check oil level - warning message
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Irvine CA
check oil level - warning message
Hello folks !
I have a 2007 c6 ls2 with a mere 76k miles, that's hardly pushed on the accelerator.
I recently added long tube headers with high flow cats, and a cold air intake. Since the mods, the Vette keeps reading " Check oil Level", sometimes , "Low oil level". It's a combination of both messages. The messages are sporadic, and at times, they don't come on.
The first thing I did was a visual inspection. No oil leaks, and the oil level is just above the 3rd thru hole on the dipstick.
Could these mods possibly effect the oil level sensor ? If the mods directly effect the oil temperature level, could a lower temperature set off the " Low Oil Level" or "Check oil Level " messages ?
One thing I should mention is prior to the mods, I replaced the spark plugs at 74k. I noticed 2 plugs ( I can't remember the cylinder no. ) had serious carbon build up, and some oil around the threads. I'm thinking I might have a valve cover seals issue, which makes more sense because I don't see how a simple exhaust , and intake swap could throw off the oil level.
I have a 2007 c6 ls2 with a mere 76k miles, that's hardly pushed on the accelerator.
I recently added long tube headers with high flow cats, and a cold air intake. Since the mods, the Vette keeps reading " Check oil Level", sometimes , "Low oil level". It's a combination of both messages. The messages are sporadic, and at times, they don't come on.
The first thing I did was a visual inspection. No oil leaks, and the oil level is just above the 3rd thru hole on the dipstick.
Could these mods possibly effect the oil level sensor ? If the mods directly effect the oil temperature level, could a lower temperature set off the " Low Oil Level" or "Check oil Level " messages ?
One thing I should mention is prior to the mods, I replaced the spark plugs at 74k. I noticed 2 plugs ( I can't remember the cylinder no. ) had serious carbon build up, and some oil around the threads. I'm thinking I might have a valve cover seals issue, which makes more sense because I don't see how a simple exhaust , and intake swap could throw off the oil level.
Last edited by GoSeeSixGo; Mar 2, 2016 at 02:23 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Hard to guess; you may have hit an oil line sensor, or some other sensor that's now giving a reading. Some headers get very close to oil lines and can cause heating issues. You might also want to check your ground to starter, batt. cables tight at batt., and batt. condition. Oil buildup at two plugs is not good imo. I don't know if it's attributable to valve cover seals, but it may have something to do with the valvetrain, or rings. I'd pull at least one of the plugs again that had an issue and check it now w. a nearby plug that doesn't--see if it's still getting oiled up. You also don't mention if you got a tune after the headers.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 7,001
Likes: 988
From: lake havasu city arizona
You know the more I read about things happening after doing some of these mods I am re-thinking the whole header deal. I don't want to open a can of "worms" with higher coolant temps, oil levels warnings, check engine light, and such.
Thanks Bill
NSF
Thanks Bill
NSF
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
Maybe you knocked the wire off the sensor. Check that, if it's okay then replace the sensor.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...arning-c6.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...arning-c6.html
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Irvine CA
Hi guys,
I appreciate the responses.
I have not dyno tuned the car after the mods. That was my next step, however, I don't wan't to move forward until I fix the warning lamp issue.
The battery is only 2 weeks old. I will do a more thorough check of the oil lines, check the oil sensor for any damage from the header install, and recheck the spark plugs, and see if the oil is still seeping through the original 2 plugs that looked bad relative to the rest.
I appreciate the responses.
I have not dyno tuned the car after the mods. That was my next step, however, I don't wan't to move forward until I fix the warning lamp issue.
The battery is only 2 weeks old. I will do a more thorough check of the oil lines, check the oil sensor for any damage from the header install, and recheck the spark plugs, and see if the oil is still seeping through the original 2 plugs that looked bad relative to the rest.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 315
From: Bridgewater New Jersey
Might have a issue with the extra heat generated by the headers or wire connectivity, and or the wires are getting crispy. Might need to insulate them with thermal wrap.
The sensor is the beige colored item in the oil pan.
Like Cody said, easy enough to change and see what happens.
Electronics doesn't like heat.
The sensor is the beige colored item in the oil pan.
Like Cody said, easy enough to change and see what happens.
Electronics doesn't like heat.
Last edited by extrapilot; Mar 2, 2016 at 01:55 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Irvine CA
This is all excellent feedback. Thank you everyone.
One question though:
The "Check oil level" message comes on when the car is in cold start condition. In other words, when the car is cold, there is no excess heat generated from the long tubes to throw off the oil level sensor.
Since the oil level sensor is the cheapest option, and quickest troubleshoot, I will replace it, and add thermal wrap to the wires.
I will keep you updated on my progress.
Thanks everyone !
One question though:
The "Check oil level" message comes on when the car is in cold start condition. In other words, when the car is cold, there is no excess heat generated from the long tubes to throw off the oil level sensor.
Since the oil level sensor is the cheapest option, and quickest troubleshoot, I will replace it, and add thermal wrap to the wires.
I will keep you updated on my progress.
Thanks everyone !
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 315
From: Bridgewater New Jersey
Seems like it's defective, or the connections is bad.
Also make sure the wire didn't get to close to the heat source and bake a wire.
It's probably cheap enough to just drain the oil and get another one in there and see what happens. Double check the pins inside the connectors, at times they can get pushed back were they won't make contact the the receiving pins.
Also make sure the wire didn't get to close to the heat source and bake a wire.
It's probably cheap enough to just drain the oil and get another one in there and see what happens. Double check the pins inside the connectors, at times they can get pushed back were they won't make contact the the receiving pins.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 11,048
Likes: 3,390
Same problem with the ls2 gtos..
Almost all the time an oil pressure sensor bad.
NSF. You worry too much about the whole long tube deal. Tons of people run them with no issues lol.
Ran them in my gto, no issues. Have them on my GS now. Almost a year. No issues.
Just get them done already!! Lol
Almost all the time an oil pressure sensor bad.
NSF. You worry too much about the whole long tube deal. Tons of people run them with no issues lol.
Ran them in my gto, no issues. Have them on my GS now. Almost a year. No issues.
Just get them done already!! Lol
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 7,001
Likes: 988
From: lake havasu city arizona
Same problem with the ls2 gtos..
Almost all the time an oil pressure sensor bad.
NSF. You worry too much about the whole long tube deal. Tons of people run them with no issues lol.
Ran them in my gto, no issues. Have them on my GS now. Almost a year. No issues.
Just get them done already!! Lol
Almost all the time an oil pressure sensor bad.
NSF. You worry too much about the whole long tube deal. Tons of people run them with no issues lol.
Ran them in my gto, no issues. Have them on my GS now. Almost a year. No issues.
Just get them done already!! Lol
NSF
Tolero Apto Victum
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 9,669
Likes: 37
From: Woodlands TX
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 315
From: Bridgewater New Jersey
Hi guys,
I appreciate the responses.
I have not dyno tuned the car after the mods. That was my next step, however, I don't wan't to move forward until I fix the warning lamp issue.
The battery is only 2 weeks old. I will do a more thorough check of the oil lines, check the oil sensor for any damage from the header install, and recheck the spark plugs, and see if the oil is still seeping through the original 2 plugs that looked bad relative to the rest.
I appreciate the responses.
I have not dyno tuned the car after the mods. That was my next step, however, I don't wan't to move forward until I fix the warning lamp issue.
The battery is only 2 weeks old. I will do a more thorough check of the oil lines, check the oil sensor for any damage from the header install, and recheck the spark plugs, and see if the oil is still seeping through the original 2 plugs that looked bad relative to the rest.
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
C6 base ls2 manual. Check oil level on dic randomly and when first started
Drain oil first. Do oil change after replacing oil level sensor. Ac delco oil level sensor I think went bad. When started dic would say check oil level. It was good because i checked before i started while engine was cold. Would randomly say check oil level while driving. When I checked. It was perfect oil level on dipstick while car was on level ground and turned off for 10mins. 1 1/8 deep socket to remove oil level sensor on passenger side of oil pan. Wiped down with rag to clean up so oil level sensor sits flush to pan when screwed in. used tape instead of thread locker to install so I don't need to wait for it to dry. So far it's fixed the problem. Sensor was $50 for ac delco replacement. Easy fix. Took about an hour. Mainly because didn't have deep socket big enough to take it out.