Dipstick not reading oil level
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 230
Likes: 38
From: Fort Gordon, Ga
Dipstick not reading oil level
98 coupe ls1
A few weeks ago I installed headers, as well as switching to the 01+ (longer dipstick tube and dipstick)
Few days later I check the dipstick and see literally nothing.
Did an oil change (AT LEAST 6 quarts came out)
Refilled with 6.5 quarts, dipstick not touching oil no matter what I do.
Added another .5 and the dipstick seems to barely be touching oil.
I know im consuming a little oil (ive smelled it at times) because Ive been doing ALOT more spirited driving since headers/intake/tune, but I find it hard to believe its going through that much oil all of a sudden.
I know that later models have the 2 piece oil pan (I dont) so Im assuming thats related to the dipstick not reading.
I think im being paranoid but I really want to know how much oil is in there.
I find it hard to believe stem seals or some rings decided to **** out overnight coincidentally at the same time. Ive let the car idle off a cold start for 10 minutes and get nothing but water vapor and normal smoke, no slight hint of blue, and a buddy didnt notice blue smoke pouring out the back on the interstate cruising.
Also double checked to ensure the dipstick tube is seated all the way and i cant see the o ring, and it wont push any further.
Please chime in, thanks.
A few weeks ago I installed headers, as well as switching to the 01+ (longer dipstick tube and dipstick)
Few days later I check the dipstick and see literally nothing.
Did an oil change (AT LEAST 6 quarts came out)
Refilled with 6.5 quarts, dipstick not touching oil no matter what I do.
Added another .5 and the dipstick seems to barely be touching oil.
I know im consuming a little oil (ive smelled it at times) because Ive been doing ALOT more spirited driving since headers/intake/tune, but I find it hard to believe its going through that much oil all of a sudden.
I know that later models have the 2 piece oil pan (I dont) so Im assuming thats related to the dipstick not reading.
I think im being paranoid but I really want to know how much oil is in there.
I find it hard to believe stem seals or some rings decided to **** out overnight coincidentally at the same time. Ive let the car idle off a cold start for 10 minutes and get nothing but water vapor and normal smoke, no slight hint of blue, and a buddy didnt notice blue smoke pouring out the back on the interstate cruising.
Also double checked to ensure the dipstick tube is seated all the way and i cant see the o ring, and it wont push any further.
Please chime in, thanks.
Last edited by BuzC5; Feb 9, 2019 at 08:03 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 230
Likes: 38
From: Fort Gordon, Ga
I suppose the next possibility is the PCV dumping a way excessive amount of oil since switching intakes, but I find that also hard to believe.
Car used less than half a quart over 3500~ miles last interval.
Was using amsoil 5w30 synth and now using pennzoil 5w30 platinum synthetic.
My apologies for all the excessive information, I just know what questions will be asked so Im trying to provide as much as possible upfront
Car used less than half a quart over 3500~ miles last interval.
Was using amsoil 5w30 synth and now using pennzoil 5w30 platinum synthetic.
My apologies for all the excessive information, I just know what questions will be asked so Im trying to provide as much as possible upfront
Last edited by BuzC5; Feb 9, 2019 at 06:02 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 226
Likes: 39
From: Fall Branch, TN
Maybe I’m reading this wrong but it looks like you drained the oil, filled with 7 qts, immediately checked it, and it was barely on the stick? If so it’s not an oil consumption issue. Sounds to me like the issue is related to the dipstick.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 16,253
Likes: 1,657
From: Arizona
Can anyone measure their stock dipstick so the OP can verify?
You can have a dipstick measuring contest. See who's is longer.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 230
Likes: 38
From: Fort Gordon, Ga
Negative, I've checked over 10 times in the last week, before cold starts, letting it get to temp then allowing it 10 minutes to drain down etc. No matter what time or when I check it its not reading. Its gotta be dipstick related, I'll get the part numbers from my stick and tube after work.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 755
Likes: 272
I went through the same rodeo as you several weeks back during a header install. Thankfully, I didn’t have this issue. The part numbers you “should” have are 12574889 (dipstick) and 12563817 (dipstick tube). I noticed when installing mine, that I was able to get the tube bolted to the head before the tube was fully seated in the pan. If I didn’t crawl under the car and catch this, the dipstick would have not stuck far enough into the pan and read low, not to mention the potential leak.
Have you validated the tube is fully seated in the pan?
If you validate you have the right parts and everything is properly assembled, I’m at a loss for why this would be happening to you. Good luck with the fix!
Have you validated the tube is fully seated in the pan?
If you validate you have the right parts and everything is properly assembled, I’m at a loss for why this would be happening to you. Good luck with the fix!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 230
Likes: 38
From: Fort Gordon, Ga
Sorry for my absence, I've had alot going on, but thank you for this. Im gonna triple check AGAIN. because it looks like it lines up to the head perfectly and maybe thats what has me convinced its all the way in. Im off this weekend for a 3 day and weather permitting ill be able to get in there to double check part numbers and ensure its seated.
I havent noticed any oil but I'd be willing to bet its easy for oil to run out and the reason im smelling out is it dripping down onto piping hot headers
Thank you everyone, I will follow up after this weekend.
I havent noticed any oil but I'd be willing to bet its easy for oil to run out and the reason im smelling out is it dripping down onto piping hot headers
Thank you everyone, I will follow up after this weekend.
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Pro
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 675
Likes: 195
From: Green Oak Township, Michigan
Was there a reason that you put a new tube and stick in??? Was it because of the new headers??? Im not quite following this scenerio.. I would have thought that the old setup would have worked. If the tube is seated all the way down, cut one inch off the top of the tube and call it a day. No point in pulling your hair out.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 755
Likes: 272
Was there a reason that you put a new tube and stick in??? Was it because of the new headers??? Im not quite following this scenerio.. I would have thought that the old setup would have worked. If the tube is seated all the way down, cut one inch off the top of the tube and call it a day. No point in pulling your hair out.
OP, please don’t just cut an inch off your dipstick tube. That’s something a Honda owner would do
Last edited by wscott62893; Feb 16, 2019 at 06:24 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 755
Likes: 272
Not to mention the top portion of the dipstick is flared to retain the dipstick. I’d be curious if the dipstick would lock into place properly once the tube is cut.
Hey, if you want to hack up your dipstick and call it a day, don’t let my opinion stop you
Pro
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 675
Likes: 195
From: Green Oak Township, Michigan
Yea,,,the flare goes down an inch and one eight. My bad..Looks like he can cut off 3/4 of an inch and still be safe. It will work. The stick will still be down in the oil. Take a reading with 6 quarts of oil,, and file a new mark on the stick. Now,, this is assuming that the tube is seated all the way down,, and the mount bolt lines up.....which I think that he said it did. This is just another way to solve the problem. Not everyone is made of money. And dont worry,,,your opinion doesnt faze me in the least bit.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 230
Likes: 38
From: Fort Gordon, Ga
Finally back to follow up. Been a busy week+ with my girls birthday and me ending up in the ER with the gnarliest food poisoning 😂
So Ive confirmed the part number on the dipstick is as stated above (12574889 i think i cant see right now but I matched the post to my dipstick), its still not reading and were 99% sure the dipstick tube is seated all the way as it will not budge AND appears to be seated as well.
To double check, we measured my dipstick at 25 3/8~ matching perfectly next to my buddies out of his Z06.
Im still not sure whats going on, sometime in the coming days im gonna just drain the oil and see how much I get out.. i put 7 in, if I dont get 6 out (without changing filters) ill know theres an issue
any other advice is appreciated folks, thank you.
I BELIEVE,
Either im consuming alot of oil randomly, or the dipstick length/tube is off due to this oil pan being different than the later model.
Ill probably pull plugs as well to see if theres any oil on the plugs
So Ive confirmed the part number on the dipstick is as stated above (12574889 i think i cant see right now but I matched the post to my dipstick), its still not reading and were 99% sure the dipstick tube is seated all the way as it will not budge AND appears to be seated as well.
To double check, we measured my dipstick at 25 3/8~ matching perfectly next to my buddies out of his Z06.
Im still not sure whats going on, sometime in the coming days im gonna just drain the oil and see how much I get out.. i put 7 in, if I dont get 6 out (without changing filters) ill know theres an issue
any other advice is appreciated folks, thank you.
I BELIEVE,
Either im consuming alot of oil randomly, or the dipstick length/tube is off due to this oil pan being different than the later model.
Ill probably pull plugs as well to see if theres any oil on the plugs
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 66
Likes: 41
I’m so confused! Fill with oil, let it drain, put dipstick in and measure. It’s thag simple, if you see nothing then the dipstick is wrong, as said above, your oil is too light and you can’t see it, or something!
can not consume 7 quarts of oil per your above posts by running the car for a few minutes after filling up.
can not consume 7 quarts of oil per your above posts by running the car for a few minutes after filling up.