1st Oil Change (Completed) - Low Oil (Next Step Advice)

[GT_Ghost5.0]

Hello all,

I followed some advice that I've read about changing out the manufacturer oil after the 1st 1k miles; well I went to A QuickLane out here in FL and it didn't go so well, so I need some advice on how to proceed.

I had the manufacturer oil changed out on Oct 11th, after it was changed I checked the level / color to ensure it was indeed changed and all was well (they left dirty oil on my hood though).

Anyways, fast forward to yesterday (Oct 23rd), I turned the car on and notice some ticking / rattle from the undercarriage. First thing I did was let the car cool down for about 15mins and check the oil, indeed it was low, so I use my other car and get some oil and fill it back up.

I call and inform them of the finding and they said to bring it in the following day (opens at 6am); I get there at 7am today and the Sr Tech is asking me A multitude of questions such as "What oil was brought" "Did you notice oil burning" etc... I told him (5w-30 full syn and hell no) the car was perfectly fine before I brought it.

I received the car back at 7:40am without anymore tick / rattle, with the Tech saying "nothing was found".

Should I call up Ford and report the site? So this is documented incase of any premature issues down the line?

Thanks for any potential advice ladies / fellas.

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[robvas]

So how 'low' was the oil?

 

[GT_Ghost5.0]

So how 'low' was the oil?

 

[robvas]

Assuming you added a quart to bring the level up to the top of the hash marks?

In that case don't worry about it. Check it again in a few weeks.

 

[Cz_Ziemniak]

I'm willing to bet what happened here was when the oil was changed, the technician filled the oil, changed the filter, then proceeded to check the level and saw that it was at the top hash. Following this, he gave it the green light and sent the car on its merry way.

He likely did not start the car then recheck the oil after it filled the new filter. The difference between filling and not starting vs starting the engine and letting it run for 10 or 15 seconds, then letting sit and rechecking is typically between 1/2 a quart to a quart.

my $.02, but keep an eye on the level for the next three thousand miles.

 

[GT_Ghost5.0]

I'm willing to bet what happened here was when the oil was changed, the technician filled the oil, changed the filter, then proceeded to check the level and saw that it was at the top hash. Following this, he gave it the green light and sent the car on its merry way.

He likely did not start the car then recheck the oil after it filled the new filter. The difference between filling and not starting vs starting the engine and letting it run for 10 or 15 seconds, then letting sit and rechecking is typically between 1/2 a quart to a quart.

my $.02, but keep an eye on the level for the next three thousand miles.

Can you advise me on what potentially caused the rattle underneath? When I brought it back, the Sr Tech took it and within 40mins returned it saying he found nothing, but now the rattle is gone.

I just want to have my ducks in A row on how to properly navigate this with Ford, if needed, as it was A QuickLane that performed the oil change.

 

[Cz_Ziemniak]

Can you advise me on what potentially caused the rattle underneath? When I brought it back, the Sr Tech took it and within 40mins returned it saying he found nothing, but now the rattle is gone.

I just want to have my ducks in A row on how to properly navigate this with Ford, if needed, as it was A QuickLane that performed the oil change.

Can't help you there. Could be a huge number of things, I can't say without having seen/heard it myself.

Being at the bottom of your dipstick hashmark wont cause low oil pressure/valve ticking/spun bearing, if thats your concern. modern 5.0's have a 10 qt sump, very large capacity.

In my experience, rattling typically came from heat shields, exhausts clamps, loose bolts on undertrays, things like that. Engines themselves don't typically rattle.

if it was the Sr Tech at the same place that did your service, I'm willing to bet it was one of those options I just mentioned that the previous tech that did you oil change simply forgot. Sr Tech might just be covering for a sloppy job that left a plastic panel loose.

 

[Starship Enterprise]

Many report ticking on startup after an oil change. look up thread search on ticking here.

 

[Skye]

If at all possible, stay away from the Quickie Lube places. The quality never meets expectations. If you cannot change it yourself, go to the dealer, a speed shop, independent, etc.

It reads like the oil level was fine the day of the oil change, but low two weeks later it was lower, with the tick. You don't mention any wrench light or other oil warning lights, leaks, smells, etc.

Why the oil was lower two weeks later I can't explain. They might have left something loose. But you don't mention any leaks. IDK.

The noises you were hearing could be any number of things. The S650 has a belly pan which has to be removed and re-installed. The might have missed some of the attachments. They might have left a tool under the car, jostling on the pan.

Ford Coyote engines do have a characteristic tick, the BBQ tick. If you listen to the engine while in the garage, door open, at idle, the engine will have a random tick. The noise sounds like a BBQ grill igniter. It is harmless. It normally presents itself after the first oil change. It can come and go.

Those are some plausibles. For the next few weeks, I'd check your oil once a week, same way, same place, to confirm you're not losing oil and they didn't miss anything else.

If you notice you continue to lose oil or hear an odd noise again, do not return to the Quickie Lube. The car is under warranty. Go to the dealer and discuss it with them.

Edit,

I would not report the issue to Ford, for two reasons:

1. Ford will re-direct you to the BBB or state agency for a poor job. That's as far as that'll go.

2. I wouldn't mention or document anything to Ford right now. Putting down on paper, "I got my oil changed at Quickie Lube and am low on oil, with a weird sound.", absolves Ford of anything. It's like a get out of jail free card. We honestly don't know what, if anything, happened during the oil change. Or if a trend started with the engine beforehand. Or after.

If...If you continue to experience a loss of oil that concerns you, or the weird sound returns, take it to the dealer to discuss. Offer the oil has been previously changed using common parts and recommended oil weight. Let the discussion take its own path. Ford does have a procedure for testing loss of oil.

But I think that last paragraph is looking too far ahead. Right now, it sounds that while the oil change place did a poor job, with the situation corrected before anything serious happened.

As a general rule, I recommend everyone check under the hood, tire pressures, tire treads and under the car once a month. Check fluids, look at things. That kind of stuff. The manual gives details. If you're not sure of anything else, you can always come back and ask.

- Follow the maintenance schedule
- Use parts, fluids and materials that meet or exceed the standard
- Use a Top Tier fuel. Google the term for a list of stations
- Document maintenance. Several ways to do this. Follow your heart and keep records.

 

[GT_Ghost5.0]

If at all possible, stay away from the Quickie Lube places. The quality never meets expectations. If you cannot change it yourself, go to the dealer, a speed shop, independent, etc.

It reads like the oil level was fine the day of the oil change, but low two weeks later it was lower, with the tick. You don't mention any wrench light or other oil warning lights, leaks, smells, etc.

Why the oil was lower two weeks later I can't explain. They might have left something loose. But you don't mention any leaks. IDK.

The noises you were hearing could be any number of things. The S650 has a belly pan which has to be removed and re-installed. The might have missed some of the attachments. They might have left a tool under the car, jostling on the pan.

Ford Coyote engines do have a characteristic tick, the BBQ tick. If you listen to the engine while in the garage, door open, at idle, the engine will have a random tick. The noise sounds like a BBQ grill igniter. It is harmless. It normally presents itself after the first oil change. It can come and go.

Those are some plausibles. For the next few weeks, I'd check your oil once a week, same way, same place, to confirm you're not losing oil and they didn't miss anything else.

If you notice you continue to lose oil or hear an odd noise again, do not return to the Quickie Lube. The car is under warranty. Go to the dealer and discuss it with them.

Edit,

I would not report the issue to Ford, for two reasons:

1. Ford will re-direct you to the BBB or state agency for a poor job. That's as far as that'll go.

2. I wouldn't mention or document anything to Ford right now. Putting down on paper, "I got my oil changed at Quickie Lube and am low on oil, with a weird sound.", absolves Ford of anything. It's like a get out of jail free card. We honestly don't know what, if anything, happened during the oil change. Or if a trend started with the engine beforehand. Or after.

If...If you continue to experience a loss of oil that concerns you, or the weird sound returns, take it to the dealer to discuss. Offer the oil has been previously changed using common parts and recommended oil weight. Let the discussion take its own path. Ford does have a procedure for testing loss of oil.

But I think that last paragraph is looking too far ahead. Right now, it sounds that while the oil change place did a poor job, with the situation corrected before anything serious happened.

As a general rule, I recommend everyone check under the hood, tire pressures, tire treads and under the car once a month. Check fluids, look at things. That kind of stuff. The manual gives details. If you're not sure of anything else, you can always come back and ask.

- Follow the maintenance schedule
- Use parts, fluids and materials that meet or exceed the standard
- Use a Top Tier fuel. Google the term for a list of stations
- Document maintenance. Several ways to do this. Follow your heart and keep records.

Skye,

First and foremost, thank you for the reply and information.

The QuickLane is Fords fast oil change extension, right next door to the Dealership here in FL.

I'll check this Sunday and see if the oil decreases, but as an update, the tick sound is gone after I returned to the QuickLane and the Sr Tech took it out back, so I'm leaning towards A bad job.

Your question regarding any lights - None came on (Thankfully). I just like to have my ducks in A row and your reply has eased me.

Thanks again!

 

[DarkMatterGrey]

Does it sound like this? And goes away when driving only to come back the next time you start it?

 

[Skye]

The QuickLane is Fords fast oil change extension, right next door to the Dealership here in FL.

Unfortunate. But not unique to any brand of dealer now. Some customers do have great experiences and relationships. Others, it's something less than expected.

We've had a few threads of oil changes by dealers with oil levels later found low. Or other weirdness. It often comes down to a lack of attentiveness by the tech. Or a tech that might have meant well, but was unfamiliar with the car and engine and tasked for the job with little oversight.

Glad you noticed it when you did and got it sorted.

 

[PS JCS]

If you can afford to buy a Mustang you can afford to take it to a Ford dealership for an oil change.

 

[GT_Ghost5.0]

Does it sound like this? And goes away when driving only to come back the next time you start it?

Exactly like that.

 

[GT_Ghost5.0]

If you can afford to buy a Mustang you can afford to take it to a Ford dealership for an oil change.

It is Fords .. I'm not sure how you don't know what QuickLane is.

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