Dipstick Pic?

[RoLyMa27]

It did turn into a dipstick measuring. I haven't measured mine in too long to contribute so I'm out.

I know, right? All this measuring and I still can't figure out if mine is too short or too long...

See, I tried to warn ya'll!!!

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[grayshadow]

It took only 6 to get mine to the max fill mark...hence my inquiry and the shared stories from loads of 2.7 guys that have discovered the same thing. As a mechanic I am very familiar with the proper way to change oil, and it does not take a rocket scientist to follow even the 2.7 "extra" instructions (removing filter first so as to let the oil from that area back into the pan, letting the pan drain at least 15 minutes, etc.). Also, regardless of what many have proposed (the the 2.7 somehow magically "holds" a quart in hiding someplace during an oil change...and apparently only in certain engines. Ford engineers would be foolish to create an engine that could not get most of the oil out during a drain), I am confident as to how much oil I got to drain (because I measured it). My entire point is that either the 7 quart capacity listed in the manual is a fantasy from Ford, or that the dipstick is inaccurate. Either way, it sucks because the manual contradicts itself. Even the dealerships cannot agree...one shop foreman said he would use solely the stick to measure the oil, and stop at the full mark, and another said "we'd just put 7 quarts in it." Oddly enough, when the second shop guy was asked what happens when the customer comes back and says my oil is reading too high after you guys changed it, he also said "we'd drain some out to get the proper level on the stick." I'm over a half-century old and after wrenching for most of my life I have never experienced a vehicle with a factory setup that is so inaccurate. Hopefully the majority other 2.7 owners won't have a similar issue, but I would wager there are more out there!

And this is why we use our FordPass rewards for free oil changes and put the liability back on the dealer. Win, win.

 

[flip]

"Full" is between the marks. If you're at the top it's considered 1/2qt over, bottom 1/2qt under. Neither will cause problems but Ford did this to try and get people away from the idea they are using oil. Some people think it should be at the "full" mark until the next service and if it drops the engine is using oil.

What most are seeing is 6qt with filter is "full". My guess is the 7qt spec. is on a new, completely dry engine.

 

[flip]

Here's the test, the important. Note the procedure for marking the stick and checking for normal levels. I was incorrect on the amount the high and low are 1qt marks. They still show 7qt. for service with filter in the WSM so not sure why that hasn't been changed yet.

Oil Consumption Test

1. NOTE: Once all of the previous conditions are met, carry out an oil consumption test.
   Drain the engine oil and remove the oil filter. Install a new manufacturer-specified oil filter. Make sure the vehicle is positioned on a level surface. Refill the oil pan to a level one liter (quart) less than the specified fill level, using manufacturer-specified oil.

1. Run the engine for 3 minutes (if hot) or 10 minutes (if cold). Allow for a minimum 15 minute drain back period and then record the oil level shown on the oil level indicator. Place a mark on the backside of the oil level indicator noting the oil level location.

1. Add the final one liter (quart) to complete the normal oil fill. Restart the engine and allow it to idle for 2 minutes. Shut the engine down.

1. After a 15 minute drain back period, record the location of the oil level again. Mark the oil level indicator with the new oil level location. (Note: Both marks should be very close to the MIN-MAX upper and lower limits or the upper and lower holes on the oil level indicator. These marks will exactly measure the engine's use of oil, with a one quart differential between the new marks.) Demonstrate to the customer that the factory-calibrated marks on the oil level indicator are where the oil should fall after an oil change with the specified fill amount. Explain however, that this may vary slightly between MIN-MAX or the upper and lower holes on the oil level indicator.

1. Record the vehicle mileage.

1. Advise the customer that oil level indicator readings must be taken every 320 km (200 mi) or weekly, using the revised marks as drawn. Remind the customer that the engine needs a minimum 15 minute drain back for an accurate reading and that the oil level indicator must be firmly seated in the tube prior to taking the reading.

1. When the subsequent indicator readings demonstrate a full liter (quart) has been used, record the vehicle mileage. The mileage driven should not be less than 4,800 km (3,000 mi). The drive cycle the vehicle has been operated under must be considered when making this calculation. It may be necessary to have the customer bring the vehicle in for a periodic oil level indicator reading to closely monitor oil usage.

 

[The_Viking]

 

[Razorback]

And then there's this to really confuse the situation.

 

[broadicustomworks]

I’ve always heard the average is 6.
So if you can cram 7 in there, you’re good. It just means it’s well lubricated and took it all.

*I’ll see myself out.

 

[North7]

I’ve always heard the average is 6.
So if you can cram 7 in there, you’re good. It just means it’s well lubricated and took it all.

*I’ll see myself out.

Just please ignore the foaming oil boiling over.

 

[RoLyMa27]

Any input/advice as to why mine, with only a 6 quart refill, reads 1/2 inch above the max line?

Could the difference be checking the oil after you refill the engine before you crank it and let it run a minute?

 

[broncorik]

And then there's this to really confuse the situation.

Those specs are for the F150...the Bronco has a different pan.

 

[broncorik]

Could the difference be checking the oil after you refill the engine before you crank it and let it run a minute?

I ran the engine after adding 6 quarts, then after it reached operating temp I shut it down for the night and check drhe level in the morning...like 8 hours later...and oil (with 7 factory filled quarts drained, and only 6 quarts added) was at the max fill line.

 

[broncorik]

"Full" is between the marks. If you're at the top it's considered 1/2qt over, bottom 1/2qt under. Neither will cause problems but Ford did this to try and get people away from the idea they are using oil. Some people think it should be at the "full" mark until the next service and if it drops the engine is using oil.

What most are seeing is 6qt with filter is "full". My guess is the 7qt spec. is on a new, completely dry engine.

Thanks for the info. Because I am only trying to find appropriate amount to fill, not check for consumption between changes, what would the mother Ford-ship suggest given my experience? Here is exactly what I did:

1. Checked oil the morning after I took delivery of my Bronco and drove it home. On a level surface, the stick read 1/2 inch above the max fill mark. I repeated the check process twice to ensure no error reading the stick.

2. For my first oil change, I let engine reach operating temp, then shut it off. I removed the oil filter housing completely, and then removed oil drain plug and allowed engine to drain for a full hour. Measured what I got out, and it was exactly 6.7 quarts.

3. I installed new cartridge, filter, and o-rings, and then installed the oil plug, and added 6 quarts of oil.

4. Started engine, ran for a few minutes, then shut it off. Waited an hour to check oil. After an hour, oil level read EXACTLY at the max fill line.

5. Drove car until it reached operating temp, then shut it off, then checked oil the next morning...it still read at the max mark.

So...in my case, I got nearly 7 quarts out, and added only 6...but stick reads full. Do I just leave as-is, and do 6 quart changes in the future even though "capacity" is listed as 7?

 

[Phil]

I don't think the 7qts is accurate from what I am seeing online googling and other forums it looks like should be 6qts

 

[flip]

Thanks for the info. Because I am only trying to find appropriate amount to fill, not check for consumption between changes, what would the mother Ford-ship suggest given my experience? Here is exactly what I did:

1. Checked oil the morning after I took delivery of my Bronco and drove it home. On a level surface, the stick read 1/2 inch above the max fill mark. I repeated the check process twice to ensure no error reading the stick.

2. For my first oil change, I let engine reach operating temp, then shut it off. I removed the oil filter housing completely, and then removed oil drain plug and allowed engine to drain for a full hour. Measured what I got out, and it was exactly 6.7 quarts.

3. I installed new cartridge, filter, and o-rings, and then installed the oil plug, and added 6 quarts of oil.

4. Started engine, ran for a few minutes, then shut it off. Waited an hour to check oil. After an hour, oil level read EXACTLY at the max fill line.

5. Drove car until it reached operating temp, then shut it off, then checked oil the next morning...it still read at the max mark.

So...in my case, I got nearly 7 quarts out, and added only 6...but stick reads full. Do I just leave as-is, and do 6 quart changes in the future even though "capacity" is listed as 7?

Leave as is. I think they have a misprint somewhere that's not been corrected yet as others that have serviced all report 7qt is way over full.

 

[FATHORSE]

Look up Eville Truck on youtubes, he did a first 1000 oil change, and confirmed only 6 qts.
But dont take my word for it.

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