Hey all, meant to post this sooner but life has been happening a little too much the last few weeks. Anyway, about 2 weeks ago i checked oil on the F150 at the time, oil change had 2500-3000 miles on it). Somehow, and I can't figure out how, it was just under 2 quarts low. I've seen this truck use say, 1/2 quart in maybe an 8K run, but NEVER anything close to this. Checked it the other day as well, around a half quart low. I park in the same spot everyday, no new oil on the driveway, or in my spot at work or school. Current oil is Motorcraft 5w20. Like I mentioned, I haven't had really any chance to dig into it, which I will finally be doing tomorrow afternoon, but I was looking for suggestions as to what to check. Being a mechanic (in training) I have plenty of ideas of what it could be, but I don't know everything. Thanks!
Where might my oil be going?
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No smoke that I've noticed, plug and filter look fine from what I've been able to see
I would check PCV and replace it if needed
That's not all that terrible for a car with that many miles. Use a high mileage 5W30 summer and high mileage 5W20 winter and just check it more often.
If it isn't leaving any drip(s) it's not leaking enough oil to be of concern and defiantly not two quarts in 3K mi... At 173K mi it could be anything, valve stem wear/seals, rings worn or sticking... Check out the PCV system first...
If the PCV doesn't have a problem, toss some 5w30 high mileage oil in it...
If the PCV doesn't have a problem, toss some 5w30 high mileage oil in it...
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
I would check PCV and replace it if needed
+1 Also, if you are running different oil than last change, increased consumption can occur for several thousand miles. Our Ranger just had it's second oil change of M1. The first change went through a couple quarts the first 3000 miles, half that in the second 3000. I don't know what was in it when I bought it last year. When I picked it up from BIL, I drove it from MT to MN, oil level never changed.
I would check PCV and replace it if needed
+1 Also, if you are running different oil than last change, increased consumption can occur for several thousand miles. Our Ranger just had it's second oil change of M1. The first change went through a couple quarts the first 3000 miles, half that in the second 3000. I don't know what was in it when I bought it last year. When I picked it up from BIL, I drove it from MT to MN, oil level never changed.
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AZjeff
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Originally Posted By: bubbatime
That's not all that terrible for a car with that many miles. Use a high mileage 5W30 summer and high mileage 5W20 winter and just check it more often.
True, but the OP hasn't seen this kind of consumption before. He states 1/2 qt in 8k miles (8k OCIs?). High Mileage oil would be fine but he needs to find the cause. If it ain't leaking it then it has to be burning it.
That's not all that terrible for a car with that many miles. Use a high mileage 5W30 summer and high mileage 5W20 winter and just check it more often.
True, but the OP hasn't seen this kind of consumption before. He states 1/2 qt in 8k miles (8k OCIs?). High Mileage oil would be fine but he needs to find the cause. If it ain't leaking it then it has to be burning it.
Go to a High Mileage oil and 5,000 OCIs
"It's not dripping, ignore it" is [censored] advice.
My SUV will soak up 1qt/1k and not drip, it goes into the frame, soaks up into dirt and road debris, cakes off and falls. No drips ever in my indoor garage, 1qt/1k into the frame or valve covers and spark plug seals.
That mileage, change the valve covers, switch to a more approriate grade oil. You'll be shocked.
My SUV will soak up 1qt/1k and not drip, it goes into the frame, soaks up into dirt and road debris, cakes off and falls. No drips ever in my indoor garage, 1qt/1k into the frame or valve covers and spark plug seals.
That mileage, change the valve covers, switch to a more approriate grade oil. You'll be shocked.
Originally Posted By: Or
"It's not dripping, ignore it" is [censored] advice.
My SUV will soak up 1qt/1k and not drip, it goes into the frame, soaks up into dirt and road debris, cakes off and falls. No drips ever in my indoor garage, 1qt/1k into the frame or valve covers and spark plug seals.
That mileage, change the valve covers, switch to a more approriate grade oil. You'll be shocked.
Unless you're constantly running off road I call B-S... Your engine is burning most of it's loss...
"It's not dripping, ignore it" is [censored] advice.
My SUV will soak up 1qt/1k and not drip, it goes into the frame, soaks up into dirt and road debris, cakes off and falls. No drips ever in my indoor garage, 1qt/1k into the frame or valve covers and spark plug seals.
That mileage, change the valve covers, switch to a more approriate grade oil. You'll be shocked.
Unless you're constantly running off road I call B-S... Your engine is burning most of it's loss...
Good advice all, I did change oil today with Quaker State Conventional that I had in the garage, and got a PCV valve ordered. Will report back as to what I find!
Nick1994
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Where's your oil going? Out the tailpipe
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