Engine - Oil Dipstick May Not Be Read Correctly
88ford09
Article No. 88-8-9
FORD: 1984-88 ALL CAR LINES
LINCOLN-MERCURY: 1984-88 ALL CAR LINES
MERKUR: 1985-88 ALL CAR LINES
LIGHT TRUCK: 1984-88 ALL LIGHT TRUCK LINES
ISSUE: The "markings" on the engine oil level dipstick (indicator) may not be read correctly or could possibly be misinterpreted. This can result in overfilling the engine with oil in newly delivered vehicles or thinking that the engine has been overfilled with the specified amount of oil during oil and filter changes.
ACTION: If service is required, use the following guidelines to make sure of correct oil fill.
NOTE: PROPER OIL FILL IS BASED ON A SPECIFIED VOLUME AND IS LISTED IN THE "VEHICLE ENGINE OIL LEVEL CAPACITY SPECIFICATION CHART" AND THE "FLUID REFILL CAPACITIES CHART" OF THE VEHICLE OWNERS GUIDE. USE THESE RECOMMENDED VOLUMES WHENEVER REFILLING THE ENGINE WITH OIL.
FIGURE 6:
Old Style Design Dipstick
On "MAX/ADD" style dipsticks the "MAX" line represents an allowable tolerance limit of approximately 1/2 quart above the specified (normal) engine operating level, Figure 6. The oil level of a properly filled engine should indicate an oil level reading in the upper crosshatched area of the dipstick.
NOTE: DO NOT "TOP OFF" TO THE "MAX" LINE. IF THE OIL LEVEL GOES ABOVE THE "MAX" LINE, A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF OIL SHOULD BE REMOVED TO BRING THE OIL LEVEL READING BACK INTO THE CROSSHATCHED AREA OF THE DIPSTICK.
New Style Design Dipstick
On "FULL/ADD", "FULL/ADD 1 QUART" or "F" style dipsticks the oil level of an engine filled with the correct amount of oil, as listed in the "Vehicle Oil Capacity Specification Chart" will normally occur slightly above the "FULL" line, Figure 6. This occurs because the "FULL" mark on the dipstick represents the lowest level of oil that could occur when an engine is filled with the specified volume of oil. This variation in oil level is due to manufacturing tolerances and oil level checking conditions.
1987-88 ENGINE OIL CAPACITY SPECIFICATION CHART
Oil Fill
With Filter
Engine Models Change
Car 1.3L All 3.9 Qts.
1.6L All 3.9 Qts.
1.9L All 4.0 Qts.
2.2L All 4.9 Qts.
2.3L OHC N.A. EFI/TC 5.0 Qts.
2.3L/2.5L HSC/PENTA 4.5 Qts.
2.9L Scorpio 5.0 Qts.
3.0L All 4.5 Qts.
3.8L All 5.0 Qts.
5.0L All 5.0 Qts.
5.8L All 5.0 Qts.
Truck 2.0L Ranger 5.0 Qts.
2.3L Ranger 5.0 Qts.
2.9L Ranger 5.0 Qts.
3.0L Aerostar 4.5 Qts.
4.9L All 6.0 Qts.
5.0L All 6.0 Qts.
5.8L All 6.0 Qts.
6.1L/7.0L All 9.0 Qts.
7.5L All 6.0 Qts.
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: None
WARRANTY STATUS: "INFORMATION ONLY"