oil level?

tixer

tixer

Lincoln Evangelist
Staff member
Paid Member
I just did some half-hearted Google research, and seem to be seeing conflicting results. Some sources indicate 5 quarts with filter for that engine, some indicate 6.. If you have your owner's manual, that'd be the sure thing, I would think.

Assuming you've checked the obvious. (oil filter tight? oil plug tight?)

I had some considerable experience with a '92 Crown Vic a few years back, and I do seem to recall that taking 5 quarts.

Also, these things *should* have a "low oil" warning light on the dash, (separate from oil pressure..) that lights when you are 1 quart low, or perhaps a bit more. I know my '86 does, I use it all the time. :D

I suppose one could consider clogged oil passages, but I've simply never heard of it with these...
 
I seem to recall 5 quarts w/filter on my 91 Townie. The previous owner wrote it with paint pen on the fan shroud. :D I would first get the oil level up and see what noise, if any, you have then. In my experience, a failed tensioner will make noise all of the time while driving but most noticeable at idle when oil pressure is at a minimum. If it is related to timing chain components, you may also have worn chain guides. It does happen over time as they are made of plastic and have a metal base. Once they wear down, the chain is riding on metal and you would probably notice flecks of nylon and metal in your oil. Top off your oil first though and see. Are there any oil leaks under the car? Getting that low in that short of time seems quite significant. These cars also had issues with leaky valve seals. Keep us posted! And welcome, by the way. :wave:
 
One more thing to add, my dad also had a 94 that burned a quart every 600 miles. He also had higher mileage. After 1000 miles, if this is your case, you may be well on the way to being 2 quarts low. If you are that low, you won't register on the stick as you described.
 
The first thing I would do is put a quart of oil in the engine, then check the oil. If you still don't see oil on the dipstick, put another quart in, then check it. Keep doing this until you see oil on the dipstick, then add what is needed after that.

My 94's always take 6 quarts, my 98 takes a little more for some reason.

Don't wait for any messages, put in what the dipstick tells you, then check it every day for a while, to see if you are losing any oil.
 
+1 to what billcu said. And to add again, I may have overposted a bit just because you mentioned the timing components. I honestly don't think from what your saying it is related at all to your timing components. Your car is losing oil somewhere, plain and simple.
 
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