Strange oil situation

[plumcolr]

On my 17. A couple of weeks ago I changed the oil. Added 5 qts, started and ran a couple of minutes, checked and added a quart to bring it to the full mark.

This morning, after it sat overnight and before starting it I checked it (I'm compulsive that way). Behold, the dipstick showed about a quart too much (was on level ground). Startd it up, moved it to where I could drain if necessary, then rechecked. It was perfect. Let it sit a half hour or so, checked again, still perfect. No sign of coolant or gas in the oil, and no clatter at startup (as if the oil had drained back).

Will check again tomorrow morning, but I am baffled. Any thoughts or similar experiences? Oil cooler drainback maybe, or from turbos?

 

[bobmbx]

If you have one 'out of spec' measurement, and multiple measurements before and after that which are perfect........I'd chalk it up to a misread of the dipstick. Also, by "a quart too much", what did the dipstick show?

 

[plumcolr]

It was as much above the full mark, or a little more, than the add mark is below. And, believe me, I checked it three times. Will post tomorrow's results.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Did you change / drain the oil on level ground, or was the front end up in the air (ramps)?

I have a 2015 Expedition Limited 4x4 - I do not think the engine oil has an external cooler, just an external transmission cooler on the HD towing package (and a larger radiator).

 

[juan214]

What oil filter? Not a Fram right? Drain back might be defective posibly.

 

[plumcolr]

It's a Mobil1 filter. I would never use a Fram. They were out of the motorcraft filter (FL500S ?). Am gonna check this morning, also change the filter to a Motorcraft.

 

[Flexpedition]

They were out of the motorcraft filter (FL500S ?). Am gonna check this morning, also change the filter to a Motorcraft.

FL500S is correct. They are usually less expensive than Fram, which is kindof nutty. I wouldn't necessarily toss out a brand new Mobil 1 though.

 

[plumcolr]

OK, further analysis. Showed same thing this morning after sitting over nite. Starting and running shows 5 minutes after shutdown, normal full mark level. 1/2 hour later, slightly elevated level. 3 hours after shutdown significantly over full mark. Definitely drainback. I guess the valve in the filter leaks a little. Will change it tomorrow, as soon as I can get a new one. Was surprised how easy the oil change was; when I first looked I thought it would be a nightmare.

I will repost if I still have this issue after changing the filter.

 

[mquick5]

Was surprised how easy the oil change was; when I first looked I thought it would be a nightmare.

If the 17 expy was a easy oil change, I'd like to know what your used to changing the oil on. I'd rather change all 3 of my other vehicles over the Expy.

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[chuck s]

Gonna be messy just changing the oil filter.

But if the oil is cold and the filter empty as we suspect there may not be that much drainage out of the filter connection. I'd have the correct, Ford filter prepared and convenient so the second the bad filter is removed you can immediately screw on the right one. Leave the oil cap on the engine during the process.

-- Chuck

 

[inmanlanier]

I agree on the drain back. First I've heard of one happening - good catch.

I would love to hear the dialogue when you return the defective filter for a refund. BTW - mobile would like to know - especially any manufacturing data on the box or filter.

 

[plumcolr]

I lost about a half-quart when I changed the filter this morning, all in the drain pan except for a little splatter. As far as being easy, no, it's not. But compared to the nightmare I expected, it was not that bad. Easier than my 06 was. Can get both hands or a filter wrench on the filter, truck on the ground (4/awd). And the drain plug was not too bad to get at.
Hardest part was getting the new filter to start on the threads. Took many tries and a couple of minutes for the threads to catch.

 

[Flight-ER-Doc]

On my 17. A couple of weeks ago I changed the oil. Added 5 qts, started and ran a couple of minutes, checked and added a quart to bring it to the full mark.

This morning, after it sat overnight and before starting it I checked it (I'm compulsive that way). Behold, the dipstick showed about a quart too much (was on level ground). Startd it up, moved it to where I could drain if necessary, then rechecked. It was perfect. Let it sit a half hour or so, checked again, still perfect. No sign of coolant or gas in the oil, and no clatter at startup (as if the oil had drained back).

Will check again tomorrow morning, but I am baffled. Any thoughts or similar experiences? Oil cooler drainback maybe, or from turbos?

Thats normal. Oil drained out of the top of the engine.

This is why oil is supposed to be checked with the engine warm: That way there is oil all through the engine.

 

[Olivy]

Correct on checking oil level with a warm engine, it says so in the owners manual.

 

[lbv150]

I lost about a half-quart when I changed the filter this morning, all in the drain pan except for a little splatter. As far as being easy, no, it's not. But compared to the nightmare I expected, it was not that bad. Easier than my 06 was. Can get both hands or a filter wrench on the filter, truck on the ground (4/awd). And the drain plug was not too bad to get at.
Hardest part was getting the new filter to start on the threads. Took many tries and a couple of minutes for the threads to catch.

Am I missing something here??? Easier than the '06 Expy?? I guess the '17 is way different from the '16 as mine sucks! My '06 and '04 are super easy to change.

 

[rjdelp7]

Read your manual. It says ' if between the hash marks', don't fill. That allows for pan drainage and ground level. I believe engines are slightly overfilled at the factory(1/2 to 1qt). It is because they burn a bit. My 2001 Lincoln 32V 4.6l INTECH, calls for 6qts. However, to bring it up to top hash, will take a 7th qt. Technically, is that overfilled or a qt low by design?

 

[TobyU]

Also make sure you always pull the dipstick and wipe it off one time when it has been sitting all night and not pull it out and read it.
Lots of info on "dipstick creep" on many cars.

I don't think the new filter will have little or any change.

A wet filter doesn't hold that much oil to drain back.

I check my oil when it is warm after running and then sitting a few minutes and I don't care what it shows the next morning.

 

[mquick5]

Am I missing something here??? Easier than the '06 Expy?? I guess the '17 is way different from the '16 as mine sucks! My '06 and '04 are super easy to change.

Yeah idk about the 06 or 04, but the pan removal to access the drain plug, is what sucked on my 17. Not to mention the filter location. But I had no issues reinstalling oil filter.

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[chuck s]

2017 Owner's Manual (page 244):

8. Make sure that the oil level is between
the maximum and minimum marks. If
the oil level is at the minimum mark,
add oil immediately. See Capacities
and Specifications (page 306).

9. If the oil level is correct, replace the
dipstick and make sure it is fully seated.

Note: Do not remove the dipstick when the
engine is running.

Note: If the oil level is between the
maximum and minimum marks, the oil level
is acceptable. Do not add oil.

(Emphasis added.)

-- Chuck

 

[plumcolr]

OK, definitive answer: It was drainback.
After changing filter, running the engine and topping off oil to replace the half quart lost, measured at the full mark, ran engine, let sit fifteen minutes, measured slightly above full mark. Sat overnight and re-measured before starting. Oil level slightly elevated about 1/4" above full. Nowhere near as high as it was with the old filter. It was a good 3/4" above with the old filter. Definite drainback.