Engine oil loss

[440interceptor]

03 Crown Victoria..4.6L 281. Serviced at Ford dealer...oil is what's recommened in the manual..Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend. Capacity is 5.7 Litres or 6 Quarts.

Oil was changed March 11th & since then the car has been driven around 625 miles..that's over five weeks.
95% highway driving.

There's no sign of an oil leak on the ground all winter on the snow..or since the oil change last month...no sign of oil leak underneath..no oil around the engine anywhere...oil looks clean..nothing from the exaust to think it's burning oil..blue smoke etc..tail pipe is clean when I rub my finger inside it.

So what would cause the oil to show after 620 miles of mostly highway driving to be down to the halfway point between full & add on the dipstick? Checked on a level area of the driveway.
No strange noises coming from the engine.

I've heard some people say it isn't normal & others say some rigs do this but it's not a problem...I'm confused since I don't know much about this sort of thing.

 

[440interceptor]

I should also add that all maintenance is done on a regular basis.
Are there any Ford Mechanics here who know this engine well & could give their experiences with this engine? I know the Vic is used by a lot of taxi companies, police etc..maybe their are a few cab drivers/police that can add their opinions too.

Thanks

 

[bdcardinal]

you verified that the level was correct after the oil change? honestly these engines are not known for burning oil. ford claims that a quart every 1000 miles is normal, however i really haven't seen it happen in the 3 cars i've owned with that engine.

 

[Camu Mahubah]

Fords go halfway up the dipstick when he correct amount of oil is poured into engine. Unless the dipstick says add oil, you are good to go.

 

[Colt45ws]

Ford TSB 03-8-3:

FORD: 2002 ESCORT
2002-2003 CROWN VICTORIA, ESCORT ZX2, FOCUS, MUSTANG, TAURUS, THUNDERBIRD, E SERIES, ESCAPE, EXCURSION, EXPEDITION, EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, EXPLORER SPORT, EXPLORER, F-150, RANGER, SUPER DUTY F SERIES, WINDSTAR
LINCOLN: 2002 CONTINENTAL
2002-2003 LS, TOWN CAR, NAVIGATOR
2003 AVIATOR
MERCURY: 2002-2003 COUGAR, GRAND MARQUIS, SABLE
2002 VILLAGER
2002-2003 MOUNTAINEER


ISSUE:
Reports from the field indicate incorrect or low engine oil levels are being found at Pre-Delivery Inspection on new vehicles received in dealer inventory. In most cases, the level is being misinterpreted because the fluid fill mark on the stick is not touching the top hash mark at the upper limit (or MAX mark), or is partway down the crosshatch area.

ACTION:
Ford is in the process of standardizing the markings across all vehicle lines. Current markings shown will be upgraded to a refined marking, shown in Figure 1. Both markings will be used in production over the next few years. Oil levels will still be recorded in the crosshatched area of the blade, between the upper and lower limit holes. Vehicles shipped with engine oil levels falling within this area are acceptable and do not require topping off. Oil fill quantities are precisely measured at the plants and account for slight variations that may occur in oil pan volumes, indicator length, and pressed-in locations of the indicator tube into the block. For customer use, the markings continue to serve as a guide to refilling the engine to the correct initial fill volume with filter or, to top off the engine when it is determined the level is below the lower hole.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Ensure the vehicle is sitting on level ground. Set the park brake and ensure the transmission selector lever is in PARK position, or in FIRST gear on manuals. The engine must be OFF.

The best time for determining oil level is before the engine is started and the oil has had sufficient drainback time to the sump. If the engine has been running, allow it to sit for a few minutes turned off. An oil drainback period is required before taking an initial reading.

If the level falls below the lower hole, fill with one quart of oil. If one quart is insufficient to raise the level above the mark, add oil until it records within the crosshatch area. Use caution during this procedure as some time is needed for oil to drain down through the drainback passages in the cylinder head, to the oil pan. Adding oil a quart at a time repeatedly without sufficient drainback may overfill the sump.

If the oil level falls between the upper and lower hole do not add more oil. Adding an extra quart could cause overfilling and may result in aeration (foaming) causing eventual damage to vital bearing surfaces and moving parts inside. Overfilling will require some oil to be drained out until the indicator shows the level between the upper and lower holes of the blade. DO NOT expect the engine to "consume" the extra oil back down to the upper oil fill level hole, or consider it as extra lubrication protection for the engine.

 

[PT1]

Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
you verified that the level was correct after the oil change?


I have had that happen...just one of the many reasons I change my oil myself.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Originally Posted By: 440interceptor
03 Crown Victoria..4.6L 281. Serviced at Ford dealer...oil is what's recommened in the manual..Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend. Capacity is 5.7 Litres or 6 Quarts.

Oil was changed March 11th & since then the car has been driven around 625 miles..that's over five weeks.
95% highway driving.

There's no sign of an oil leak on the ground all winter on the snow..or since the oil change last month...no sign of oil leak underneath..no oil around the engine anywhere...oil looks clean..nothing from the exaust to think it's burning oil..blue smoke etc..tail pipe is clean when I rub my finger inside it.

So what would cause the oil to show after 620 miles of mostly highway driving to be down to the halfway point between full & add on the dipstick? Checked on a level area of the driveway.
No strange noises coming from the engine.

I've heard some people say it isn't normal & others say some rigs do this but it's not a problem...I'm confused since I don't know much about this sort of thing.





Did you check the dipstick level within a week or-so after the oil change?
(or)
When was the first time you checked the dipstick level after the oil change? Was it after 100 miles? - 300 miles? Did the dipstick level then show full?

 

[440interceptor]

bdcardinal...to be honest no I didn't. I never checked the oil level after a change over the years with other rigs I've had..just assumed that the mechanics at the Ford dealer I take it know enough to be sure they did it right. Looks like I'll have to check it from now on before I drive it off the lot.
But still, I did check the oil level after it had been driven around 300 to 400 miles give or take & it was showing down around 25% now it's down to the half way point...each time the car was left overnight sitting on a level area before checking, so it seems to be going somewhere.


Onmo'Eegusee.....So Ford is saying that the sticks aren't giving an accurate reading...if they knew this why not fix it by putting a stick in that reads the way it should?
It's not like they haven't been making this car long enough to work the kinks out of pretty much everything on them.

I have to say that I'll be checking the stick from now on after an oil change before I start it..pretty bad when you might have to babysit a Ford mechanic.



Camu Mahubah...when you say "Fords go halfway up the dipstick when he correct amount of oil is poured into engine. Unless the dipstick says add oil, you are good to go." How does I know exactly how much is in the engine if the dipstick isn't true? And why would Ford not replace the sticks with accurate ones?
I hate to think I have to just cross my fingers & hope I'm reading it right.


Triple_Se7en...No, it was around two & a half weeks after & the stick showed down around 3/4 full..since then it's showing down around the 1/2 full mark...both times checked after stitting overnight on the same area of the driveway.

 

[Colt45ws]

If you can verify 6 quarts was added after a change, you can pull the stick and make a mark on the dipstick where the fill level is for your reference.

 

[440interceptor]

Thanks for the tip, that's a great idea..much appreciated!

By the way, on your Vic after an oil change...where on the dipstick is the oil level?
And does the stick show the same level of oil after you've driven it around 620 miles?

 

[psudaytona]

When I changed the oil on my 1998 CVPI I filled it to the top of the crosshatch area. Ran is for a view minutes to fill the filter and such as well. After like 2500 miles on the 5w30MC it has maybe gone down 1/16 of an inch.

 

[440interceptor]

Ok, so it may be that oil is being used or going somehere based on psudaytona's reply. Although the Ford TSB that Onmo'Eegusee posted doesn't mention 98 Crown Vics as having that issue...When I get the oil changed next time, I'll make sure the oil has had time to drain back down to the pan before starting the engine & check the level & put that mark on the stick to use as a reference. I'll also make sure to ask the Ford Mechanic what grade of oil was put in & how much..they should know what grade but I sometimes wonder how careful they are. I tell them the oil type but who knows for sure what they put in when they won't allow me in the garage.

The area the mechanics work in is locked down like fort knox...I've asked to be allowed in but have been told twice that they can't because I might get hurt etc.
But the car has a 4 year extended warranty on the powertrain & a lot of other parts so I don't want to take it somewhere else.

 

[mobil]

Originally Posted By: 440interceptor
...just assumed that the mechanics at the Ford dealer I take it know enough to be sure they did it right...


Generally the people that do oil changes at dealerships aren't actually certified mechanics. Not that this is a legitimate excuse for putting in an incorrect amount of oil, just a FYI.

Just out of curiosity, what Ford dealer did you take it to?

 

[Colt45ws]

Originally Posted By: 440interceptor
Thanks for the tip, that's a great idea..much appreciated!

By the way, on your Vic after an oil change...where on the dipstick is the oil level?
And does the stick show the same level of oil after you've driven it around 620 miles?

I just bought it, and have not changed it. So I do not know for sure. However when I bought it the oil had just been changed by the dealer and when I got home (~250 miles) it was about 1/4" below the top of the hash mark.

 

[440interceptor]

Hey mobil, I'm in PEI..the dealer is in Charlottetown.

Onmo'Eegusee, if you get a chance I'd appreciate it if you'd let me know how you get along after your next oil change..where it shows after the change & then again after you've driven around the 620 mile mark.
Does your Vic have the same dumb plastic dipstick that mine has? I find it's not as easy as it should be to slip the stick back down until it's seated since the plastic has a lot of give to it.

 

[Colt45ws]

Plastic? Mine is metal with a plastic handle. Thats strange.

 

[RacerE7773]

Originally Posted By: PT1
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
you verified that the level was correct after the oil change?


I have had that happen...just one of the many reasons I change my oil myself.

Me too.