Oil level a little high
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: Crownsville MD
Oil level a little high
I changed my oil last night and ended up with a reading on the dipstick that is high, i.e., it appears to go above the "hash" marks.
When refilling with that last 1/2 quart of oil my method is to enter a little then check the dipstick; then enter a little more then check the dipstick, etc. Somehow that last little bit seemed to unexpectedly put me over the top.
If I had to guess I'd say it's about 1/4 of a quart high, tops.
Should I drain some oil out or leave it as is?
Thanks in advance.
When refilling with that last 1/2 quart of oil my method is to enter a little then check the dipstick; then enter a little more then check the dipstick, etc. Somehow that last little bit seemed to unexpectedly put me over the top.
If I had to guess I'd say it's about 1/4 of a quart high, tops.
Should I drain some oil out or leave it as is?
Thanks in advance.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,917
Likes: 1,872
From: Hot Springs AR
GM recommends running a quart overfilled if you are autocrossing or tracking the car, and there's no problem with leaving that quart in. So, no problem with being 8 ounces over.
My normal fill now is 7 qts.; much rather be over than under (but again, I autocross).
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
My normal fill now is 7 qts.; much rather be over than under (but again, I autocross).
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,540
Likes: 0
From: bloomfield nj
it all depends on how and how long you let it drain.i drain my car level and let it drain for about 20 minutes.after it takes about 7 to 7 1/4 to fill to the top of the hash[2nd dot].note: i prime my oil filter prior to putting it on[1/4 quart].
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
just changed mine and 7 qts is the NORM... 
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
From: IL
oil must be warm before checking or it looks overfilled
I'm probably just a stupid female, but in other cars I often checked the oil with the engine completely cold. (maybe this was wrong?) So one morning after the dealer changed the oil in my C5, I checked it and found it to be way overfilled. This made me really mad, since I've always heard that overfilling is really bad. I was almost ready to call the dealer and bitch, but I decided to read the owner's manual first. It said the engine must be fully warmed up. So I started it up and let it run for 5 minutes, then I shut it off for about 2, just to let the oil drain off of the stick. I checked it and it was exactly to the right level.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 9
From: Jackson Tn
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by beltfed21
I'm probably just a stupid female, but in other cars I often checked the oil with the engine completely cold. (maybe this was wrong?) So one morning after the dealer changed the oil in my C5, I checked it and found it to be way overfilled. This made me really mad, since I've always heard that overfilling is really bad. I was almost ready to call the dealer and bitch, but I decided to read the owner's manual first. It said the engine must be fully warmed up. So I started it up and let it run for 5 minutes, then I shut it off for about 2, just to let the oil drain off of the stick. I checked it and it was exactly to the right level.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 275
Likes: 21
From: North Carolina
Originally Posted by beltfed21
I'm probably just a stupid female, but in other cars I often checked the oil with the engine completely cold. (maybe this was wrong?) So one morning after the dealer changed the oil in my C5, I checked it and found it to be way overfilled. This made me really mad, since I've always heard that overfilling is really bad. I was almost ready to call the dealer and bitch, but I decided to read the owner's manual first. It said the engine must be fully warmed up. So I started it up and let it run for 5 minutes, then I shut it off for about 2, just to let the oil drain off of the stick. I checked it and it was exactly to the right level.
I have never heard that before! I have an 04 and I drain the oil at an angle to get all the oil out 'rear higher than the front', and it always takes 7 qt. to bring it to the fill mark. Cold or hot it reads the same!
If you dont mind what page is that on in the owners manual?
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
From: IL
In the 2000 owners manual on page 6-12 it says:
In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must be warm and the vehicle on level ground. Do not check the engine oil after the engine has been sitting overnight. A higher than normal reading might be obtained. Check oil level with the oil warm.
When cold mine shows about 1/2 quart or more overfilled, even though when warm it is exactly right. We also noticed this to be true in my husband's 01 vert, but I have not checked his owners manual to see if it still says the same thing.
In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must be warm and the vehicle on level ground. Do not check the engine oil after the engine has been sitting overnight. A higher than normal reading might be obtained. Check oil level with the oil warm.
When cold mine shows about 1/2 quart or more overfilled, even though when warm it is exactly right. We also noticed this to be true in my husband's 01 vert, but I have not checked his owners manual to see if it still says the same thing.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 2,080
From: Guelph, Ontario
I pour in 7.5 quarts of oil when I change my oil, and I don't even raise up the back end to get that last 1/2 quart out of the oil pan either (so it's almost like I'm running 8 quarts of oil)
I've seen no ill effects, my engine does not use any oil and my oil analysis results are excellent.
I've seen no ill effects, my engine does not use any oil and my oil analysis results are excellent.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: Crownsville MD
Great help all and interesting news about the Owners Manual statement on checking the level with the engine warmed up. I guess I've done it that way out of habit.
BTW, my boat's engine is a GM 5.7L marinized by Crusader and they REALLY emphasize not overfilling the oil. This is probably due to the operating conditions, e.g., angle while getting up on a plane, wave action, etc. Also, the use of synthetic oil voids the warranty. They are very picky and I'm very careful with it.
Thanks again!
BTW, my boat's engine is a GM 5.7L marinized by Crusader and they REALLY emphasize not overfilling the oil. This is probably due to the operating conditions, e.g., angle while getting up on a plane, wave action, etc. Also, the use of synthetic oil voids the warranty. They are very picky and I'm very careful with it.
Thanks again!