I was changing my truck's oil for the first time today and I had some questions. The oil level was between the marks on the dipstick before I drained it, but very little oil came out (1-2 quarts). The oil pressure gauge had been dropping to zero sometimes too. I thought since the oil level looked ok it must be some sensor. So after putting on the new filter, putting in the 6 quarts (it's the 5.4 liter), and running it for a little the dipstick showed that the oil level was was way too high. Any ideas what's wrong?

 

i've heard that some rental cars get their oil soooo bad that it actually clogs. if you got it new i wouldn't worry about it, but try (well, next oil change) blowing air through the oil fill hole with the drain plug removed. next question: is your truck blowing a blueish gray smoke alot now? that's a definate sign there is too much oil. if that is the case, try flushing the system.

 

It's a 1999 with 36k miles I've been driving since it was new. The exhaust looks good and it worked well for a quick trip around the neighborhood. Since the dipstick used to say the level was ok and the sensor said low pressure and so little oil came out, maybe there's something wrong with the dipstick. It has some weird bends and twists in it that make it look like someone might have bent it enough to affect the level readings.

 

You just changed your oil for the first time at 36K miles. Has it not been changed before or was someone else doing it?

Drain it again. May have jist had something cloging the drain hole. Should get out about 10 quarts now. I assume you have it relatively level during the drain.

 

First, welcome to the board.

Second, I see this as more than likely an issue with the dip stick. Think about it, you had low oil pressure and approx 1-2 qts. came out when you removed the drain plug. How is your oil pressure gauge reading with the stick reading over full? It may be remotely possible that there is something in the crank case blocking the oil drain hole, but I doubt it, something to check though just to be sure. Get your drain pan and measure out 5qts, use water, mark the pan at that point (don't forget to dump the water). Drain your oil and see how much oil comes out, it should be around 5qts., 1qt. in the filter approx. At this time you can also stick a screw driver in the drain hole to vairify that the hole is clear.

If the hole is clear and only 5qts. came out, it's time to look at the dip stick. The following is my personal experience.

I purchased my truck new and have done every oil change without exception. My dip stick has a "min" and a "max" mark on it. When I change the oil and filter and run it a bit, then shut it off, the stick reads down near the min mark, not on it. I know it has 6qts. in it, and that is the capacity. I questioned my dealer about this and they told me that's the way they are, BS. I wasn't very concerned either way because I know that there is 6qts. in the crank case. So, what I did was, take a file and put a noch on the stick where the oil is at 6qts. that's my new full mark.

I hope this can be somewhat of guide to finding out what's wrong. Good luck.

One more thing, make sure you are changing your oil on a somewhat level surface. Thank's Tiger.

 

I hope that you haven't driven the truck for 36K miles without an oil change. Also did you change oil or oil and filter? If you changed the filter it should require at least 6 quarts of oil. My 98 5.4 requires 7 quarts to bring the level up to the halfway mark on the dipstick.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if your engine calls for 6 quarts, and it takes 7 to show full on the dipstick, wouldn't you be better off with 6 quarts? Your dipstick is just for measurement - but if you are sure you have 6 quarts in the engine and you are sure 6 quarts is what the engine calls for, I'd think you'd be smarter useing 6 quarts. As far as having an idea where your at after about 3 or 4 thousand miles after your oil change, i have absolutely no idea!

 

oh pleeeeeease dont tell me thats the original oil at 36,000 miles

 

Hopefully it was Redline oil!

 

Ford has had problems w/ dipsticks before. I believe it was in the 90s they recalled a bunch of car w/ 302s that had the wrong dipstick in them. The indicated full level was wrong - can't remeber now if there was too much or too little oil.

Try the suggested methods of determing where proper capacity is on your truck. Then talk to the dealer, if you are right at 36k miles they *might* replace the dipstick as warranty, or pay for part of it. I would bitch like hell because the capacities are supposed to be checked before the vehicle leaves the lot. Someone should've caught that something wasn't right long before 36k miles.

 

ButterflyGirl,

How fast did the oil come out? Was it a slow drip or a gusher?

JMC

 

I don't know about a 98 5.4, but I have a friend that just bought an 02 5.4. The dealer, and ford motor company tells him the owners manual is wrong, and the 5.4 oil capacity is 7 quarts with a filter change.

 

If this is the case, which I don't doubt, I would want to see that on official letter head. Don't forget the warranty issues if something should go wrong. Who told you that, no that's wrong, ect.......

Hey butterflygirl, did you figure out what was wrong? Dipstick?