Checking oil level shouldn't be so confusing.

[MFranz]

My 2006 4x4 1 ton has a remanufactured motor with about 90,000 miles. I bought it used and it has had a few issues which I have for the most part corrected. Of recent I'm having an issue checking oil level on the dipstick. It shows low on the stick with 12 quarts in which is my understanding the amount it needs. I added one more quart to bring the level up and now I'm at 13 quarts. What is up with that?
Ive done a few google searches and have seen that this is not uncommon. ( Incorrect oil level on dipstick )
Anyone have experience with this?

 

[GrantP]

I will usually only check my oil after the truck has sat overnight. Adding 12 quarts will leave me slightly overfilled on the dipstick. If you added 13 then yes, you're overfilled. When you do your oil change throw on a new filter and 12 quarts and don't worry about it.

 

[gsbrockman]

Manual says to allow minimum :30 wait before checking oil level....

 

[Tuesdak]

With 3 gal in the sump OR slung around the engine... this is a difficult engine to check, period. You need to wait 15 min after shutting the engine off to check. Further hot oil will raise the level one quart. The oil filter and oil cooler tend to hold more oil cold reducing the oil level as well. (I had to short trip mine for level ground so cold oil staying in filter etc was a real useless check.)

You overfill it enough and cover the turbo oil drain it can push oil past the turbo oil seals and run away.

I found that removing the oil fill cap would drip oil on the dipstick when checking.

Regardless use the 12qt advice above and then check the oil the same way every time: hot, cold, sat overnight, etc. Know where it’s at with 12 qt and same conditions. I would “learn” both overnight from sitting and 15 min after hot shutdown, say after refueling, marks on dipstick.

edit: 15 min because it’s possible at a fuel stop. 30 min as called for is too long to wait ... although it can be done if you’re looking for consumption problems or think you need to add oil.

 

[bcbender]

I chased it around once and added then was too much, drained then was too low....... I agree with the above and find a method and follow it.. I always change oil on a hot engine and add 3gal then wait about 15 min after re-warm up. I have seen on Hot engines that the oil filter drains back about 1/2 way back to the CC and so cold / warm are two different animals.

 

[AH64ID]

I’ve ever had any issues on my 05 or 18. But I am also amazed at how often people bring up dipstick vs 12 quarts. Use the dipstick.

Drain it, change the filter, and add oil until it’s in the top end of the safe range. Takes about 12 quarts on my 18, and about 13.5gts on the 05 due to the bypass filter.

Depending on how you fill it check it one reason they may look over filled after sitting 30 minutes is the filter drains back into the sump. It’s about 1/2 a quart, or 25% of the range from add-safe. It takes 2 quarts to get from add to safe.

At the end of the day the dipstick is what you go by. The motor may hold 12 quarts but if it only drains 11 (common) and you add 12 while ignoring the dipstick then you’re overfilled.

 

[GCroyle]

As it’s a different engine any chance dipstick or tube is wacko?

part number on stick?

 

[bcbender]

Just saying, I have had readings all over the place, and it wasn't until I pulled the oil filter (to dump some oil out once....) I found out that occasionally the filter empties itself back to the CC making random checks almost impossible. So pick you poison and try to keep your checking in the same operating conditions, as AH64ID says, Empty the HOT engine, put a new filter on, fill with oil, (start it till the oil light goes off ) 15 min later check and add appropriately and DONE. Its literally that easy. And for checks in between KISS...

 

[BigPapa]

part number on stick?

This.

 

[Darkbloodmon]

As it’s a different engine any chance dipstick or tube is wacko?

part number on stick?

I was of this mindset reading through all these comments, The engine was rebuilt, is the dipstick OEM or a Dorman/ other aftermarket.

I didn't know checking oil was a bureaucratic process.

 

[bcbender]

I was of this mindset reading through all these comments, The engine was rebuilt,

Good point!... Seen the wrong dipstick installed on a GM V8 before with horrible results ( it was too long and laying on the bottom of the pan.)..

I was just sharing my experience with the correct one, and it does fluctuate all over the place.. Providing it is the correct P/N... anywhere in the SAFE zone is good, i was just puzzled when I found the oil filter emptying itself after shut down and the level would rise.. now I don't worry about it.

 

[Tuesdak]

I ordered a new dipstick for my 2003 from Geno's Garage after rebuild just to be sure it was the correct one. The engine rebuilder swapped it out with another one as well as we were looking at a major consumption problem. They rebuilt it twice...

 

[BigPapa]

The tube could be wrong, also.

 

[MFranz]

Thanks everyone for the response. The dipstick is factory. I had previously checked the serial number. I always change my oil when its hot and let it drain for a considerable amount of time to try and get as much old oil out.. Ive had three oil changes since I have owned the truck. First was the dealer, next two were me doing them. Im not sure how much oil was put in on the first two oil changes but the dipstick read correct. The third oil change is when I put in 13 quarts to get it to an acceptable level on the dipstick.
Where I park the truck in my driveway has a little slope so Ive flipped the truck around to see if that makes a difference. It did. Ive even put a level on the pan to make sure it was level when checking.
I did a goggle search and was surprised that this was a common problem so I thought I would ask the forum.
As it stands now Im starting to feel like this is way too much time to spend on such a simple task. I'll probably do another oil change just to start from square 1.
My thinking was since it was a reman motor ( installed by dealer ) that somehow their were different specs on the reman. These motors are used in boats and farm machinery to mention a few uses.

 

[Ozymandias]

I almost ignore the dip stick at the time of an oilchange. Drop in the 12 quarts, filter NOT pre-filled and it is fine.
As simple as it is, 12 quarts is the amount that it needs, no matter what the dip stick says at that moment.

Apart from this I'm pulling it only in the morning after a good night's rest.

 

[Ozymandias]

And don't overthink the level all to much, as long as it is between the safe marks you are good. It does not need to be filled exactly to the upper mark. There is no benefit from trying to reach that exact point.
The pick up tube location is way below the lower mark, down at 2-3 quarts level.

Above top mark is way more dangerous as it could bring your crank into contact with the oil and foaming it, what end in total loss.

 

[DClark]

I have a '05 and I'm with the "ck in the morning" crowd. I also find that the dip stick dragging on the curved tube as I pull it out moves the oil on the dip stick so the reading is not accurate. I turn my dip stick up side down and then the reading is better. I never had this problem with my '96 or '98.

 

[cerberusiam]

Tube slightly different length, tube not inserter all the way in the block, stick marked slightly different, numerous documented slight differences possible. Best way is find what the level of 12 quarts of oil is on the stick in your truck at a specific time and always check at that time for consistency. Up to operating temp, let it drain for at least an hours, add 12 quarts, up to operating temp again, shut off and let sit for 15 minutes, check level and always check it that way. It will usually be somewhere in the safe zone and gauge from there.

Wait until you check a new fill and all you see is a smear on the bottom of the stick and you KNOW there is 12 quarts in the engine.