I'm a VERY happy 4.6L owner. I bought the '98-E150 van with less than 7,000 miles on it back in June 2001. It now has ~ 17,000 miles on the clock.

It seemed very sluggish at first, mostly at highway speeds.( it didn't want to downshift on acceleration) But now that it has "learned" my driving style it seems almost every bit as good as my 351W '89 E-150 ( I still miss that MAJOR Torque when trying to pass on long steep hills)

The last three oil changes it hadn't used any oil. But after my trip from New Yok to Florida ,~2,500 miles round trip (70% of it at 80 to 85 mph) I was down a quart.

Is this normal? Or do I have a problem? Is it because of the high speed cruising? I use Mobil 1 5W 30 and change at 5,000 miles.

I'd appreciate any opinions from the knowledgable people on this board.


Bill

 

Hey Bill,

Thanks for that "most exellent question". I've rarely seen such eloquant prose.

But why no answer? Perhaps too long a question?

Is it normal to use a quart of oil in less than 3,000 miles at high speed? When in normal driving you never use any oil in 5,000 miles?

Is this a dumb question? Please let me know.

Bill

 

Bill
Can't give you concrete advice but can offer opinoins. I too noticed slight increase in oil consumption when I moved over to Mobil 1 5W30. I have read on here and heard it's from the lighter weight oil and partially it bieng a syn which makes the molecule structure smaller snd smoother (leaks and buring). Mine will use around 1/4 qt, (est) in about 3-5K. I also have 146K on my 4.6 so a little is to be expected.

I would say it was mostly all the high speed driving. Which would have raised the temps and kept them there for long periods of time.

As a side thought when you change, do you just dump 6 qts (which puts in the middle and what Ford says to do) or do you top it off with around 6.5 qts. I always just dump 6 qts in and let it go, which logically puts you already on the lower side with some driving.

 

Kentucky,

I bought the truck at under 7,000 miles. The first thing I did was change the oil and filter. And again at 10,000 and again at 15,000 miles. Never used a drop, even on my 1,000 mile round trip to western NY and back (climbed major mountains). Never used oil. Not from 7K to !0 K or 10K to 15 K.

My last trip to Florida and back I did use a quart in about 2,500 miles I kinda figure it is from the higher speeds 80+ mph. But it makes me nervous!

I assume (hope) it is normal for an an engine to use more oil at prolonged "high" speed. Be it 5W-30 or 10W-40.

I only put 6 Litres of oil in at oil changes. I do this according to what I've read on these boards. Fill to the middle of the "hash marks" not to the "add" mark.

Thanks for responding,

Bill

 

I have a 2000 4X4 off road with a 5.4. It uses a quart of oil in 2500 miles. I took it back to the dealer and had a consumption test done and found that Ford will not do anything unless it uses a quart in 900 miles or less.
I have 27,000 miles on the truck and have no other problems.