Oil measurement levels on Z51 dry sump engines
#1
Heel & Toe
Thread Starter
Oil measurement levels on Z51 dry sump engines
After reading horror stories of oil change mistakes and overfilling issues I started keeping notes on oil levels in relation to oil temp. Attached photo shows a 3 & 7/8" variance in dipstick level from 200 degree normal operating temp, and 65 degree cold engine oil temp. Knowing oil temp would affect the measurement level, was still surprised to see how much the difference was. Posted as interesting information - hope this is not rehashing old info - but may be helpful to new owners and forum members - Lynn
#3
Moderator/Tech Contributor
Member Since: Jun 2001
Location: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
Posts: 18,243
Received 3,822 Likes
on
2,066 Posts
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
#4
Heel & Toe
Thread Starter
Cold temp per candy thermometer after sitting overnight or longer.
As new owner almost made mistake of adding oil after checking oil level several hours after running. During testing received various levels based on time after engine shut off and oil temp. Re-read manual and got lots of good advice after reading this forum. Most all guys know this and I only posted to hopefully help a new owner not make a mistake.
#5
Team Owner
Member Since: Jan 2007
Location: cookeville tennessee
Posts: 28,846
Received 1,762 Likes
on
1,529 Posts
Usually check oil level just after driving (200 degree per engine gauge)
Cold temp per candy thermometer after sitting overnight or longer.
As new owner almost made mistake of adding oil after checking oil level several hours after running. During testing received various levels based on time after engine shut off and oil temp. Re-read manual and got lots of good advice after reading this forum. Most all guys know this and I only posted to hopefully help a new owner not make a mistake.
Cold temp per candy thermometer after sitting overnight or longer.
As new owner almost made mistake of adding oil after checking oil level several hours after running. During testing received various levels based on time after engine shut off and oil temp. Re-read manual and got lots of good advice after reading this forum. Most all guys know this and I only posted to hopefully help a new owner not make a mistake.
#6
Drifting
I get that it was cold and that he did not run it.
this was not how the oil level should be read, how accurate could this method be. A little sarcasm on my part.
this was not how the oil level should be read, how accurate could this method be. A little sarcasm on my part.
#7
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Sep 2005
Location: merritt island fl
Posts: 2,670
Received 131 Likes
on
109 Posts
C1 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
2016 C1 of the Year Finalist
2015 C2 of the Year Finalist
The difference is not due to temperature differences. Oil will slowly drain from the oil tank to the sump- thus the lower level after a period of time.
An interesting test would be to check the level every 15 minutes or so for several hours and see the drain.
An interesting test would be to check the level every 15 minutes or so for several hours and see the drain.
The following users liked this post:
meyerweb (11-08-2015)
#8
Moderator/Tech Contributor
Member Since: Jun 2001
Location: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
Posts: 18,243
Received 3,822 Likes
on
2,066 Posts
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
I know how to check the oil as do many of you. His idea is interesting. Let's say we let our cars sit for 5 days and the oil draining has done it's thing. If it still registers on the stick, I would offer you that you can use that location on the stick to check the level of the oil when the car is cold. If the oil goes lower than can be seen on the stick after the 5 days, then there is no way to check the car "cold".
I think that's the gist of the post. I've never let my car sit that long to check for a "cold" oil measurement on the stick.
It would be interesting if someone let the car sit for a week or two and confirmed oil registering on the stick. It might be a way to check a cold oil level in the Z51.
Just askin....
Elmer
I think that's the gist of the post. I've never let my car sit that long to check for a "cold" oil measurement on the stick.
It would be interesting if someone let the car sit for a week or two and confirmed oil registering on the stick. It might be a way to check a cold oil level in the Z51.
Just askin....
Elmer
Last edited by eboggs_jkvl; 11-04-2015 at 09:27 AM.
#9
Moderator/Tech Contributor
Member Since: Jun 2001
Location: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
Posts: 18,243
Received 3,822 Likes
on
2,066 Posts
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
For the sake of a little discussion, I just went to my car (Z51) and measured the oil "cold". Well, as cold as I can get in 89 degree Florida but the car has not run since yesterday at 3:15PM, so I'm going to call it "cold" for the sake of discussion.
The oil was still registering on my dipstick, but waaaaay down. I measured the distance from:
the oil "Full" at the top of the hash marks and got 4 1/4"
the oil "Mid" at the "HOT" text and got 3 5/8"
the oil "1 QT Low" at the bottom of the hash marks and got 3"
So, why don't a few more people get off their duffs and do the same thing. Measure your car cold.
If we get a consensus on the fact that the oil is showing on the dipstick cold and have measurements from the "oil measuring area (crosshatch)", then maybe, just maybe you can check your oil cold.
I took a file and marked the oil level with a scratch line on the dip stick for a reference point. The next time I run the car, I will check out my oil level hot and know what the scratch mark on the dipstick means "cold".
If the oil will eventually drain down and go off the stick and not give any reading, then this is a waste of time but it gives retired people, like me, something to do!
Elmer
The oil was still registering on my dipstick, but waaaaay down. I measured the distance from:
the oil "Full" at the top of the hash marks and got 4 1/4"
the oil "Mid" at the "HOT" text and got 3 5/8"
the oil "1 QT Low" at the bottom of the hash marks and got 3"
So, why don't a few more people get off their duffs and do the same thing. Measure your car cold.
If we get a consensus on the fact that the oil is showing on the dipstick cold and have measurements from the "oil measuring area (crosshatch)", then maybe, just maybe you can check your oil cold.
I took a file and marked the oil level with a scratch line on the dip stick for a reference point. The next time I run the car, I will check out my oil level hot and know what the scratch mark on the dipstick means "cold".
If the oil will eventually drain down and go off the stick and not give any reading, then this is a waste of time but it gives retired people, like me, something to do!
Elmer
#12
First thing you need to do is check the oil level. My car was delivered with the oil level a good half inch above the full mark oil check after 7 1/2 minutes oil 192 F.
The following users liked this post:
eboggs_jkvl (11-05-2015)
#14
Moderator/Tech Contributor
Member Since: Jun 2001
Location: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
Posts: 18,243
Received 3,822 Likes
on
2,066 Posts
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
#16
Advanced
Same here. Sitting 5 days and no oil shows on stick. After warm up it is in center of hash marks. Apparently NO cold oil level check will be possible? I'll use an old wet sump dipstick (much longer) to see how low the cold level really is in the reservoir. Slim
The following users liked this post:
eboggs_jkvl (11-05-2015)
#17
Melting Slicks
OK Elmer, fellow retired C7 driver here.....I just took a hike out to the shop to check my '15 Z51 oil level. The car has been setting for just under 72 hours and shows less than a half inch of oil on the stick. Your idea would probably work providing you had a "leak down time table".
#18
Moderator/Tech Contributor
Member Since: Jun 2001
Location: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
Posts: 18,243
Received 3,822 Likes
on
2,066 Posts
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
OK Elmer, fellow retired C7 driver here.....I just took a hike out to the shop to check my '15 Z51 oil level. The car has been setting for just under 72 hours and shows less than a half inch of oil on the stick. Your idea would probably work providing you had a "leak down time table".
Elmer
Last edited by eboggs_jkvl; 11-07-2015 at 09:37 PM.
#19
#20
Moderator/Tech Contributor
Member Since: Jun 2001
Location: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
Posts: 18,243
Received 3,822 Likes
on
2,066 Posts
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
We tried...
Elmer