i have a 1998 f150 4.6. and i just had an oil change about a few weeks ago. and sometimes i pull the dipstick (engine cold) and it will show its all the way full, and then i can pull it out again and it will read low! why is this?

one other question. my oil filter is located at the front of the truck by the driver side fender well, and the lines going to it (i guess are the main lines? idk) are caked in oil and dust and dirt. could this mean they are leaking? they look pretty bad, and im scared if i wipe all of that off, it will leak even more, if thats actually a leak.

any help is appreciated!

 

If you are using a cheap oil filter with out a good drain back system, then the oil that is supposed to be held in the galleys and lines is draining back into the oil pan. This will make it show that it has more oil in it.

Does your motor tick for a few seconds on cold start up? Did they put a Fram orange filter on it, if it's a Fram then change it to a motorcraft and you should be good to go.

 

You need to pull the stick, wipe it, put it back in, pull it, THEN read it.

 

I agree with this, if you haven't been doing this. If you still have the problem after reading it this way, you might have an issue.

 

Yes ive been doing that, pulled it, wiped it then pulled it again.