Oil usage 2005 v8

[Jphill5688]

Question: is it normal for my 2005 5.7 v8 to use one quart of oil per thousand miles? No visible leaks. Been doing it for a while. 115000 miles. Always used standard recommended oil every 3000-5000 miles.

 

[RichardH]

Not sure what the range for 'normal' is, but for comparison in the last 3000 + miles I did not have to add any oil. Can you get it on a lift and inspect from below?

I suspect something is going on but I hope I'm wrong.

 

[Aspen03]

I would definitely say that is excessive. I'm at 216k on an 03 and use virtually no oil between 5k changes. At that rate you're going through almost another oil change worth of oil. If it were leaking I feel like you would know. Even if it never made it to the ground you'd have quite the mess on the motor and such.

 

[gechidan3000]

I was having the same issue in my 03 turns out it was my drain nut. bought a new one for 3 bucks and the problem seems to be solved for me FOR NOW.

 

[Trainmaster]

It sounds extreme for a 115,000 V8. By Ford's standards, a quart in 1000 miles is not considered a problem. There are a number of things you can check, since engine wear really shouldn't be an issue at that mileage unless nobody ever changed the oil.

Look for leaks and check the PCV system. A clogged PCV valve could cause this consumption.

 

[Jphill5688]

No obvious leaks. Will ck pvc
Thanks

 

[Machete]

Are you using 0-20wt oil? If so it’ll improve by using original factory spec 5-30.

 

[Jphill5688]

No using recommended 5-30 oil. Synthetic oil seemed to make oil usage worse.

 

[Machete]

No using recommended 5-30 oil. Synthetic oil seemed to make oil usage worse.

This is not unusual. A while back I used to use the dino/sino blend by motorcraft because my truck would use 1 qrt between oil changes and it bugged me.
When I told my service writer at the dealer he said sino does get consumed more on older engines due to open tolerances from wear. They were using 0-20wt too.

Now I haul ass from Illinois to Florida average 75mph and sometimes +80mph and after 12 hours of hard running I only need 1/2 qrt w 5-30wt Kendall.

Go figure.

 

[smith627]

My 2004 5.4 2v XLT has never leaked oil but does consume oil like jphill5688's vehicle.
Bought it in 2005 with 15,000 miles and it now has over 265,000 miles. It has consumed oil from day one.
One quart per 1000 miles sounds about right for my vehicle. I changed from 5w20 to 5w30 several years ago and I think the oil consumption has diminished a little. Oil and Motorcraft filter has been changed every 5000 miles with conventional Havoline and top-offs with Supertech between oil changes. Still runs like new.

 

[Jphill5688]

Thanks for your input. I don’t do my own oil changes anymore. Too damn old. Plus not strong enough to get the oil filter out. My plan is to talk to the mechanic next oil change and possibly replace the PVC valve. My engine only has 115,000 miles but runs good. I don’t want to upset the apple cart.

 

[smith627]

If it's not leaking oil and not smoking, I wouldn't worry about it. Just keep checking oil regularly and keep it topped off. I have been doing that for almost 15 years on mine and it's been performing great!
I'm only five years behind you in age but I plan to keep doing my own oil changes as long as the good Lord allows.

 

[Jphill5688]

Good for you. That oil filter is tough!!