Oil Dip Stick Reader

[Johnny5]

I changed my oil with the recommended 8.6 or 8.9 quarts (whatever the manual stated) but the reader is not good at all. It stops before the full level and than the oil stops and shows a 2nd level at full or a little above. I'm assuming everyone's reader sucks but I just wanted to check. Reading my manual it states that the LT5 drinks about a quart of oil every 2500 miles. So i just wanted to hear peoples feedback on what their dipstick reads, if they add oil between oil changes etc. Your experience is appreciated.

[Dynomite]

What did you just say? The full level and the 2nd level at full is confusing ;)
Are you talking about the Dip Stick?
Do you have the Stock Dip Stick?

Just let the LT5 sit for a few hours and remove the Dip Stick for the correct Actual Oil Level.

[efnfast]

The official procedure is to read the dipstick after sitting for 24 hours.
The entire oil system holds 12 quarts.
When you change it, expect a little under 9 quarts (with filter).
Experience shows windage blows out the first quart, then consumption slows way down.
I don't worry about leaving mine a quart down, unless I know I'm out for some hard driving or long distance driving. - Steve

[Johnny5]

On the dip stick the oil level is below full than is dry past full amd a lil oil past full mark. So usually u have a solid line of oil in a regular straight dip stick. Mine is stock. It just stops below full than is dry past the ok to full mark than another oil mark past full.

[We Gone]

Start it make sure you have oil pressure and let it warm up than shut down and check in a few hours.

[Dynomite]

I think what is happening is on the second or third oil check the dipstick has pulled oil up into the dipstick tube from the first check. That is the oil you see above full mark. Yep. I can hardly see oil level on my dipstick. But check oil after few hours sitting and on first pull of dipstick.

[Johnny5]

I know i put the correct amount of oil plus let it drain a while...3 quarts always stay in so i added 8.6ish.

[Carnab]

Thanks for the tip from Dynamite....I drive my ZR-1 a couple times a month and after cars and coffee low oil light came on after sitting 2 hours. Still plenty in obviously but I topped off and light went out. Put in 3/4 quart but very tough to read now as the dipstick pick up oil immediately as the design is a bit serpentine.

Topped off with Mobil 5w-30. Will double check oil level in am after it drains back etc.

Does anyone have a rule of thumb for when you are in the fill zone below the grid pattern. Seems like 3/4 did the trick and wanted to be careful not to overfill.

Thanks in advance.

:salute:

C

[Paul Workman]

I think what is happening is on the second or third oil check the dipstick has pulled oil up into the dipstick tube from the first check. That is the oil you see above full mark. Yep. I can hardly see oil level on my dipstick. But check oil after few hours sitting and on first pull of dipstick.

Yup! :thumbsup:

[WARP TEN]

I think what is happening is on the second or third oil check the dipstick has pulled oil up into the dipstick tube from the first check. That is the oil you see above full mark. Yep. I can hardly see oil level on my dipstick. But check oil after few hours sitting and on first pull of dipstick.

On my LT5s, I always checked the oil after the car had sat overnight and before starting it, and took the first reading on the dipstick. When I first bought my '93 and -- not knowing--checked the oil right after running, I panicked and added oil since I couldn't see any oil on the dipstick. So I overfilled it, but soon thereafter learned to wait and never did again. Fortunately no harm done. --Bob

[efnfast]

On my daily driver I used to check it on the first pull. It always read low and I added, overfilling. I have no idea why that would happen. Now I pull the stick, wipe it and go in for another dip.

[Paul Workman]

Just to add to this, when I check it before driving, and it reads on the FULL line and then go for a short (hour of normal traffic - just cruising) and check it when it cools, it reads 3/4 - 2/3. Next time out (w/o adding oil from last trip) it reads right at the same 3/4 to 2/3. And, it doesn't drop from there - sorta stabilizes there on subsequent light cruises.
OK, if I'm hammering it on mountain twisties and rubbing off some rubber in the process, all bets are OFF. For the "Mountain Runs" trips, I carry a spare quart or sometimes two - just in case - and top it off before the ride home.

Like said by many, that first 1/4 quart goes away very quickly. But, after than it slows down considerably.
NOTE: Mine is a 1990. Before Marc installed the seals on the primary intake valves, it was a quart low after 1000? miles of normal and some spirited driving. After the seals were installed it get to 2500? miles before it is a quart low. YMMV!!