Hi, I have a 97' 4.6L V8

I changed the oil about 3000km ago and when I put the new oil in, I put exactly 5.7L in. On the dipstick it showed just a hair past max. Just checked the oil now about 3000km later and it shows half-way between min and max on the dipstick.

I am pretty sure there is no leak because i see no oil on my driveway.

There is a slight possibility that it is Ford's stupid dipsticks that are very hard to read. But that is very doubtful.

SO basically is this normal?

 

I know Ford does have an oil consumption rate. I'm not sure what it is for your engine. If you serviced it to the top of serviceable mark on your dipstick and 3000 miles later you're still in the serviceable range on your dipstick, I'd say you're good then. Don't go over the Max in the future because that will cause other problems.

 

I've consistently gone thru 1/2 quart of oil every 3K miles since I can remember on my truck.

 

When you changed your oil, did you run the engine for 5 minutes before checking the oil? Or did you just check it without getting the air pockets out of the oil pump and oil filter? That right there could account for some of the difference.

And most (if not all) manufacturers will consider some oil usage normal, I think Ford is something rediculous like one quart per 1500 miles or something. My last three Ford trucks all used about 1/4 - 1/2 of a quart every 5K miles. All ran perfectly and none leaked or smoked.

 

Also check oil is same stop/position....don't want an incline when checking oil level!

As far as "Ford" consumption rates...I never heard 1qt every 1500 miles is normal. Hell my 7.3 didn't burn that much oil....matter of fact, didn't burn any! qt every 1500=LEAK, blow-by

 

Well I checked today and it is right on full now. So I am thinking that it might have just been the dipstick reading.

I was on a more level surface today when I checked, but I don't think that it is enough to make that big of a difference since it is only a little bit more level.