Oil level issue

[DPL]

I have a 21 xlt 4x4 with a 5.0 engine. I check my oil level like clockwork every week. We have a little over 9000 miles as of today. The oil level was was easy to read and it was right where it was supposed to be and wasn't using any oil when we first got it. For some strange reason now, every time i check my oil level now, it is reading way high. It is in between the f and the o of the ford stamping on the dipstick. I cant remember the exact details, but i took it in for my first oil change and they accidentally put in 8.75 quarts and i didn't catch it a first and probably drove several hundred miles before taking it back to the dealership and having them correct it. It read right after they drained oil and refilled with 7.75 qts. Wife took our truck in a couple weeks ago for oil change and when she got back, i checked oil and it was reading high again. Wife took truck back that same day and she watched them drain oil from the truck and it was roughly 7.75 qts. I'm at a loss for what to think. I've got 35 years or so working on industrial equipment. Truck is level and completely cold when i check the oil. antifreeze level doesn't appear to be dropping. What am i missing? Is it a pressure or vacuum issue or a restriction or blockage in the dipstick or a possible check valve?

Dealership verified it was reading high and couldn't offer an explanation after putting in the correct amount. i tried calling Fords customer support and lets just say that didn't go well. After being put on hold the first call for 25 FREAKING MINUTES, i called back and got someone else who, BTW, was just as helpful as the first person. I like to know the oil level as my 2018 xlt was an oil user the day i took it off the lot and decided to give ford 1 more chance before switching brands. Needless to say, I'm a little disappointed with ford right now. Would appreciate any suggestions (other than buying a chevy). Thanks!

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[SILVERBULLET69]

THEY SHORTED ME A QUART ON MY FIRST OIL CHANGE. NO ONE GIVES A SHIT ANYMORE.
ITS THE NEW NORM

 

[DPL]

Sadly, you are correct. I'm seriously thinking of trading it in on maybe a Toyota in a year. Gotta get those bugs worked out first on on the new Tundra first though, lol. Sad i went from one truck showing i need oil to one that says you've got to much.

 

[Geo]

If you can change it yourself, new oil and filter. Then YOU know what you did.

 

[DPL]

Unfortunately, health issues prevent that or i would. I'm at a loss as to why it is showing high. The level is approx 1 inch above the top hole on the dipstick as of today. Something funny is going on. Was hoping someone else may have had this issue

 

[diesel97]

Unfortunately, health issues prevent that or i would. I'm at a loss as to why it is showing high. The level is approx 1 inch above the top hole on the dipstick as of today. Something funny is going on. Was hoping someone else may have had this issue

Sounds like they screwed it up twice, different mechanic maybe. Was your wife in the truck bay while the work was going on? Most shops won't let you

 

[mmdpg]

When I did my first oil change on my 5.0L I put in the 7.75 quarts and it ended up over the full mark. I sucked out almost .75 quarts to get it between the hash marks and the full mark where it has stayed.

I am in the habit of running the engine to get it warm then letting it sit for at least 20-30 minutes before draining and refilling. I'm wondering if this engine tends to hold the oil up in the valves or galleries longer so less drains to the pan in that time.

Next change I'm going to put in 7 quarts with filter and see where it lands on the dipstick after running it and letting it sit overnight and add as needed to get it to just below the full mark.

 

[DPL]

My wife went out and witnessed when they drained the oil. Mech verified he put the proper amount of oil in the engine.

The dealership is the only one who has added or changed the oil and right after they changed it with 7.75 qts, I had my wife watch while they checked the the oil and it was still showing high. Something is making it read higher than it should and it really sucks that it is not reading properly. I'm not sure what to do. I definitely don't want to have a warranty issue and ford denies it because of the oil level (either to much or not enough).

 

[SuvE]

Did they replace the oil filter when they drained and refilled? 7.75 quarts is the amount when the oil filter is replaced (empty)... It's probably more like 7 quarts without a filter change...

 

[Stubblejumper]

Sadly, you are correct. I'm seriously thinking of trading it in on maybe a Toyota in a year. Gotta get those bugs worked out first on on the new Tundra first though, lol. Sad i went from one truck showing i need oil to one that says you've got to much.

With the amount of testing Toyota does, I don't worry about a first year vehicle from them. I had my 2007 Tundra 12 years, and replaced the battery and brakes once, and a few sets of tires in that time.

 

[Merccat]

Did they replace the oil filter when they drained and refilled? 7.75 quarts is the amount when the oil filter is replaced (empty)... It's probably more like 7 quarts without a filter change...

Just did this myself (and experienced the same issue as OP):

It was an early change (first 1k) so I skipped the filter and reduced oil to 7 to start with. That was still too much and my reading went way up the stick and didn’t make any sense.

I ended up draining about 1/4 quart and got it between the top of the hashmarks and the overfilled hole.

Best estimate is if not changing the filter start with 6.5 and go from there.

Also from this I learned you only need to be slightly over for the reading to go completely unreadable.

 

[Merccat]

Sadly, you are correct. I'm seriously thinking of trading it in on maybe a Toyota in a year. Gotta get those bugs worked out first on on the new Tundra first though, lol. Sad i went from one truck showing i need oil to one that says you've got to much.

I fail to see how a different brand makes any difference with mechanics adding the wrong amount of oil. Find a mechanic who is competent.

 

[SILVERBULLET69]

JUST COMING OUT OF LEFT FIELD BUT MAYBE TOUR DIP STICK LENGTH IS LONGER OR THE MARKS ARE OUT OF PLACE? I MEAN IT IS A MANUFACTURED PART AND SHIT HAPPENS!

 

[Merccat]

JUST COMING OUT OF LEFT FIELD BUT MAYBE TOUR DIP STICK LENGTH IS LONGER OR THE MARKS ARE OUT OF PLACE? I MEAN IT IS A MANUFACTURED PART AND SHIT HAPPENS!

Anything is possible but he did say it read perfectly fine before the oil change. I suppose along those same lines the mechanic could have accidentally swapped dipsticks with a different vehicle.

 

[JoeBlowFord]

I wonder if they aren't fully draining. Would be curious to know on a truck with a correct level, how much oil is drained.

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