Notices
1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis Econolines. E150, E250, E350, E450 and E550

What engine damage? If any?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 7, 2016 | 08:10 PM
  #1  
NICKSAN's Avatar
NICKSAN
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
10 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 787
Likes: 22
What engine damage? If any?

Long story short...

Small oil leak, forgot to add oil.

Upon starting the van last week I hear a slight sound like a chain rattling then disappears quickly, (now i realize it went away when oil pressure built up) this happened for about 7 starts.

I thought it was something in the van or something taping on the fender.

I realized i had not put in oil for a while.
After adding 2 and a half quarts the sound is gone now when I start the van and that brought the level up to normal on the stick.

What damage could have been done?

The darn oil pressure gauge works but doesnt tell much.

Thanks.
 
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2016 | 09:10 PM
  #2  
Im50fast's Avatar
Im50fast
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,087
Likes: 24
From: Central Florida
2.5 quarts low won't cause engine damage.

You're good.

(But keep it full)
 
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2016 | 09:49 PM
  #3  
Tom's Avatar
Tom
Super Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 738
From: Isanti, MN
Club FTE Gold Member
You're probably fine. I remember a few years ago a friend who was over 3 quarts low in his V10. He didn't notice anything odd before or after adding oil.

As long as there's enough to prevent low pressure you're completely fine. The stock gauge is almost worthless, but you would have heard it if you lost pressure going down the road. Some noise on startup is normal as pressure comes up.
 
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2016 | 09:57 PM
  #4  
twigsV10's Avatar
twigsV10
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,113
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
Depending on what engine do you have there should be something like 6 quarts of oil in the engine, being 2.5QT low won't change anything but if the oil is due to be changed adding that much new oil can quiet the lifters.

Just a random fact Ive experienced with older vehicles.
 
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2016 | 09:17 PM
  #5  
NICKSAN's Avatar
NICKSAN
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
10 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 787
Likes: 22
Thanks guys.

 
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2016 | 09:18 PM
  #6  
vettex2's Avatar
vettex2
Posting Guru
10 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 2,196
Likes: 5
From: N Ca.
were you on flat ground or a hill ?
 
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2016 | 06:03 AM
  #7  
NICKSAN's Avatar
NICKSAN
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
10 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 787
Likes: 22
Flat ground. The noise has disappeared since adding the oil.
 
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2016 | 11:25 AM
  #8  
Boondockdad's Avatar
Boondockdad
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 116
Likes: 3
Few years back my brother in law asked if I wanted his old 2000 E-150.

Said he was going to be in town for business, so he'd drive it to me from Buffalo (I'm in Detroit)

150,000+ miles on it. First thing I do is check the oil. Nothing.
Slide the catch pan under, and pull the oil plug.
Maybe a tablespoon comes out.

No idea how long it was like that, but it had to be critically low for a long time, I imagine.

Ended up giving it away with about 200,000 miles on it, and it was still running fine. Burned a little oil was about it.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Sep 10, 2016 | 05:10 PM
  #9  
vettex2's Avatar
vettex2
Posting Guru
10 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 2,196
Likes: 5
From: N Ca.
Originally Posted by NICKSAN
Flat ground. The noise has disappeared since adding the oil.
Good and GOOD.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Jonathan Martin
2007 - 2014 Expedition & Navigator
8
Oct 8, 2024 07:17 AM
mos68x
1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis
20
Apr 6, 2015 11:55 PM
dlingner
1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis
1
Oct 13, 2008 08:08 PM
Mike Lewis
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
10
May 15, 2002 06:33 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:28 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE