I let my parents borrow my 1999 F150 5.4 V8 4x4 last week. It was about due for an oil change, or actually past due (4500 miles), at the time. When my dad returned it he told me that he had checked the oil and that it was not even registering on the gauge. He said he had to add 2 quarts to get it to the proper level. I don't believe there are any leaks anywhere. How could I have been this low?

Also when I changed the oil I used Castrol Syntec Synthetic Blend 5W-30. Has anybody had good luck with synthetics or semi-synthetics? The guy at the auto part store told me that if I used full synthetic it might actually leak out because it was so thin. Has anybody ever heard af this?

I'm also trying out the FRAM SURE DRAIN in place of my oil-pan plug. Has anybody used these? Thanks.

 

I have been told that engines today are so efficient that they can burn the oil and you will not see the smoke. This happened to my 97 explorer, I had to add 3 qts to reach the dip stick.

 

Do you check your oil between oil changes?

Like bbqman said, its possible that the oil is being burned by the engine and you jsut cant tell.

Also, how much are you putting in when you change the oil? It takes 6 qts. Keep in mind, the hash marks on the dipsticks are not the most accurate, and so you need to fill it up with 6 qts, then note where the level is on the dipstick.

 

Never any problem with synthetic. 10w30 is 10w30, whether it's synthetic or not. 10w30 cannot be thinner than other 10w30, it's either 10w30 or not. It will not cause your engine to leak, the only way this happens is when you have particles of crap in your engine that dino oil leaves behind, the synthetic oil cleans it out, and this causes a leak. It is not the oil that is to blame.

 

I've got a 98 with a 4.6 and I run castrol syn. 5w30 with no oil burn between changes.

I've heard that switching to syn. oil on a high mile engine could result in oil seals leaking.

Without any external leaks I can't see burning 2qrts unless you've been on a few long trips since your last oil change.

The quick drains work good but the oil takes a few minutes longer to drain.

 

Not exactly quick then is it