Low oil issues

[Cruzin50]

So my car currently has 17k miles. When I first got it I noticed the car was leaking oil. I'm not sure how long this was going on because I would have never expected a brand new car to be leaking oil. It turns out from the factory the oil filter wasn't on tight enough and the oil was leaking from that. I put about 3 quarts of oil in to top it off before taking it to the dealership. That happened all before my first oil change so maybe 1000ish miles.

Fast forward to now. I absolutely hate taking my car to the dealership for oil changes, but I got free oil changes with purchasing the car brand new and with this car taking 10 quarts plus a filter, Id was saving nearly $100 and my time. I got this oil change in March, then in April I went, got the car tuned on E85 and longtubes installed. I drove it about 2000 miles since that oil change and decided to do another in my driveway yesterday because I'm not taking my car to Ford with these mods. I was expecting to have to fill up two of the oil pans because they are 7 quarts each and this car takes 10 quarts, but it only filled up one. So right there I go into panic mode. I measured the oil and it had ~6 quarts in there. I looked at the receipt from Ford in March and they only put 6 quarts of oil in the car. The amount an ecoboost takes. I know before anyone says it, that I should have been checking my oil and I regret that. I haven't noticed any unusual ticking, knocking, etc coming from the car. The oil pressure was always normal.

So pretty much twice in a two year period my car has been low on oil because of Ford. Now my car is fully modded, tuned on E85. My worry is that there was some serious damage done to the engine that will eventually come up because of being run low on oil, especially over the last 2000 miles. Do you think if I go to Ford with this they will just tell me tough shit? I would have no worries if I was stock. I just don't want to shoot a rod through my oil pan the next time I do a pull and Ford say its my fault because the car is modded and Im stuck floating the bill on a brand new engine.

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[Interceptor]

As long as oil was being picked up in oil pan, the engine wasn't starved for oil. The reason for 10 quart oil pan is for high RPMS starvation. Sometimes when you point your finger at someone ( dealership) you have 3 pointing back at you.

 

[ORRadtech]

I'd suggest that you consider using the dipstick occasionally...

When my father taught me car maintenance he told me to check all the fluids at each fill up. Admittedly I don't do that anymore but do check them once a month, so every 4 fill ups or so.
I usually take a few minutes of an evening or early morning and check all my vehicles at once, age or frequency of use doesn't matter, they all get checked.

 

[RazzaRossa]

Did you check the oil after their "free" service? You only checked your oil twice in 2 years? That is tough $h!t, and all on you. Sorry to be blunt, but come on man, pop the hood once in a while.

 

[Cruzin50]

Did you check the oil after their "free" service? You only checked your oil twice in 2 years? That is tough $h!t, and all on you. Sorry to be blunt, but come on man, pop the hood once in a while.

I haven't checked it since April. Not two years.

 

[Cruzin50]

I'd suggest that you consider using the dipstick occasionally...

When my father taught me car maintenance he told me to check all the fluids at each fill up. Admittedly I don't do that anymore but do check them once a month, so every 4 fill ups or so.
I usually take a few minutes of an evening or early morning and check all my vehicles at once, age or frequency of use doesn't matter, they all get checked.

Well duh. I always changed my cars oil in the past. This is literally the only time I've ever had dealerships do my oil change because it's the first brand new car I've ever owned. I've had 5 cars before this that all had oil catch cans so I would check the oil when I drained those. I just got lazy with this one because I had no reason to go under the hood lol. Now I actually do because I now have a catch can I just put on.. Also this is the longest I've ever gone without modding a car. My last Mustang I ordered parts while I was waiting for them to gas in up in the dealership lol. I think because it was stock for so long I just got lazy with checking fluid levels and doing my own maintenance.

 

[Cruzin50]

Did you check the oil after their "free" service? You only checked your oil twice in 2 years? That is tough $h!t, and all on you. Sorry to be blunt, but come on man, pop the hood once in a while.

Well... I clearly said I regret not checking it. I got lazy with this car because I bought it new and didn't do anything aftermarket for two years so figured why not take it to the dealership for their free oil changes and save $100. Previously the only time I ever took a car to the dealership was when I was trading it in because I have never gone this long without doing anything aftermarket.

 

[RichGT350R]

I check the oil and tire pressures Every Time before I take her out! Takes less then (3) minutes.

 

[Shifting_Gears]

Very likely you’d know by now if you had any issues. I would also be worried but the reality is it should be fine.

However, I would definitely document it with the dealership that it was their bad.

 

[thunderstrike]

You didn't say the Oil Pressure Warning Light came on, so you should be okay. Just check your oil level dipstick at least once a month and keep track. People don't check oil level when doing oil & filter change, but you need to become aware of how much oil your engine has used.

 

[BMAGOO]

With no warning lights ever showing up I think you'll be fine. I would definitely get it documented with the dealership though like Shifting_Gears said. If you aren't going to do your own oil changes just make sure they actually put 10 quarts in and I would still check the dipstick to verify. I've heard lots of stories now about shorting the gen 3's 2 quarts.

 

[Zrussian13]

Loose filter from the factory is common on these vehicles. Mine started leaking before the first oil change and I've seen a few threads come across over the years with the same issue.

If you aren't changing the oil yourself op you should always check it after the work is done. Countless threads of gen3 coyotes only getting 8 quarts. You are the first I've seen who only got 6...

 

[Qcman17]

My Dealer put 8 quarts in at my first oil change. I checked the invoice before I left the service desk and said you shorted me 2 quarts..... they were all apologetic and fixed it right there. I told them if it ever happened again I was done with them. Been fine ever since.

Also I always check my oil at least every 2 weeks when the car is cold so I will never get caught with a low oil situation. Easy to do and I know better. Besides I make this car haul pretty hard some times so I expect it could use a bit doing that. That said car is good uses maybe a 1/2 quart every 4-5000 miles which is fine by me.

OP tough to hear for you but with your mods I would be more vigilant if it were mine. I agree on the getting the oil sample checked it may give you some peace of mind.

 

[thunderstrike]

I've heard lots of stories now about shorting the gen 3's 2 quarts.

It's easy to do because some oil manufacturer sells One Gallon (4 QT) size vs some 5 Qt size. I've fell victim myself by not paying attention. All the more important to use the oil level dipstick.

 

[BMAGOO]

It's easy to do because some oil manufacturer sells One Gallon (4 QT) size vs some 5 Qt size. I've fell victim myself by not paying attention. All the more important to use the oil level dipstick.

I totally get what you're saying. I've got home with a jug with 4L instead of what I thought was 5L before also. You would think though that if working at a service department as your job, changing oil, you would know to grab the right type of oil and the right amount.

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