Low Oil
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6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Low Oil
Hey guys hows it going? I recently bought a 2001 corvette from a guy not to far from me. Real good running and solid car. But I have a possible issue. I changed the oil yesterday and asked the guy what he used and how much. He told me 6.5 which from what I've looked up is right. There's a lot done to the car so it may possibly have a bigger oil pan but I doubt it. I've put in 7qts with the new oil change and it's just now to the first hole in the dip stick. Is this about where these cars run or should I fill up to the top hole? Don't know much about these cars.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 61
Likes: 2
From: Alabama
How exactly did you check the oil? I mean was the car running when you checked it was the oil temp warm? Had it been driven with the new oil in it recently?
Not saying this is THE WAY to do it but here is how I've always done it.
1. Drain oil and change filter
2. replace filter and drain plug.
3. Fill engine with 6.5-7.0qts oil
4. Put car on level ground and start car let it run for 5 minutes.
5. Shut car off and wait 10 minutes then check oil level.
This method has always worked for me Never had issues with oil level reading low.
Not saying this is THE WAY to do it but here is how I've always done it.
1. Drain oil and change filter
2. replace filter and drain plug.
3. Fill engine with 6.5-7.0qts oil
4. Put car on level ground and start car let it run for 5 minutes.
5. Shut car off and wait 10 minutes then check oil level.
This method has always worked for me Never had issues with oil level reading low.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 253
From: Oconomowoc Wisconsin
Any reason why you can't check the oil level when the car has been sitting for awhile and the engine is cold? I would think this would be best because most of the oil has had a chance to drain back into the pan.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Once you fill the engine with the 6-1/2 quarts (per the owner's manual), start the engine to circulate the new oil. The engine doesn't have to run for much more than 10 to 15 seconds. Make sure that oil pressure comes up. I always pre-fill the oil filter before installing it. Only takes a minute or two to do. Shut the engine off, let it sit for a minute or two and then check the level.
Watch the various quick oil change places like Jiffy Lube or Oil Can Henry's; they do a complete oil change and filter in less than 5 minutes once the car is positioned over their tunnel. Even auto repair shops don't take more than 10 minutes for an oil change once the car is ready to be lifted on a hoist.
There is no real need to let the engine run any real length of time or waiting to check the level with the dipstick for anything more than a couple minutes. It is important for the car to be on level ground but consider that most home garage floors have a built in slope of something like 2" in 20 feet.
Watch the various quick oil change places like Jiffy Lube or Oil Can Henry's; they do a complete oil change and filter in less than 5 minutes once the car is positioned over their tunnel. Even auto repair shops don't take more than 10 minutes for an oil change once the car is ready to be lifted on a hoist.
There is no real need to let the engine run any real length of time or waiting to check the level with the dipstick for anything more than a couple minutes. It is important for the car to be on level ground but consider that most home garage floors have a built in slope of something like 2" in 20 feet.
