Where does the oil go?

[Machete]

postings about oil and consumption on these 5.4’s. I’m watching my oil consumption more than my gas mileage I noticed on this trip since I drove at 75mph for the first 12-14 hour leg that I used 1/2 qt. The oil was at the lower dot that says minimum so I added to the mid way point or a little above middle between minimum and maximum dots.

On the second leg which was 7-8 hr run I really hit it w cruise control at 80 mph w some sprints to 90 mph. On this leg no oil was consumed at all. See pic.

The pic is AFTER the second leg. No oil consumption.

Where did oil from the first leg go? What happens to the oil that’s “consumed “?

 

[Don Hall]

Don't know why you are losing/using oil without a diagnosis of all the fittings, gaskets, and plugs

It is suggested that you fill your oil reservoir to the upper dot on the stick. At midpoint, you are probably 1 quart low.

 

[Machete]

Don't know why you are losing/using oil without a diagnosis of all the fittings, gaskets, and plugs

It is suggested that you fill your oil reservoir to the upper dot on the stick. At midpoint, you are probably 1 quart low.

Not true with all due respect. The proper level is at either the minimum dot ( not low) or maximum dot (not overfilled) and anywhere in between.

Oil consumption vs leak is normal on all engines including 4th generation Ecoboost, thus the common use of catch cans for direct injection Ford Ecoboost.

It’s quite normal to consume oil when driving constantly for hours at high speed. In fact it’s normal for these engines to consume about a quart or so depending on viscosity between oil changes approximately 5000 mi.

My question is where does the consumed oil go? Or what exactly happens to it?

I believe now that I’ve researched any normal blow-by is processed by the pcv to crankcase circulation and combusted in the cylinders but not sure.

 

[Trainmaster]

Any oil that passes by the rings gets burned with the fuel and winds up in the exhaust. The PCV handles any raw or burned fuel (exhaust blown by the rings) that gets into the crankcase. It effects a vacuum in the crankcase and sucks the vapors back into the intake to be burned.

 

[Machete]

Any oil that passes by the rings gets burned with the fuel and winds up in the exhaust. The PCV handles any raw or burned fuel (exhaust blown by the rings) that gets into the crankcase. It effects a vacuum in the crankcase and sucks the vapors back into the intake to be burned.

Got it. This makes sense to the relationship between oil consumption and piston/cylinder (compression).
This makes me feel good about the condition of the motor and indicates I have good compression.

Only having used 1/2 quart on this run after 1100 miles of constant highway through hills and Tennessee mountains and into this 90 degree heat in Fl.

Couple weeks ago on my last run I used almost a full quart, but I drive harder. Wonder what my oil consumption would be if I drove more like Ms Daisy @ 55mph and a max of 70 mph.

Drove out to a fishing spot in my brothers 2017 F150 Platinum w 5.0. He’s saying he’s hearing the diesel noise on foot stomps more and more.

It is a beautiful truck though

 

[Trainmaster]

Yes, I would not worry if I were you. That's very hard driving.

Hey, it's 20 years old for goodness sake. Maybe you should lighten up on the old girl just a bit.

 

[Machete]

Lol

 

[1955moose]

What I've found in tinkering with so many different internal cumbustion motors over the years is, the break-in period is what causes an oil burner, or a non burner. Even then, that doesn't always make a difference. Classic example, I bought a new Yamaha VMax 1200 motorcycle back in 89. I drove the new bike way too hard during the 5 mile test ride, but after buying it, never burned a drop. I've owned 5 different 5.0 Ford engines, only 1, my 85 Mustang burned oil. Ironically it was the newest, and should have not burned a drop. My worn out 86, with 180k, that should have been an oil burner, didn't burn a drop. Go figure. Most oil burners usually can be traced back to the rings, and how the oil rings settled in to the hone of the cylinders. Oil leaks have to be severe to cause a 3/4-1 qt per 800 mile consumption. A blown seal, or a leaky oil pressure switch will do it. It's rarely as easy as a pcv valve malfunction, although so many think they do. Bottom line if you got a burner, you just keep an eye on it, and your problem goes away when you sell it, or junk it.

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[Machete]

Ah the vMax!! I wanted one so baad when they came out. I loved that bike. Those scoops!

 

[Jeff Scott]

Just out of curiosity, what’s your mileage on your Expy? I have an 06 (3V) with 232k. I did the plugs yesterday as I was having P0300 and P0301 codes intermittently. The multiple misfire was intermittent. I had 3 cyclinders that had oil on the plugs. With 232k it goes to figure. It also has a couple of leaks on the motor here and there. I hope ole girl ain’t trying to lay down on me. She still feels like she’s got plenty of ass though and runs so much nicer with new plugs; I took out Champions (God forbid).

I’m gonna try this: ( Lucas Oil 10278 Engine Oil Stop Leak - 1 Quart https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001KXN3YQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_sOM2Cb87MCGPY) and see what that does along with switching to Motorcraft 5w-30 and my newly installed SP546 plugs which will be hotter. I don’t want plugs fouling out,as well as just knowing old girl is getting tired. Definitely check PCV. Wish I had never seen that.

I’d do a compression test just to see how wore out she is if it wasn’t such a pain in the ass. Please let us know your vehicle’s mileage and if you are experiencing oily plugs from blow by on any of your cylinders.

If anyone has any tricks or remedies for this I’m all ears. Thanks.

 

[rjdelp7]

My Lincoln 4.6l DOHC takes 6qts. However, 7qts to bring up to full. How much would you put in? My Expedition burns a little, when using 5W20(1/2 qt every 800mi). I switched to 5W30 and 0W30 and it cut that in half. Changing the PCV valve helps. Leaving the dip stick slightly out, vents the crankcase. I was told it prevents, excessive blow by, building up in the engine. The manual says oil should only be in 'normal' range and never above. It should be checked after waiting 15 minutes.

 

[1955moose]

How far are you pulling out dipstick? Machete, be glad you didn't buy one. Mine was a Weaver/wobbler above 85 or so. Almost threw me off at 125. That was enough to put it up for sale. Aparently Yamaha offset the rear wheel 10mm from the front, who does assanine things like that. The bike literally ran down the road dog legged. It was gorgeous looking though, big v4 motor, small fake tank, and two big snorkels on each side of that fake tank. Pretty trick stuff for 1989. The 2019 model would eat it for lunch, with more than 50 horsepower over the 135 mine had. Sorta like the 400 hp twin turbo 3.5 does to my 260 hp first edition.

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[Machete]

192,***. No blowby. No leaks. I’m gonna change plugs when I get back they have about 80k miles on em.

Today I replaced the battery, the motorcraft battery I had was about to die it’s 4 1/2 years old.

I know I have good compression due to low oil consumption.

 

[Trainmaster]

My 2000 has about 250,000 miles with no oil consumption or leaks at all. But then a head gasket started leaking just a bit of water over the starter. That was the beginning of the end... I don't know if the 3V motors carry on the same.

 

[TobyU]

Not true with all due respect. The proper level is at either the minimum dot ( not low) or maximum dot (not overfilled) and anywhere in between.

Oil consumption vs leak is normal on all engines including 4th generation Ecoboost, thus the common use of catch cans for direct injection Ford Ecoboost.

It’s quite normal to consume oil when driving constantly for hours at high speed. In fact it’s normal for these engines to consume about a quart or so depending on viscosity between oil changes approximately 5000 mi.

My question is where does the consumed oil go? Or what exactly happens to it?

I believe now that I’ve researched any normal blow-by is processed by the pcv to crankcase circulation and combusted in the cylinders but not sure.

Not exactly "proper" level but acceptable range.
Anywhere between the dots is considered ok for operation.
There is some discrepancy with ford dipsticks though.
If you look up what Ford says a 2000 5.4 holds (same for 6.8s) and put that much in...it will barely be past the low dot and into the safe crosshatch area.
Many like to have it on the full mark after an oil change.
So are we actually overfilling it?
I care little what Ford says but that gets us into a whole other critical debate about people having faith in manufacturer statements.

Some engines will use more oil when they are fuller than when no so full
Detroit diesels like 8v71 arr known for this.
They use a gallon quickly and then use very little.
I had a 40ft MCI for 3-4 years. I think it held 7 or 8 gallons!!!

 

[1955moose]

I'm reaching here, but do you think the diesel went through more oil when full due to weak rings, and more oil pressure from the extra 4 quarts?

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[Machete]

Not exactly "proper" level but acceptable range.
Anywhere between the dots is considered ok for operation.
There is some discrepancy with ford dipsticks though.
If you look up what Ford says a 2000 5.4 holds (same for 6.8s) and put that much in...it will barely be past the low dot and into the safe crosshatch area.
Many like to have it on the full mark after an oil change.
So are we actually overfilling it?
I care little what Ford says but that gets us into a whole other critical debate about people having faith in manufacturer statements.

Some engines will use more oil when they are fuller than when no so full
Detroit diesels like 8v71 arr known for this.
They use a gallon quickly and then use very little.
I had a 40ft MCI for 3-4 years. I think it held 7 or 8 gallons!!!

I use 6 quarts on each change and it marks right in middle of minimum and maximum dots.

 

[TobyU]

I use 6 quarts on each change and it marks right in middle of minimum and maximum dots.

That's what most people say it does when they put the recommended full capacity of 6 quarts in. It puts either at a quarter to half way to the middle of the safe area. It's just that a lot of people insist on having it all the way to the full Mark after an oil change. I'm the same way so I always add that extra half quart.
Once again I don't give the manufacturers or ford too much credit because they actually had a recall for a dipstick a few years back. They installed the wrong dipstick or the dipsticks were the wrong length and we're not showing correctly when the proper level was added. You got to go in and get a new dipstick with the round Loop instead of the T handle if I remember correctly in the van chassis.

 

[TobyU]

I'm reaching here, but do you think the diesel went through more oil when full due to weak rings, and more oil pressure from the extra 4 quarts?

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From everything I've read it's just a common characteristic of the 8v71s.

 

[1955moose]

Oh really about the dipsticks. I have the T one, and seem to always add oil. Thanks Toby, I'm going to look into that.

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