Okay - that rules out a bad stick. There's one more thing you might want to check next time you are farting around under your truck - it's possible the dipstick tube might be farther down inside the engine than it's supposed to be. Please note that I've never looked at mine down there so I don't know what it's supposed to look like or if it's even possible for it to slip down. I'm just going on logic here. I think I can be pretty sure of if the tube is at all loose, something ain't right. Just a thought.

Here is how I always changed oil - change it after driving it at least 10 miles to thoroughly warm it up. You will get a much better drain that way. The truck should not be on an angle where oil will be trapped in the pan. Let it drain for a good 15 minutes. Use a second pan to put under the filter - change that with the drain plug still out. When you fill it, start the engine and let it run till the oil pressure comes up, then look underneath for leaks with it still running. Shut it off and let it sit for 15 minutes, then check the oil.

 

well, you can take the filter off with the drainplug out but only if you have a big enough reservior. the filter is too far away from the drainplug to catch the oil from both at the same time. that is why i put the plug back in a bit before i took the filter off. my 04 heritage was the same way.

 

This is real easy- Instructions for my Wife: Keep it between the lines, High or Low. Don't over-fill it above the 'Full' line. Never let it go under 'Add' line.

It is best to run it as close to the 'Full' line as possible, but not over. Beside lubrication, oil also has a 'Cooling' effect on the engine's bearing. The more oil you have in the sump, the longer it has to cool before it gets picked-up again to circulate through the engine, absorb some heat from the bearing and galleys, and return to the sump to cool again.
The designers made the dip-stick marks for a reason. Best to just do what they say.

My Two Cents... after 280k miles on a 5.0 before I sold it - still running strong and clean.

 

2001 f150 4.2 4x4 and I have 147,000 miles. Always have added 5 quarts. recently went to an oil change place ONCE EVER. and it smoked profusely. They added 6 quarts. 5 quarts shows up as full on my dipstick and it never smokes any. I bought my truck brand new. Don't have the owners manual, never got one, I just assumed full was 5 quarts.. Now recently i'm seeing 6 quarts is what these engines called for, but the extra one quart makes mine smoke at start up real real bad. I never consume oil. I use 5 quarts.. Also my dip stick is not original. It was purchased from ford in 2002. My original one leaked and i had to replace it. It fit perfect so figured it was the correct one, as i had ordered one for a 4.2.. Why does the 6th quart cause my engine to SMOKE BADLY?? 5 quarts is what i use.. just mabey some trucks were a different production run? I would think the valve seals were worn but then it should smoke at start up with 5 quarts also, which it does not.

 

if you have too much oil, the oil gets thrown and and bubbles up from excess air and excess oil. dunno how this equates to smoking...maybe oil touching hot places its not supposed to

 

I find the first page funny, because i went to a small mechinic to get my oil changed, because i was lazy. They came back saying my truck took 8 quarts of oil and my front axle case needed oil, when clear as day on there sheet it says "Ford's front axle cases are lubericated for life".

 

Don't believe that for even one minute. That gear oil can get VERY nasty.

 

That's what i thought, i was whatever change it out.

 

4.2L guy, dude just so you know i dont think posting this thread was wrong on your part. i know if id been doing something for 5 yrs and never heard otherwise then have 1 person tell me i was doing it wrong, id be asking all around too since it has never failed the way you did it. the one that told you that took offense, which is natural but all in all he was the only one who told you that and now we are finding out that different trucks are taking different amounts so if i were you id just keep doing what you were doing. its worked for how long and no problems. just stick with your gut...and your dipstick

 

i didnt think it was wrong for me to either. lol o well never meant to **** anyone off just askin around you know. i think i will stick with what has worked. and i will definetly stick with my stick...

haha i mean my dipstick!