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

[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]

Originally Posted by 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

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

Many thanks, Mike.

[PhillipsLT5]

http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20W...5%20Engine.pdf

http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20W...ate%202011.pdf

wait 24 hour to check

[AustinJohn]

Originally Posted by PhillipsLT5

http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20W...5%20Engine.pdf

http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20W...ate%202011.pdf

wait 24 hour to check

Thanks!

[AustinJohn]

Originally Posted by PhillipsLT5

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]

Originally Posted by AustinJohn

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.