Am I the dipstick ??
02-28-2015, 05:58 PM
#1
1/4 mile/AutoX
Thread Starter
Am I the dipstick ??
Hey guys, installed headers on my 99 LS1, and ordered the dipstick tube for an 02 so it would bolt to the head. installed it and put my dipstick in and no oil showing (read normal range before I put on the headers) I realized the new tube was longer so I ordered the dipstick for an 02( this time talked to the parts guy at GMpartsnow and he said I would be good) Received the new one and it shows a quart low ??????? I know I can just make the stick but you don't go though all this for it not to work right. Anyone have similar experience ???
02-28-2015, 06:41 PM
#3
1/4 mile/AutoX
Thread Starter
02-28-2015, 06:45 PM
#4
1/4 mile/AutoX
Thread Starter
02-28-2015, 08:35 PM
#5
Le Mans Master
Try the old one again?
First, are you 100% sure the tube is fully in? Get a trouble light and check down there, you should see smooth tube right to the block. It should have clicked in when fully inserted.
As a check however, will the old tube and dipstick still go in there just without bolting in? If so, for some peace of mind, Try putting it back in just pointing basically up as it did before without bolting it in. What is the level then?
If you can't get a consistent reading I'd dig further. Maybe empty the oil and filter, then put in 6.5 litres and see what shows on both.
As a check however, will the old tube and dipstick still go in there just without bolting in? If so, for some peace of mind, Try putting it back in just pointing basically up as it did before without bolting it in. What is the level then?
If you can't get a consistent reading I'd dig further. Maybe empty the oil and filter, then put in 6.5 litres and see what shows on both.
02-28-2015, 08:42 PM
#6
1/4 mile/AutoX
Thread Starter
First, are you 100% sure the tube is fully in? Get a trouble light and check down there, you should see smooth tube right to the block. It should have clicked in when fully inserted.
As a check however, will the old tube and dipstick still go in there just without bolting in? If so, for some peace of mind, Try putting it back in just pointing basically up as it did before without bolting it in. What is the level then?
If you can't get a consistent reading I'd dig further. Maybe empty the oil and filter, then put in 6.5 litres and see what shows on both.
As a check however, will the old tube and dipstick still go in there just without bolting in? If so, for some peace of mind, Try putting it back in just pointing basically up as it did before without bolting it in. What is the level then?
If you can't get a consistent reading I'd dig further. Maybe empty the oil and filter, then put in 6.5 litres and see what shows on both.
02-28-2015, 08:48 PM
#7
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That certainly is a mystery. Hope you get it figured out.
02-28-2015, 09:40 PM
#8
1/4 mile/AutoX
Thread Starter
yes those are the numbers but I started to think about grantv said about 6.5 liters, and I thought ya I put in 6.5 quarts, Oh now I get it it should be 7 quarts, so maybe the old dipstick might be off. I just bought this car in May (50,000 real nice car) By you confirming I have the right tube and stick I am going to put a half quart till oil change, am I on the right track ???
02-28-2015, 10:21 PM
#9
Le Mans Master
Have you run the motor since putting in the oil and filter? The filter will take some of the oil (unless you put some in the filter before installing).
02-28-2015, 10:37 PM
#10
1/4 mile/AutoX
Thread Starter
yes I changed it a month before I put it up for the winter, after what you guys have posted I am confident that the reading is accurate. I had mentioned I am going to add 1/2 quart and keep an eye on it till next change. Thanks to all of you for your input.
03-01-2015, 08:51 AM
#11
Le Mans Master
03-01-2015, 10:11 AM
#12
Le Mans Master
I run a full 7 quarts in my 04 and with a fresh oil and filter change the level is just at the top of the hash marks on the stick. Manual says use 6 1/2 quarts which on my 04 only brings the level about half way up the hash marks. I like knowing that when the oil is at mid point on the stick I need to add 1/2 a quart and at the bottom of the hash marks I need to add a full quart. That has been the norm with every other vehicle I have owned.
You said you thought you were at 1 quart low with the new tube and stick ( post #1) . Adding half a quart would probably only bring you to the half way point of the hash marks on the stick.
For me the important thing to know is where the level is on the stick with a given known amount of oil in the engine. If 7 quarts comes half way up the stick in your car then you at least have a starting point since 6 1/2 shows you down a quart. Having it show a quart low with 6 1/2 quarts would bother the hell out of me. Where would it be on the stick if I were down a full quart????
Worth adding the 1/2 quart until next oil change.
You said you thought you were at 1 quart low with the new tube and stick ( post #1) . Adding half a quart would probably only bring you to the half way point of the hash marks on the stick.
For me the important thing to know is where the level is on the stick with a given known amount of oil in the engine. If 7 quarts comes half way up the stick in your car then you at least have a starting point since 6 1/2 shows you down a quart. Having it show a quart low with 6 1/2 quarts would bother the hell out of me. Where would it be on the stick if I were down a full quart????
Worth adding the 1/2 quart until next oil change.
So GM tells you to do one thing, and you feel better knowing you're doing something else? OP, stick with 6.5 quarts. Wherever that lies on the dipstick, is your new "full" level.
03-01-2015, 10:42 AM
#13
Le Mans Master
03-01-2015, 11:36 AM
#14
1/4 mile/AutoX
Thread Starter
03-01-2015, 05:16 PM
#15
Le Mans Master
Right, because we all drive race cars. If you're on the track and seeing frequent/constant high RPM use where oil is being sucked out of the pan at a high rate, have at it. For daily driving and stop and go traffic...
03-01-2015, 05:41 PM
#16
You can drill some 7/64 holes in the dipstick at the full mark and above and below to make it easier to read it.
The oil will fill the hole that is at the fluid level in the pan.
The oil will fill the hole that is at the fluid level in the pan.
04-18-2016, 09:32 PM
#17
Drifting
so I am having a "dipstick" moment...looking for input on an issue i'm having on my 2000 FRC with XS longtubes.
Went to install my new 01-04 dipstick tube and indicator that just arrived today. Removed the old unit, go to install the new tube, and I'm having a hell of a time seating it in. Just can't get it to fully seat against the red o-ring as the tube will either rub the header tube or just plain refuse to push further into the hole. The angle was just "wrong". I wiggled it and twisted it gently - all this did was break off the tip of the tube (luckily not in the pan. What's the deal? This isn't my first rodeo, I've never had an issue removing or reinstalling a dipstick on an LS. They always line up great. Anyone else had an issue with this? I triple checked that the dipstick tube was part number 12563817.
Went to install my new 01-04 dipstick tube and indicator that just arrived today. Removed the old unit, go to install the new tube, and I'm having a hell of a time seating it in. Just can't get it to fully seat against the red o-ring as the tube will either rub the header tube or just plain refuse to push further into the hole. The angle was just "wrong". I wiggled it and twisted it gently - all this did was break off the tip of the tube (luckily not in the pan. What's the deal? This isn't my first rodeo, I've never had an issue removing or reinstalling a dipstick on an LS. They always line up great. Anyone else had an issue with this? I triple checked that the dipstick tube was part number 12563817.
Last edited by nsogiba; 04-18-2016 at 09:33 PM.
04-18-2016, 10:14 PM
#18
1/4 mile/AutoX
Thread Starter
so I am having a "dipstick" moment...looking for input on an issue i'm having on my 2000 FRC with XS longtubes.
Went to install my new 01-04 dipstick tube and indicator that just arrived today. Removed the old unit, go to install the new tube, and I'm having a hell of a time seating it in. Just can't get it to fully seat against the red o-ring as the tube will either rub the header tube or just plain refuse to push further into the hole. The angle was just "wrong". I wiggled it and twisted it gently - all this did was break off the tip of the tube (luckily not in the pan. What's the deal? This isn't my first rodeo, I've never had an issue removing or reinstalling a dipstick on an LS. They always line up great. Anyone else had an issue with this? I triple checked that the dipstick tube was part number 12563817.
Went to install my new 01-04 dipstick tube and indicator that just arrived today. Removed the old unit, go to install the new tube, and I'm having a hell of a time seating it in. Just can't get it to fully seat against the red o-ring as the tube will either rub the header tube or just plain refuse to push further into the hole. The angle was just "wrong". I wiggled it and twisted it gently - all this did was break off the tip of the tube (luckily not in the pan. What's the deal? This isn't my first rodeo, I've never had an issue removing or reinstalling a dipstick on an LS. They always line up great. Anyone else had an issue with this? I triple checked that the dipstick tube was part number 12563817.
04-19-2016, 06:51 AM
#19
Burning Brakes
so I am having a "dipstick" moment...looking for input on an issue i'm having on my 2000 FRC with XS longtubes.
Went to install my new 01-04 dipstick tube and indicator that just arrived today. Removed the old unit, go to install the new tube, and I'm having a hell of a time seating it in. Just can't get it to fully seat against the red o-ring as the tube will either rub the header tube or just plain refuse to push further into the hole. The angle was just "wrong". I wiggled it and twisted it gently - all this did was break off the tip of the tube (luckily not in the pan. What's the deal? This isn't my first rodeo, I've never had an issue removing or reinstalling a dipstick on an LS. They always line up great. Anyone else had an issue with this? I triple checked that the dipstick tube was part number 12563817.
Went to install my new 01-04 dipstick tube and indicator that just arrived today. Removed the old unit, go to install the new tube, and I'm having a hell of a time seating it in. Just can't get it to fully seat against the red o-ring as the tube will either rub the header tube or just plain refuse to push further into the hole. The angle was just "wrong". I wiggled it and twisted it gently - all this did was break off the tip of the tube (luckily not in the pan. What's the deal? This isn't my first rodeo, I've never had an issue removing or reinstalling a dipstick on an LS. They always line up great. Anyone else had an issue with this? I triple checked that the dipstick tube was part number 12563817.
04-19-2016, 07:47 AM
#20
Drifting
It did not. There was at least 2" left to go before the mounting bracket would line up with that head hole. This was with the red o-ring just on the lip of the hole of the oil pan. I am thinking I got the wrong dipstick tube...gotta call the dealer today.