I have a question about all y’alls experience with oil consumption in Ford 460 V8’s. Do they by nature tend to use more oil than smaller engines? The reason I’m asking is that my 1994 Ford 460 V8 with 58,000 miles on it, over the last 1,000 miles, used 1.5 quarts of synthetic 10W30 oil. I realize that I may have valve seal issues but I have to wonder, what with the large cylinders and 5.13 gearing and resulting higher RPM, should I be worried about my oil consumption or is it common. In addition, when I recently changed out the spark plugs, the old plugs didn’t show any carbon build-up often associated with high oil usage (it doesn’t leak oil either). The other thing that makes me wonder is that on the other end of the spectrum my 2005 Dodge Caravan, with a much smaller 2.4 liter 4 cylinder engine and 150,000 miles on it, gets 10,000 miles to a quart (in fact that’s when I change the synthetic 5W30 oil I use in it).Steve

There is always a reason for oil consumption. Fords have never been high users of oil. So, I have to ask the obvious question, What does the manual say about oil viscosity for that motor? 10-30 or 10-40? There is only one way to check the motors internals, pressure test each cylinder and see if you have valve guides or possibly ring issues.

I would think that with the age of the engine and the lowmiles I would be looking at ring issues.

What does your engine look like? Is there oil anywhere on any surface that would indicate a leak from any one of the numerous gaskets or seals? On a 1994 engine I would expect aging on some of the gaskets like oil pan, valve cover, time chains cover, etc, to have hardened somewhat and maybe allow some oil to seep by. A cylinder pressure test, as mentioned above, is a good test of your engine mechanicals but it won't tell you too much about gaskets and seals. Only a visual inspection can pin point those leaks.

At 20 years old, your valve seals have likely become brittle and disintegrated. Replace those first, least expensive place to start. That's pretty low miles for a 460.

I run 10W30 mobile one and use very little oil between changes 1996 winnie F53

Ford 460 V8 oil consumption | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

SeaDog_BRR
Explorer
Dec 11, 2013
I run 10W30 mobile one and use very little oil between changes 1996 winnie F53
Jagtech
Explorer
Dec 11, 2013
At 20 years old, your valve seals have likely become brittle and disintegrated. Replace those first, least expensive place to start. That's pretty low miles for a 460.
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Dec 11, 2013
What does your engine look like? Is there oil anywhere on any surface that would indicate a leak from any one of the numerous gaskets or seals? On a 1994 engine I would expect aging on some of the gaskets like oil pan, valve cover, time chains cover, etc, to have hardened somewhat and maybe allow some oil to seep by.
A cylinder pressure test, as mentioned above, is a good test of your engine mechanicals but it won't tell you too much about gaskets and seals. Only a visual inspection can pin point those leaks.
CANAMKID
Explorer
Dec 11, 2013
I would think that with the age of the engine and the low
miles I would be looking at ring issues.
donn0128
Explorer II
Dec 11, 2013
There is always a reason for oil consumption. Fords have never been high users of oil. So, I have to ask the obvious question, What does the manual say about oil viscosity for that motor? 10-30 or 10-40? There is only one way to check the motors internals, pressure test each cylinder and see if you have valve guides or possibly ring issues.

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Ford 460 V8 oil consumption

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