Hey guys I've done a lot of research on this and can't find any real good answers. I have a 2004 5.4 triton with 118,000 on it. It started using oil at a considerable rate with no smoke or leaks to be found. I seen a lot about pcv valves causing this problem on the 03 and earlier but nothing about the topic really on the 04's any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

First of all (assuming you've ruled out external leaks, even those that may only occur under pressure) you need to determine exactly how much oil you're using. Fill it to the upper line of safe range and clock the mileage until you get to the lower line of safe range. The severity of consumption may also point you in the right direction.

You haven't seen a listing for a PCV valve in the 04 because there isn't one per se. Check this out for full diagrams of the system you have - a picture is worth 1000 words here.

http://www.justanswer.com/ford/1ttjr...50-5-4-v8.html

 

It used 1 1/2 quart since the last oil change 1800 miles ago. This is within ford specs but I'm not real satisfied with it. I have also checked for leaks both while running and off with nothing found. No drops on the concrete or anything causing a dirty motor exterior to be found

 

That's serious usage. If its burning it via the PCV system or any other way, it will cause the cat converters to need replacing. So you need to find out what's going on fast.

 

Are you waiting until it is below the add mark to top off? My truck will get down to the add mark relatively fast but it takes between 2k-3K after the oil change before it gets below it. Depending on how I'm driving it over that OCI.

 

Bumping up due to similar problem. '04, 5.4. 146,000 miles, and I use Castrol 5w20. Some oil is disappearing and I have no clue where it's going.
Gauge is steady, there are no oil stains on driveway, and no oil on engine itself, and also the exhaust pipe is clean and when momentarily blocked off, seems like a normal pressure (cats not collapsed). There are no other obvious symptoms.

I measured the oil loss when I did an oil change this weekend and it was 2.5 qts. missing over 4,000 miles.

any educated guesses or experiences are of course welcome and tia!

 

Several things can cause excessive oil burning. Worn valve seals, valve guides, oil scraper ring stuck from sludge and not expanding as the engine heats up, or just ring wear in general.

I'm usually down about a 1/2 quart at 3,000 mile OCIs. Always has been. Some engine burn a little, some don't burn any. You shouldn't use more than a quart before 5,000 miles, though. Just my .02 worth.

 

With the miles on the engine, I'm going to change out the pcv anyway, just for the maintenance update. I doubt it will be the cure all but should be done.

 

The 5.4 3 valve doesn't have a pcv valve.

 

By measured the oil loss during an oil change, you don't mean you compared what you drained out to the fill capacity do you? Very common mistake but if that's the case remember you can never really drain it all out.

 

Just a follow up. I went to my ford parts guy and received the same answer off his head that AnneK posted the link to (near bottom of page). He said the pcv was built into the inside of the valve cover He also said the parts price would be about $110 - 115 with the gasket being about another 15.

http://www.justanswer.com/ford/1ttjr...0-5-4-v8.html#

With this being an '04, and having had some of the common problems previously, I'm not willing to open Pandora's Box so I'll monitor the usage closer. 1Qt /1800 miles isn't that bad anyway. Thanks all for your replies!

 

Switch to a heavier oil. I run 20/50 year round but I'm in the deep south and can get away with it. Go up during the summer and drop back down a little in the winter. I run half a bottle of Lucas break in to up the zinc content and a splash of their oil treatment to help prevent dry starts. My 4.6 has 210K on it and doesn't use any oil.


( yeah yeah, I know but I'm not worried about the converters. They don't test here)

 

My 2004 5.4 never used oil between the regular 5k mile oil change until I hit about 350k miles. Now at 483k miles it uses about a quart every 1200 miles. I use conventional 5w-30.