SportsmanJake

Hey guys, I hope you have a few suggestions I can try out.

My 5.4 has 160k on it and I have been changing the oil every 3k to 3200 miles.

I put in 6 quarts of 5w30 but after 3k miles I can only almost fill up the 5 quart jug.

If I let the miles between change slip up to 3500 - 3800, I have to add a quart of oil because the dipstick indicates I am low.

No visible smoke from tailpipe. No puddles of oil on ground.
Where is it going?

Looking at other threads, people often ask about engine coolant. Last year I was losing engine coolant at a decently fast rate. I would carry the jug in the car and check it every 500 miles or so. I could not find the leak so was planning on replacing my intake manifold. As a last ditch try, I dumped some of that radiator stop leak into it and lo and behold I have not lost any coolant since then.

Thanks fellows.

grizzstang

A quart low in 3500 miles is nothing to worry about. If you are inclined you can change your PCV valve (Motorcraft only) to see if that helps but really you have little to worry about with the oil use.

white89gt

Mine does the same. I'm not getting alarmed unless I see smoke coming out the tailpipe.

the01kingranch

I think I'm getting a bit of smoke on startup. About a quart every 1k. Depending on how hard I'm on the throttle.

cgrim321

I'm on my second 01 f150 with the 5.4 and they have both used a little oil in between oil changes

Jbrew

Suggestions, well I guess I'll have to ask some obvious questions since you haven't offered up the info yet.

Which model year ? It matters, since your using the wrong viscosity and you must not of received the memo.

Sounds like you care, so using the recommended viscosity would be best. The correct oil has better wear ratings and helps the economy a little.

How far down is the oil on the stick from the top notch? Something isn't making sense. Did you change the oil correctly, when it's hot?

How do you change your oil lol? What's your system/method. Like I said, something isn't right.

Raybz

In all my years of driving and doing my own and other peoples oil changes, I can't recall ever getting out what was put in 3K miles ago.

At least a pint will be in the filter and with the best of engines there will be SOME burnt away

Jbrew

Right, that's why I'm curious how he does it, missing something.

blupupher

iTrader: (2)

I use about 1 qt every 1500 miles. I notice no blue smoke or burned oil smell and changed the PCV valve. It is what it is. I just know to check the oil every so often and add as needed. I keep a qt bottle in the truck for that reason (it fits nicely just in front of the washer fluid bottle).
I think Ford considers 1 qt every 1000 miles (maybe every 800) acceptable.

the01kingranch

I have also replaced the pcv with a motorcraft brand. I didn't believe I had anything to worry about. But at least 1 quart every 1k seems a lot to me.

It seems like I burn more depending on how hard I am on it. The other day I was in 4-5k RPMs and Somone I know behind me said that I had a noticeable smoke trail.