Dipstick accuracy?

[harriw]

Hey guys,

When I got my truck back in Jan. ('94 ext. cab 4x4 w/ 4.0 and 5spd.), dealer did an oil change for me. I always thought they somehow overfilled it, as the dipstick has always read significantly above the "high" mark since I've had it (and that's with a mild oil leak). 3000 miles later I did my first oil change today and found what's going on. Added the first 4 quarts and checked the dipstick just for grins, and it's already above the full line. So, I let it sit for 15 minutes or so to let everything settle and checked again - still above the full line. Yes, I changed the filter too (motorcraft FL-1A), and let everything drain 'til it was just about done dripping.

So, are the dipsticks just off and I should go ahead and add my 5th quart? Or does this 4.0 take a LOT less oil than published (everything says 5 quarts)? Does the new filter get filled as you add oil, or does it stay empty 'til the oil pump pushes oil through it? It is a pretty big honking filter, but I don't think it'll hold a full quart...

Anyone else run into this? Thanks!

-Bill

 

[ati190]

When are you checking the oil? Are you cleaning the dipstick off before you reinsert it? The 4.0L uses 5qts of oil... The dipsticks are accurate unless someone put the wrong one on it.

 

[harriw]

I typically check it cold if I can, though I also check it warm occasionally (harder to get a good line when it's warm since oil was splashing around so recently). And yes - I always wipe off the dipstick before re-inserting it. Oil always looks remarkably clean for a truck this old.

 

[ati190]

something is causing excessive pressure to blow oil up the dipstick tube. Bad pcv valve maybe?

 

[harriw]

I haven't even run the truck yet with the new oil though - just from draining, replacing filter, and re-filling it's already reading full (or just above) after 4 quarts...

 

[ati190]

Are you checking it on a level surface?

 

[harriw]

Pretty darn close. Pulled halfway into the garage so the front tires are an inch higher maybe, but no jack stands or ramps or anything.

 

[ati190]

Well it should take 5 quarts. If your oil pan isnt misshaped (damaged), and you are positive all the oil came out. I'd put a bet on either the wrong dipstick is in the truck, or the wrong oil pan is on the truck (which i doubt).. I don't know how a quart of oil is being trapped in the engine after you remove the drain plug.

 

[harriw]

Hm... Oil pan looks fine. I am wondering about the dipstick though. It's definitely a Ford one - Ford part number F07E-6750-AA. Can anyone confirm if that's the right one for the 4.0 OHV? Google and Ford part searches aren't turning up anything.

Thanks.

-Bill

 

[F150hybred]

From what I'm reading... and correct me if I'm wrong.... you drained the oil, changed the filter, installed the drain plug, added four quarts and checked the oil. By chance did you start the engine to fill the oil filter etc BEFORE checking the oil again? That alone would explain why it's showing full with only four quarts.

 

[ati190]

Ah, yes. You should run the engine briefly, so oil gets into the filter. But At 4 quarts it shouldn't READ above the full line. Regardless that FL-1A does not a hold a quart of oil.

 

[ati190]

are you sure you are reading the part number correctly F07E-6750-AA? That part number looks to be from a 1990 Ford Ranger/BII/Explorer...

 

[harriw]

Hey guys,

Sorry - I ran out to advance auto to see if they had any cheapy dipstick replacements (they didn't).

Yes, you've got the correct sequence of events, and no, I didn't run the engine yet (I'll do that next). Yes - that's the correct number on the dipstick I have (I suppose I could confuse 0's as O's, etc. though). It has the Ford Oval stamped on it too so it's definitely a Ford part (though I don't know if it's for the right model). Any idea what size engine it would be from in that model year? (3.0, 2.9, 2.5, 4.0?)

I'll run it for a few minutes to fill that big honking filter. Maybe 1/2 a quart there...

Sounds like it may be a combination of wrong dipstick and oil filter not being filled yet?

Thanks again guys.

 

[harriw]

OK, ran it for 30 seconds or so and shut it off. Level dropped down near the bottom of the hash marks - much better. I'm guessing there's still plenty spread around the engine so I'll let it settle for a bit and check again before adding the last 1/2 quart or so.

Let it sit for 5 minutes or so, and it's dead center in the hash marks now. I'll let it sit a bit longer before declaring victory and adding the last of the oil.

Guess I'm just not used to a filter that big? Even our old trailblazer EXT with the chevy 5.3L didn't have anything near this big for a filter. That, and it sounds like I may somehow have the wrong dipstick?

Thanks again.

-Bill

 

[Duggo]

That, and it sounds like I may somehow have the wrong dipstick?

Or the wrong tube.