I usually put 5qts in, start it, then check the level and make a new mark on the dipstick. my one notch made it look like a was 1.5qts overfilled

 

Gotcha- so this IS a typical problem.

 

yea good ole ford at its finest lol

 

the dipstick is wrong.

http://forums.corral.net/forums/5-0...-8-engine-tech/1264465-dipstick-93-5-0-where-oil-level-supposed-@-5qts-pic.html

 

from ford manual

 

Mine with 4.5L's is is way above that full. This dipstick is way out of whack.

 

What year is your car? If its a foxbody there are two oil drain plugs. If you already knew that please dont be offended. Some people I know didnt know that and they only drained the front drain plug. They ended up with their oil waaaaay overfilled.

Chris

 

Also these motors have two drain plugs that need to be removed?

 

yes.

 

Drain all the oil/put a new filter on. Put 5 qts. in -- run it til it's completely warmed up (at least 15-20 minutes). Let it sit overnight (level surface) and check it in the morning. Grab a little file and make a mark on the dipstick at the oil level on the stick - that is your new 'full' mark.

 

This. I recently checked mine, and I removed all oil from the pan with a MityVac, so I knew it was empty. Filled it back up, and I'm a little above the fill line on mine.

 

####- I feel dumb. I never knew there were two plugs in it. Luckily, my mechanic buddy informed me that he did in fact remove both drain plugs....yesterday I placed 4.73L's in it (5 qt) went for a ten min drive and than remarked the dipstick with a new ADD and FULL mark.

 

While I have not done this on my Fox I have done it on other vehicles that had 5 quart capacity. Drain fully add 4 quarts, run motor let sit for an hour or so. Check the dipstick and drill a hole in the dipstick at that oil level. Add another quart, run engine, let it sit, check the oil level and drill another hole in the dipstick.

When checking the oil if the hole in the dipstick had oil in it then that's the level, It makes it easier to read than just trying to see the level on a smooth stick.

 

I did notice today that my hole is a bit above the amount of 5qts, but I don't see much harm if I "overfill" it by a small margin like that.

 

Just a thought from a seasoned mechanic. It is entirely possible (with a used vehicle that didn't have proper oil changes) that there is sludge built up in the engine AND the oil pan. This would cause an "over-full" scenario where the sludge at the bottom of the oil pan takes up space and therefore causes the 5 qts. to look over-full on the dipstick. How much oil was drained? Do you have any other issues? If you only put in 3 qts. (or so) in and it says you are full then you have sludge in your pan. Pretty common on a used vehicle that never had an oil change but was just "topped off" at a service station when it got low. Just my tc.

 

did you read the thread? he didn't know the pan had two drains AND the factory dipsticks are wrong.