My 97 didn't have the tow package and it too always registered low on the dip stick. Do not add more oil. Please do a search and find that topic that deals with level of oil.

 

Intersting thing happened to me today. Had a coupon for a free oil and filter at the Ford dealer. If you aren't aware of these, This is a clever ploy to get me in to try and sell me more services they "recomend", but I digress... Any way the service slip says they used 7 quarts of oil. Hmmmmmm? I immediately checked and sure enough the dip stick is reading normal. Where did they put that other quart? I wasn't paying for this one so I can't hardly think they were trying to gouge me. Oh.. and by the way, yes... they tried to sell me on their new power steering flush that costs $140! No thanks, I will change that myself.

[This message has been edited by cphilip (edited 02-15-2000).]

 

For those of us that arem't sure where the oil mark is I would recommend filing a notch in the dip stick at the point where the oil level is when the recommended amount of oil is added. Make two marks if you wish one for when the engine has just been stopped, like at a gas station while filling up. The second mark for the level at home in the garage after a night has elasped for a complete drip down.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

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00 F-150 XLT SC Flairside 4x4 4.6 w/5spd
Warn XD9000i, skid plates, Draw tite class III,
Rancho RSX Reflex shocks,
SmittyBilt Nerfs, Borla Cat Back
Modified Air Cleaner Outlet Tube,
Superchips

 

HEY Capt. AMERICA (DONT FILL IT TO THE FULL MARK)i went through the same thing when i got my 97 F-150 4.6 ENG. i went back and fourth telling ford that my truck was using a quart of oil ever 1000 mile cause the dipstick would not show full unless i put 7 quarts of oil in it wich was what i was putting! until one service guy ask me was i using 6 quarts i told him no he said this is why i think i am using a quart ever 1000 miles? the extra quart was being thrown out threw the exaust and was causing excessive carbon in my engine? plus its not good for your seals either! i took my truck and drained it put a new filter on it and put exactly 6 quarts of oil in it! i started the engine and then shut it off! and let it set for a hour and rechecked the oil and it was in the middle of the max and min line on the dipstick. i took and made me a guideline by taking a hacksaw blade and barely cutting me a line were the oil line was on the dipstick and this allowed me to keep check and give me a accurate reading on the oil it was using wich my truck was never using any oil at all. i was overfilling it!

 

I've got a 97 4.2V6 and mine is like yours...half way mark at best. The dealer here said to check it once it as sat overnight...which I have not done yet. But we'll see.

97 F150 4.2v6, king-cab 5 speed 4by2

 

Every time I change mine, I add 6 litres (about 6.4 US quarts, I believe). God, I wish Ford would just calibrate the dipsticks properly. Seven quarts is definitely too much.

And so is lipstick on your dipstick bazil1. Too much! By the way, when I go to the blood doner clinic, I always tell them I'm not here to give blood - I'm down a quart.

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Black 2000 SC XLT short-box. 4.2 V-6, 5-speed, 3.55 Limited Slip. Side steps, CD, remote entry, FORD box liner. Add-ons: Older Windstar driver's side wiper blade (with the air scoop, because I don't slow down when it rains), back-up beeper, "f150online.com" sticker and snazzy Tweetie Bird floor mats.

My third F-series: '73 F-100, '98 F-150 and '00 F-150. Great trucks!




[This message has been edited by Shifter (edited 03-05-2000).]

 

Sorry to revive such an old topic, but I just checked my oil, and I'll be damded if I can get an accurate reading. BUT, I am a little freaked 'cause it seems to be closer to the low mark than the middle or high.
Should i go and get an oil change and see what happens to the level before I go into Ford and start going nutts? I would really appreciate a response, or if anyone else continually gets low readings and what they did. Thanks....

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98 F150-XL, Black
2WD 4.6L 5spd. Triton V8
RegCab, Shrt WB, Styleside 3.08
Air, Rear Slider, Ford Duraliner Boxliner,
profile+ wrap-around bug deflector,
Tint: 5%(#4)Rear
35%(#2)Sides

My Site
www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Port/3091

 

I hesitate to ask, cause it's obvious, but are all of these mid-stick readings with the oil hot? It takes awhile to bring the oil up to a stable temperature, and it will definately expand at temp... Just a thought....

 

Actually 2byford, it's kinda funny that you ask that becuase the first time I checked it I had simply moved the truck from the street into my driveway thinking (stupidly) that it shouldn't matter. WRONG. That was my first heart attack, looked like there was no oil at all! Of course, given a couple of seconds i realized that i needed to have it sit for a minumum of 15-20 minutes for it to drain back down. So, now, the oil level after sitting over night is about a quarter of the way up the stick; hence the reason i am concerned. So, i'm off to get an oil change right now and i'm gonna mark the level with the proper amount of oil. If the the thing drops, then i'll bug my dealer i guess. I'll keep y'all posted. (man i hope it's the stick!)

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98 F150-XL, Black
2WD 4.6L 5spd. Triton V8
RegCab, Shrt WB, Styleside 3.08
Air, Rear Slider, Ford Duraliner Boxliner,
profile+ wrap-around bug deflector,
Tint: 5%(#4)Rear
35%(#2)Sides

My Site
www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Port/3091

 

O.K. 6 qts. is all you need and don't worry about the mark on the stick unless its above max or below minimun....My truck shows mid-way between max and min stock height and right at the max mark after leveling the rear 2 inches..Well I guess those ford guys realize we are driving trucks that should be loaded now and then.... Capt.

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Capt. America..,
1998 F-150 XLTSC...2WD.. . 4.10LS rear...auto E40D... 5.4L...Flairside... Ground effects... Billet Pedals... Billet Grill... Billet Brake lite... Oval Mirror... Bed rails... Bug Deflector... Wood Grain Kit...Fog lites... TPS...Velocity tube... K&N... ss Ford tag.,.Tinted Windows... overhead/floor consoles... Mood lights...Blue bulbs... Alarm...Radar...Dashmat... Fire/Ice rear window tint ...conspicuity reflectors... cd changer...mobil 1... Painted rear Drums... Helwing Sway Bar... Dual Exhaust... Halogen Back-up bulbs... clear corner lens...
Tail lens covers... Leather...Floor Mats... Seat covers...Tow Pkge...
Side window Louvers... Painted Brake calipers... Custom Captian America Paint Job...TRIPLE LED brake lights...Rain guards... Painted throttle body cover...sliding rear window...Superchip...Custom Gas cap holder...2" leveling shackels...Fox tail key chain...Clear turn signal bulbs..

 

Well, got the oil change, and no change in the level. 5.7 litres, 6 quarts. Man, if you read through the Haynes manual it says it should be just below or at the max mark. Stupid. I made a small mark on the stick where the current line is. I don't anticipate a problem, but it's worth doing anyway. Thanks for the responses, now I can get some sleep at night again!



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98 F150-XL, Black
2WD 4.6L 5spd. Triton V8
RegCab, Shrt WB, Styleside 3.08
Air, Rear Slider, Ford Duraliner Boxliner,
profile+ wrap-around bug deflector,
Tint: 5%(#4)Rear
35%(#2)Sides

My Site
www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Port/3091