T.Richardson

I just changed the oil and filter on my 96 and then I noticed a spot of oil on the ground, and saw that there was a leak. Im not sure where it is coming from. I tighten the Oil filter, and the oil pan bolt so.. I really have no idea. But it drips and then it will stop, and then when I drove around for a bit it started to rain, and when I got back home, I noticed a big spot of water that look a rainbow, and then the Low oil light came on. I need some help, this is a big concern for me. Will all the oil leak overnight?

Some other things to note, I did spill quite a bit (not a lot) of oil when I was pouring through the funnel (wasn't paying attention) and I added 5 quarts of oil.

chillindamost

Check the o-ring on the oil filter, may be offset or the old one from the filter you removed may be stuck on the housing also.

Chubstang

Check the oil filter adapter. Could be the gasket leaking at the block or even a crack in the housing.

school boy

may be the oil you spilled just dripping off

cliffyk

^+1 -- most likely scenario...

Luke13

Doesn't the 4.6 take 6 quarts of oil when you change the filter and all?

cliffyk

An independent test in 2001 revealed that under hard cornering the 4.6L 2V could be starved for oil with only 5 qts in the crankcase. Because of this report Ford, for the 2002 MY, changed the recommended fill to 6 qts, and changed the dipstick and owner's manuals (download them here) to accommodate the new recommendation.

If you drive like a normal person, or even quite a bit more aggressively, this is not an issue--however the recommended fill is 6 qts regardless of the MY or dipstick markings.

This sort of brings up the issue of dipstick markings. Older Ford dipsticks were marked:

(end if stick)
MIN-->oXXXXXXXo<--MAX

Ford is very clear in TSB 03-8-3 that "full" is in the middle between MIN and MAX holes.

The newer ones are marked:

(end if stick)
oXXXXXXXXXXXXX| o

where "full" is again in the middle, Ford states that if the oil level is anywhere between the lower and upper holes is it OK, do not add oil...

uberstang1

Just get under the car and identify where its coming from first, but chances are its oil dripping of the rack that spilt during the filter change.

T.Richardson

It was a false alarm. Like what ya'll said, it was just oil dripping from the tiny spill.

Also, I have always added 5 quarts, I had no idea about the Ford testing and all that. Pretty interesting though, I think I''ll just add another quart to be safe.

cliffyk

It won't hurt, however it really doesn't matter. Very, very, few drivers ever even come close to the sort of G-forces that could cause the oil starvation and the whole oil level "thing" is largely a much-ado-about-nothing issue.

With 5 gts loaded there is at least 1-1/2 gts more than the engine needs for proper lubrication and cooling (barring the extreme G-force curves), and with 6 qts it's just that much more headroom...