First 1,000 miles and down a quart-normal?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 2,535
From: New Jersey
First 1,000 miles and down a quart-normal?
I got my car in April 2015 and have 1000 miles on it. It is a base not a Z51. I checked my oil level for the first time today and saw no oil on the dip stick. I added about a quart till the dipstick showed 2 bars on 1 side and up to the cross hairs on the other side so I gather it was down a quart in the first 1000 miles.
Is this normal?
Should an engine oil low message light appear when the engine oil is low? The manual says this happens "on some vehicles". Are they referring to the Z51, the Z06, or the base?
So I have 2 questions.
Is this normal?
Should an engine oil low message light appear when the engine oil is low? The manual says this happens "on some vehicles". Are they referring to the Z51, the Z06, or the base?
So I have 2 questions.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,232
Likes: 4,357
From: Chirper Island
Oil consumption during engine break-in is normal, some even have quite a lot. It should be checked every fuel stop.
On the C6, the wet sump has a warning light at about 2 quarts low, but the dry-sump apparently doesn't. I don't know if they added a warning light to the C7 dry-sump or not.
It would be nice to find out if it does, or if they didn't add this. With the added tank, it may be difficult for the car to measure it like it does on the wet-sump.
On the C6, the wet sump has a warning light at about 2 quarts low, but the dry-sump apparently doesn't. I don't know if they added a warning light to the C7 dry-sump or not.
It would be nice to find out if it does, or if they didn't add this. With the added tank, it may be difficult for the car to measure it like it does on the wet-sump.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,495
Likes: 1,263
From: Jacksonville FL
This has been discussed many times on the forum. The answer to your first question is NO. I would keep an eye on my dip stick and discuss this with the dealer at my first oil change. I have 7000 miles on my C-7 and my engine has never used any oil.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,323
Likes: 2,077
From: Guelph, Ontario
I think he meant a low oil level warning though, not low oil pressure. My C5 had a low oil level warning that would come up on the DIC when the level was about a quart and a half low. I think my C6 has the low oil level sensor too, but I haven't heard of one on the C7 so they probably got rid of it?
Last edited by Patman; Jul 12, 2015 at 11:47 AM.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 2,535
From: New Jersey
Pro
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 525
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From: Half Moon Bay Caifornia
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
My base car used oil first two thousand miles (about 1 1/2 quarts). Now at 3,500 miles, oil consumption is non existent. Some technitions claim a new engine should use oil, the cylinders will seal better and the end result will be an engine that produces rated or better power. "Whatever" after a few thousand miles consumption should stabilize with little or no measured oil use. Don't stress!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 26,430
Likes: 493
It is not normal. I have owned dozens of small blocks. I would check the oil every day in the same spot first thing in the morning. When it is down top it up to the full mark and keep a record of the date, mileage and oil added. What the manufacturer calls normal is ridiculous. Do you really think adding 5 quarts between oil changes is normal?
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 124
Likes: 124
From: Normal IL
How did you check the oil? Did you let the engine warm up to operating temp, shut the engine off and wait 5 to 10 minutes before checking the oil? This is the proper procedure for checking the oil on a dry sump system.
If you checked it with the engine cold, it's normal for no oil to show on the dipstick.
If you checked it with the engine cold, it's normal for no oil to show on the dipstick.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 364
From: California
You may want to install a catch can to see how much oil is removed before it gets ingested into the manifold. It would be a good idea anyway to help prevent future intake port / valve deposits from accumulating and reducing power.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,483
Likes: 668
From: Kilmarnock Va
How did you check the oil? Did you let the engine warm up to operating temp, shut the engine off and wait 5 to 10 minutes before checking the oil? This is the proper procedure for checking the oil on a dry sump system.
If you checked it with the engine cold, it's normal for no oil to show on the dipstick.
If you checked it with the engine cold, it's normal for no oil to show on the dipstick.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 322
From: Fort Wayne Indiana
How did you check the oil? Did you let the engine warm up to operating temp, shut the engine off and wait 5 to 10 minutes before checking the oil? This is the proper procedure for checking the oil on a dry sump system.
If you checked it with the engine cold, it's normal for no oil to show on the dipstick.
If you checked it with the engine cold, it's normal for no oil to show on the dipstick.