Oil level always a quart low
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Joined: Apr 2004
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Oil level always a quart low
Every time I check the oil on my 99-f150, 4.6 it's a quart low. even when I get it changed at the Quick Lube. They tell me it's a quart low.
I can't find any visible leaks and it doesn't smoke. I changed the PCV valve.
This truck has 110k and has nothing done to the engine except spark plugs, filters and oil changes.
I can't find any visible leaks and it doesn't smoke. I changed the PCV valve.
This truck has 110k and has nothing done to the engine except spark plugs, filters and oil changes.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2003
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immediately after your next oil change check your oil and note the oil level indicated on the dipstick. I can almost guarantee you that the 6 quart fill line is below the factory dip stick full mark. I dont know why, but many (all?) ford truck dip sticks dont measure as full even when the engine has the correct amount of oil in it.
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Does your ford truck have the filter relocation part on it. On my 98 f150 I have the 4.6 liter engine and it came with the oil filter moved right up behind the front bumper and that require me to add 7 qts at every oil change because of the two hoses going to it
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2004
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97 F-150 4.6l 4x4 I've got the remote filter on mine and the oil wont touch the dipstick at 6 quarts. Add to the line on the stick and check it everytime you fill up with gas. once mine is full I dont have any problems.
Elder User
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Anywhere in the crosshatch area is full according to ford. That means, anywhere from the add mark to the full mark is full. The truck holds 6qts. with filter. The only true way to know where full is is to change oil, wait 10 minutes after starting on a level surface and check where the oil is on the stick then mark the stick. 
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
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From: Maryland
Jahmo55,
There has been plenty of theads in the past on this issue. In general, (assuming no remote filter etc.) 6 quarts should put you 1/2 way between add and full on the dipstick. Ford calls this full. I guess you could add 1/2 quart to take you to the full marking but be sure not to overfill. The oil could foam if the crankcase is overfilled.
I have had to go round and round when having the oil changed that 1/2 way between the add and full line is fine. But obviously if you notice the oil level low (at the add line on level pavement and 10 or 15 minutes after shut down) don't run your vehicle with low oil but add and keep a log of the amount of usage.
Chip
There has been plenty of theads in the past on this issue. In general, (assuming no remote filter etc.) 6 quarts should put you 1/2 way between add and full on the dipstick. Ford calls this full. I guess you could add 1/2 quart to take you to the full marking but be sure not to overfill. The oil could foam if the crankcase is overfilled.
I have had to go round and round when having the oil changed that 1/2 way between the add and full line is fine. But obviously if you notice the oil level low (at the add line on level pavement and 10 or 15 minutes after shut down) don't run your vehicle with low oil but add and keep a log of the amount of usage.
Chip
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Northwest, Arkansas
That is a about normal for A ford. They usually show about a quart low but like others have said if it's in the hash marks it's ok. Right after an oil change make sure you check it and if it doesn't fall any further then you are ok.
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It would seem that people have forgotten that engines break in differently. Sometimes they may use a quart between changes...it does not mean the engine is bad or leaking. I could be how it broke in and what you are seeing is the minimal amount of oil flowing around the rings in the course of time between oil changes. Idle time on a car makes a big difference in break in and oil usage. You should not leave your truck idleing more than 5 minutes when it is new. By new I mean I would not leave it idleing until after 15 to 20K miles. Just my thoughts...not sure if anyone agrees with me or not. Please correct me if I am totaly off base, but I don't think I am.
Elder User
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sockerham, i think your post is about a different subject. For instance my 97 4.6 has 166,000 miles on it and it uses practically zero oil between 3,000 mile changes. I put 6 qts of oil in it and the oil fill line is up to the letter "O" that is engraved into the side of the dipstick. The letter "O" marking is in the cross hatch area but about half a quart below the "full" marking on the dipstick. After running the engine 3,000 miles i can check the oil and the oil level will be just barely under the "O"" marking i.e. essentially the oil level is unchanged. So not a matter of using oil in this case but simply the oil dip stick reads half quart low even when the crankcase is full.
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I know I was just reading the thread and some people had some comments about oil usage. My F150 would use about a quart between oil changes when I ran synthetic. (3500 miles, new filter add quart, 3500 more) In the end I usally ended up a quart low. My brothers truck did not use a drop the whole time he owned it.
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Interesting take on the synthetic oil change schedual. Personally I still try to change mine at 3000 but most guys around here are going 5000 to 6000 but no filter change when running synthetic.Good Idea.
Now that made me think of something.
Does the filter hold a full quart? I've never actually checked but it doen't look like it would on my 97 4.6l .
Now that made me think of something.
Does the filter hold a full quart? I've never actually checked but it doen't look like it would on my 97 4.6l .
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No it doesn't. But like I said my truck used a little oil. Anyway another interesting fact. I would only use WIX or NAPA Gold oil filters. ONe of the guys at work (we work in a chemical plant) cut all the name brand oil filters open with a can opener...........I will only use the two mentioned. Brands that were opened?
Motorcraft
Fram
Wix
Napa
(two other I can't think of.)
Anyway try it for yourself. Cost 20 bucks.....see what I am talking about.
Motorcraft
Fram
Wix
Napa
(two other I can't think of.)
Anyway try it for yourself. Cost 20 bucks.....see what I am talking about.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: South Dakota
This link is a bit dated, but it is still interesting.
http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html
I also reccomend a tour of FTE's Oil and Lubrication Forum, a lot of myths have been debunked there.
http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html
I also reccomend a tour of FTE's Oil and Lubrication Forum, a lot of myths have been debunked there.
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