Proper oil level help, please

[AustinJohn]

I'm pretty embarrassed to ask about reading a dipstick but as the result is so important will ask it nevertheless.

On my new-to-me '90 ZR-1 (formerly Hans Meyers jewel) I'm topping off the oil after my trip from California but as the ZR-1 dipstick with all it's curves is the most difficult to read dipstick I've ever encountered, want to be sure what I believe I am seeing is correct.

It appears I'm low as the level (other than a few drops I assume picked up as the dipstick is removed and replaced) as shown by the picture below is at the first "D" in "ADD". Am I correct? I sure don't want to overfill. Oil pressure runs steady at about 60.

Thanks a million!

John

http://s261.photobucket.com/albums/ii41/AustinJohn78731/?action=view&current=Combo.jpg][IMG]http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii41/AustinJohn78731/th_Combo.jpg
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii41/AustinJohn78731/Upload.jpg

[dan1495]

John.

That looks low to me, but how long had the car been sitting when you checked the level? I have found that it takes a long time for all of the oil to return to the oil pan. I generally check mine after the car has been sitting overnight.

Dan

[AustinJohn]

John.

That looks low to me, but how long had the car been sitting when you checked the level? I have found that it takes a long time for all of the oil to return to the oil pan. I generally check mine after the car has been sitting overnight.

Dan

Good point, Dan. The car had been sitting overnight. John

[mike100]

add half a qt and check it an hour later.

My experience after a year and a half of different types of driving is that the first 1/2 to full qt burns off with windage and spirited driving much more quickly than any subsequent oil consumption after that. You said you went 2500 miles on your trip so no surprise on the 1/2 qt or so that burned off. All these engines use about that much oil over that distance.

[AustinJohn]

add half a qt and check it an hour later.

My experience after a year and a half of different types of driving is that the first 1/2 to full qt burns off with windage and spirited driving much more quickly than any subsequent oil consumption after that. You said you went 2500 miles on your trip so no surprise on the 1/2 qt or so that burned off. All these engines use about that much oil over that distance.

Many thanks, Mike.

[PhillipsLT5]

http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20Web/articles/Modern%20Motor%20Oil%20and%20the%20LT5%20Engine.pd f

http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20Web/articles/Oil%20Filter%20Recommendation%20Update%202011.pdf

wait 24 hour to check

[AustinJohn]

http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20Web/articles/Modern%20Motor%20Oil%20and%20the%20LT5%20Engine.pd f

http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20Web/articles/Oil%20Filter%20Recommendation%20Update%202011.pdf

wait 24 hour to check

Thanks!

[AustinJohn]

wait 24 hour to check

I have to admit I was a little skeptical but followed your advice and after waiting your suggested 24 hours was amazed to see the significantly higher oil level "appear", a result far more dramatic than I've ever experienced with any other engine.

I guess that means to me that the design of the ZR-1 engine requires us to have two dipstick oil levels in mind: one for when we can/do wait 24 hours before checking and a second lower one for instances such as when we're checking oil level while on the road.

Very helpful. Many thanks!

John

[LGAFF]

don't feel bad, I can port an intake, build and LT-5 but like you reading that dipstick is still a skill I have not mastered......oil is thin and hard to see when fresh...

[scottfab]

I guess that means to me that the design of the ZR-1 engine requires us to have two dipstick oil levels in mind: one for when we can/do wait 24 hours before checking and a second lower one for instances such as when we're checking oil level while on the road.


Yes, a good observation as per oil checking.
FYI a stock 90 MY will loose more oil that later MYs with high rpm driving.
90 MYs have no seals on the exhaust valves. It was someone's good idea back in the day.

[WydGlydJim]

My '90 was also very hard to get a good read, so don't feel bad....I generally checked as others have said after sitting overnight....It also used a bit more, than I have noticed with the '94. the '90s did not have valve guide seals, so I figured it was normal to burn off some......just another one of the racey '90 things.
:)

[efnfast]

I believe most cars are calibrated to be read after about five minutes of engine off, such as checking on the road. I really depends on how Chevy intended it to be read. I think Porche is meant to be read while the engine is running. That way there is always the same amount of oil in suspention.

[mike100]

I believe most cars are calibrated to be read after about five minutes of engine off, such as checking on the road. I really depends on how Chevy intended it to be read. I think Porche is meant to be read while the engine is running. That way there is always the same amount of oil in suspention.

The owners manual for my 91 specifies to wait a very long time for an accurate reading. Be assured that if you can read somewhere near the bottom of the indicated range, you should have enough to be safe.

[AustinJohn]

I believe most cars are calibrated to be read after about five minutes of engine off, such as checking on the road. It really depends on how Chevy intended it to be read. I think Porsche is meant to be read while the engine is running. That way there is always the same amount of oil in suspension.

The owners manual for my '91 specifies to wait a very long time for an accurate reading. Be assured that if you can read somewhere near the bottom of the indicated range, you should have enough to be safe.

This is one of those instances when it would be wonderful if someone who attended the LT5 Gang Reunion in Stillwater last August could email one of the folks on the LT5 team and get the answer. John

[Blue Flame Restorations]

I feel confident that if I do a cold check first thing in the morning, I should have a very accurate reading to go by. Just my opinion.

[efnfast]

So wouldn't a good test be to do an oil change, put in exactly the right amount of oil, 8.8 quarts in my case, and then see where it falls on the dipstick. Sitting overnight is certainly going to give an accurate and consistant reading, but that all hinges on where GM put the full mark.
Just checked my owners manual. It says check the oil when the engine is cold, that means it sat for hours. Apparently Chevy wants all the oil in the pan to check it.

[scottfab]

So wouldn't a good test be to do an oil change, put in exactly the right amount of oil, 8.8 quarts in my case, and then see where it falls on the dipstick. Sitting overnight is certainly going to give an accurate and consistant reading, but that all hinges on where GM put the full mark.
Just checked my owners manual. It says check the oil when the engine is cold, that means it sat for hours. Apparently Chevy wants all the oil in the pan to check it.

FYI I get 1/2 quart difference from 5min after and overnight check.

[A26B]

The owners manual for my 91 specifies to wait a very long time for an accurate reading........

I feel confident that if I do a cold check, first thing in the morning, I should have a very accurate reading to go by.

Just checked my owners manual. It says check the oil when the engine is cold, that means it sat for hours. Apparently Chevy wants all the oil in the pan to check it.

It has been a long established practice among knowledgable ZR-1 owners to check the oil level when the engine is cold, sat overnight, all day, etc., a fact corroberated by the owners manual.

Simple, safe, good practice is to let it drain overnight, then refill with 9qts. Drive it, park it overnight, check the level in the morning & top it off, usually 0.2~0.5 qts.

[AustinJohn]

It has been a long established practice among knowledgeable ZR-1 owners to check the oil level when the engine is cold, sat overnight, all day, etc., a fact corroborated by the owners manual.

Simple, safe, good practice is to let it drain overnight, then refill with 9qts. Drive it, park it overnight, check the level in the morning & top it off, usually 0.2~0.5 qts.

Many thanks, Jerry. Thoughts from long experience are what I was hoping for when I started the thread on what seemed an embarrassing issue and you've helped us all.

John