• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

Fox White smoke at 3000 RPM after oil change

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rick88
  • Start date Start date Apr 21, 2021

Rick88

Member
Mar 17, 2021
46
10
18
Alabama
Apr 21, 2021
#1
  • Apr 21, 2021
  • #1
Car was running fine before an oil change Saturday. I didn't do it myself as I don't have the space to do it right now. I just got the car a month ago and didn't know when the last oil change was so I figure I'd change it anyway. I got high milage 10w-30 synthetic put in. I noticed yesterday when accelerating and the car is about 2500-3000 rpm there was a rubber burning smell. I looked behind me to see a big white cloud of smoke. I didn't catch tire so I know it wasn't that (at least for the smell). I haven't noticed any loss of power, doesn't smoke if I don't get on it, and didn't smoke before the oil change that I noticed. I did add seafoam to the oil (before the change), gas, and intake system over 2 weeks ago, but would think most of it would be out of the car by now along with any stuff it kicked up and didn't smoke when I added the seafoam. I'm looking for advice, I will be checking stuff this afternoon after an appointment, pulling codes, checking fluids, looking for leaks or spills.

A little background:
88 GT with stock 5.0 (as far as I'm aware)
automatic
138,000 miles
Cats deleted and smog bypassed
Charcoal canister deleted
No codes prior to oil change (minus normal no cats and smog codes)
Oil pressure gauge jumps around but stays in the normal range (even changed the sender and cleaned the connector)
Not over heating, stock gauge stays about 180-200
 

90sickfox

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands
SN Certified Technician
Mar 2, 2015
6,945
5,816
213
Apr 21, 2021
#2
  • Apr 21, 2021
  • #2
Most ( non- mustang ) people don't know there are two drain plugs. They may have over filled it with oil.
 

Rick88

Member
Mar 17, 2021
46
10
18
Alabama
Apr 21, 2021
#3
  • Apr 21, 2021
  • #3
90sickfox said:
Most ( non- mustang ) people don't know there are two drain plugs. They may have over filled it with oil.
Click to expand...
Did not know that! Thanks!
 

Ryuk

I love your drawers
5 Year Member
Apr 22, 2017
1,686
1,607
133
Apr 21, 2021
#4
  • Apr 21, 2021
  • #4
Also, there's a new 5.0 that takes 8 quarts of oil. Some oil change techs might not know the capacity of the old ones. I pulled close to 8 quarts of mine the first time I did an oil change.
 

Rick88

Member
Mar 17, 2021
46
10
18
Alabama
Apr 21, 2021
#5
  • Apr 21, 2021
  • #5
so yeah... there is way too much oil in there! Where the end of my towel is that’s where the oil stops on a cold engine. Guess I’m going to have to go back up there. Thanks for the info on the new 5.0s and the 2nd drain plug.
 
Last edited: Apr 21, 2021
Reactions: Ryuk

Potomus Pete

I'm still waiting for the fully nude shots
5 Year Member
Mar 7, 2019
3,308
1,223
153
Sarasota Florida
Apr 21, 2021
#6
  • Apr 21, 2021
  • #6
Cant see...How much more in inches
 

Potomus Pete

I'm still waiting for the fully nude shots
5 Year Member
Mar 7, 2019
3,308
1,223
153
Sarasota Florida
Apr 21, 2021
#7
  • Apr 21, 2021
  • #7
Dont drive it too much. I had an oil change place overfill my old S 10 and they blew out my valve seals. Every time I started it for years after it puffed white smoke
 

Rick88

Member
Mar 17, 2021
46
10
18
Alabama
Apr 21, 2021
#8
  • Apr 21, 2021
  • #8
Potomus Pete said:
Cant see...How much more in inches
Click to expand...
It’s a good 2 inch or so above the full. Hopefully nothing else will come from it. It smoked at startup for the first time on the way back to the shop. Fingers crossed
 

Potomus Pete

I'm still waiting for the fully nude shots
5 Year Member
Mar 7, 2019
3,308
1,223
153
Sarasota Florida
Apr 21, 2021
#9
  • Apr 21, 2021
  • #9
Don't need to say it around here, but I wouldn't let anybody change my oil. My wife took her CRV to Honda, and I checked it when she got home and it was dirty. Just don't trust them.
 

Rick88

Member
Mar 17, 2021
46
10
18
Alabama
Apr 21, 2021
#10
  • Apr 21, 2021
  • #10
I usually wouldn't but it's been a busy week and we don't have the space I had in our old house. Lesson learned I'll do it myself at my inlaws from now on.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,265
17,952
224
Massachusetts
Apr 21, 2021
#11
  • Apr 21, 2021
  • #11
Just keep the RPM low until you can get the oil drained. Higher RPM in an overfilled pan can whip the oil up and cause you to lose oil pressure.
 

Rick88

Member
Mar 17, 2021
46
10
18
Alabama
Apr 21, 2021
#12
  • Apr 21, 2021
  • #12
Oil has been drained, rechecked dipstick, and is at the proper level. Runs better and pressure (I know the stock gauge sucks) is pretty constant. I didn't see any smoke but I didn't get on her on the way home. I did pull codes and didn't have any new ones (I always have 85,94 and 44). The coolant looks clean but I think I'm going to flush the system next week just because. I'm assuming the over-filled oil was the problem but I'll update in a few days when I drive the car more and get the guts to get on her again.
 
Reactions: HemiRick

limp

wrap a little cheese around it and its a done
5 Year Member
Oct 4, 2020
5,472
2,903
173
Florida
Apr 21, 2021
#13
  • Apr 21, 2021
  • #13
Potomus Pete said:
Don't need to say it around here, but I wouldn't let anybody change my oil. My wife took her CRV to Honda, and I checked it when she got home and it was dirty. Just don't trust them.
Click to expand...
If we started castrating people who did this there would be MUCH less of this....
 
Reactions: Ryuk
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Oil choice for after break in period.
  • Sask84gt
  • Feb 28, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
26
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Mar 14, 2026
Praetorious
P
W
Megasquirt base tune for 94 5.0
  • wrx757
  • Mar 6, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
3
Views
221
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Mar 6, 2026
wrx757
W
C
Knocking after pull- went away?
  • Connormcclark
  • Oct 6, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
232
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Oct 6, 2025
gkomo
B
Engine Another no start after washing engine bay
  • bruno
  • Apr 26, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
24
Views
737
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 7, 2026
AeroCoupe
Buying with a bad motor?
  • djj62478
  • Mar 8, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
8
Views
303
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Mar 11, 2026
TTSaleen
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?