I took my truck on vacation and ended up driving 3k miles. The truck burned 1 and1/2 quarts of oil. Is this normal oil consumption for a 5.4?

 

Not sure what "normal" is... I have 109K on the 2004, don't usually add any oil between changes. It has been very well maintained since new.
And... I thought that I would be the only guy on FTE forum with a GN (I'm too new to rate a signature... likely won't list the GN in there anyway).
We have an 87, T-tops, 23K miles, basically all original/stock.
Where are you located? I'm in southern NJ - Philly suburbs - MAGNA territory.
Mark

 

I use Mobil 1, 5W20 with a 5,000 mile interval for oil and filter and am less than a pint low between changes. Engine has about 115,000 miles on it.

 

I do 5k oil & filter changes, as well, and my 5.4 has been known to use zero oil and a quart of oil in that time frame. I've heard and read that the Tritons were designed to use a little oil. I'm at about the 3k mark since my last change, and the level is still at the full mark with nothing added since the change 3,000 miles ago. I wouldn't worry about it unless it becomes really excessive.

 

Depends on my driving Normal, around town driving, no trips into the mountains and my truck will use almost no oil. If I start driving it harder, passing cars, towing in the mountains or just in a hurry to get over the pass, mine starts sucking down oil. I do 5k mile changes with Motorcraft oil and filters. If I have been working it, adding one to one and a half qts between changes is normal for mine at 138k miles.

I drove a 99 F150 company truck with 250k miles on it and that one, neglected from new, burned a qt every 2000-3000miles.

Typically one qt per 1000 miles is considered "normal". The only problem is, what are you going to do if your truck uses some oil? New engine? Different truck? It isn't like there is an easy fix. I personally wouldn't sweat it, just check the oil more often.

 

It sounds normal , it really depends on how you drive and how the engine has been maintained over the years. I wouldn't get to worried about it.

 

It was a 3 k mile trip with most of the time being spent around 75 MPH. I just want to be sure I'm within normal usage as a new truck is not in the cards now.

Mark-- I have a 87 with t tops with a Anderson built motor and a Ck trans that is for sale right now. I'm in Staten Island.

 

IIRC, one quart every 3000-5000 miles is considered normal for most engines.

 

I currently own a 2003 Expy and I've owned a 1999 Expy. Both burned a quart every 3,000 miles. Most manufactures would consider this normal. I think manufactures consider excessive oil consumption when you're burning a quart every 1000 miles or less.

 

I have a 2000 Exp with 5.4 and 150K. I always change oil at 3300 mile. Easy to remember 33,66,100. I have never put any oil in between changes and the worse I have seen is down about 3/4 qt. This includes times that I pull my 5000 lb bass boat at 70 to 75 mph.

 

I'm pretty sure that I've heard this same "anything less than 1 qt. per 1000 mile is considered normal" from various sources over the years.
Teamlx88 - I thought that you were trying to find out actual the experience of other 5.4 engine owners on this forum... sound like there is a range of usage.

Good luck with the sale of the GN... do you post on any of those forums? (at least 2 have "Cars for Sale" areas, segregated by section of the U.S.)
Mark

 

That is the line the dealers are required to sell lately. Back in the days of really high horsepower cars 1 qt. per thousand was accepable only on those factory hot rods. Normal cars and trucks got the engine re-ringed or replaced for that high of consumption.

 

Mark, yes Im on the forums but I find that some of those guys are arrogant and very full of themselves so I really havent been posting lately. Besides the cars for sale sections are so flooded with cars I dont think I have much of a chance of making a sale.

 

My previous 2000 F150 5.4L would use a quart or so between oil changes. I ran 10k between oil changes using Amsoil 5-30. Did that from the time I bought it with 23k on it till I traded it at 109K.

The 2004 Expedition 5.4L I traded the truck for does not seem to use any oil between changes. Running 10k between oil changes using Amsoil 0-20. 103K on it currently.

Oil usage, I believe for the most part, varies because of the manufacturing tolerances of the engine. (of course if the engine has not been maintained it will burn more oil) If it doesn't burn enough oil to smoke, just make a habit to check it every 3 or 4 tank fulls of gas and keep on truckin.

 

Ran up over 1500 miles in the last 2 weeks, mostly with the Tiger on the [open] trailer. Computer claimed 13.3 mpg, actual calculation shows more like 12.8 - not bad, all considered. Odometer currently at 111K.
I di not see any difference in the oil level during or after the trip
Mark
2004 Expy EB 5.4 4x4