Possible Problem after Oil Change

[vidmaster]

Hey guys, I got my 01 gt @ 22k miles and finally dumped the oil @ 23k to change out with Mobil 1 5w-30 synth. I replaced the filter with the motorcraft one.

First problem, the oil gauge jumps from low to normal every few seconds when I cold start the car after it's been sitting for more than 5-8 hours. If I coast, it will sit at low until I tap the gas and then it jumps to normal again for a few seconds.

The oil level is exactly at the max level as I used exactly 5 quarts of oil. Before I did the oil change, it looked like there were 6 quarts of oil in my car since it was definately higher on the dipstick passed the max line and filled my oil drain pan almost completely when I dumped it.

Lastly, a more serious problem now. I had some metal shavings in the oil and I am now concerned that I may have a serious engine problem. What's the standard powertrain warranty on these cars? Am I **** out of luck if there's a major problem with the engine like a spun bearing or something? This is my first time ever even changing oil on a car so I'm not sure what a normal amount of metal shavings in the oil is.

On a side note, maybe I'll be lucky and it will be a spun crank bearing that will be fixed under warranty requiring the engine to be dissassembled. Then I'll run out and get forged internals haha

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[SHOStang]

Your oil pressure gage almost sounds like it's working like a real gage should...shows differences in pressure as RPM's change. The factory gage only shows that you have pressure but it won't show any fluctuations in pressure or tell you what the pressure actuall is. But, it does sound like your oil sending unit is malfunctioning but it could be more serious as there should be no metal shavings in the oil. If your still under warranty it should be no problem. Take it in and get it checked out.

 

[40th GT]

I wouldn't trust that POS dipstick if I were you. Add 1 more quart and then take it in.

 

[vidmaster]

how many of you guys run 6 quarts of oil in your gt's? i know the manual says 5 bur I could swear some people on here were saying to run 6

 

[BAFMustangGT]

5

 

[rjstaaf]

I wouldn't trust that POS dipstick if I were you. Add 1 more quart and then take it in.

I think I'll put 9 quarts in mine, hey if 5 is good 9 has to be better right?

His manual says 5 and the dipstick reads full at 5 both as he has already stated.

 

[rjstaaf]

how many of you guys run 6 quarts of oil in your gt's? i know the manual says 5 bur I could swear some people on here were saying to run 6

Stick to 5 quarts. Some time in 2002 the GT went to 6 quarts. That doesn't mean you can run 6 quarts in your 2001.

If you are worried about the shavings in your oil (I would be) send a sample of oil to http://www.blackstone-labs.com/index.html . For $20 they will analyze the oil and anything in it and can tell you if your engine is wearing abnormally.

The warranty is 3 years or 36,000 miles whichever comes first. Depending on the "in service" date of your car the warranty is probably already expired. Can't hurt to check. Just call the dealer, give them your VIN and ask if it is still under warranty.

 

[rickster99]

I dont know about you guys, but when I have done my oil changes the dipstick will not show full untill you have added 6 quarts of oil. I didnt even look at the manual to see but now I see that some of you say that the manual says 5 quarts.... ??? thats wierd. I dont know about you guys but I will stick with the 6 quarts of oil.

 

[vidmaster]

ok cool, yea i figured the warranty was short. figures I guess i'll be paying to get a new engine if this one is damaged guess i better hold off on performance mods for awhile until I can get the engine inspected.

Thanks for the quick replies guys.

Does anyone have any idea about the oil gauge? Think it's ok even though it jumps up and down after a cold start for a few minutes? One of my friends has a camaro that does that also and he says it's normal with synth oil, but I've never seen that before and it scares me to see that oil gauge just drop off like that. I don't have an oil pressure gauge to get a real reading of my oil pressure so I have to rely on the cheap factory gauge Only had the car a month and I don't want the engine to grenade on me, especially if I have no warranty :\

 

[rjstaaf]

I dont know about you guys, but when I have done my oil changes the dipstick will not show full untill you have added 6 quarts of oil. I didnt even look at the manual to see but now I see that some of you say that the manual says 5 quarts.... ??? thats wierd. I dont know about you guys but I will stick with the 6 quarts of oil.

From your sig, it appears you have a 2003. You should be using 6, that is what your manual should indicate and appears that your dipstick also indicates. Somewhere in 2002 Ford changed the GT upping the quantity to 6 quarts.

 

[1992 2.3LX]

why did they go back down to 5 quarts?? i have a 96 and the manual calls for 6 quarts.

 

[Rio96]

for my 96 GT, oil change w filter , is 6 quarts.
The advantage of the 5 qt. dipstick is that it saves
Ford one qt. per car.
Rio96

 

[rjstaaf]

Some of you guys are playing dangerous games with your comments. There are a lot of newbies that come here looking for information. Ford didn't simply change to a 5 quart dipstick. You guys are leading them to believe that even if their manual and or the dipstick calls for 5 quarts to just go ahead and put in 6. I guess you figure it is ok though because it is not your motor.

 

[2002BLGT]

replace the sending unit first , if its still jumping around , I would change it again for good measure and change the filter again too . then if its still jumping around like that I would say to plan on pulling the engine , T&Js can build you a good short block that will hold about anything you can throw at it ....