Oil Capacity Issues?

dzienkob

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I need answers to an obvious ongoing issue regarding oil capacities for the Lincoln LS. I've done a search on this website and have found many questions regarding this issue but none have really been resolved.

I have a 2000 LS V8 and decided to change my own oil this time. I'm not ignorant or anything, in fact I've done many oil changes in the past. My dillema is that the manual states 6 quarts while in the past I've been charged for 7. In fact when I visited the local dealer to obtain my oil and filter he gave me 7 quarts.

Now, I know you can get an idea of how full the oil is by checking the dipstick after you've ran the engine, but its a little deceptive and I just want to be sure.

Does anyone know the answer to this question? I wasn't sure on the capacity so I split it and put 6.5 quarts in, but I would like to be sure for peace of mind.

Thanks!

Dzienkob
 
6 quarts - including the filter.


I've change the oil in my LS for years.
 
So what is the possible problems associated with putting in 7 quarts as opposed to 6?
 
My LS calls for 6.5 w/filter change (2003 V8). Issue with overfilling IIRC is the crank will splash into it causing the oil to aerate (get bubbles in it) and can cause poor lubrication. You also lose power and can screw some other things up. It's generally quite bad to overfill an engine.
 
I've noticed a ticking in the engine lately. Could that be attributed to overfilling the crankcase?
 
yes but it also could be a number of other things.
 
Thanks for the feedback beaups, I appreciate it. I think I might have to discuss this issue with the dealerships I've been getting my oil changed at.
 
I looked it up in my owners manual.

It says that the v8 takes 6.5qts
and the v6 takes 6.9qts

that seems odd to me

any v6 owners able to confirm for me? I just bought mine about 2 weeks ago and have not changed the oil yet.
 
from my manual....

REFILL CAPACITIES

Engine oil (includes filter change)

3.0L-4V V6 engine
Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 Super
Premium Motor Oil 6.5L (6.9 quarts)

3.9L-4V V8 engine
Motorcraft SAE 5W-30 Super
Premium Motor Oil 5.7L (6.0 quarts)
 
Yes, It does seem very odd to me. That is why I asked for confirmation.

I only use 4.5qts on my 3.8 ltr GTP
I find it odd that the smaller V6 LS takes so much more oil... and even more than the V8 LS
 
A change on later models

Quik LS said:
from my manual....

REFILL CAPACITIES

Engine oil (includes filter change)

3.0L-4V V6 engine
Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 Super
Premium Motor Oil 6.5L (6.9 quarts)

3.9L-4V V8 engine
Motorcraft SAE 5W-30 Super
Premium Motor Oil 5.7L (6.0 quarts)

From my 2004 Owners Manual:

Engine oil
(includes filter change)

Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend
Motor Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 Super Premium Motor Oil
(Canada)
3.0L-4V V6 engine 6.5L (6.9 quarts)
3.9L-4V V8 engine 6.2L (6.5 quarts)

Apparently a change was made in the capacity.
 
its about 6.5 qts with the filter change on V8 LSs and around 7 on the V6 LSs

Depending how much you let drain out. Thats why you have a dipstick.

Jay
 
I have been putting in just about 7 quarts in my V6 since new, almost 125K miles ago.

Engine displacement doesn't necessarily have anything to do with oil capacity.
 
I just picked up 7qts of mobil1 supersyn 5-20 and a K&N oil filter. I figured it would be a good Idea to see what you guys use. Any recommendations? or warnings against anything?

is this too far off topic and should be created in a new topic? I apologise if it is, my other forums are a little a.d.d. and dont really car if you highjack threads
 
GWL said:
3.0L-4V V6 engine 6.5L (6.9 quarts)
3.9L-4V V8 engine 6.2L (6.5 quarts)

Apparently a change was made in the capacity.
The '03-'06 LSes hold more motor oil; the change was due to the addition of VVT in '03.
 
crab daddy said:
I just picked up 7qts of mobil1 supersyn 5-20 and a K&N oil filter. I figured it would be a good Idea to see what you guys use. Any recommendations? or warnings against anything?
I use Molbil1 5W-20; it's hard to beat. Changing the oil in the LS (at least in the V8) is a trivial task; I don't remember having a car which had an easier oil change regimen. The filter and drain plug are both easily reachable, almost without puttng the car up on ramps.

I personally fill the oil filter with fresh oil; some don't, but that's that much less time the engine is running without oil flowing.

Really, it's the same as changing the oil on most other cars. Put fresh oil on the gasket, and don't use a filter wrnech to install the filter, and you should be OK.
 
hey how'd you get that smoke to come out the wrong end of your car? :)
 
keep in mind the manuals might be wrong.

my manual from my 2000 v6 says 6.0 quarts for the v6 and for the v8.

I always had to add more than that to get a correct reading on the dip stick.

The other day I found a manual online, it is a newer revison I'm sure.

this manual shows 6.7 quarts for the v6 and 6.0 quarts for the v8.

see this thread:
http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/showthread.php?t=19053

also don't get confused between liter and quarts

also a smaller engine does not mean it takes less oil, some 4 cyl will take 5-6 quarts. depends on the pan, the filter, the pump and so many other factors.

just take your time give the oil a chance to drian to the pan then check the level. see the bulletin that 2001LS8Sport posted. I say 1/2 half quart extra or less won't really hurt your engine, as long as your sensible and have a regular oil change interval (~3000 miles)
 
crab daddy said:
Major Oil Leak:D
nice answer! That's what I hated about running my FWD Talon. If you lit them up like that you couldn't see!
 
Like the other guys say, my 2004 V8 manual says 6.5 with filter.

Most shops are lazy and just dump in the 7 qts. On most engines no harm.

Think about what a 1/2 qt overfill means on an engine built to use 6.5qts. The oil level may be maybe 1/8 inch higher in the crankcase than normal with 1/2 overfill. That is nothing. It does decrease your margin a tiny bit but not an issue. The oil level is a bit arbitrary and is meant to keep oil from sloshing around under heavy accleration or hills. 1/2qt is most likely well within the engineering margins.

As a last argument, take half a quart of oil and spill it on the ground. How thick does it stack up when it spreads out to maybe a foot diameter puddle? Not much.

If you put in 1 or 2 qts you have a problem and probably should drain some out.

The oil capacity of auto engines is interesting. I have seen large engines like 350 and up that use only 4 qts and I have seen small 4 bangers use more than 6qts. I think much of this is due to "styling" issues, i. e. there may not be room in the engine bay for a big crankcase. I prefer large capacities since it gives you more oil to dilute contaminants and it gives you some margin for running out.

Good Luck and don't worry,

Jim Henderson
 
I was talking to a friend of mine and he said that the quantity of oil had to do with how thin it was... haveing a larger quantity of 5-20 keeps it cooler and keeps it from breaking down or foaming up.

of course, that was his theory and he is not really a certified mechanic

and yes, fwd burn outs really suck If you forget your vents on, it fills the inside of the car with dark smoke and you cant launch until it airs out (teh ghey):D
 

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