I have a 2000 XP XLT Triton V8 with 145k ( I know, I know...we go EVERYWHERE IN THIS THING...DESPITE THE GAS MILEAGE)

Today, as I was pulling out of my lot at work, my temp guage and my oil light came on for about two seconds...just long enough to identify what they were. So I pulled over and checked the oil. No oil on the dipstick! It was JUST due for an oil change. So I added THREE QUARTS! Now I know to check it regularly...very regularly, but I was hoping that I might be able to figure out why. I'm going to share as much information as I know...

When I looked at the coolant overflow, it is discolored and could be oil (especially since it's brownish..and I'm pretty sure the antifreeze is green, I could see if it was orange and dirty)...but not sure. It didn't just start using it, now that I think of it. My dad drove my expy for a few weeks, and I "repoed" it because when I checked the oil it was like three quarts low, and I just assumed that he had driven somehow that it used that much.

So I immediately thought "head gasket!!!!". But it has never overheated...never even been above warm temp. There doesn't appear to be any leaks at all...never see a drop on the ground...of coolant or oil. (Just water if I've been using my air). There isn't any creamy stuff on the oil cap or dipstick, no discoloration....

A few times when I first started it, it did ping a little, but went away after it warmed up (it is high mileage, so I just figured that may be expected) and it hasn't even been doing it recently.

I did notice oil stains all around where you add engine oil, but I am assuming that my dad or boyfriend was just sloppy about adding it.. (which urks me...)

Any help would be greatly appreciated. My dad is suggesting now that I check the overflow and oil again in the morning before starting it, to see if the oil is creamy -now that there will hopefully be something on the dipstick that I can see :O - and if there is oil in the coolant, it would separate in the overflow.

Thanks in advance for your help...I've found so much valuable help on this site...you guys rock!!!

 

If your burning oil then your exhaust should be black. I think you need to verify 2 things. First that your oil level was within normal range after the truck was returned to you. Or change the oil and verify that the oil level is within the normal range after the oil change on the dipstick. After that monitor it regularly to see if your loosing any oil. Same goes with the coolant.

 

went to jiffy lube one time, i was in a hurry when done the guy at the ck out went over what they did, air cleaner, oil filter and 5 quarts of oil told him i was sure my 5.4 holds 7.5 quarts he looked at me like i didnt know what i was talking about then we went and cked the dip stick and there was no oil on it, dont know if this has happened to you but it did to me

 

After calming down and a closer inspection, I'm 90% sure I can rule out the head gasket, there doesn't appear to be any leaks, or any mixing of coolant and oil. There was a small bit of creaminess on the oil lid, but nothing that would indicate a lot of mixing and seemed more like condensation???. I'm gonna flush the coolant system (I think it's just dirty or someone had added stop leak or other additive...) and just keep a closer eye on the oil. It didn't use it before, not like this, but apparently it's going to now. I'm going to switch to a thicker oil too at the next oil change and keep 10 40 in it. Should anyway because of the higher mileage...I have firestone do my oil changes, so I'm also going to ask them before they do it how many quarts it calls for.

But thanks for the reponses anyway!

 

Replace your PCV valve. If it's weak and allowing to much vacuum to flow though it, this could cause extra oil to be pulled into the intake and burnt.