Well....its finally happened...at 268k miles a big puff of blue smoke when I start it .

[rocky]

Yup....at 268k it just started showing signs of high millage , 2 twice now after long runs and parked for a few days it puffs blue smoke on start up . Been keeping a eye on oil level............its not using much....maybe 1/2 qt over 3500 miles , no smoke when I get on the gas ..... just after start up . Oil leaking down thru valves ?

 

[stamp11127]

Worn valve guides and valve seals.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

I would get that every once in a while on my 05 Expedition, I did the same thing. It was hit or miss so I didn't worry about it. I had 146,600 on it when I traded it. I know that low compared to yours.

So the question becomes, do you eventually rebuild the engine, replace it, or get a new/newer Expedition?

 

[rjdelp7]

Switch to 5w30 or 0w30, 5w20 is recommended for fuel mileage. Replace your PCV valve. Another trick, I heard about is to , pull the dipstick out, about a 1/2". It worked on an old Monte Carlo, I had in the 80's. It would only smoke after it sat, when cold. I think it prevents, engine vacuum, from sucking the oil, past the worn seals. A 1/2 quart loss is excellent for that mileage.

 

[rocky]

thanks for your thoughts guys ! I will try 5w30 .....as for keep or trade up.......this thing is a keeper , I will rebuild this 4.6 and the trans . It has been a very solid machine and..................I hate car payments !

 

[lbv150]

1/2 a quart at 3500??? When the heck are you changing it? All ours get changed at 3000.

 

[rjdelp7]

ivb150, It has been proven changing oil at 3000mi, is a waste of money and a marketing scam. Consumer Reports, did a test on 15 NYC taxi. New synthetics and syn-blends can go much longer. My 2011 5.0 Mustang manual recommends (ready for this) 10,000mi for normal driving.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

I change mine between 5k and 6k, usually closer to 5 using semi-synthetic. For the new truck, I'm doing the first oil change at 1000 and switching to full synthetic which I will still change between 5k and 6k. It's cheap insurance the way I look at it.

 

[Tdh777]

Don't try changing the oil. That won't "fix" anything. What your experiencing is a symptom of something else. If your just looking for a patch then that's what you will get. The issue will not go away just from changing the oil viscosity. Oil viscosity changes can affect alot of other things and cause more problems. Not saying it will definitely happen, but it is possible. You have to decide if it's worth the risk. I recommend having a good shop at least diagnose it. Normally an hour of labor charge. Even if they don't fix it, you will know what it is and if it's worth fixing or just ride it till it dies.

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

1/2 a quart at 3500??? When the heck are you changing it? All ours get changed at 3000.

Why?

ivb150, It has been proven changing oil at 3000mi, is a waste of money and a marketing scam. Consumer Reports, did a test on 15 NYC taxi. New synthetics and syn-blends can go much longer. My 2011 5.0 Mustang manual recommends (ready for this) 10,000mi for normal driving.

This. ^ There have been a lot of analyses posted at BITOG also that were performed at 5, 6, 7K on conventional oil that clearly showed the oil still had plenty of life left in it.

 

[lbv150]

Sorry I brought up the oil change interval issue.... I understand it is a very personal thing for everyone and no matter what the blog, always opens up a can of worms.

 

[Boose]

Lol, I always got a chuckle out of people puffing their chests out as they don't change their oil at 3k... Like changing oil too frequently ever damaged a motor. And, I don't know about 5W anything with mileage up over 250K. The bearings are really tough in these motors, but I'd be looking at at least 10W30 the 5.4 and it's cam phasers love their oil pressure...

 

[rjdelp7]

The 5W20 Ford "recommends", is only on cars sold in USA. The same engines in Australia, use 5w30. The use of 5w20 is for a lower CAFE(fuel mileage) average. On most cars, it amounts to a fraction of a mile, per gallon. My 2000 4.6l oil cap says "use 5w30". The 2001 model and up say 5w20. I doubt Ford re-engineered the 4.6l, between years. In fact Ford released a TSB, that 5w20 is OK, for use in 5w30 engines. However, When I used 5w20, I noticed, I was 1/2 quart down after 600mi, with some smoke at start up. When I switched back, no smoke and 1/2 quart low at 1000mi. The 5W is oil viscosity at cold start up. The 20/30 is when hot, the higher being slightly thicker. A thinner oil will, get by worn seals, much easier. I called the Mobil tech line for more info. They claim 5w20, recommended, but 5w30, 0w30 and 0w20 all would be acceptable.

 

[Boose]

They claim 5w20, recommended, but 5w30, 0w30 and 0w20 all would be acceptable.

I agree in a new motor, absolutely. The recommended oil is designed for new engine bearing clearances. At 286,000 miles, if the main & rod bearings are greater than 1.5 thousandths you'll need more to 5 weight oil to maintain adequate pressure. My purpose built 302 in my 89 GT had 1.5 thousandths on both the mains & rods, and we ran 20W50. I would never sacrifice engine longevity for the sake a few mpg...