Oil loss

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Dec 22, 2007 | 09:45 AM

1Bonzai

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Oil loss

I've heard there is a history of the 5.4 losing/burning oil. My '05 F150 Supercrew with 36000 miles (32000 put on in the last 8 months) is going through a quart of oil every 1000 miles. I've been monitoring this closely for the past couple of months and have been using Mobile's blend, and have also gone to Mobile 1.

I took it to a dealer and was told the usual, let us change it and come back after 1000 miles to investigate. (As if they didn't believe me) There are no leaks, and I have not noticed any burning, or smoke through the exhaust.

I asked them to do a compression check, but when I was told how much they charge for it, well...forget it.

My thoughts are either rings, or a valve issue, and could use some advice.

(I had them change the oil, and will return @ 1000 miles to have their finest to check it out)

Most of my driving is highway with some city, getting about 16.9 MPG averaged over the past 12000 miles.

Dec 22, 2007 | 10:59 AM

bridge

Sick 'n Tired

Joined: May 2006

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From: League City, TX

These engines burn oil. My '01 5.4 (Expy) would burn a few quarts between changes and switching to syn stopped that. However, my '06 5.4 Expy burns oil on syn. My '06 F150 5.4 has yet to start the burn. It's a bunch 'o suck but trying to find the cause is like chasing gremlins through an electrical system. I seem to remember reading in the service manual that it's expected that X amount of oil would burn between changes. I can't remember the exact amount but I remember thinking it was alot.

Dec 22, 2007 | 12:08 PM

1Bonzai

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Thanks for the reply. Since my post I did a search on the forums and found this has been a problem for several owners while others have no problem. Looks like I may have to live with it until I purchase another one other than Ford since they feel it is acceptable oil usage.

Dec 22, 2007 | 12:15 PM

osbornk

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From: Marion, VA

My 5.4 nefver gets off the full mark between 5,000 oil changes. I have a 4.6 in my car that uses a quart every 3,000 miles but it only has 114,000 miles on it but it has always done it.