GEN 2 I need some help from the experts. Potential Oil Starvation.

[Joey DeLorenzo]

Hi, it's me.

Question for the smart brains in the room (@FordTechOne if he's still with us):

Last week, at 126,572 miles, I got an oil change at a Valvoline Instant Oil Change. Previously I had waxed lyrical about Vavoline as they're professional and do a job (Plus, if I did mine own oil I'd use Valvoline anyway).

This week, at 126,772 miles, I was driving on the highway when I experienced a catastrophic loss of engine oil pressure. At 65 MPH I received the "Low Oil Pressure" advisory on the dash while traveling down I-5 in San Diego. Instantly let off the accelerator, made my way to the shoulder, and shut the truck off. After letting it sit for a minute, I elected to turn the vehicle back on. I had previously gotten the "Low Oil Pressure" warning when the oil level was low and pressure was back to normal on restart. After turning the vehicle on I heard lifter noise within seconds and shut the truck back down. Total on time, maybe 5 seconds.

I hopped out of the truck to grab oil from the back, since I always carry a couple quarts, and by the time I made back up to the front of the vehicle I saw that all of the oil (or a very large portion of it) had drained out the vehicle. I called a tow truck, thankfully covered by USAA, and had it towed back to the shop where I had just picked up the truck from a front bumper repair. They offered to pay for the tow, in case something they had did had caused the oil loss. When it was dropped off they broke out flashlights to look and see what had gone wrong. During the inspection we found the oil drain plug sitting on the skid plate. My guess is that the oil drain plug was improperly installed.

I called Valvoline the next morning and they offered to redo the service after they towed the truck to their shop. I insisted on having the motor inspected by a Ford Dealer. They tried to meet me halfway by saying they'd have it inspected at a local shop. I once again insisted on a Ford Dealer and they're going to corporate to ask for the money to have it inspected at a dealer.

My questions for the group:
1) What am I looking for, what am I making sure is inspected by Ford?
2) Is this cut and dry improper installation of the plug or could there be other issues associated with the motor?
3) Am I completely ***** and join a spectator role on this forum (Which would crush me because I love this truck)?


Pictures, for a sad reference.

 

[raptorsub]

I thought the drain plugs look like this? I thought they always had just one larger o-ring.

 

[1BAD454SSv2]

Looks like incorrect drain plug . How could Ford think this was a good idea . My 19 is aluminum pan and steel plug. Your engine is toast it only takes seconds to tear up the bearings . If you were at idle when it ran out i would say there is a chance of being OK . Fill it with oil , do a flood start to get oil pumped through system . Start it up listen for noises any noise that wasn't there before is damage. Run for 5 min drain and inspect oil filter for metal . Any metal found They owe you a new long block and turbos .

 

[thatJeepguy]

Believe me , valvoline probably gets 15-20 of these a year. Drain plugs don't just come off by themselves. Changed my own oil/ on the raptor i give them amsoil now and they do the works for 39 with pick up and drop off at my house. So no point in doing it myself .
Ive never had a drain plug back itself out in 28 years.

Point is probably a combo of ****** design and negligence / uneducated encounter at valvoline. Unfortunately for them they’re the last person to touch it, which means they are at fault. And if they want to conduct business in good faith they have to bite the bullet and make this right. Fords design is what it is. I would also contact your insurance as it possibly might be covered under comprehensive if they become hostile.

I dont doubt valvoline is “professional” they do a great job on 2000-2024 4 cylinder passenger cars etc. But everyone has an off day. Question is if its worth gambling a 500hp twin turbo GDI/PI engine on their staff. For me its either myself or dealer . If ford ***** it up they have unlimited resource.

 

[Joey DeLorenzo]

Believe me , valvoline probably gets 15-20 of these a year. Drain plugs don't just come off by themselves. Changed my own oil/ on the raptor i give them amsoil now and they do the works for 39 with pick up and drop off at my house. So no point in doing it myself .
Ive never had a drain plug back itself out in 28 years.

Point is probably a combo of ****** design and negligence / uneducated encounter at valvoline. Unfortunately for them they’re the last person to touch it, which means they are at fault. And if they want to conduct business in good faith they have to bite the bullet and make this right. Fords design is what it is. I would also contact your insurance as it possibly might be covered under comprehensive if they become hostile.

I dont doubt valvoline is “professional” they do a great job on 2000-2024 4 cylinder passenger cars etc. But everyone has an off day. Question is if its worth gambling a 500hp twin turbo GDI/PI engine on their staff. For me its either myself or dealer . If ford ***** it up they have unlimited resource.

Yeah this is definitely a good point. I had just gotten back from a 9 Month deployment and decided not to wait for a dealer or do it myself. I regret that now obviously.

I thought the drain plugs look like this? I thought they always had just one larger o-ring.

Looks like incorrect drain plug . How could Ford think this was a good idea . My 19 is aluminum pan and steel plug. Your engine is toast it only takes seconds to tear up the bearings . If you were at idle when it ran out i would say there is a chance of being OK . Fill it with oil , do a flood start to get oil pumped through system . Start it up listen for noises any noise that wasn't there before is damage. Run for 5 min drain and inspect oil filter for metal . Any metal found They owe you a new long block and turbos .

To answer both of you, yeah, it's different. I went to the Ford Dealer I'm hoping will take it and they gave me an OEM plug to reference. Pictured below.

 

[John813]

Very odd on the drain plug. IIRC I've bought the 2.7L, 3.0L and 3.5LTT plastic plugs and they are all the yellow one.
Same diameter? Some knock off plug.

On my 17, the plugs were very easy to confirm it "locked" in. Guess someone put it back but never twisted it till they felt it click.

I agree with @1BAD454SSv2 for the starting point. But even then I wouldn't feel comfortable even with one flush and no initial chatter once it's filled with oil.

 

[1BAD454SSv2]

Red one looks like a Dorman Plug but googling it shows no double o-ring . I searched for any drain plug with double o-ring none .

 

[Joey DeLorenzo]

Red one looks like a Dorman Plug but googling it shows no double o-ring . I searched for any drain plug with double o-ring none .

Yeah, I'm thinking this is the wrong plug. The dealer was very confused. They're also working with me to talk with Valvoline to make sure everything is handled appropriately.

Keeping a positive outlook but this is a situation I'd suggest you all avoid.

 

[TwizzleStix]

Once again screwed by incompetent monkeys at aftermarket oil service chains. They hire minimum wage morons at worst or green inexperienced kids at BEST that you pay to perform critical services to your vehicle. You get what you deserve for going there AT ALL. Maybe you will luck out and no serious damage was done. I really hope you learn the lesson to make time and do your own service work. Otherwise you get this crap that can EASILY be prevented. The dealers are NO BETTER in service work either.

 

[blwn]

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