past the X pattern to the hole.
why did ford do this.
thanks.
mike
my question is this. do i fill the oil to the end of the X pattern or take the oil level past the X pattern to the hole.
why did ford do this.
thanks.
mike
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,141
Likes: 25
From: south louisiana
Fill it with the amount of oil listed in the owners manual, run it a minute or two then kill it and see where the oil level is on the stick. As long as you maintain the level at or above the add mark, it really doesn't matter where full is
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Gotta agree with BadDad on this one-----the owner's manual should trump any dipstick markings. If that stick isn't original the markings could be incorrect and misleading to the amount in the pan.
Mu '03 5.4 takes six quarts in the pan and whatever the filter holds. I'll start the engine, let it run until temp is reached then shut off and wait a few minutes before checking the level on the stick. Making a mental note of where "full" is I can replenish as needed between oil changes.
Mu '03 5.4 takes six quarts in the pan and whatever the filter holds. I'll start the engine, let it run until temp is reached then shut off and wait a few minutes before checking the level on the stick. Making a mental note of where "full" is I can replenish as needed between oil changes.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,560
Likes: 1
Many cars have the dipstick set up so that hole above full is where you fill it to with an empty filter to save time at the lube places. The top of the crosshatch area should be the top of the proper operating range.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,512
Likes: 18
From: Detroit
I agree with Josh and JWA. My '02 E150 has a 4.6 and when changing the oil, I put in 6 quarts and call it a day.
I also have noted that my engine almost prefers the oil in the mid-high range of the cross-hatch pattern. I remember that it would actually seem to use a bit more oil if I filled it to the top hole (about 6.5 quarts as I recall).
Keep it in the crosshatches somewhere and it'll be great.
The 4.6 is a wonderful and very tight engine. At 116k miles, seems like I might have to add half a quart of oil if I push oil changes out to 5-6k miles. It uses less oil than it did when it was new.
edit--I just went and checked my oil and my dipstick has the same markings as yours. My oil is at the top of the crosshatches, 3k miles after an oil change that the dealer did. I think the top hole is like a "max fill" level, and the crosshatches are the "preferred operating level"...and I like the theory of the top hole being there for a quick fill point with an empty filter.
George
I also have noted that my engine almost prefers the oil in the mid-high range of the cross-hatch pattern. I remember that it would actually seem to use a bit more oil if I filled it to the top hole (about 6.5 quarts as I recall).
Keep it in the crosshatches somewhere and it'll be great.
The 4.6 is a wonderful and very tight engine. At 116k miles, seems like I might have to add half a quart of oil if I push oil changes out to 5-6k miles. It uses less oil than it did when it was new.
edit--I just went and checked my oil and my dipstick has the same markings as yours. My oil is at the top of the crosshatches, 3k miles after an oil change that the dealer did. I think the top hole is like a "max fill" level, and the crosshatches are the "preferred operating level"...and I like the theory of the top hole being there for a quick fill point with an empty filter.
George
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