I have a 97 f150 with 114,000 on a 4.6. It has been well maintained but recently when changing the oil I noticed it was low. Been keeping an eye on it and it seems to be burning a quart or so every 1000 miles. I can't find any leaks and there are no puddles underneath, so I guess its burning off somewhere. Sometimes when it starts after sitting I get a puff of white smoke out the tailpipe. I've been told its a valve problem. Is there anyway to clean the valves with an additive to try before tearing into this thing. I heard oldschoolers used to run a qt of tranny fluid for a few hundred miles to clean the sludge out. Just trying to make it to summer so I can head south a buy an 06-08 250 diesel. Thanks for any help

 

I used to pour ATF or water down the carb. Your puff on start up is most likely valve seals. Google valve seal conditioner. Find a snake oil fix that you like and try it. From one of the sites:

Conditioners

High mileage engine oil contains several different types of additives designed to prevent leaks and prolong engine life. Its primary additive is a "seal conditioner" that not only soaks into the engine's valve seals and lubricates them, but actually causes the seals to expand. After expansion, the valve seals press tightly against the valve stems, which helps to reduce the amount of oil entering the cylinders.


Read more: What Makes High Mileage Motor Oil Different From Regular Motor Oil? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_6113608_hi...#ixzz1I0VMJN00

 

Your engine should last much longer ford says a quart every 1000 is within "normal" range.. I'd get some auto RX run that through it and get a new ford PVC. I bet that cuts the oil use in half.