97 4.0L Engine Oil Capacity

[NMC_EXP]

The owners manual of my 97 4.0L Ranger says engine oil capacity is 5 qt. The engine spec page on this website says 5 qt with a filter change.

When I add 5 qt with a filter change the dipstick shows 1/2 qt low. In fact a previous owner wrote 5 1/2 qt with grease pencil on the radiator support.

I'm inclined to believe reading 1/2 qt low when 5 qt is added is a problem with how the dipstick tube was installed.

Any experience with this issue?

Thanks

Jim

 

[RonD]

Picture here: https://www.tbscshop.com/1995-96-97-98-1999-explorer-ranger-4-0l-engine-oil-dip-stick-dipstick-f57e-6750-eb/

Shows dipstick at 20.5", metal part
Check yours

And yes if dipstick tube wasn't push down all the way to its "stop" it would read low, but the tube is also bolted to exhaust manifold so that would also be bent if it wasn't down all the way

1/2 quart extra wouldn't hurt anything, my 1994 4.0l shows correct upper middle of range with 5 quarts and new filter

 

[NMC_EXP]

Picture here: https://www.tbscshop.com/1995-96-97-98-1999-explorer-ranger-4-0l-engine-oil-dip-stick-dipstick-f57e-6750-eb/

Shows dipstick at 20.5", metal part
Check yours

And yes if dipstick tube wasn't push down all the way to its "stop" it would read low, but the tube is also bolted to exhaust manifold so that would also be bent if it wasn't down all the way

1/2 quart extra wouldn't hurt anything, my 1994 4.0l shows correct upper middle of range with 5 quarts and new filter

Thanks for the link. Will check dipstick length.

Plus, been looking for a new dipstick with no luck til now. Wife drives a 2009 Dodge Caravan 3.3L. Went to check the oil recently and the plastic handle broke off clean right at the o-ring groove molded in it. I was able to extract it by drilling a small pilot hole in the plastic and screwing in a small wood screw.

The Ranger dipstick has the same plastic shank but the handle is different. Think I ought to replace the Ranger dipstick before the plastic breaks on it.