Mark S.

Does anyone have any official guidance from GM that states the '01 C5 LS1 takes 7 quarts of oil? The manual states 6.5 quarts, but after a thorough oil/ filterchange yesterday (first one at 1,384 miles), my dipstick reads close to but does not read up to the "full" (or second hole) mark. A lot of posters state that the '01 takes 7 quarts to reach the "full" line, but nowhere has GM come out and stated officially that the '01 model requires 7 quarts and not 6.5 quarts like the '97 to '00 models. Some say that the dipstick has been configured differently for the '01...but what does this have to do with the actual capacity of the oil for the LS1...did they change the size of the oil pan? We need to ask Dave Hill or another engineer at GM why so many posters are adding that extra 1/2 quart of oil (for a total of 7 quarts) to reach the "full" line on the dipstick. Perhaps GM screwed up the dipstick change for the '01s and are afraid to admit it? Anything official out there? I would hate like heck to "overfill" the engine and then have problems in the future.

(sorry, I meant to post this in the C5 Tech Section)


[Modified by Mark S., 8:06 PM 8/26/2001]

davidmax

LPE uses a 00' tube and 01' stick on there TT Z06's.

COOL Z06

:confused:

Mark S.

Dave, I think you misunderstood my question. I'm asking if there's any official word from GM that the C5 '01 takes 7 quarts of oil instead of the 6 1/2 quarts as listed for capacity with an oil change. A lot of posters say that the extra half quart of oil brings the level of oil on their dipstick up to the max/full level. I just did my first oil change (re-filled with 6 1/2 qts.) and sure enough...my dipstick is not reading at the full level (it reads a little more than half almost three-quarters).


[Modified by Mark S., 10:00 PM 8/26/2001]

VettesRule

I just did an oil change ...7 quarts in the pan and it shows perfectly full.

EHS

Just fill until the dipstick reads full. That's all there's to it.

c5magred2

7 quarts every time i change mine :yesnod:

mathia

I just did an oil change and put in 6.5 quarts (not including what it took to
fill the new filter). The rear end was a little lower than the front so I don't think I got all the old oil out :( Perhaps this is a factor in why some people say 6.5 and others 7.

As an aside, how bad is it to have 1/2 quart too much oil? What problems does over filling with oil cause?

repvette

Mark, just had mine changed last week - took seven quarts. Had oil changed by Senior Corvette tech at my Chevy dealer - oil is at full mark.

chuckoc

Might want to wait over night to see if the extra 1/2 quart shows up in thepan over night, Slow to drian and or trapped some where, either way a 1/2 undser full in prob. a hair better then overfull..

2kbluestreak

Maybe some of the proceeding explains why putting 6 1/2 in leaves me 1/2 quart down, while putting 7 in leaves me 1/2 quart over a couple days later, WTF? I don't think having that extra 1/2 qt. will hurt anything.

Mark S.

The bottom line is that GM needs to come forward and officially post what it takes to reach the "full/max" line on the dipstick. If it's 7 quarts than they should say it. But, the manual states 6 and half quarts. As far as I know the oil capacity for the '97-'00 models take the 6 and half quarts and the dipstick reads full...but not for the '01. Nothing ever came out that the oil pan was increased, etc. Something about a dipstick tube reconfiguration was done...but that shouldn't change the oil capacity. For now, I'll settle with being a bit under and not overfilling and causing my seals to blow in the future (or cause excessive foaming of the oil) with an overfill.

Ron, ask your Corvette Tech to check the '01 Shop Manual and see what it says as far as the actual amount of oil to put in for an oil/filter change. Thanks! :smash:

VettesRule

It is always better to have more than less. That is why the video tells us to put an extra quart in for autocross or racing. The oil can get trapped in the heads and not drain back to the pan before the pump sucks air.

Mark S.

Buckmaster, I hear what you're saying...but I wonder if the '97s-'00s are adding that extra half quart. If we agree that the oil pan has not changed then if the '00 model takes only six and half quarts to the full line (and the '01 has to have 7 quarts to hit the full line) then something is seriously wrong. The only thing wrong is probably the dipstick in the '01 which is supposedly different from the '97s - '00's.
Any '97-'00 owners out there who have to add 7 quarts to their LS1 to reach the "full line" on the dipstick?

Dave H

Hi: Always put 7 qts. in mine. Always full at that point. Don't sweat it! If you're in doubt then put in the 7 and be happy! 1/2 qt over (if in fact it is over) won't hurt a thing and probably will help like the other posts say. :D :D :D

0vetteshop

If you are looking for something in writing,I can tell you that many things are incorrect in the service manuals and owners manuals.They are basicly a reprint from the previous model year with some sections added or updated due to changes in systems.They are not bibles to follow...Yes,the capacity for the 2001 states 6.5 quarts in the service manual.It also states that you can go 15,000 mile intervals between oil changes... ;)

BruceF

FWIW, I asked a friend to look this up on GM's SI2000. He said it lists the 2001 LS1 as having a 5.5 quart capacity with a filter change. Plus, we also know that the manual incorrectly lists wheel lug torque. And there are probably dozens of other typos.

0vetteshop

Just checked SI2000.It states 6.5 quarts...It also states "APPROXIMATE FLUID CAPACITY"...So there you go,GM is in the clear ;) ;) ;)

BruceF

C-5 Tech,
I called my friend to double check on what he told me. Check out Document ID # 751522 on Engine Mecanical specifications. Different than the Maintenance capacities specs, right? :rolleyes:

Mark S.

C5 Tech, yes, you're right...GM is in the clear again by saying that the 6.5 qts is an approximate capacity (it's in small print in the owner's manual). So if I add that extra half quart of oil and if it does overfill the crankcase (on a regular basis), and then later down the road this causes problems... such as a seal leaking, etc., GM certainly doesn't have to cover the cost. What a deal!
GM needs to come out and state why they changed the dipstick and dipstick tube configuration and why it is that none of the '97-'00 owners have posted that it takes 7 qts to reach their full line. I guess this will remain a mystery. But I do thank you for your response and information. Dave Hill needs to get online and tell us exactly what they put in the LS1 '01 engine before they left the plant (6.5 or 7 qts...or is it 6.5 on Mondays and 7 qts on Tuesdays?) And for $45K they could come up with a better dipstick...one that can be read without having to guess what the level is each time.