For Those Doing Their Own Oil Changes

[rkk]

I have done my 3rd oil change now that the MM is out of warranty.
For the first two, 6 quarts went in but only 5 came out.

Now for this last one, only 4.5 came out. Searched the forum, and I DO NOT appear to have the blue smoke issue that some members described. Also there is no oil stains on the garage floor.

My question, to all members doing their own oil changes, do you notice that our engines just seem to consume oil?

I am just shy of 40,000 miles and I have been using Mobil-1 Extended Performance 5W-30 fully synthetic oil and it gets changed every 6 months or 6,000 miles.

[Blackened300a]

The engine calls for 5W20. Its as thin as water but since thats what Ford wants, that what it gets. Maybe the fact you are using 5W30 may be a reason.

[fastblackmerc]

First check your oil at either every gas fillup or every other gas fillup. I always check my oil and add as needed between oil changes. When changing the oil:

1. Run the car around your neighborhood until it gets warmed up.
2. On a level surface jack up the car oposite the oil drain plug (use jack stand(s))
3. Drain the oil.
4. Replace the drain plug.
5. Change the filter.
6. Install filter of your choice
7. Remove car from jackstand(s)
8. Refill with the oil of your choice, 6 quarts to start out with, add as needed to get to the full mark on the dipstick

I've never checked how many quarts I've drained out......

[DEFYANT]

You "lose" about a quart in the filter.

I use Mobil 1 5w 20

[Peter]

My local parts store recommended my so did my dealer :o So join the club :)

[Drock96Marquis]

Running 5w-30 wouldn't make him burn any more oil.

It sounds like your valve stem seals are starting to leak. This does NOT always cause blue smoke to appear, you can be burning oil through the seals and have no noticable smoke for many miles. This seems to be a common issue with certain 2003 MY Marauders.

I would not run synthetic while you are having this issue, synthetic seems to be able to find its way through seals easier than dino. I would run either Motorcraft 5w-20 (syn blend) or Motorcraft Super Premium 5w30 (dino) for the next few changes. See if it worsens or stays the same. Your motor will be well protected with either of those two oils.

[Raudermaster]

I noticed that happened a lot with my '95, every time I'd change the oil, less would come out and would make me worry. Then though, I used 5w-30 Mobil1 SuperSyn, and now for the Marauder I use either Royal Purple 5w-20 Synthetic, or Lucas Oil 5w-20 Synthetic.

[Marauder2005]

Searched the forum, and I DO NOT appear to have the blue smoke issue that some members described.

You have a 300a? You will.




LOL J/K ----- I had the, 'once in a while blue smoke puff', but always drained

6qts when I put in 6qts. I used 5 30 Moble 1. Strange :dunno:

[AstroVic]

ALL cars burn *some* amount of oil. And if you're doing 6,000 mile OCIs, then it's VERY likely that you'll burn a quart or so during that time. In fact, many cars - late models included - will burn one quart every 3,000 to 4,000 miles.

Check the oil level every 1,000 miles or so and you will probably notice a slow decline in the oil level.

I use Royal Purple 5W20 by the way. (I can buy Royal Purple for $4 a quart - including tax - so if you live anywhere near Houston, Texas, and you'd like some, just send me a PM and I'll try to help you out.)

[merc6]

I went with mobil 1 0w-20 for 3 qts and 5w-20 for the other 3. durring racing season I swap out 2 of the mobil 1 5w-20 for redline 5w-20. It worked well(UOA) in my other 5w-20 fomoco derived cars so thats what I use. Guess the only way to fully confirm it is uoa the mm next oil change. No need to follow my path. I didn't lose that much oil on oil changes as I did my neon. It loved to dump the oil in the intake manifold on hard right turns.

[Bill Lalk]

I have an 04' with 28K on it. I put in Mobil 1 0-20 @ 17K and have not changed it yet. The level is still in the safe marks. I spose I should change it, eh?

[AstroVic]

I have an 04' with 28K on it. I put in Mobil 1 0-20 @ 17K and have not changed it yet. The level is still in the safe marks. I spose I should change it, eh?

Please get a UOA (used oil analysis) and post the results when you decide to change it! :)

[Shora]

I have an 04' with 28K on it. I put in Mobil 1 0-20 @ 17K and have not changed it yet. The level is still in the safe marks. I spose I should change it, eh?

I think you set a record here on MM.Net.

[Bigdogjim]

Look under your car for signs of oil dripping.

[Breadfan]

You "lose" about a quart in the filter.

I use Mobil 1 5w 20

I just checked their website, yep Mobil 1 5w20, when did that come out? Geez it was only about a year ago all you really had was Motorcraft half-syn and I think Amsoil...in 5w20 that is. Mobil 1 and Royal Purple enter the ring with full-syns. Cool...good to know.

[RF Overlord]

Bill, running an extended OCI without analysis is rolling the dice. Get it changed ASAP and do a UOA on the oil before you try that again.

[kj31067]

I have an 04' with 28K on it. I put in Mobil 1 0-20 @ 17K and have not changed it yet. The level is still in the safe marks. I spose I should change it, eh?




wow!!!!!!!

[RoyLPita]

I change my oil every 2500 miles and put in 6 1/2 quarts.

As for driving for 11k on syntetic oil, I believe that you are pushing it.

[ahess77]

Since I change my oil once a year whether it needs it or not, I have found that I'm consuming about 1/4 quart per 1000 miles with no blue smoke on start-up or leaks. Seems reasonable for 33k on the engine.

[MdnightMarauder]

Yeah I would start to change the oil every 3,000 miles or less. Its better safe than sorry. I use motorcaft 5w20 semi syn and have no problems.

[LILALLEYKATT]

How much will you have saved when you have to have a new motor installed. Mobil 1 will not break down for 10,000 mi viscosity wize but the problem becomes the oil can only suspend just so much impurity wize per ounce....Best Wishes and I would have it changed twice...

[rkk]

Thanks for everyone's input.

Although, according to Ford as stated on p. 174 of the owner's guide and p. 183 of the owner's guide in PDF format (which states exactly the same thing) and I quote,"
5. Locate and carefully remove the
engine oil level indicator (dipstick).
6. Wipe the indicator clean. Insert the indicator fully, then remove it again.
If the oil level is between the MIN and MAX marks, the oil level is
acceptable. DO NOT ADD OIL."

I make it my business to always check the dipstick twice a month and the level has never gotten below the MIN mark so according to Ford it's acceptable and I should not be adding.
I will monitor the situation as the miles and months go by.

[sweetair]

The engine calls for 5W20. Its as thin as water but since thats what Ford wants, that what it gets. Maybe the fact you are using 5W30 may be a reason.I don't think this the reqason here. Hard to get it all out, and is the filter being changed as well? If so is it being drained and measured? Quite a few variables here for the diff. 5-20 vs 5-30 no difference but fuel economy. Running a power adder more viscosity is not a bad thing. Just my .02

[sweetair]

First check your oil at either every gas fillup or every other gas fillup. I always check my oil and add as needed between oil changes. When changing the oil:

1. Run the car around your neighborhood until it gets warmed up.
2. On a level surface jack up the car oposite the oil drain plug (use jack stand(s))
3. Drain the oil.
4. Replace the drain plug.
5. Change the filter.
6. Install filter of your choice
7. Remove car from jackstand(s)
8. Refill with the oil of your choice, 6 quarts to start out with, add as needed to get to the full mark on the dipstick

I've never checked how many quarts I've drained out......I would be careful adding ,more than 6 qts. The dip stick is just that, a stick. 6 qts is what it calls for, and what I put in. Of course I check the level, but do not add more.

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

I've always used 0w20 Mobile1, but seems to be a bit harder to find. Must be why so few people seem to use it huh?

[Bill Lalk]

How/where do I get an UOA. I do my own changes(well, once) because the fast lubes do not carry the correct oil AND I don't like strangers working on my MM. Actually, I am not lazy, just forgot about the mileage we put on her. I will change asap, but how do I get this used oil analizes.

[RF Overlord]

Blackstone Labs (http://www.blackstone-labs.com). Send them an e-mail and they'll send you a sample collection kit for free (the analysis itself costs $20).

[Bill Lalk]

Thanks Blackbird. I will get it tested and post the results. And, actually there is just over 12000 miles on that Mobil One:nono: Sorry boys. Please don't avoid me 'cus I'm an idiot:bandit: I don't smoke dope(anymore).

[AstroVic]

Thanks Blackbird. I will get it tested and post the results. And, actually there is just over 12000 miles on that Mobil One:nono: Sorry boys. Please don't avoid me 'cus I'm an idiot:bandit: I don't smoke dope(anymore).

Honestly, I think it'll turn out fine. I just think you're crazy for pushing it that far in a car that you presumably cherish. :)

I truly look forward to the UOA; I think we'll all find that it's really pretty good.

[Bill Lalk]

They asked about a TBN for a small additional charge. They said it was to measure the amount of active additive left in the oil. Do you think that is for an actual additive? Or is that part of the basic oil? Because I never use any oil/gas additives.

[AstroVic]

Definitely spend the extra bucks for the TBN. That's the only way you'll really know how much "life" your oil has in it. The TBN refers to the additives (detergents, dispersants, etc.) that are in the oil from the manufacturer (Mobil in your particular case).

All modern oils have additives and the TBN shouldn't ever get below 1.0 or you're ruining your engine. In fact, I personally wouldn't want to push my oil anywhere CLOSE to 1.0.

[RF Overlord]

^^^what AstroVic said^^^

[warren]

I use the Motorcraft simi blend 5-20,
chg. every 5K and have no oil use I can
measure at 63,000 miles.
Test it at Blackstone Labs and they say
my engine is not wearing out and they think it's
because I use Oil Extreme additive (Reinhart has it).
Got a neat little hand pump Blackstone has to
take out a measured amount of engine oil or
trans. oil to send to Blackstone.

Warren

[ahess77]

To what extent does anybody think WOT relates to oil useage? By thoughts would be that during the times of the most stress on the pistons & rings that more oil may find it's way past and get burnt. Therefore, is oil consumption may be linearly related to time at WOT. Or does time spent at high RPM cause oil consumption due to slipping past seals or past the rings?

This may explain signficant differences in oil consumption between drivers not related to specific engine defects.

[Dan19063]

ALL cars burn *some* amount of oil. And if you're doing 6,000 mile OCIs, then it's VERY likely that you'll burn a quart or so during that time. In fact, many cars - late models included - will burn one quart every 3,000 to 4,000 miles.

Check the oil level every 1,000 miles or so and you will probably notice a slow decline in the oil level.

I use Royal Purple 5W20 by the way. (I can buy Royal Purple for $4 a quart - including tax - so if you live anywhere near Houston, Texas, and you'd like some, just send me a PM and I'll try to help you out.)

I buy the Royal Purple 5w20 through NAPA and get it in the 5 gallon size so I don't have to buy it so often. I cost me I think around $130.00 for 5 gallons. If anyone wants to know exactly what the price was PM me and I will look through my paperwork