C5 dipstick
08-13-2017, 11:06 AM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
C5 dipstick
***, Ok...it appears many folks are checking their oil when the engine is hot...and according to most, at about 10 minutes after the engine has been shut down. Please indulge me for sharing the following...
After a lengthy drive, I parked the Vette and immediately checked both oil and coolant temps and noted what the dipstick showed then and in measured time afterward as well:
Oil Temp. Coolant Temp. When checked Dipstick reading
217 205 At shutdown (5:40pm) Above Max.
217 207 10 min. later (5:50pm) Above Max.
201 212 5:55 pm Above Max.
196 207 6:00 pm Between add & full
194 203 6:05 pm Same as above
189 199 6:10 pm Same
176 181 6:30 pm Same
171 178 6:40 pm Same
The dipstick read the same at 15 minutes as it did at engine shutdown, which to me means that reading the stick between shutdown and 15 minutes later would not be accurate; however, at 20 minutes after engine shutdown and up to at least one hr. after shutdown, the oil level read the same...in this case midway between the ADD and FULL on the hashmark area. When I took a cold oil reading this a.m. it indicated Full. So maybe I could add oil when cold a little beyond Full and see how that translates to, say, a 30 minute or so reading after shutting down a hot engine? One caveat: The Vette was in a small garage which probably did not allow cooling as quickly as at a gas station.
After a lengthy drive, I parked the Vette and immediately checked both oil and coolant temps and noted what the dipstick showed then and in measured time afterward as well:
Oil Temp. Coolant Temp. When checked Dipstick reading
217 205 At shutdown (5:40pm) Above Max.
217 207 10 min. later (5:50pm) Above Max.
201 212 5:55 pm Above Max.
196 207 6:00 pm Between add & full
194 203 6:05 pm Same as above
189 199 6:10 pm Same
176 181 6:30 pm Same
171 178 6:40 pm Same
The dipstick read the same at 15 minutes as it did at engine shutdown, which to me means that reading the stick between shutdown and 15 minutes later would not be accurate; however, at 20 minutes after engine shutdown and up to at least one hr. after shutdown, the oil level read the same...in this case midway between the ADD and FULL on the hashmark area. When I took a cold oil reading this a.m. it indicated Full. So maybe I could add oil when cold a little beyond Full and see how that translates to, say, a 30 minute or so reading after shutting down a hot engine? One caveat: The Vette was in a small garage which probably did not allow cooling as quickly as at a gas station.
Last edited by Barry6547; 08-13-2017 at 11:10 AM. Reason: omission
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Barry6547 (08-13-2017)
08-13-2017, 12:28 PM
#3
1/4 mile/AutoX
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Barry6547 (08-13-2017)
08-13-2017, 03:00 PM
#4
Tip for checking oil level--after car has sat and cool--take dipstick out--clean with carb cleaner ect. take a piece of electrical black tape-cut to the width of the stick--put on the stick--go measure oil--shows exact level of oil--
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Barry6547 (08-13-2017)
08-13-2017, 03:59 PM
#6
08-13-2017, 04:00 PM
#7
Instructor
Thread Starter
dipstick
Very interesting readings that for the most part make no sense. 
First 3 hot show full and then all the rest show down a bit.. Then at full cold the next morning is is full again.
I suggest that you are not carefully reading the dip stick correctly. No personal offense intended.
I read my oil at both full cold in the AM and at the service station every time I fuel the car at the end of fueling to give the oil a chance to drain back to the pan. Readings are always the same for me but I am AR about making sure the hash marks on the stick are facing down when the stick is fully inserted and I have also added a tiny drilled hole to the dip stick at the top of the hash marks to aid in reading it. Basically the same size as the hole at the bottom of the hash marks
First 3 hot show full and then all the rest show down a bit.. Then at full cold the next morning is is full again.
I suggest that you are not carefully reading the dip stick correctly. No personal offense intended.
I read my oil at both full cold in the AM and at the service station every time I fuel the car at the end of fueling to give the oil a chance to drain back to the pan. Readings are always the same for me but I am AR about making sure the hash marks on the stick are facing down when the stick is fully inserted and I have also added a tiny drilled hole to the dip stick at the top of the hash marks to aid in reading it. Basically the same size as the hole at the bottom of the hash marks
08-13-2017, 04:08 PM
#8
Instructor
Thread Starter
Well, I have always been a cold-checker, but the fact that the owner's manual states that checking the oil cold can be misleading as the oil level may be lower than shown....I'm just perplexed about this whole thing....
Last edited by Barry6547; 08-13-2017 at 04:09 PM. Reason: error
08-13-2017, 04:16 PM
#9
Granted, I am not mechanically-inclined...but have never had problems reading dipsticks...and reading cold is not a problem...but when I have checked some 10 minutes or so after shutting down the engine, the level really appears to be higher.....dunno. I am thinking of adding maybe 12 oz. to the cold engine ....then see how that translates after maybe 20 minutes of running. Sorry for making such as issue out of such a basic procedure.
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Barry6547 (08-13-2017)
08-13-2017, 07:02 PM
#10
DEFINITELY something I would never do or recommend. What happens if the tape doesn't stick well enough and comes off before you remove the stick??? Piece of electrical tape is NOT something I want inside the engine and in the oil. 
Anyone guess where it will end up and what damage it could cause...........
Anyone guess where it will end up and what damage it could cause...........
Last edited by royal flush; 08-13-2017 at 07:08 PM.
08-13-2017, 08:29 PM
#11
08-14-2017, 07:29 AM
#12
Team Owner
You mean if it gets sucked up against the screen of the oil pickup, and restricts the flow of oil? Or worse, manages to get past the screen, and gets into the oil pump?
08-14-2017, 09:04 AM
#14
Le Mans Master
DEFINITELY something I would never do or recommend. What happens if the tape doesn't stick well enough and comes off before you remove the stick??? Piece of electrical tape is NOT something I want inside the engine and in the oil.
Anyone guess where it will end up and what damage it could cause...........
Anyone guess where it will end up and what damage it could cause...........
And don't want any electrical tape in the engine.Terrible way to check your oil level.
Last edited by runner140*; 08-14-2017 at 09:05 AM. Reason: add
08-14-2017, 09:50 AM
#16
DEFINITELY something I would never do or recommend. What happens if the tape doesn't stick well enough and comes off before you remove the stick??? Piece of electrical tape is NOT something I want inside the engine and in the oil.
Anyone guess where it will end up and what damage it could cause...........
Anyone guess where it will end up and what damage it could cause...........
08-14-2017, 11:03 AM
#17
method gives you a clear reading-
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Barry6547 (08-14-2017)
08-14-2017, 12:12 PM
#18
Le Mans Master
I have an aftermarket dip stick and what I did was to score/scratch the dipstick with three lines: too low....too high and a middle line. Scored the dipstick with a file. Works for me.
08-14-2017, 07:59 PM
#20
Le Mans Master
