F150 using oil
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F150 using oil
My 2001 SuperCrew is using oil at the rate of 1 qt/600 miles. It has 78000 miles, has never run hot, and has been serviced every 5000 miles. Just started using oil at 72000 miles. Extended warranty does not cover excess oil consumption. Dealer says only way to fix is with a new $3000. engine. It is the 5.4L engine. Does not smoke or leak oil.
Is there anything that can be done like changing to synthetic or changing to 10W50?
Is there anything that can be done like changing to synthetic or changing to 10W50?
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Louisville,Ky.
Hi and welcome to FTE 
That is alot of oil!! I have read something about one using alot of oil in an older thread.
I tried searching for it, but I couldn't find it.
Maybe whomever it was will post again.
I remember something about it gathering under the intake somewhere.
Jimmy
That is alot of oil!! I have read something about one using alot of oil in an older thread.
I tried searching for it, but I couldn't find it.
Maybe whomever it was will post again.
I remember something about it gathering under the intake somewhere.
Jimmy
Laughing Gas
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From: DC
Don't be too quick to tear into the engine. If all that oil was burning, I think you would notice the smoke (smell). Pull a plug or 2 and see if they look oil fouled. Is the underside of the truck wet? Any oil on the top of the engine i.e. valve cover gaskets, pcv area? Any oil under the truck in the morning? A compression test might be in order. If the dealer is saying you need an engine he should have done a compression test did he? Oil consumption may not be covered by the warranty but piston rings or valve guides etc might be.
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Thanks for the response. The dealer indicated he checked compression, but when I asked for the readings, they said, well they acutally didn't take compression, but the $70. diagonistic check was to have included compression check, so he gave me my money back. I know I can't remove and replace an engine due to 1 quart of oil every 600 miles. It would take 1,200,000 miles to make it justifiable. So, I'm looking for ways to reduce the oil useage. Any other suggestions?
Laughing Gas
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From: DC
First, I'd find a new dealer. Second, I'd find out who the regional service manager is and call him. These guys were going to sell you a new engine for $3000 and they can't even tell you why? And "oh by the way", they charged you for work they admittedly didn't do. I think I'd be HOT!
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Saratoga USA
What weight oil do you currently use? I agree with Joe, check into any oil leaks, but if there are not any, and the truck runs well, I think I'd just put in a quart at 600 or so miles. It's way cheaper than a new motor, as you've stated. Also, how long do you want to keep the truck? With 78,000 on the clock, and with the new F150 out, maybe it's time for a trade in!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: South Dakota
What type of motor is it?
The 5.4L some times has a problem with the passenger side head leaking.
I think that 10-50 would be way to much of a point spread for me...I'd think that a 10-30 or a 15-40 would be a better choice depending on your climate.
The 5.4L some times has a problem with the passenger side head leaking.
I think that 10-50 would be way to much of a point spread for me...I'd think that a 10-30 or a 15-40 would be a better choice depending on your climate.
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I use Pennzoil 10W30, change each 5000 miles. I had planned to drive the truck past 200,000 miles. It's a Lariat, 5.4L, stock except for a cap on the bed. I'm in Mississippi, so no rust problems. May just sell the truck if I can get the oil consumption down. My faith in FORD is weak just now.
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Saratoga USA
Well Steve, I had 3 Rangers, each one was less reliable than the one before, so I thought no more Fords. Then I drove a 2003 King Ranch, and that was that! And, those '04s look really sharp, especially the Lariat.
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From: South Dakota
You stated that it started at 72K, and you currently have 78K....
Did you change the oil at 72k and then started noticeing oil loss?
To me it seems weird that it would all of a sudden start using that much oil all at once.....This tends to lead me into thinking that the oil filter is not on tight (or is totally messed up, it may just be on tight enough to not leak with motor off, but leak with it running), or drain plug is loose.
Have you tried changing the oil and filter, and did the problem still persist?
Just hoping there is a simple solution.....
Did you change the oil at 72k and then started noticeing oil loss?
To me it seems weird that it would all of a sudden start using that much oil all at once.....This tends to lead me into thinking that the oil filter is not on tight (or is totally messed up, it may just be on tight enough to not leak with motor off, but leak with it running), or drain plug is loose.
Have you tried changing the oil and filter, and did the problem still persist?
Just hoping there is a simple solution.....
Last edited by superrangerman2002; Dec 17, 2003 at 03:53 PM.
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I had the oil changed at 70,000, then noticed the oil level lower as I checked it a fueling. I took it to the dealer, and they changed it at 72,000 to start the leakage test, then I took it back to the dealer in about 200 miles, and they said the test was botched, so the dealer changed oil again and this time marked the dipstick. After 1600 miles I took the truck back to the dealer, and it needed the 3rd quart. I called them at 833 miles when it needed the first quart, at 1300 miles when it needed the 2nd quart, and when I took it in at 1600, it was again a quart low. It does not leak, so I don't think the filter or plug is loose. It was at the checkup at 1600, they said they would do the compression check, but they didn't. AMSOL say their synthetic will reduce oil consumption, so I'm planning to try it soon. I had hoped someone had similar experience with their FORD.
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From: South Dakota
Did they by chance put a dye in so that they could figure out where the oil was going?
It has to be going some where....
As far as Amsoil goes, IMO you're wasting your money on their products as you can get the same if not a lot better protection from regular oils like Mobil 1 or a good dino like Chevron, Castrol, etc.
With that type of consumption, and if fixing it isn't a real possibility, I'd stick with a good cheap dino 20-50, if your climate permits, then trade it off at the first available opportunity.
It has to be going some where....
As far as Amsoil goes, IMO you're wasting your money on their products as you can get the same if not a lot better protection from regular oils like Mobil 1 or a good dino like Chevron, Castrol, etc.
With that type of consumption, and if fixing it isn't a real possibility, I'd stick with a good cheap dino 20-50, if your climate permits, then trade it off at the first available opportunity.
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From: Cincinnati
I had a truck that was using a quart of oil every 140 miles, I never did see any smoke come out of it until was out 4 wheeling one time and drove into an over-the-tires deep puddle, I decided to back out of it and when I did I backed through a cloud of blue smoke. Apparently the catalytic converter was masking the smoke and when I hit the puddle it cooled the cat off so it wouldn't burn the oil and thus I saw the smoke. So you can be burning oil without seeing smoke and if you are, eventually it will clog your cats. Mine turned out to be bad rings, no cylinder damage.
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I own a 2001 Supercrew with the 4.5 liter V8. I don't run hot, smoke or leak oil either but I'm using oil too. I've got 167k on the engine. I was told that the main bearing seal between the engine and the transfer case was cracked and allowing the oil to bleed into the "whatever" behind there; transmission maybe. They said that was why I'm not seeing it on the ground. Does your oil gauge work on cold mornings right away at start up or does the enging have to come up to temp before it registers? I'm looking for answers too.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
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if a motor starats using oil all of a sudden, the first thing you do is change the PVC valve. if it failed, it could be sucking oil into the manifold and burning it. THe guy that told you the transmission is pulling out the motor oil is a moron. On older cars and trucks that had a vacuum modulator on the side of the transmission, could suck air up the vacuum tube to the intake manifold, if the internal diaphram failed on the modulator. Last, the oil gauge is an on off switch, It takes 7 psi to turn it on. If you have 5-6 psi at startup, it will ready zero. When it hits 7-8 psi, the gauge will go to mid range. You might try a new sensor, or a real gauge to see what is actually happening.