I am looking to purchase a used 1997 expedition with a 5.4 in it and 33K miles. Upon checking the oil level on the stick - it was halfway between the low and high mark. according to some of the posts I have seen here - It seems like when you have the recommended 6 qts of oil in them that the dipstick may not be on the full mark. Is this the general concensus out there or could the truck be using oil. A dealer told me today that it is normal for an overhead cam engine to use 1/2 to 3/4 qt of oil per 3000-4000 miles - not sure I understand why -an ole monkey wrench like me is used to no oil consumtion means no worry. Guess I'm just worried about buying a truck that could be problamatic. Any insight???

 

Highroller, welcome to the list. Hope you have a good time here.

Yes, the oil level you see is normal. Don't worry about where it is in the stick unless it's above the Max or below the Min lines.

In 3 years of Triton ownership, 4.6L and now a 5.4L, I have not added any oil between scheduled maintenance periods. In fact, the only fluid I've ever added to either truck in 3 years has been the washer fluid.

 

Welcome Highroller!...Please enjoy the site, I do. On an prior post I asked about the oil level mark. Some replies assured me that mid-way mark was normal. However a couple of members said theirs read full..???..Well, they were both right. I found that my truck read mid=way after a 6 qt. change at the stock height. Later I installed 2'' leveling shackles on the rear and oil reading is now right on the max mark with 6 quarts. I have 23000 miles and truck capt. america never burns or leaks any oil.. Good Luck! 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..

 

What I've learned is that if you have a five or six quart oil pan, that when you change oil and add back the five or six, that you have a perfect fill!! Some dipsticks have the marks indicated less than perfect. What I've heard that some do, is when they fill up the correct volume in the oil change, that they THEN recalibrate their dipstick to read correctly by filing a mark where appropriate. Hope this helps.

 

Welcome,

Everyone is right. 6 qts usually brings it half way up on the stick. My experience, 33K on a 97 4.6L and 36K on a V10, no oil use at all. The only concern I'd have with that 97 Expy is piston slap. Try and get to the Expy before anyone else has and start it. Listen for slight knocking. It reminds me of the old days with lifter clatter. If it's quiet then OK.... I'd still ask about an extended warranty.

 

That's exactly what I am doing v10Man. I have already called warrantyDirect for the quote on a 7yr/100K extended warranty on the truck so incase piston slap turns up. So far - I have only been able to start it after it has been slightly warm - like a 5min run - haven't been able to detect any piston slap sounds yet. However - I would like to start it stone cold before buying it.

 

Welcome to the forum, regarding oil consumption---I have a 98 5.4 liter 4x4 ext cab equipped with Amsoil by-pass oil filter and using Amsoil full flow filter too. This allows me the benefit of extended drain intervals.

I change the oil in my truck every 20k. In 20k miles, my truck has not burned one quart of oil. I checked it last week after 19, 500 miles, and it was approximately 1/4 of a quart down---(not half way on the dip stick)

With the by pass system, the vehicle holds approximately 8 quarts.

I have just turned 55k and have not experienced any engine related problems at all---I'm not bragging, rather sharing information regarding extended drain intervals and my personal experience of little or no oil consumption---Regards,

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Rick Medina
Las Vegas, Nevada