Problem with oil level?
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 92
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From: Cincinnati, ohio
Problem with oil level?
04 CC LB Lariat SRW PSD, build date of 9/30/03. I have been checking the oil regularly since purchased new. Oil level has always shown right at where the plastic meets the metal on the dipstick above the max line without change for 4000 miles. Just did first service at 4000 miles. Refilled with 13.5 quarts of Rotella and level is still shown at right where the plastic meets the metal well above the max line. I sent a sample off to Blackstone, which came back today and showed 0.5% fuel, no moisture or antifreeze present, all other areas were normal for a new engine during break-in period. Truck runs great with no problems at all. What gives? If I put in 15 quarts like the book says, I'd be half way up the dipstick. Should I be concerned? My dealership was of course of no help.
Thanks for any info. you guys can provide.
5moons
Thanks for any info. you guys can provide.
5moons
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 389
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From: Georgia
I just put in 13.5 Qts and the stick shows dead center of the hash marks. I did waite 20 min before checking it, and checked/ cleaned about 4 times B4 the guage was readable. It does seam like some oil gets pushed up the tube, and when you remove the stick it gets a glob above the hash marks.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 19,098
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From: Great State of Texas
I put 16 quarts just like the book says. I don't even check the level. Better to have too much than too little.
Good luck with your theory jw...I believe that sbv45 has the broadcast message regarding oil overfill on this somewhere. But to much oil can cause a # of problems. Surging, rough idle etc... Many have been cured by only adding 13.0 to 13.5 qrts. or removing 1.5 qrts after the fact.
If others are correct that 1.5 qrts remain in various locations in the engine and you add 16 qrts. then the math says you have 17.5 qrts available in a 15 qrt. system.
My dealer, who goes by the book, is now offering only 14 qrts on their 6.0 oil change specials.
Good luck with your theory jw...I believe that sbv45 has the broadcast message regarding oil overfill on this somewhere. But to much oil can cause a # of problems. Surging, rough idle etc... Many have been cured by only adding 13.0 to 13.5 qrts. or removing 1.5 qrts after the fact.
If others are correct that 1.5 qrts remain in various locations in the engine and you add 16 qrts. then the math says you have 17.5 qrts available in a 15 qrt. system.
My dealer, who goes by the book, is now offering only 14 qrts on their 6.0 oil change specials.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: 3rd Rock
Originally Posted by jwdeats
I put 16 quarts just like the book says. I don't even check the level. Better to have too much than too little.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Central Texas
Oil Level Check Tip:
When checking the oil level on the 6.0, the vehicle must be on a level surface and the dipstick must be fully seated into the tube to ensure an accuarte reading. Do not add oil if the level is above the "MIN" line on the dipstick. Broadcast Message 1512, 1574.
Too much oil can cause the romps and idle problems. Oil dipsticks apparently can be of different sizes as well as the dipstick tube being incorrect length.
When checking the oil level on the 6.0, the vehicle must be on a level surface and the dipstick must be fully seated into the tube to ensure an accuarte reading. Do not add oil if the level is above the "MIN" line on the dipstick. Broadcast Message 1512, 1574.
Too much oil can cause the romps and idle problems. Oil dipsticks apparently can be of different sizes as well as the dipstick tube being incorrect length.
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Freshman User
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took my truck to the dealer today for its first oil change. the truck has 3000 miles on it, its a c/c s/b 4x4 6.0. i went into the shop with service guy and watched him do the oil change. he filled it with 15 quarts of oil. should i be worried?
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Senior User
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Yes, be worried that you have too much oil. Just check the oil level to be sure. I put 15 in the first time I changed it. Then I checked the level and I felt like an idiot because I couldn't really tell what the level was. I just buttoned it up and forgot about it until it idled rough. I couldn't see a level because it was all the way over the plastic. If you pull the dipstick and you don't see a plastic section with oil AND a plastic section without oil then you have too much (or too little) oil. Mine idled roughly until I drained a little. I got the hang of it now and add only 13.5 after draining. That puts the level about 30% up the plastic on the dipstick.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,483
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From: Central Texas
Yes. The engine retains about a 1.5 quarts in the high pressure oil pump, reservoir and rails. Refilling with 15 quarts will over fill the crancase. The crank wind vortices can whip the oil ionto foam causing idle problems, romping, etc. The oil dipstick should read just above "Min" and no more. There is a service bulletin from Ford on this subject.
Oil Level Check Tip:
When checking the oil level on the 6.0, the vehicle must be on a level surface and the dipstick must be fully seated into the tube to ensure an accuarte reading. Do not add oil if the level is above the "MIN" line on the dipstick. Broadcast Message 1512, 1574.
When checking the oil level on the 6.0, the vehicle must be on a level surface and the dipstick must be fully seated into the tube to ensure an accuarte reading. Do not add oil if the level is above the "MIN" line on the dipstick. Broadcast Message 1512, 1574.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: 3rd Rock
Originally Posted by jwdeats
Yes, be worried that you have too much oil. Just check the oil level to be sure. I put 15 in the first time I changed it. Then I checked the level and I felt like an idiot because I couldn't really tell what the level was. I just buttoned it up and forgot about it until it idled rough. I couldn't see a level because it was all the way over the plastic. If you pull the dipstick and you don't see a plastic section with oil AND a plastic section without oil then you have too much (or too little) oil. Mine idled roughly until I drained a little. I got the hang of it now and add only 13.5 after draining. That puts the level about 30% up the plastic on the dipstick.
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Tustin,(orange county) Ca.
same situation here, I read my manual, said 15 quarts of oil, I put in about thirteen, and read the stick in the middle, so I put a little more in still shy of 15, now my level is at the top of the plastic, am I still okay or do I need to drain some, truck idles fine. I didn't catch the notice if it is in the middle until too late. go figure, on a side note for all of you first time diesel oil changers, that oil drains way to fast for a normal catch pan, so get yourself about a 5 gallon bucket, and cut it so it fits. I have a huge oil stain on my drive way.
and another tip, the filter is spring loaded so when you undo that last thread on the cap, better have a hold of it,and let it drain a little mine sprung oil everywhere. I felt so imcompitent. I am very mechanical, this was the first oil change I've done on a diesel. There definately a few little surprises if your not familiar, definately different than a normal gas motor.
and another tip, the filter is spring loaded so when you undo that last thread on the cap, better have a hold of it,and let it drain a little mine sprung oil everywhere. I felt so imcompitent. I am very mechanical, this was the first oil change I've done on a diesel. There definately a few little surprises if your not familiar, definately different than a normal gas motor.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
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short timer here. i did my first oil change on the ex today and because of all the stuff i've read here, it was the easiest thing i've done in a while. i've never changed a cartridge style o.f. before. so easy. i did let it drain when the seal broke. pan bolt was magnetic so i didn't drop it in the 5 gal. pan i bought. and i filled with only about 13-13.5 qu. of rotella T synthetic. it ran smother after the change. we'll see about hte milage.
thanks guys.
now if i can just figure out which by-pass system is worth the money.
thanks guys.
now if i can just figure out which by-pass system is worth the money.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Dallas
You guys are all getting the idea. Something to know also is that the dipsticks are all slightly different in length and additionally will pull out of the handle quite a bit before the handle pulls off. I have had to replace one because the handle pulled off. One of the valves to drain the oil with is a handy feature also.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,532
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From: Valdez, Alaska
Does anyone have a copy and/or the link pertaining the Service Bulletin about this issue and were do I find those "brodcast messages". Would like to have a copy for the next oil change that I have. Tried a search but didnt have much luck. I have also had issues with the 15 qts vs 13.5 qts. 15 overfills my system and the motor runs rough.