14Z51lbj1021

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

Mr. Jones

So after running the car you read 65 deg. oil temp waited 5-10 min. and you saw a 3-7/8" diff. on the stick?

eboggs_jkvl

Ummm, no, he said a cold engine. Can't have a cold engine if it is running. Pay attention!


Elmer

14Z51lbj1021

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.

robert miller

Dealer for sure get it hot turn car off wait a good 5 mins then check...

Mr. Jones

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.

davekp78

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.

eboggs_jkvl

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

eboggs_jkvl

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

rrsperry

Well my car gets built next week. When I finally get it I'll do that...lol. I ordered the car from Criswell on Sept 13. Maybe I'll get it by thanksgiving.

ratchet80

Mines been sitting in garage for almost 7 days I will check in morning and report back

juanvaldez

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.

ratchet80

Nothing on stick, sitting for over a week

eboggs_jkvl

Bam! IF that is the case, there is no way to check a car cold that is reliable.

Thanks, that answers the question.


Elmer

ratchet80

I'll start it tonight and verify it has correct hot oil level

mcslim

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

hisvett

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".

eboggs_jkvl

Might be able to do it but the 5 day guy said no oil on the stick so it must keep oozing out of there and it would be unreliable to check it cold. I guess we're stuck with the hot engine & 7 minute wait method.

Elmer

ratchet80

So... nothing on stick cold, drove car, got oil temp to 190. Oil level was at very bottom of hash marks. I topped it off, to midway of hash marks. Car will sit all week, I will check Tuesday or Wednesday

eboggs_jkvl

With nothing showing on the stick, there isn't any reliable way to check the oil cold.

We tried...


Elmer