Dipstick is a piece of crap for readings. - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Mr. Brownstone · 11-30-2009, 06:38 PM

This may go down as one of the Dumbest Camaro5 postings ever but here goes.

I just changed oil this weekend. I used exactly 8 quarts of Mobile 1 5w-30. I used rhino ramps and let it drain for approx 30 minutes. ( Beer run).

I know this sounds stupid, but For some reason, I can't get a good reading on this POS dipstick. Every time I pull it, the tube seems to smear the oil up the dipstick. way past the (cross hatched) full reading area. I also made sure the car was sitting on level ground and oil was checked at operating temperature.

I guess I am afraid of possible slight overfill...I am wondering just how much residual oil, if any at all, typically remains inside the motor even after it is drained.

TonyNo · 11-30-2009, 07:08 PM

I think all dip-stick-design knowledge has been lost. The one in my Chrysler van is also useless.

Johnny1 · 11-30-2009, 07:26 PM

Same on my 2007 Canyon I5. The tip where you check the oil is real dark brown. I swear they purposely tryed to make it the same color as oil when it starts to turn a little brown. I have a heck of a time reading it.

omegaman · 11-30-2009, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Brownstone

I know this sounds stupid, but For some reason, I can't get a good reading on this POS dipstick.

Agreed the dipstick is a POS. Long, limp, flimsy, and plastic. Very difficult to read accurately.

I've resorted to doing three or four pulls just to get an average reading. I will be looking for an aftermarket dipstick. Anyone know of an aftermarket dipstick for the LS3?

Merc · 11-30-2009, 09:01 PM

I agree, very difficult to read!

BackinBlackSS/RS · 11-30-2009, 09:04 PM

Doesn't the car have to be level when draining the oil?

omegaman · 11-30-2009, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BackinBlackSS/RS

Doesn't the car have to be level when draining the oil?

Car only needs to be near level when checking the oil level (using dipstick).

Draining the oil car can be a fairly large angle upward -- front wheels on ramps while rear wheels on ground.

BackinBlackSS/RS · 11-30-2009, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omegaman

Draining the oil car can be a fairly large angle upward -- front wheels on ramps while rear wheels on ground.

I don't change my own oil anymore, but I used to and all my cars I used a
hydraulic jack. I let the oil drain then lower the jack and quite a bit more would come out.

omegaman · 11-30-2009, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BackinBlackSS/RS

I don't change my own oil anymore, but I used to and all my cars I used a
hydraulic jack. I let the oil drain then lower the jack and quite a bit more would come out.

Good observations. What you say is true depending on the motor design. On some motors, the oil gets trapped in the heads. This is why you see more oil drain out when you lower the jacks -- oil trapped in the heads flows back (forward) to the drain holes and into the oil pan.

BackinBlackSS/RS · 11-30-2009, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omegaman

Good observations. What you say is true depending on the motor design. On some motors, the oil gets trapped in the heads. This is why you see more oil drain out when you lower the jacks -- oil trapped in the heads flows back (forward) to the drain holes and into the oil pan.

BackinBlackSS/RS · 11-30-2009, 09:20 PM

Sorry, back on topic. I have not had any problem reading the dipstick.

Mr. Brownstone · 11-30-2009, 09:43 PM

Thanks for The replys. If there was some residual oil still left inside the motor, perhaps inside the heads, now I really don't have a clue whether or not I am a little over filled do to this useless dipstick.

Hopefully LS motors are a little forgiving on over fills

mrbrans5 · 11-30-2009, 11:18 PM

I just changed the oil on my 2LT this past weekend (first oil change). Used a jack and stands. When the hot oil dripped at a rate of about 1 drip every 15 second (or after 10 minutes)... I took the stands out and let the car down... I also noticed the oil started flowing again, so I left it for another 10 minutes… then jacked it back up to replace the drain plug. I also removed the oil filter BEFORE initially jacking the car up. Don’t know if that made a difference though. I put almost 6 litres of Moble1 5W30 in it. For my American friends… the manual calls for 5.7 litres. The dip stick on the LT is square and it always shows a higher oil level on one side than the other… I think you called it… a POS.
I do notice my oil pressure generally higher after the synthetic oil change. Anyone else notice this?

camarodad · 12-08-2009, 01:53 PM

I think its possible you could be slightly over filled, but I dont know how much damage this would cause. Maybe someone else could chime in.

11-30-2009, 06:38 PM	#1
Mr. Brownstone Drives: "SINISTER" Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: KnoxVegas, TN Posts: 456	Dipstick is a piece of crap for readings. This may go down as one of the Dumbest Camaro5 postings ever but here goes. I just changed oil this weekend. I used exactly 8 quarts of Mobile 1 5w-30. I used rhino ramps and let it drain for approx 30 minutes. ( Beer run). I know this sounds stupid, but For some reason, I can't get a good reading on this POS dipstick. Every time I pull it, the tube seems to smear the oil up the dipstick. way past the (cross hatched) full reading area. I also made sure the car was sitting on level ground and oil was checked at operating temperature. I guess I am afraid of possible slight overfill...I am wondering just how much residual oil, if any at all, typically remains inside the motor even after it is drained.

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11-30-2009, 07:08 PM	#2
TonyNo Drives: 2016 2SS, SW Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 1,079	I think all dip-stick-design knowledge has been lost. The one in my Chrysler van is also useless.

11-30-2009, 07:26 PM	#3
Johnny1 Drives: Would only drive GM Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Southeast Kansas Posts: 190	Same on my 2007 Canyon I5. The tip where you check the oil is real dark brown. I swear they purposely tryed to make it the same color as oil when it starts to turn a little brown. I have a heck of a time reading it.

11-30-2009, 09:01 PM	#5
Merc In The Circle Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SSRS IOM M6 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Abbotsford BC Canada Posts: 11,310	I agree, very difficult to read!

11-30-2009, 09:04 PM	#6
BackinBlackSS/RS Go Blue!!!!! Drives: 2012 Cruze LT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 23,290	Doesn't the car have to be level when draining the oil?

11-30-2009, 09:20 PM	#11
BackinBlackSS/RS Go Blue!!!!! Drives: 2012 Cruze LT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 23,290	Sorry, back on topic. I have not had any problem reading the dipstick.

11-30-2009, 09:43 PM	#12
Mr. Brownstone Drives: "SINISTER" Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: KnoxVegas, TN Posts: 456	Thanks for The replys. If there was some residual oil still left inside the motor, perhaps inside the heads, now I really don't have a clue whether or not I am a little over filled do to this useless dipstick. Hopefully LS motors are a little forgiving on over fills

11-30-2009, 11:18 PM	#13
mrbrans5 Drives: IOM Bahia Int. 2LT RS M6 SR BH Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Whitby, Ontario, Canada Posts: 751	I just changed the oil on my 2LT this past weekend (first oil change). Used a jack and stands. When the hot oil dripped at a rate of about 1 drip every 15 second (or after 10 minutes)... I took the stands out and let the car down... I also noticed the oil started flowing again, so I left it for another 10 minutes… then jacked it back up to replace the drain plug. I also removed the oil filter BEFORE initially jacking the car up. Don’t know if that made a difference though. I put almost 6 litres of Moble1 5W30 in it. For my American friends… the manual calls for 5.7 litres. The dip stick on the LT is square and it always shows a higher oil level on one side than the other… I think you called it… a POS. I do notice my oil pressure generally higher after the synthetic oil change. Anyone else notice this?

12-08-2009, 01:53 PM	#14
camarodad Drives: camaro Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 29	I think its possible you could be slightly over filled, but I dont know how much damage this would cause. Maybe someone else could chime in.