Searched for a while and couldn't find this covered...

Have the 4.6 and have always changed my oil every 5K with 6 quarts of M1 and Motorcraft filter. I have a Fumoto Valve that allows me to drain straight back into a empty 5 quart M1 container.

I've always noticed that it only fills to about 4 quarts. Seems to me alot is left in the engine at oil change time?

I guess my question is... Has anyone checked to see what actual amount drains out? And is 4 quarts about what you are getting...

 

Some gets left, and some is "used" in the engine. Ford engineer told me once that it takes 20 minutes for all the oil to drain down from a 4.6 (this was due to a question some customer had on checking his oil on the stick). Don't get excited about it, that's the way it is.

 

i usually do more work on my truck when i do a oil change (ie tire rotation, stuff like that) so i usually take the oil fill top off the top of the engine, drain plug removed, and oil filter removed for a good 10-20 minutes, sometimes longer. I usually get 5 qts. Yes i have measured it. But then i usually add 6 qts of M1 and usually need another half qt or so.

 

think of all the little crevices and dips/hollows inside an engine. also, the oil filter itself can hold up to 1/2 a quart all by itself.

normal. my 4.6 mustang was the same way.

 

do you check every time? If thats all you are getting out, and you add 6 full quarts every time, then your engine must be burning some oil. Otherwise after a full oil changes you would be up a couple quarts and you would see it on your dipstick.

And yes, you need to consider what comes out in the oil filter. But if you are like me, you drain your oil filter into the catch pan too...

 

Just do the math. If you drain out 4 and put back 6 every time. 2 are going somewhere. Coming out in the filter, leaked, or burned.

 

I drive around before I change mine, I make sure the engines been at 210 degrees for about 5minutes and you let the oil drain for a little over a half hour, my 7 quart pan gets about full each time.

 

which fumoto valve works for our trucks?

 

nevermind, i found it. just ordered one for my truck and for my wifes infiniti.

 

is F-106 right for a 2004 5.4?

 

mine usually drains back out a little over 5 with filter and everything. Mine just started using a little oil recently, no leaks or anything, just burning it I think. It uses about a quart every 3000...not concerning IMO, my ford tech buddy says its perfectly normal and wont hurt anything

 

i dont even check to see how much comes out.i drain it and fill it and call it done.if it doesnt run bad and doesnt smoke then fug it.

 

Same here, well said...

 

Thanks for the replies...

Yes, I've checked it every time and yes I've done the math.

Pretty much summed up by 2 quarts are going somewhere... I figured maybe a half quart in the filter. But then that leaves 1-1/2 quarts.

Guess I didn't give enough info the first time, but my dipstick amount doesn't change much. Stays right around the halfway mark the entire 5,000 miles. So it's not burning it... or very little. I guess it's staying in the engine??

But since some have said they get over 5 back out, that screws up my theory.

I do admit I don't always wait 20 minutes to drain... I just wait till it starts to drip very slowly. Seems at that rate it would take longer than 20 minutes to get another quart or so though.

 

It's impossible for it to stay in your engine and remain on the same spot on the stick. You would be increasing the amount of oil you have in the engine with each oil change by at least 1 1/2 quts. It would be coming out the top by now. The 6 quts you just put in plus how many at 1 1/2? In 6 oil changes, you would have 15 quts in it. Impossible. It has to be burning it, or you are mis -measuring what comes out.