5.4 Oil Usage?
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
5.4 Oil Usage?
I checked my oil level and found I am almost a quart down. I am 1000 miles to go until my next oil change. I recently bought this truck with 68,000 miles on it. I asked the service writer about it and he said it was normal. What are your experiences?
Thanks
Thanks
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 848
Likes: 3
From: Kokomo
I use the Motorcraft 5w-30 semi-syn. and use a quart between oil changes and I am under 100,000 miles, has been like this since the start, the faster I turn the motor the more oil it uses, so if I put 3,000 hard miles on it it will use more oil then if it gets babyed.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
How are you judging the amount of usage? If you are looking at the stick with the oil warm it should be aprox. half way between add and full. You need to check the oil level right after your next oil change with engine warm and see where the level is. It will never be at the full mark even after putting the total amount of oil in. Mine has 140,000 miles and only uses about 1/2 quart every 3500 miles. Hope this helps ease your mind.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Thanks for your replies. It makes me feel better with your replies. I use the 5W20, do you think usage will lessen by going to the 5W30 Motorcraft? I checked it cold after sitting overnight, should I check it differently?
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
The level was at the bottom of the cross hatched area, which I would consider one quart down??????
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Always check with engine warm but give it time to drain back down into oil pan. Remember full will only be halfway the cross hatched area. At least it is on mine.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 828
Likes: 3
From: Baltimore
Just for the heck of it, replace the PCV valve on that motor. The 5.4 is notorious for bad PCV valves causing excessive oil consumption. If it doesn't fix the problem, you are out the cost of the valve. If it reduces the oil usage, you will be a happy camper.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 848
Likes: 3
From: Kokomo
I put in 6 3\4 quarts of oil every oil change and that puts it right to the top of the dip-stick, I check it every so often andadd what ever it needs to always be at the full mark unless it's about time to change the oil, at $1.54 a quart I can afford to keep oil in it.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 491
Likes: 0
From: Fort Fun
My old 2000 5.4l burned about a Qt. or 1.25 or so from about 65-70k on. I switched FROM synthetic because i couldn't see dumping 5-8 bucks extra per oil change into the truck. That may sound cheap but I rationalized it like this. If I am going through oil that quickly, the fresh 1-1.25 qt that I was adding was helping keep the viscoisty where it should be.
It never burned much more than that and I sold it with I think 114,000 on the clock. I owned it from new. I now have an 03 6oh and I really kinda miss that ol' 5.4 gasser. It was a really snappy (for a 7,000 lb truck) ride. The 6oh has enough power and more room (CC vs SC) but the 2000 was just more fun running around. OK so I am off topic. Sorry for the online reminiscing.
Big
It never burned much more than that and I sold it with I think 114,000 on the clock. I owned it from new. I now have an 03 6oh and I really kinda miss that ol' 5.4 gasser. It was a really snappy (for a 7,000 lb truck) ride. The 6oh has enough power and more room (CC vs SC) but the 2000 was just more fun running around. OK so I am off topic. Sorry for the online reminiscing.
Big
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Originally Posted by sawdust220
I always check it after it's been setting overnight. If you check it after it's been running there is still more oil in top end thats needs to drain down. This is the most accurate.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Thanks for all the info. It shocked me when I saw it a quart low, but not sure how compedent the dealership was in changing the oil, so I don't have a good benchmark to start from. I will be able to monitor it better after oil change.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 0
From: Nowhere, SE OK
have the same problem with a '97 5.4 expy. read this.
http://https://www.ford-trucks.com/f...d.php?t=349793
http://https://www.ford-trucks.com/f...d.php?t=349793