dumb question about checking oil?
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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dumb question about checking oil?
OK -
here's a real dumb question about checking oil. i've only had my 89 F250 (351W 5spd) for a couple of weeks, so i check the oil every few days to make sure she doesn't burn any or anything like that. oftentimes, i do this after i get back from a trip, so the engine is still warm. when i pull the dipstick, it's smoking or steaming. now, the truck doesn't overheat or anything like that. in fact, as long as the temp gage IS working, the temp never gets up to the "N" in NORMAL. i changed the oil last weekend (5 qts Motorcraft 10-w30, 1 qt Rislone, and a Motorcraft filter), so the oil looks real clean and the level is staying consistent. it's just the smoke/steam that bothers me.
should i be worried, or am i just paranoid?
Mike
here's a real dumb question about checking oil. i've only had my 89 F250 (351W 5spd) for a couple of weeks, so i check the oil every few days to make sure she doesn't burn any or anything like that. oftentimes, i do this after i get back from a trip, so the engine is still warm. when i pull the dipstick, it's smoking or steaming. now, the truck doesn't overheat or anything like that. in fact, as long as the temp gage IS working, the temp never gets up to the "N" in NORMAL. i changed the oil last weekend (5 qts Motorcraft 10-w30, 1 qt Rislone, and a Motorcraft filter), so the oil looks real clean and the level is staying consistent. it's just the smoke/steam that bothers me.
should i be worried, or am i just paranoid?
Mike
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 371
Likes: 1
From: Wetaskiwin, Alberta
I dunno if you can just shrug it off by saying "they all do that, Sir!". My 150,000 mile 5.0 does NOT do what you describe, even after pounding the crap out of it on the highway with a trailer in tow and yanking the dipstick at a fuel stop. I'm not saying that anything is wrong, per say, 'cause like that would be too paranoid. Keep an eye on the situation, monitor your water/antifreeze loss (if any) and change out your PCV if you haven't already done so.
Cheers!
Mike
Cheers!
Mike
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 190
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A little steam coming from the dipstick when it is removed is nothing to worry about. No different than your breath in cold weather. The oil is hotter that the air around it once removed, I personally wouldnt be concerned with a wisp or two coming from the tube either but that's just me....
SF
SF
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,033
Likes: 32
From: Aurora,Colorado
Aside from the steam business--I have noticed that the dipstick will show different oil levels depending on what position the dipsitck is situated in the dipstick tube. If the top handle of the dipstick is at the 8 o'clock position--it will show more oil than at the 6 o'clock postion--for example on my 92 5.0.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Your temp gauge should get up to the "N" in "Normal"...usually it stays in the "O" or "R".
If it's not, then you've probably got some air bubbles in the coolant system, or the system is a little low on coolant. With the engine cold, take the radiator cap off, and see if coolant is at the top. Fill it almost to the top if it's not full, and squeeze the top radiator hose to see if any bubbles come out. If so, play around with squeezing the hose and topping off the radiator, and make sure the overflow tank is filled to the proper level.
Go drive it and when it's cold again, do the same procedure if necessary, until the gauge works right. If you've got pretty much all the air bubbles out and the gauge still isn't reading right, then you've got to do a little more investigating.
If it's not, then you've probably got some air bubbles in the coolant system, or the system is a little low on coolant. With the engine cold, take the radiator cap off, and see if coolant is at the top. Fill it almost to the top if it's not full, and squeeze the top radiator hose to see if any bubbles come out. If so, play around with squeezing the hose and topping off the radiator, and make sure the overflow tank is filled to the proper level.
Go drive it and when it's cold again, do the same procedure if necessary, until the gauge works right. If you've got pretty much all the air bubbles out and the gauge still isn't reading right, then you've got to do a little more investigating.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Originally Posted by kc73
sounds like your thermostat is stuck open. you should see a little more movement on your guage.
What I've described has happened to me, i've explained it on other threads...it has to do with the fact that the stock gauge isn't reactive enough to differentiate between air bubbles and water...
Try what I said before further diagnosis.