JKLNHDE

Ok im stumped. I checked my oil on Friday and it looked extremely low (13 ZR1). Oil was measuring only 1 3/4" up the stick not even to the little bend / curl towards the bottom of the dipstick and certainly nowhere near the hash marks. Car had always measured right on the middle dot when full .

Since it had been 500 miles since my head and cam swap I decided to change the oil so I knew exactly how much was in the car. After changing the oil I measured what came out and it was 11qts so the car was full to begin with.

After putting 10.5qts in the level still reads 1 3/4" up the stick . **I am checking the oil starting at 2 min after shut down and rechecking every minute for 15 minutes. The measurement never changes.

Car runs perfect with no pressure issues etc. **I have a Katech ported oil pump in the engine. Could this have something to do with the issue? It appears the oil doesn't return fully to the tank. The dipstick reads like it's several qts low but it's chock full. I'm pulling my hair out please help!! 👍👍

Ricky218

Subscribed, I'm curious to know what the issue is too.

The boss

Subscribed to, never had this issue yet

Hockyz

I am pretty sure when I did my headers I ended up with like 11.5qts in my system before it looked right on the dipstick. I just went with it. hah

Ricky218

I wonder why adding headers to your car required another quart of oil? Mine looks a little low as well but I don't want to overfill it. I stopped at 10.5qrts.

Hockyz

I mean obviously nothing changing regarding capacity. Perhaps a dip stick issue? Or it actually needs more? I don't know.

jft69z

Did you pull the dry sump oil lines when you put the headers on?

Hockyz

Yea, I did.

jft69z

You may have lost some more oil than usual when you pulled those lines vs. just a regular oil change.

ZR1Cat

OP, I trust you followed the proper procedure to ensure you are getting an accurate reading on the dip stick. Did you follow the procedure in the manual? I am just checking as you may know the dry sump system requires a different approach. I ask this as you made no mention regarding just how you checked the oil level reading.

Gary '09 C6

good observation by Joe...

OP, FWIW, my system always takes 11 qts. after this procedure (oil level to the middle hole on the dipstick when hot).
(includes filling-up the new filter before installation)

jft69z

Thanks Gary. I seem to remember that exact situation last year when I pulled a set of headers off another ZR1 before the owner sold the car. Had to pull the oil cooler lines and I'm pretty sure a fair amount still drained even though I drained the oil at the 2 oil pan plugs.

I'll know for sure in a couple of weeks, I'll be putting those headers on my car

FWIW, my car takes 10.5 qts with a new filter.

VTC_ZR1

If it makes anyone feel better, I always end up at about 11qts per change as well.

The boss

FWIW, my car takes 10.5 qts with a new filter.[/QUOTE]

Same amount in my car 9.9 liters (canadian car) = 10.5 quarts with a oem filter. Level checked with warm engine about 2 to 5 minutes after engine off and the level is in the middle specific zone on the dipstick.

corvettejoe09

Good point. I always disconnect the dry sump lines at the oil pan & drain out dirty oil every time I do an oil change. I end up putting in about 11 1/2 quarts. I hope this helps.

Red Devil

Do you find it easy to remove and reinstall the lines? I watched a friend do it and he struggled big time.

jft69z

Not difficult at all. Loosen bolts, pull lines, drain oil. New gasket/o-ring part number is GM 15217990.

Red Devil

Aren't they like a quick connect fitting? Are they under pressure at all?

jft69z

Not a QD fitting. Just the captured o-ring type of gasket is used. Found this picture of lines on e-bay for a reference. Gasket slips over the pipe end where circled. Pipe end slides into oil pan, gasket/o-ring provides the seal.

No real oil pressure in tank to speak of as it's going to the sump for scavenging, plus PCV system takes off of tank, etc.

Here is a functional description of the dry sump system for a Z06, basically the same as LS9 minus the piston squirters.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1594347046

Red Devil

Always informative, thx! Guess he didn't know what he was doing :-)