Fuel in oil

[Travis_88]

Doc, I think the short trips are my problem also and here in Minnesota during cold winters the problem gets worse. After my last oil change I put ~750 highway miles on and the dipstick showed zero rise in oil level. For the last ~250 miles it has been mostly driving around town and the oil level is rising again.

My town trips are long enough to get the engine temperature gauge in the normal operating range but the oil does not get heated up. I'm starting to think that the only solution to this is frequent oil changes for this truck.

Im in Minnesota as well... so same story here, cold weather makes the fuel get into the oil way faster... Probably gonna change oil every 1000 miles during winter months. God this just kills me!!!! I love the truck but man, why this headache???

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[createaneutron]

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/fuel-in-oil.4803/post-193757
https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/fuel-in-oil.4803/post-142937

Both my completed blackstone reports(first was delivered empty). Holding off till I get a third run on my oil to the Lab before I start screaming.

Thanks Sarg104!!

 

[createaneutron]

Thanks Sarg104!!

I wanted to update everyone from my last post, asking for owners with fuel dilution issues to send me their Blackstone report so I can compile the information in a spreadsheet. My hope is having this data in one document might allow us to have a stronger voice with Ford.
To date I have 11 entries in the spreadsheet. Obviously, the more the better; data is power. So, please consider sending me your numbers to be counted! Also, please include your Customer Complaint or Warranty Claim case number if you have it. Opening a case with Ford corporate is hopefully another way to get their attention.
Thanks!
Joe

 

[P. A. Schilke]

I wanted to update everyone from my last post, asking for owners with fuel dilution issues to send me their Blackstone report so I can compile the information in a spreadsheet. My hope is having this data in one document might allow us to have a stronger voice with Ford.
To date I have 11 entries in the spreadsheet. Obviously, the more the better; data is power. So, please consider sending me your numbers to be counted! Also, please include your Customer Complaint or Warranty Claim case number if you have it. Opening a case with Ford corporate is hopefully another way to get their attention.
Thanks!
Joe

Hi Joe,

Kudos for taking this on and I agree it is imperative to open up a case with Ford Customer Care. You are wise to correlate the Blackstone data with a customer complaint to Ford. Enough people complained about start up shudder that Ford had to address the situation...probably not robustly, but it got their attention. Keep up the good work.... I cannot get my head around this issue and do not understand why some fixes are replace injectors, some HPFP, some both and others no fix with both replaced. It makes no sense to me and while the majority of forum members have no problem....

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[N. J. Jim]

I wanted to update everyone from my last post, asking for owners with fuel dilution issues to send me their Blackstone report so I can compile the information in a spreadsheet. My hope is having this data in one document might allow us to have a stronger voice with Ford.
To date I have 11 entries in the spreadsheet. Obviously, the more the better; data is power. So, please consider sending me your numbers to be counted! Also, please include your Customer Complaint or Warranty Claim case number if you have it. Opening a case with Ford corporate is hopefully another way to get their attention.
Thanks!
Joe

I have had a rising oil problem for over 5000 miles.Oil went up from the full mark to the top hole in under 200 miles.Sent the sample off to Blackstone and came back only 1% dilution. Can't understand that and I have had it go up to the twist in 1000 miles. Do alot of short trips but what are we supposed to do just take long trips in these trucks. Opened a case with Ford and got nowhere . Dealer did all the tests and it passed everything. Ford told me the Truck was operating normally.Same thing as MotoWojo hard getting paperwork to back anything up.Very disappointed in the response.Have only 15,000 miles on the truck. It's a 2019 Lariat 4 ×4 which was built in May.Will send another sample off to Blackstone but only have 570 miles on this oil change!

 

[Blue Streak]

Just another thought. My truck was built 3/29/19. As stated previously oil level has never changed from being at the top level. Now at 25800. miles. Purchased my truck in Texas before we moved. Dealer were I purchased my truck had to pick it up out of town. It was a 200 mile drive on the interstate which I agreed to so the did not have to trailer it. So initial break in was a good highway run. Just a thought or just good luck. Sorry to hear these issues are going on.

 

[createaneutron]

I have had a rising oil problem for over 5000 miles.Oil went up from the full mark to the top hole in under 200 miles.Sent the sample off to Blackstone and came back only 1% dilution. Can't understand that and I have had it go up to the twist in 1000 miles. Do alot of short trips but what are we supposed to do just take long trips in these trucks. Opened a case with Ford and got nowhere . Dealer did all the tests and it passed everything. Ford told me the Truck was operating normally.Same thing as MotoWojo hard getting paperwork to back anything up.Very disappointed in the response.Have only 15,000 miles on the truck. It's a 2019 Lariat 4 ×4 which was built in May.Will send another sample off to Blackstone but only have 570 miles on this oil change!

Jim,

I am sorry to hear about your rising oil volume problem and Ford not being able to adequately address it. It is also strangle the fuel dilution came back at 1%, which doesn't help explain the rising volume issue.
Please let us know what your next Blackstone looks like.
Take care!
Joe

 

[createaneutron]

Hi Joe,

Kudos for taking this on and I agree it is imperative to open up a case with Ford Customer Care. You are wise to correlate the Blackstone data with a customer complaint to Ford. Enough people complained about start up shudder that Ford had to address the situation...probably not robustly, but it got their attention. Keep up the good work.... I cannot get my head around this issue and do not understand why some fixes are replace injectors, some HPFP, some both and others no fix with both replaced. It makes no sense to me and while the majority of forum members have no problem....

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

Thanks Phil. I am trying to think of ways to hold their hand to the fire and fix our trucks. I love my Ranger and I would really like the fuel dilution problem fixed. Currently Blackstone says my oil viscosity is low, probably due to fuel dilution. This is a very frustrating problem for those of us affected. I have yet to get more than an email response from my Ford Warranty Claim I opened, so still holding my breath!
Peace,
Joe

 

[N. J. Jim]

Jim,

I am sorry to hear about your rising oil volume problem and Ford not being able to adequately address it. It is also strangle the fuel dilution came back at 1%, which doesn't help explain the rising volume issue.
Please let us know what your next Blackstone looks like.
Take care!
Joe

I'll do that. Blackstone told me the reason why it was 1% was because I only had a couple hundred miles on that sample. That doesn't explain what the rise was, if it wasn't fuel like there test is implying what caused the rise in that sample. Since then I have had it rise to the twist with a strong oder of fuel and watered down! I will be sending off a sample when I change the oil again. I will run the oil as long as I can!

 

[createaneutron]

I finally got the Ford Warranty Rep to speak to me on the phone. I opened the claim about a week ago and heard nothing! I emailed several times and heard nothing back. Today I called her and finally got the ball rolling.
She told me to take the truck back the dealership (this coming Monday 1/11). She will then arrange for the "Ford Hotline" (Engineers, Techs) to "provide guidance to the dealership to approach the problem in a systematic fashion". Those are my words since she asked me "what would you like us to do"?!!
Stay tuned for the results (or not) next week.
Peace,
Joe

 

[mk842766]

I see a lot of the folks with this problem are from states with colder climates. I don't remember anyone from Canada reporting this problem?? Are the canuks having these problems as well, or is it just in the states?

 

[NvrFinished]

Personally, I don't think nearly as many people actually pay attention to what is going on with the oil. They might check the oil once in a while, but most take their vehicles to a dealer or quick change oil place for service and just are not aware of what is going on. People who participate on car forums are naturally more inclined to pay closer attention to their vehicle and maintenance and will be keen to things like this.

So far, I'm not aware of anyone experiencing actual mechanical issues or engine failure due to this strange anomaly. Granted, we are only two years into this engine on the Ranger.

I'm not happy with it, but I'm not overly concerned yet. My first oil analysis reported a fuel dilution of 2.8% when I did the first oil change. I refilled with Amsoil Signature Series and recently sent off another sample to Blackstone with the second oil change. I will see if there is any change or not. I let it idle for a bit and then drove it around the neighborhood for a few minutes before the oil change, but I do wish I had driven it more before taking the sample.

This is the first vehicle I've encountered that always has a smell of fuel. Even after returning home from a 30 mile trip on the highway, you can smell it emanating from the front of the truck as you stand by it. I'm a bit perplexed as to why the truck always has to be priming the injectors when it's not running as well. Like others, I've heard it doing this when I've had it in the garage when detailing or cleaning the interior.

 

[Travis_88]

Personally, I don't think nearly as many people actually pay attention to what is going on with the oil. They might check the oil once in a while, but most take their vehicles to a dealer or quick change oil place for service and just are not aware of what is going on. People who participate on car forums are naturally more inclined to pay closer attention to their vehicle and maintenance and will be keen to things like this.

So far, I'm not aware of anyone experiencing actual mechanical issues or engine failure due to this strange anomaly. Granted, we are only two years into this engine on the Ranger.

I'm not happy with it, but I'm not overly concerned yet. My first oil analysis reported a fuel dilution of 2.8% when I did the first oil change. I refilled with Amsoil Signature Series and recently sent off another sample to Blackstone with the second oil change. I will see if there is any change or not. I let it idle for a bit and then drove it around the neighborhood for a few minutes before the oil change, but I do wish I had driven it more before taking the sample.

This is the first vehicle I've encountered that always has a smell of fuel. Even after returning home from a 30 mile trip on the highway, you can smell it emanating from the front of the truck as you stand by it. I'm a bit perplexed as to why the truck always has to be priming the injectors when it's not running as well. Like others, I've heard it doing this when I've had it in the garage when detailing or cleaning the interior.

You are right about the Ranger continuing to prime when the vehicle is off, my 2020 Ranger keeps priming the injectors so much after I turn it off. I bet if it didn't do this my oil wouldn't smell like a gas tank. When I start the truck, it immediately ignites at half a crank, Im glad it starts but this can't be very good for many components.

 

[Texasota]

So far I have 5 entries in my spreadsheet from owners who were willing to share their Blackstone report. I am compiling a spreadsheet of people who have documented fuel in their oil. If you also have higher than normal readings on your report please consider sharing the results with me, and I will then share it with everyone who responds. Hopefully, with a unified database like this it will allow us to get Fords attention and take this situation seriously. Individually, they are more likely to blow us off. However, with everyones input in a single unified document, they will be more likely to take us seriously.
Thanks in advance!
Joe

Here is mine, Joe. This is my second Blackstone test. My fuel dilution dropped to 3.3% from 3.8% but there were far fewer miles on this oil compared to previous. My Ranger behaves perfectly on longer road trips but during short trips around town it rises. I don't think it is bad injectors or HPFP in my Ranger. He doesn't like short trips and especially not in Minnesota winter where the oil does not have time to reach operating temperature.

This is purely speculation on my part, but I think the reason we are not getting satisfactory results from Ford (and dealerships) is because they don' t have a solution for this problem except in the less common cases where it is a bad injector or HPFP. I don't think this problem is going to be solved until they introduce dual fuel injection like they did for the 2.7 and 3.5 Ecoboosts. I suspect the folks that don't have this problem do few short town trips or there Rangers reside in hot/warm climates.

I'm really curious if the 2.3 Mustangs or 2.3 Explorers have this problem. If not, what is different with our Rangers?

I'm going to try and quit stressing about it and just change my oil more frequently and use cheaper semi-synthetic oil. No sense using more expensive full synthetic if I am going to change it every 3000 mores or so.

 

[N. J. Jim]

Here is mine, Joe. This is my second Blackstone test. My fuel dilution dropped to 3.3% from 3.8% but there were far fewer miles on this oil compared to previous. My Ranger behaves perfectly on longer road trips but during short trips around town it rises. I don't think it is bad injectors or HPFP in my Ranger. He doesn't like short trips and especially not in Minnesota winter where the oil does not have time to reach operating temperature.

This is purely speculation on my part, but I think the reason we are not getting satisfactory results from Ford (and dealerships) is because they don' t have a solution for this problem except in the less common cases where it is a bad injector or HPFP. I don't think this problem is going to be solved until they introduce dual fuel injection like they did for the 2.7 and 3.5 Ecoboosts. I suspect the folks that don't have this problem do few short town trips or there Rangers reside in hot/warm climates.

I'm really curious if the 2.3 Mustangs or 2.3 Explorers have this problem. If not, what is different with our Rangers?

I asked that same question back In this thread . Asking if any of the Mustang 2.3 owners had this problem. I asked if they had the same HPFP setup as the Ranger. Nobody ever answered my question! I know there's some differences in our engines to adapt them for truck use!

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