burning oil badly
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From: inuvik
burning oil badly
We have a 1997 f-150 that had low compression on #1 and was burning oil (about 3 quarts per fillup). I took the heads off and found a burned exaust valve. Overhauled the heads, replaced the fuel injectors and O2 sensors and it runs great. Only problem is, it's still burning the oil. The bottom end looked to be in excellent shape, with small ridges... Any ideas anyone?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 751
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From: North Carolina
Does it smoke? Are your plugs darker than usual with oil residue on them? If not , I'd say you are leaking, not burning. If that's the case look at the rear main seal, and the back end of the valve cover gaskets. It'll run down the back of the block and onto the bellhousing/transmission, and mix with all the other road crud, and become almost invisible. If it's smoking, it's the rings, plain and simple.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,532
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From: Trussville, Alabama
Agree with the above. Are you SURE you are burning 3 quarts every fillup? That's about 3 qts / 350 miles. WOW! At that rate, I'd imagine you'd start affecting the O2 sensors. Do you see blue smoke? At start up? While driving? Ever?
If you are in fact burning oil, then I'd suspect rings. A burnt valve won't cause you to burn oil. Worn valve guides maybe, but that's most noticable at startup.
Seems like I remember reading about an engine that burned oil like crazy when new. Eventually it was found the rings were in upside-down.
How many miles on the engine?
Keep us posted.
If you are in fact burning oil, then I'd suspect rings. A burnt valve won't cause you to burn oil. Worn valve guides maybe, but that's most noticable at startup.
Seems like I remember reading about an engine that burned oil like crazy when new. Eventually it was found the rings were in upside-down.
How many miles on the engine?
Keep us posted.
Last edited by BrianA; Feb 17, 2004 at 02:03 PM.
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From: inuvik
I pulled the plugs and the left side bank and front plug on the right front one was oily. It is burning three quarts per fill. Could oil be seeping from the galley and into the intakes or did I just get an overhauled set of heads with bad valve stem seals? It is so bad that black water is coming out the tailpipe.
Can't tell if it's smoking because it's so damn cold here it just looks like steam anyways.
Thanks for the replies... hope to get an answer.
Can't tell if it's smoking because it's so damn cold here it just looks like steam anyways.
Thanks for the replies... hope to get an answer.
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From: inuvik
P.S. the engine only has 70,000 miles on it. It burns more than when the new heads were put on. Could there be too much pressure under the valve covers somehow (Bad PCV?) Forcing oil down the guides?
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 298
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Your valve seals won't use much oil. That black water is probably oil soot washing out with condensation water. You wouldn't expect a bad valve at 70k or oil burning. Maybe this engine had gotten overheated sometime?
A quart a 100 is alot.
Has the oil been changed regulary? Do you use quality oil?
Either it's sick or dirty, sick will need an overhaul, if it's dirty you might be able to clean it up with seafoam or some other "miracle in a can".
A quart a 100 is alot.
Has the oil been changed regulary? Do you use quality oil?
Either it's sick or dirty, sick will need an overhaul, if it's dirty you might be able to clean it up with seafoam or some other "miracle in a can".
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New User
Joined: Feb 2006
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Lossing Lots of Oil
Hello:
I have a 2000 F150, with 80k on it. It is a V6, 4.2L, Manual 5 Speed, basic work truck.
When I bought it (less than 10k ago), I had it serviced imediately-- new wires, plugs,oil change, filter, coolant and trans flush, new front brakes.
I have the oil changed every 3k.
It is about 100 miles before the next scheduled oil changed--Last night, I noticed that the oil light would flash on and off (and the oil pressure needle would flop to and fro) when I went around a sharp curve or turned tight into a parking space.
So I check the oil this morning---it is bone dry.
There are no signs of an oil leak that I can see. The truck has always produced quite a bit of white smoke--especially at startup.
I was reading allot of these postings---if it is the rings, what should I expect to pay for having the truck repaired? Should I ask the mechanic to check something else?
Thanks for your help--I love this site--I read about fixing the cold solder joint on the instument cluster for the odometer connector--I am going to try it the next warm day we have.
I have a 2000 F150, with 80k on it. It is a V6, 4.2L, Manual 5 Speed, basic work truck.
When I bought it (less than 10k ago), I had it serviced imediately-- new wires, plugs,oil change, filter, coolant and trans flush, new front brakes.
I have the oil changed every 3k.
It is about 100 miles before the next scheduled oil changed--Last night, I noticed that the oil light would flash on and off (and the oil pressure needle would flop to and fro) when I went around a sharp curve or turned tight into a parking space.
So I check the oil this morning---it is bone dry.
There are no signs of an oil leak that I can see. The truck has always produced quite a bit of white smoke--especially at startup.
I was reading allot of these postings---if it is the rings, what should I expect to pay for having the truck repaired? Should I ask the mechanic to check something else?
Thanks for your help--I love this site--I read about fixing the cold solder joint on the instument cluster for the odometer connector--I am going to try it the next warm day we have.
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 5
From: Trussville, Alabama
Pennie,
First off Welcome to FTE and the 4.2 forum. Glad to have you here.
First thing I'd do - change the oil and make SURE it is filled properly (6 qts= approx 1/2 way up the hatches on the dipstick).
I'd then check it every week and watch to see if it drops.
It is possible your last oil change did not roll out with the proper amount of oil. A minor drop in oil level since then would put you down where you say you are.
I do assume you added oil to get it back up to proper level until you can get the oil changed.
There are several things that you could investigate if in fact you find your oil level dropping. These engines are not prone to failures that lead to extreme oil consumption so I wouldn't get too concerned until you are positive your oil level is dropping like you fear it might be.
I had a 2000 (same as yours) that I sold at approx 170,000 miles. I never had to add oil between oil changes and I was going approx 5000 miles between changes.
Please check back in and keep us posted.
Again, glad to have you and hope you stick around.
First off Welcome to FTE and the 4.2 forum. Glad to have you here.
First thing I'd do - change the oil and make SURE it is filled properly (6 qts= approx 1/2 way up the hatches on the dipstick).
I'd then check it every week and watch to see if it drops.
It is possible your last oil change did not roll out with the proper amount of oil. A minor drop in oil level since then would put you down where you say you are.
I do assume you added oil to get it back up to proper level until you can get the oil changed.
There are several things that you could investigate if in fact you find your oil level dropping. These engines are not prone to failures that lead to extreme oil consumption so I wouldn't get too concerned until you are positive your oil level is dropping like you fear it might be.
I had a 2000 (same as yours) that I sold at approx 170,000 miles. I never had to add oil between oil changes and I was going approx 5000 miles between changes.
Please check back in and keep us posted.
Again, glad to have you and hope you stick around.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 298
Likes: 3
If you have not had this problem before I too would suspect the last change was short a couple quarts of oil.
If they put 4 qts in like many cars need you started out 2 short and then your oil ran hotter and speeded up the process of using more.
I will tell you if you are using a quick lube you can expect troubles (they use cheap filters too). They are known to short oil or otherwise screw up.
I too would say to change it again (good oil and good filter) and keep an eye on it. White smoke could mean you are burning anti freeze so you should make sure your coolant is full. Could be related or not.
I bought a 150 with same engine and trans about 6 months ago (108K).
Drove 80-90 miles home. I checked the oil and had to add 3 qts to get it full. It had a fairly new looking cheap filter on it, I was worried about it too.
I think it suffered the same short oil change as I mentioned above, I have changed it twice and so far no more problems.
Good luck.
If they put 4 qts in like many cars need you started out 2 short and then your oil ran hotter and speeded up the process of using more.
I will tell you if you are using a quick lube you can expect troubles (they use cheap filters too). They are known to short oil or otherwise screw up.
I too would say to change it again (good oil and good filter) and keep an eye on it. White smoke could mean you are burning anti freeze so you should make sure your coolant is full. Could be related or not.
I bought a 150 with same engine and trans about 6 months ago (108K).
Drove 80-90 miles home. I checked the oil and had to add 3 qts to get it full. It had a fairly new looking cheap filter on it, I was worried about it too.
I think it suffered the same short oil change as I mentioned above, I have changed it twice and so far no more problems.
Good luck.
Burning Oil
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Does it smoke? Are your plugs darker than usual with oil residue on them? If not , I'd say you are leaking, not burning. If that's the case look at the rear main seal, and the back end of the valve cover gaskets. It'll run down the back of the block and onto the bellhousing/transmission, and mix with all the other road crud, and become almost invisible. If it's smoking, it's the rings, plain and simple.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,499
Likes: 2,811
Welcome to FTE.
What vehicle, engine and year? How many miles?
The usual answer here is a worn out engine.
Or a worn out component such as valve seals or the oil control ring on the piston.
Usually if the oil control ring is bad, everything is bad and it's time for a rebuild.
What vehicle, engine and year? How many miles?
The usual answer here is a worn out engine.
Or a worn out component such as valve seals or the oil control ring on the piston.
Usually if the oil control ring is bad, everything is bad and it's time for a rebuild.
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2001 ford f150 v6 4.2 burning oil
Welcome to FTE.
What vehicle, engine and year? How many miles?
The usual answer here is a worn out engine.
Or a worn out component such as valve seals or the oil control ring on the piston.
Usually if the oil control ring is bad, everything is bad and it's time for a rebuild.
What vehicle, engine and year? How many miles?
The usual answer here is a worn out engine.
Or a worn out component such as valve seals or the oil control ring on the piston.
Usually if the oil control ring is bad, everything is bad and it's time for a rebuild.
250k 4.2 2001 ford f150 my mechanic tells me it’s oil around the oil pan and oil on the spark plugs when I get a tuneup
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mrl390
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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