V10 Excursion and oil usage
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 5
V10 Excursion and oil usage
2000 Excursion XLT 2wd, 3.73, 148k on the clock. I know these motors like to use oi but on our last trip up to north FL (500 miles) somehow this truck managed to go through 2.5 quarts of oil. I had used 5w-20 on the last oil change. I put 1 quart of Lucas in as part of topping it off. On the trip back, another 500 miles, it only used 1/2 a quart. This truck doesn't smoke at all. I can't figure out where this oil is going. I check the PCV and it is very clean and the little plunger in there moves perfectly. The hose from the valve cover to the air intake tube on the drivers side is intact and connected on both ends. Im at a loss as to what is happened here. The truck is always parked on our concrete driveway and there is no oil there and underside of the truck doesn't show an oil leaks that I can see.
Thoughts???
Thoughts???
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 4
From: North Texas
I just replaced my PCV valve and it all but stopped my oil consumption. My old one rattled and passed all visual checks as well, but i replaced it anyway as it had over 100k on it. Not saying yours is the problem, but don't count it out just yet.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 4
From: North Texas
Yes I did. Got it from Amazon. Mine is electrically heated but they have the coolant heated versions as well. I think mine was sticking wide open randomly. Sometimes it would use a lot like yours and other times none. It has been none since I changed it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,678
Likes: 1
From: Central Tx.
2000 Excursion XLT 2wd, 3.73, 148k on the clock. I know these motors like to use oi but on our last trip up to north FL (500 miles) somehow this truck managed to go through 2.5 quarts of oil. I had used 5w-20 on the last oil change. I put 1 quart of Lucas in as part of topping it off. On the trip back, another 500 miles, it only used 1/2 a quart. This truck doesn't smoke at all. I can't figure out where this oil is going. I check the PCV and it is very clean and the little plunger in there moves perfectly. The hose from the valve cover to the air intake tube on the drivers side is intact and connected on both ends. Im at a loss as to what is happened here. The truck is always parked on our concrete driveway and there is no oil there and underside of the truck doesn't show an oil leaks that I can see.
Thoughts???
Thoughts???
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 5
No I made a mistake with the 5w-20 grabbed the wrong jug. Usually I buy two of those "oil specials" at the parts store to account for oil usage. Usually I put in 10w-40. I'm in Tampa, FL so we don't really get cold. This is the first time I have put Lucas in this truck, 500 miles from home and rolling down the road at 75mph I wanted to make sure I wasn't running low on oil again.
Its so odd, I don't blow any smoke, and exhaust doesn't smell like oil. I will order a new PCV and get some new 3/8 hose from PCV to TB to eliminate those two variables.
Its so odd, I don't blow any smoke, and exhaust doesn't smell like oil. I will order a new PCV and get some new 3/8 hose from PCV to TB to eliminate those two variables.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,678
Likes: 1
From: Central Tx.
No I made a mistake with the 5w-20 grabbed the wrong jug. Usually I buy two of those "oil specials" at the parts store to account for oil usage. Usually I put in 10w-40. I'm in Tampa, FL so we don't really get cold. This is the first time I have put Lucas in this truck, 500 miles from home and rolling down the road at 75mph I wanted to make sure I wasn't running low on oil again.
Its so odd, I don't blow any smoke, and exhaust doesn't smell like oil. I will order a new PCV and get some new 3/8 hose from PCV to TB to eliminate those two variables.
Its so odd, I don't blow any smoke, and exhaust doesn't smell like oil. I will order a new PCV and get some new 3/8 hose from PCV to TB to eliminate those two variables.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,344
Likes: 3
From: NYC
Sometimes these trucks can use a lot of oil especially if you're beating on them. Like 05Mil said, I would replace your PCV valve with an OEM one and see if that stops your oil consumption.
I second the 10w-30 oil weight recommendation.
I second the 10w-30 oil weight recommendation.
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Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 5
10w-30 vs 10w-40? This truck has averaged about 9k miles a year over 16 years. Is it possible rings gotta crudded up? Couple years ago I ran 1 quart of Marvel Mystery Oil but can't remember if that did anything or not. I ordered the PCV off amazon so I'd drop that in when it gets here. Would you consider driving 75mph for 500 miles a "load" on the engine? I figured a run like that should help clean things up as its usually used as wife's DD and to drive us around town.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,344
Likes: 3
From: NYC
Just going by my experience with triton motors in general, during towing/spirited driving the oil consumption would go up a bit, grant the 2.5qts in 500 miles is not a "bit."
See how that new PCV valve works out for you.
FWIW my 120k mile 03 used ~2.5qts in 5k miles. My old 98 Expedition(5.4) used around 1qt in 5k miles. My father's 00' E-250(5.4) used as much as 1qt ~800 miles. 3 of my 4.6 mustangs(some 2v some 4v) used around 2qts to no oil consumption at all.
To be honest it still remains a mystery to me. Going by my own experiences combined with being around the fleet/limo service industry since I was a kid, where I witnessed all different modular motors exhibit "weird" oil consumption issues. Some used almost none, and some drank it like water.
That being said 05Mil has a great point about the PCV valve, so hopefully that cures your issues. Personally, I just got used to checking my oil every other time I drive my cars so I dont sweat it too much, however 2.5qts in 500 miles is quite a lot.
See how that new PCV valve works out for you.
FWIW my 120k mile 03 used ~2.5qts in 5k miles. My old 98 Expedition(5.4) used around 1qt in 5k miles. My father's 00' E-250(5.4) used as much as 1qt ~800 miles. 3 of my 4.6 mustangs(some 2v some 4v) used around 2qts to no oil consumption at all.
To be honest it still remains a mystery to me. Going by my own experiences combined with being around the fleet/limo service industry since I was a kid, where I witnessed all different modular motors exhibit "weird" oil consumption issues. Some used almost none, and some drank it like water.
That being said 05Mil has a great point about the PCV valve, so hopefully that cures your issues. Personally, I just got used to checking my oil every other time I drive my cars so I dont sweat it too much, however 2.5qts in 500 miles is quite a lot.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,576
Likes: 41
From: Wyoming
I'm a little confused, I thought our motors were originally spec'ed for 5W30 and now the spec is 5W20.
20 weight oil has a certain viscosity at operating temp as does 40 weight.
Ambient Temps do not affect the viscosity at operating temps....wither your in Tampa or anchorage.
40 weight oil is too thick for our motors, unless you are having oil pressure issues with the 20 weight that is what you should be using.
The 10W you are using is the flow ability at ambient / start up. Again too thick for our motors. Spec says 5w which is thinner. I would even consider a 0W if available.
So, why are you using a 10W30/40?
20 weight oil has a certain viscosity at operating temp as does 40 weight.
Ambient Temps do not affect the viscosity at operating temps....wither your in Tampa or anchorage.
40 weight oil is too thick for our motors, unless you are having oil pressure issues with the 20 weight that is what you should be using.
The 10W you are using is the flow ability at ambient / start up. Again too thick for our motors. Spec says 5w which is thinner. I would even consider a 0W if available.
So, why are you using a 10W30/40?
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,219
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Thicker oil seems to slow consumption. I have a theory that tolerances were not that precise in these engines. There has to be an explanation as consumption rates are all over the place and Ford considers 1 quart in 900 miles as acceptable on these motors. And with 150k on this motor i'm sure the tolerances are even wider now. Add to that living in a hot climate i'm sure doesn't help rate at which oil breaks down under use.
But that's just my thought process.
But that's just my thought process.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,576
Likes: 41
From: Wyoming
Intresting, can't ding your experience.
Just be advised I think Ford changed the spec to 20 weight so the timing chains would get enough lube. A heavier oil may not get the volume needed to some of the parts.
I could be wrong though.
I would suggest a 0 or 5W though for initial start up. It will get to critical areas better than a 10W.
They do make 0W40, 0W30, 5W40, and 5W30. Those are what I would be looking at if your experience tells you a 20 weight oil is too thin.
FYI my 2011 F150 ecoboost specs out 5W30, not 5W20 as other modulars do, guess it's because turbos add a lot of heat and can break down a lighter oil. So I guess a hot environment could call for a 30W oil.
Just be advised I think Ford changed the spec to 20 weight so the timing chains would get enough lube. A heavier oil may not get the volume needed to some of the parts.
I could be wrong though.
I would suggest a 0 or 5W though for initial start up. It will get to critical areas better than a 10W.
They do make 0W40, 0W30, 5W40, and 5W30. Those are what I would be looking at if your experience tells you a 20 weight oil is too thin.
FYI my 2011 F150 ecoboost specs out 5W30, not 5W20 as other modulars do, guess it's because turbos add a lot of heat and can break down a lighter oil. So I guess a hot environment could call for a 30W oil.