Fuel in oil

[Wade]

So I go out and check mine here at 1 am lol...Yes my oil smell like gas to me.(I think mildly and I compared with my ls3 oil smell and it has zero gas smell) I have almost 1700 miles engine built in August in my Ranger...Looks to have correct amount of oil on dipstick but will check tomorrow in day light to be sure but looked like top of second hole...

My thoughts are...It would have to be running pig rich if its happening while its running right? Gas mileage would be sucky too right? Tail pipe would be black sooty too right? Would there be a code thrown? Otherwise it would have to be getting in there when it wasn't running..Right?


shit now I'm worried.

Not necessarily. Many of us are convinced that the fuel is getting into the crankcase via the high pressure fuel pump, which runs off the camshaft. This would have zero effect on how the vehicle is running, but would have a slight effect on the fuel economy, depending on how severe the leak is. But it could be fairly negligible. In my case I average about 3 mpg lower than what my computer is telling me, but that doesn't seem ridiculously abnormal for these trucks.

Sponsored

 

[Wade]

Don't worry too much unless your oil is really high or an oil analysis comes back with really high fuel dilution. I saw another guy's oil analysis and after 8000 miles he only had 1.3% dilution, well within tolerable levels for a turbocharged DI engine. So this isn't an issue affecting all Rangers, and it should be correctable.

 

[MannyS]

I may have pulled the trigger to early. Checked my truck this morning didn't run all night. Oil level slightly above second dot and doesnt smell like fuel. Really hoping I was wrong and that nothing is wrong with the truck.

 

[Wheazy]

hmmm. I hope all is well Manny. Like I mentioned earlier, this is a common issue among many brands that are Forced Induction Direct Injection engines. I know for the Civics (never had one, just research) there was a programming change on the 1.5T's to help them not run as rich at start up. I honestly don't know if it helped or not.

It is concerning the first time you encounter it as I know I was with my F-150 2.7 EB.

 

[ben8jam]

I checked mine after a long drive. Oil level far exceeded top measurement. And smelled of gasoline.

I checked it the next morning, and the level was below the top measurement, but still smelled very strong of fuel.

Has anyone on this thread, had any success with the dealer service saying "yes, that's a problem let us fix it, or look into it?"

 

[Wade]

Just got the results back from my second oil analysis. After less than 1700 miles (the 2000 miles reflected on the analysis was just an estimate I threw out there when filling out their form) the fuel dilution is once again well above 5%. That was 100% highway miles, from Colorado to Utah and down to Texas. The rate at which the fuel builds up in the oil is insane, imagine if I waited the recommended schedule for oil changes in this truck? I hope that others who suspect this issue get an oil analysis done. $28 is a small price to pay to protect your $30,000+ truck and know what is actually happening to it.

 

[ben8jam]

Just got the results back from my second oil analysis. After less than 1700 miles (the 2000 miles reflected on the analysis was just an estimate I threw out there when filling out their form) the fuel dilution is once again well above 5%. That was 100% highway miles, from Colorado to Utah and down to Texas. The rate at which the fuel builds up in the oil is insane, imagine if I waited the recommended schedule for oil changes in this truck? I hope that others who suspect this issue get an oil analysis done. $28 is a small price to pay to protect your $30,000+ truck and know what is actually happening to it.

But now what? Does dealer have to fix something? Or are you just documenting in case of cataclysmic failure?

 

[2ford]

Not necessarily. Many of us are convinced that the fuel is getting into the crankcase via the high pressure fuel pump, which runs off the camshaft. This would have zero effect on how the vehicle is running, but would have a slight effect on the fuel economy, depending on how severe the leak is. But it could be fairly negligible. In my case I average about 3 mpg lower than what my computer is telling me, but that doesn't seem ridiculously abnormal for these trucks.

Wade,
My 2 cents on this I believe it's a fuel pump issue. I purchased a ranger in September engine date is August it now has 1500 miles on it to date the oil level is normal and smells normal. Defining normal it does have a slight spent combustion odor not gasoline. What should worry everyone is the way the dealers are handling the situation. I'm surprised the technicians aren't alarmed by the over filling of the crank case. Look in the owner's manual "overfilling the crankcase will cause serious engine damage" let alone the dilution effect of the oil. Good luck with your issue hope you get it resolved soon

 

[Dmax]

Wade,
My 2 cents on this I believe it's a fuel pump issue. I purchased a ranger in September engine date is August it now has 1500 miles on it to date the oil level is normal and smells normal. Defining normal it does have a slight spent combustion odor not gasoline. What should worry everyone is the way the dealers are handling the situation. I'm surprised the technicians aren't alarmed by the over filling of the crank case. Look in the owner's manual "overfilling the crankcase will cause serious engine damage" let alone the dilution effect of the oil. Good luck with your issue hope you get it resolved soon[/QUOT rdx

where in manual does it say over flow in crankcase is bad for engine. A photo or link appreciated if easy to access. Thx

 

[Scoops14]

where in manual does it say over flow in crankcase is bad for engine. A photo or link appreciated if easy to access. Thx

Page 260: Note: Do not add oil further than the maximum mark. Oil levels above the maximum mark may cause engine damage.

 

[Dmax]

Thx

Page 260: Note: Do not add oil further than the maximum mark. Oil levels above the maximum mark may cause engine damage.

 

[Noseoil]

This thread finally got to me. Went outside & checked the engine date (March 6) & pulled the dip stick. Oil is about 1/8" above the top hole after 5,100 miles & still the factory oil from when it was new. Guess I'm lucky on this one, but I'm going to be sending the oil to Blackstone for analysis when I have it changed soon. I'll be curious to see their dilution numbers & relative viscosity results.

Don't like hearing the bad news about this problem on some people's trucks, not good & wondering what plans Ford has for resolving the issue. It needs to be resolved & warranty needs to apply here...

 

[Wade]

But now what? Does dealer have to fix something? Or are you just documenting in case of cataclysmic failure?

Part of it is to double check myself, make sure I have a real issue and am not just freaking out over nothing. It confirms to me that it is a real problem and that I need to continue to press Ford to have it fixed. The other reason it's good to do this is that if it comes down to a lemon law action or future warranty issues, I have some proof to back me up. I'm also using the oil analysis in my documentation to Ford corporate, even though the dealerships don't like to accept it as proof of anything.

 

[Wade]

Here is an interesting article.
https://www.mishimoto.com/engineeri...ger-2019&utm_term=Ford-Ranger-2019-Blog3-IMG1

@Mishimoto discovered tons of fuel in their catch can during their testing, which could only have happened if there was a significant amount of fuel in the crankcase to begin with. This is exactly what led me to discover the problem, finding pure gasoline in my catch can. Mishimoto noted that it was highly unusual but didn't seem to dig into it.

 

[Wade]

Notice this article by @Mishimoto as well.

https://www.mishimoto.com/engineeri...baffled-oil-catch-can-rd-part-3-test-results/

The Focus RS and Mustang applications of this same engine did not yield the result of fuel in the catch can like the Ranger did. This leads me to further believe that it is not an inherent problem with the 2.3 engine, or caused by excessive blowby, but rather some accessory, most likely the High pressure fuel pump. This is good for us, meaning it should be an easy fix. Now we just need Ford to recognize the issue and take care of it. I love this truck and just feel let down that we are experiencing such a severe issue and not being taken seriously.

Sponsored