2018 5.0L Engine Replacement Update
FTE Community Team
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 10,772
Likes: 1,511
Since this 5.0 engine is getting slammed and people are down on it (for some legitimate reasons for sure) I figured I'd give an objective update on mine. The truck was a special order arriving in mid January this year.
After 2800 miles I took it to the dealer since the oil level was registering below the cross hatches and bottom punch-out of the dip stick. After reading posts here on the forum I was a bit disappointed that I might have a drinker on my hands. They changed the oil and used X0-5W20-BSP (9 qts). I have approximately 5200 on it now and it hasn't gone down one bit since the change. Kinda hoping it was just the break-in and now I'm good to go with a great 5.0. Love it so far, plenty of power, excellent mileage (22+ highway & a little town), loving the sound. I'll post as my mileage goes up.
After 2800 miles I took it to the dealer since the oil level was registering below the cross hatches and bottom punch-out of the dip stick. After reading posts here on the forum I was a bit disappointed that I might have a drinker on my hands. They changed the oil and used X0-5W20-BSP (9 qts). I have approximately 5200 on it now and it hasn't gone down one bit since the change. Kinda hoping it was just the break-in and now I'm good to go with a great 5.0. Love it so far, plenty of power, excellent mileage (22+ highway & a little town), loving the sound. I'll post as my mileage goes up.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 60
From: N. Illinois
I was at the dealer having a new set of Cooper AT3 4S boots put on the rig yesterday. While there, I asked about running 5w30 instead. I got a “Don’t you dare” look and “the tolerances on these motors is too tight for that oil”. I guess I’ll monitor it for the next 20k. If it gets worse, or I’m not comfortable, I guess it’ll be gone. They tried getting me to bite on a 2019 with the 3.0L, and had the offer been realistic, I might have bitten.
Moderator
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,231
Likes: 1,248
From: San Antonio, TX
How can the dealer go against Ford’s recommendation? If they ever did, Ford would put the blame squarely on them.
BITOG is where I get my oil information from. I’ve always run 5w30 in Triton engines, but I’ve never had a new 5.0. I had a Yamaha outboard that used the same cylinder coating and VCT. It spec’d 10w30. The Ford 5.2 VooDoo engines with the same cylinder coating are spec’d for 5w50.
BITOG is where I get my oil information from. I’ve always run 5w30 in Triton engines, but I’ve never had a new 5.0. I had a Yamaha outboard that used the same cylinder coating and VCT. It spec’d 10w30. The Ford 5.2 VooDoo engines with the same cylinder coating are spec’d for 5w50.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,039
Likes: 1,523
From: Maine, Virginia
My old '88 F-150 had a 5 qt pan and that damned thing drank a qt every 3000 miles. Ford spec'd it to run 10w-40 oil. So, even after the replacement motor went in at 101,000 miles, it used drank oil, chalk that one up as the nature of the beast. So, I extended my dump cycles out to 5000 miles instead the factory recommended 3000 miles. In my mind if I had to replace 20%+ of the oil after 3000 miles then it'll be ok for another 2000 miles. I started this after the replacement engine went in and I put 150,000 miles on that engine before selling the truck. She purred like a singer and still drank oil.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 60
From: N. Illinois
I was just telling my son, I’ll hold my decisions until warranty at 60k, but likely, I’ll change oil at an earler interval. Likely 4,000 miles. Then, if it’s a quart low, who cares. One quart in almost nine isn’t a big deal. Then, it’s changed before it gets down to the “absolute fill” punch hole.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 128
Likes: 17
From: N. IL
My wife's 2018 F150 has the 5.0L and were having the issue with it using oil as well. 2 qts in first 3600 miles. Had it into the dealer to have them check it and they basically do an oil/filter change, record the level and then have you come back in about 1000 miles and check the level again. In that short time, it hardly changed, but let it go to 3000 miles and you have a whole different animal. After reading this thread, will be taking it back to them again and at least documenting that we are still consuming oil at greater than 1 qt/3000 miles and then see what Ford/dealer will do about it.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 60
From: N. Illinois
My wife's 2018 F150 has the 5.0L and were having the issue with it using oil as well. 2 qts in first 3600 miles. Had it into the dealer to have them check it and they basically do an oil/filter change, record the level and then have you come back in about 1000 miles and check the level again. In that short time, it hardly changed, but let it go to 3000 miles and you have a whole different animal. After reading this thread, will be taking it back to them again and at least documenting that we are still consuming oil at greater than 1 qt/3000 miles and then see what Ford/dealer will do about it.
Your dealer will switch out the PCV and let you go on your way. If it still burns 1quart or more in the next 3,000 miles, you should be a candidate for a new engine.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 128
Likes: 17
From: N. IL
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 60
From: N. Illinois
Harvard Ford. Prior to the TSB, I was getting a bit irritated, as they said the consumption was normal. Then, after the TSB, it was a fairly quick process to get a new mill. They will need to follow the TSB to document the consumption. I’m on my second engine, and eating oil all over again, so good luck.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 60
From: N. Illinois
I hope it does help. I wonder how many 2018 5.0L owners have no idea. I really know of no friends who check their oil. Only change their oil when they think of it, or when their vehicle monitor says so.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,039
Likes: 1,523
From: Maine, Virginia
So, if you ran the engine down to 6 qts, would it really hurt anything? (not suggesting that you do, just asking).
Has Ford known about this since like forever and figured that it would be easier to add 2 1/2 more qts of oil to the sump than to figure out the problem. Yes, yes, conspiracy theories.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: Florida
I just got rid of my 2018 5.0. It had 11,000 miles and used a quart of oil in 1700 miles. Not happy, I have owned 5 F series trucks and was a solid Ford guy. Loved the truck didn’t love the 5.0. Traded it in for a new Ram, which is probably a nicer truck then the Ford. Not happy, took a 10K hit but didn’t want another 5.0 as a replacement. Stay away from the 5.0, not a good design.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,650
Likes: 243
From: GA
I just got rid of my 2018 5.0. It had 11,000 miles and used a quart of oil in 1700 miles. Not happy, I have owned 5 F series trucks and was a solid Ford guy. Loved the truck didn’t love the 5.0. Traded it in for a new Ram, which is probably a nicer truck then the Ford. Not happy, took a 10K hit but didn’t want another 5.0 as a replacement. Stay away from the 5.0, not a good design.
Yep, sounds like a new RAM owner. Lol 😂