Big Trouble
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Big Trouble
Got a buddy that called me up today and said he needed me to come take a look at something. Neither one of us are greatly mechanically inclined but know simple stuff. He said that he had a oil pressure light flash very quickly and then go away. Made him nervous so he checked the oil and it was, of course, low. He had about 4500-5000 miles on the last change so he was tempting just getting it changed, but went ahead on topping it off.
Heres the bad part. 4 quarts later he hit the dipstick…5000 miles is up there and is in need of a change but man, it doesn't leak, decently low miles on it. Could it be burning a quart every thousand miles?! Does he need to take extreme measures on being that low? Says he doesn't know how long he has been driving that low on it. Didn't check it as often as he should have obviously. Should he be selling it?!
Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
Heres the bad part. 4 quarts later he hit the dipstick…5000 miles is up there and is in need of a change but man, it doesn't leak, decently low miles on it. Could it be burning a quart every thousand miles?! Does he need to take extreme measures on being that low? Says he doesn't know how long he has been driving that low on it. Didn't check it as often as he should have obviously. Should he be selling it?!
Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,118
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From: South Dakota
Should he be selling it? No it's built Ford tough. Just get the oil changed soon and don't forget that dipstick was put there for a reason. Get in the habit of checking the oil level each time you fill up with gas. When it gets one quart below full, add a quart.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2015
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From: Sebring OHIO
if it's not blowing smoke or oil out the exhaust then it must be leaking somewhere. it may not be dripping on the ground just blowing back under the truck. and it may be a small leak. look on the back of the tailgate for small oil spots on the paint. i would take a good look under the truck when he changes the oil. is he sure the oil was full when he had it changed? his truck should hold 6 QT and if he had it changed at a speedy lube or someplace like that it may not have been full to begin with.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Did he do the last oil change himself or did he take it to one of those quick change shops? You don't even want to know how many stories I have heard about those places not putting any fresh oil back in the motor and sending the customer on his way.
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Thanks guys. Yeah it was changed by a guy but I have always known him to be pretty trustworthy. Honestly I see no signs of leak around the engine or tailgate, etc. Got under it and nothing. Just was very very low on the dipstick. Was even a shocker for me as I have never seen it that low before on any vehicle. Figured it was a little harmful since he wasn't sure how far he had went with it being that low. Luckily the flicker of the pressure light may have saved it. Said it would come on for a second then go off. On and on again, finally he pulled the stick. On final pour, about 4.5 qts low out of 6! Darn near got an oil change besides the filter 
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Sand Lake, MI
The light should have came on at around 2 quarts low, just as old pressure dropped below a set amount.
Flickering with only 1.5 quarts left in the engine I'd be replacing the sending unit to start with at a minimum.
It couldn't have had any oil pressure one of those 1.5 quarts left in it would be trapped in the oil filter not enough oil in the pan to move it out.
Flickering with only 1.5 quarts left in the engine I'd be replacing the sending unit to start with at a minimum.
It couldn't have had any oil pressure one of those 1.5 quarts left in it would be trapped in the oil filter not enough oil in the pan to move it out.
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Yeah, odd to me too. But I checked the stick and its good now but the empty quarts are there. 4.25 would be my best estimate. He said the first day it just flickered once and went away so he didn't pay much attention to it, figured it was acting up because of the extreme cold. The next day it did it again and we took a look at it. I wouldn't think it would let it get that low before letting you know….crazy
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Vernon, BC
That happened to my dad with his 75 E150 van. We were going hunting and when climbing a hill his temp gauge started to climb. The oil light didn't go on but when we checked his oil he was four litres low! He couldn't remember when he had last checked his oil! It didn't hurt anything as he had that van for many more years before he got a different vehicle. An F150.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,670
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From: Sand Lake, MI
Might just be me....nope doubt it not knowing this bunch... I check my oil/fluids every time I top off with fuel.
Got nothing else to do while several gallons of that liquid gold pumps anyway, well not so bad these days under a buck and a half a gallon, they're dang near giving it away!
Got nothing else to do while several gallons of that liquid gold pumps anyway, well not so bad these days under a buck and a half a gallon, they're dang near giving it away!
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2015
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From: Otto, NC
In the late 80's I worked for VW. The factory insisted that 1 Quart per 1000 miles was normal. Ford and VW are indeed two different animals. I'd be curious what Ford insisted was normal during that time.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,533
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From: SW Florida
Were they still using the air-cooled engines then? Air-cooled engines do use oil faster than liquid-cooled.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,533
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From: SW Florida
Yeah, odd to me too. But I checked the stick and its good now but the empty quarts are there. 4.25 would be my best estimate. He said the first day it just flickered once and went away so he didn't pay much attention to it, figured it was acting up because of the extreme cold. The next day it did it again and we took a look at it. I wouldn't think it would let it get that low before letting you know….crazy
Elder User
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From: Otto, NC
It was the water cooled engines in the Rabbit, Dasher,Audi 4000, 5000 and the like.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Baltimore
Stick finger in exhaust. Get a rub and if its oily, well, you're burnin it. Check the intake filter box/housing for oil. Check/read plugs, and compare all. Pressure check cylinders and compare. Fords are forgiving for low oil to a degree, just don't make it a habit. I can afford a few qts, not a new mill.
Cheers,
Dan
Fords are forgiving for low oil to a degree, just don't make it a habit. I can afford a few qts, not a new mill.Cheers,
Dan
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