When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Just purchased a 2009 vert and noticed the oil level was to high so I took it and had the oil changed. They put in 6 quarts and when they checked level it was the same as before, high. What's up?
Not all dip sticks are calibrated the same, if they put 6 in and that's what is called for all is well. Just remember this is your full mark, maybe notch the stick in that place.
Also I believe non-Z51 cars are supposed to hold 5.5qts and Z51s 6qts due to the oil cooler. I still wouldn't worry about half a quart over, I seem to remember the manual saying for competitive driving add an extra quart.
Apparently GM issued some conflicting information in the OM's, to their own dealerships, and to the general public, including the thousands of shops who specialize in lube and oil changes. When they made attempts to correct the info, not everyone paid attention.
Regardless, the bottom line is that wet sump LS2/3 engines without an external oil cooler only require 5.5 quarts. Those with the cooler require 6 quarts. Don't rely on any documentation, especially since it's easy to have added or removed coolers after it left the factory.
The easy way to check for an external cooler, is to look on the oil pan directly above the filter. If there are two hoses, there is a cooler. No hoses means no cooler.
I'm old school. On the many old cars I've had back in the day 60's. I would add 4 qts then start the engine & let it run for 30 seconds to fill the filter then check the oil and add more as needed until it was at the full mark..Simple..
I'm old school. On the many old cars I've had back in the day 60's. I would add 4 qts then start the engine & let it run for 30 seconds to fill the filter then check the oil and add more as needed until it was at the full mark..Simple..
This. OP needs a new mechanic if he is just blindly pouring in the oil.
These are exactly why I said in post #5, that it's important to verify if the cooler exists. Don't trust documents unless your eyes confirm it.
When they drive it up on the rack I go under the car with a flashlight just to check things out. My is a auto and for sure it does not have a engine oil cooler!!
Last edited by Cherokee Nation; Aug 13, 2015 at 06:55 PM.
Reason: add
My manual does NOT say Z51,only 6 qts with external oil cooler.5.5 qts without cooler.Is your vette a manual tranny??
So then, a Z51 auto does not have an external engine oil cooler, including a line going to the radiator?
The option code Z51 includes: extra cooling. It did not specify what cooling. What is extra cooling for autos?
My car is an 08 manual, Z51 which uses the radiator for the manual transmission oil cooler, an external engine oil cooler and an external power steering oil cooler. I confirmed this by visual inspection.
Last edited by Mike's LS3; Aug 13, 2015 at 05:23 PM.
So then, a Z51 auto does not have an external engine oil cooler, including a line going to the radiator?
The option code Z51 includes: extra cooling. It did not specify what cooling. What is extra cooling for autos?
My car is an 08 manual, Z51 which uses the radiator for the manual transmission oil cooler, an external engine oil cooler and an external power steering oil cooler. I confirmed this by visual inspection.
My 08/Z51/Auto has the lines running from the radiator to the auto tranny and a external power steering unit just behind the radiator at the very bottom, but it has no lines going to the engine oil pan. I read some where that only the Z51 with a 6 speed stick has the engine oil cooler which is why it takes 6 qts...Makes since to me.Why GM did not add a engine oil cooler for the autos is not known to me?
Last edited by Cherokee Nation; Aug 13, 2015 at 06:58 PM.
Reason: add