Dipstick calibration
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,658
Likes: 25
From: Rochester Minnesota
Dipstick calibration
Changed oil the other day. Put in the 7 quarts and ran it for a while. The next day I checked the dipstick (on a level surface) and the oil level was at the bottom of the operating range. I didn't add another quart as I've heard of "mis-calibrated" dipsticks in other engines.
Has anyone else noticed this???
Has anyone else noticed this???
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,787
Likes: 139
From: center of Kalifornia
6.5 quarts is full, you are over and not a good idea. Never heard of this dip stick issue before, but if you are sure it is in all the way see if a friend has one you can try to compare or get another or mark the stick for new full level.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 37,329
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From: Plano Texas
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
CI-VI Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Just a note:
There are actually two (2) different dip sticks for the C5's.
The differences is approximately 1 1/2 inches in length.
Most of the 'shorter' ones are on the 97-98 engines.
Many of the 'longer' ones have been modified - this is due in part to owners ordering replacement (aftermarket) ones with the color or chrome 'handles'.
There are actually two (2) different dip sticks for the C5's.
The differences is approximately 1 1/2 inches in length.
Most of the 'shorter' ones are on the 97-98 engines.
Many of the 'longer' ones have been modified - this is due in part to owners ordering replacement (aftermarket) ones with the color or chrome 'handles'.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 3
From: Rehoboth MA . . . NRA Life Member
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
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From: Waldorf MD
6.5 quarts of oil is the correct amount. If you don't raise the back of your car during draining oil, 4 ounces of old oil stays in the pan.
There are two different dip sticks. Early years show 6.5 quarts at the top of the hatched area, the normal full mark. Later years shows 6.5 quarts at the middle of the hatched area, normally the half-a-quart-low mark. This is why some owners of later year C5s overfill their cars by half a quart (7 quarts).
The owner's manual says you can overfill by one quart, if you are racing the car, but the extra oil should be drained out afterwards.
There are two different dip sticks. Early years show 6.5 quarts at the top of the hatched area, the normal full mark. Later years shows 6.5 quarts at the middle of the hatched area, normally the half-a-quart-low mark. This is why some owners of later year C5s overfill their cars by half a quart (7 quarts).
The owner's manual says you can overfill by one quart, if you are racing the car, but the extra oil should be drained out afterwards.
Last edited by Oldvetter; May 30, 2007 at 08:51 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,658
Likes: 25
From: Rochester Minnesota
Good idea to do some comparing with another dipstick. I belong to a Corvette club so that shouldn't be too hard. Thanks for the idea.
