5.4l oil issue
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 32
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From: Scotland, CT
5.4l oil issue
I changed my yesterday, had about 5k on it. I use 5w-30 synthetic. After draining everything I only had about 4 quarts. It doesn't leak that I know of. Nothing on the ground. The truck only has 77k miles on it. Never had issues with truck until recently when it blew the plug out of #2. But I don't know where the oil went. Should I go to 10-30?
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,938
Likes: 2
From: BC Canada
Well when you last checked the oil level, was it full, or at least above the add mark?
I check my oil every time I fill up with gas.
I never need to add oil between changes, but could not imagine the sick feeling in my stomach if I did not check it regularly, always wondering if the oil level was okay.
ps. I always run Mobil1 5w30 full syn oil in my 5.4 L.
I check my oil every time I fill up with gas.
I never need to add oil between changes, but could not imagine the sick feeling in my stomach if I did not check it regularly, always wondering if the oil level was okay.
ps. I always run Mobil1 5w30 full syn oil in my 5.4 L.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 637
Likes: 4
From: Media, PA
The modular engines are known to use about a quart of oil every 5,000 miles or so. Knock on wood, mine uses only about 1/2 a quart between changes. I definitely wouldn't switch to 10W30. The tolerances in these engines require a thin oil and you want the oil to get to places on cold start-up. Having a thicker oil will delay that initial protection on start-up. I've always run the Motorcraft 5W-20 Synthetic Blend oil with the FL-820S oil filter. Engine has 104k and no issues, other than the slight usage of oil between changes.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 237
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From: hazleton pa
Defin go back to 5-20 syn to avoid problems in the future keep an eye on your plugs to see if oil is burn ing. And check gaskets... check your oil more freq cause if ure burning 5-30 you will burn more 5-20 but its prolly just a low fill from. Last time oil was changed 
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
Likes: 17
From: Louisville,Ky.
I have never gotten the total amount of oil out of any engine. About 1 qt is usually in the filter and some is laying on top of engine componants. Especially in the lifter valley of a pushrod engine as well as a bit laying in the heads.
Seems like a 5qt engine's old oil will always fit in a gallon (4 qt) milk jug.
Oh, and I agree, stick with 5w20. Motorcraft has a good syn-blend at Walmart.
Seems like a 5qt engine's old oil will always fit in a gallon (4 qt) milk jug.
Oh, and I agree, stick with 5w20. Motorcraft has a good syn-blend at Walmart.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 143
Likes: 1
Check the pcv valve. My 5.4L started burning oil at about 70,000 miles. Had never done it before til then. I think it was about 1 1/2 quarts low. I pulled the pcv valve off and had to beat it against a concrete wall to get it to rattle. Bought a brand new one and has never been low on oil anymore. Truck has 81,000 miles on it now. By the way the oil has been changed every three thousand miles with motorcraft 5w20 and motorcraft filter. Just changed over to Mobil 1 synthetic.
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2008
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not a wise *** but oil WILL evaporate then is burned in engine you never see it worn rings and valve guides also
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Junior User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 76
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From: Beavercreek, Ohio
I would do a compression leak down test and see if the piston rings are still good. I have seen in some rare instantances where the ring ends will line up on the piston causing some blow by to occur which can indeed cause excessive oil consumption. Otherwise it may just be worn valve guides.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,517
Likes: 3
From: SE Wyoming
4qts after 5K miles and I assume you didn't check the level in those 5K, that is right in line with normal use. Right around 60K I found mine 2 qts low one day and that is when I started using 1qt every couple thousand miles. Thicker oil will do noting but hurt the engine more, if it is using oil in a way that thicker oil helps you have bigger issues. Since this thread is a few months old has anything happened to the engine in the interim?
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
Likes: 17
From: Louisville,Ky.
Bad move. These engine need oil to the heads asap at start-up and 10w-40 is way too thick to do the job. These engines also have much tighter tolerances that older engines an require no thicker than 5w-30.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
I changed my yesterday, had about 5k on it. I use 5w-30 synthetic. After draining everything I only had about 4 quarts. It doesn't leak that I know of. Nothing on the ground. The truck only has 77k miles on it. Never had issues with truck until recently when it blew the plug out of #2. But I don't know where the oil went. Should I go to 10-30?
Can't be doing too much damage to mine to get this kinda miles outta it huh?
New User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3
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wow...maybe sawdust and 80-120w
Gimme holler if any of your friends need a rebuild on their 5.4
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 70
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What's the most miles you can get out of a 5.4?I expect another 100K or more. It runs too dang good.
