Engine oil level, anyone else have this problem?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 19
From: Driftwood PA
Engine oil level, anyone else have this problem?
When changing my engine oil for the first time at 4000 miles I could not get a consistent dip stick reading after I put in the recommended 6.5 quarts plus just a little more trying to get a accurate reading. After a couple thousand miles I still cannot get a accurate reading on the dip stick. It will read about half way between add and full and then the oil will cover half the width of the dip stick past the full mark, just like it did when I changed it for the first time. I was afraid I had too much oil when I changed it for the first time now not sure I have enough. Anyone else experience this? Want to know what to do before I drive it again.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,088
Likes: 1
From: NC
Originally Posted by Jims2001
When changing my engine oil for the first time at 4000 miles I could not get a consistent dip stick reading after I put in the recommended 6.5 quarts plus just a little more trying to get a accurate reading. After a couple thousand miles I still cannot get a accurate reading on the dip stick. It will read about half way between add and full and then the oil will cover half the width of the dip stick past the full mark, just like it did when I changed it for the first time. I was afraid I had too much oil when I changed it for the first time now not sure I have enough. Anyone else experience this? Want to know what to do before I drive it again.
I always found the back of the stick gave a more accurate reading.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 531
Likes: 10
From: Northford CT
I have had all of those problems. Check the oil in the am after it has been sitting - that works OK. Concerning the amount of oil, lots has been written on the forums. With the 2001, if you add 6.5 quarts, you'll barely be above the hatch marks and in no time the "check oil" DIC will go on. 7 quarts fills it to about 3/4 up the hatch marks. Some, including GM, are adamant that you must not exceed 6.5, but if you have a 2001 and want the DIC to stay off, you have to put 7 in.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 329
Likes: 18
Half way between add and full is fine.If you want to get rid of the oil that covers half the dipstick do this:Pull out the dipstick and then wait about 2 or 3 minutes,then reinsert the dipstick.This allows time for the oil which has transfered from the dipstick to the tube to drain back down.You'll get a nice clean reading.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,566
Likes: 52
From: Colorado Springs CO
Originally Posted by BLU PIL
You must be using 10W30. Try 5W30 next change.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,346
Likes: 5
From: Mustang OK
You might give the following from the C5 Tech Tips section of the Forum a try: How to Check Oil Level.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,360
Likes: 24,785
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
When I have this problem, I will also check the back of the dipstick. I can usually get a good reading that way.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: panhandle Florida
Hell...I don't think Chevy has ever cared about fixing this. My '93 S-10 along with with my '02 'vert are hard to read. Reading the back of the stick seems to give me the most accurate reading on both.
