Jump to content

Oil Change Help

George Pompano
 Share

Recommended Posts

George Pompano New Member

George Pompano

Posted
Posted

Hello I have a 2018 chevy express cargo van. I changed my oil today myself. Book calls for 6 quarts of oil. I put in 6 quarts of oil. Now oil is barley on the stick. I let the truck sit for over 2 hours after running if to let oil circulate. It;s not leaking dip stick is all the way in. Where is the oil and why is it not showing on dip stick. Thank you for your help. It is a 4.3 chevy express 2500 cargo van. Thank you

txab Senior Enthusiast

txab

Posted
Posted

Van on level ground? When oil is fresh, it can be hard to see on the stick. If it requires 6 and you put 6 in, then you should be good to go. The oil should change color a little bit fairly quickly making it easier to see on the stick

Thomcat Senior Enthusiast

Thomcat

Posted
Posted

If it takes 6 qt. and you put in 6 qt., ran engine to fill the filter, then measured on the fully seated original dipstick on level ground it should read full.

 

If it doesn't read full after above, only explanation is the oil company short filled the oil containers

greatmizzou Enthusiast

greatmizzou

Posted
Posted

Oil filter steals some of it, but not a ton.   My wife had a honda civic that ate an extra quart out  of spec.    The other thing if someone can confirm...the dipstick slotted range at the bottom is about one quart total?  So if its at the bottom barely, an extra quart will get it to the top, so add half

Black02Silverado Senior Enthusiast

Black02Silverado

Posted
Posted

Six qts is what it calls for and you put 6 in so it is good. 

 

How long have you owned the van?  Have you checked it in the past?  How much oil came out? 

TXGREEK Senior Enthusiast

TXGREEK

Posted
Posted
Hello I have a 2018 chevy express cargo van. I changed my oil today myself. Book calls for 6 quarts of oil. I put in 6 quarts of oil. Now oil is barley on the stick. I let the truck sit for over 2 hours after running if to let oil circulate. It;s not leaking dip stick is all the way in. Where is the oil and why is it not showing on dip stick. Thank you for your help. It is a 4.3 chevy express 2500 cargo van. Thank you


Did you buy it new or used and if used, are you sure it’s the original oil pan? It may be a larger upgraded pan that would be the reason for the low dipstick.


Sent from Above
George Pompano New Member

George Pompano

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Hello thank you all for the replies. I purchased the van from the dealer used with 21000 miles. My first oil change after purchase was done at a garage. I decided to do this one on my own. Old oil level was full and on dip stick before I drained oil and changed filter.  Changed oil and filter and barley any oil on dip stick. The truck was on level ground, I made sure that the dip stick did in fact not have oil on using a paper towel. I did notice that I used a 7 quart oil drain pan and it was almost full to the top. I own an older express and have changed the oil the whole time I owned it without an issue. So I may just add some more oil and big level up on dip stick. I doubled check and the it states 6 quarts. I even versified with part stores. The dealer however wont give me info.

TXGREEK Senior Enthusiast

TXGREEK

Posted
Posted
Hello thank you all for the replies. I purchased the van from the dealer used with 21000 miles. My first oil change after purchase was done at a garage. I decided to do this one on my own. Old oil level was full and on dip stick before I drained oil and changed filter.  Changed oil and filter and barley any oil on dip stick. The truck was on level ground, I made sure that the dip stick did in fact not have oil on using a paper towel. I did notice that I used a 7 quart oil drain pan and it was almost full to the top. I own an older express and have changed the oil the whole time I owned it without an issue. So I may just add some more oil and big level up on dip stick. I doubled check and the it states 6 quarts. I even versified with part stores. The dealer however wont give me info.


Your specs calls for 6.2 quarts, add half a quart more and then check the fluid level.


Sent from Above
George Pompano New Member

George Pompano

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Hello thank you everyone for your help. I added a half a quart as mentioned above and all is good now. Thank you again. It is great people like you that help. Have a great weekend everyone.

  • Like 1
  • 1 year later...
Shashika Sudasinghe New Member

Shashika Sudasinghe

Posted
Posted

Hello, I have some kind of a same problem. Bought a 2013 Express with 4.3 v6. Took it to get the first oil change and it took 6qts instead of 4.5qts.  I search everywhere and all of the sites states that 4.3 engine takes 4.5qts. But my mechanic put whole 6qts anyway. I was just wondering why and does it matter when it comes to over filling the engine with recommended amount of oil? can someone please explain.

Z45 Senior Enthusiast

Z45

Posted
Posted

It took 6 qts or the mechanic put in 6 qts?  

Does the dipstick read overfull?

You sure its a V6 engine?   4.3L V6 can be confused with 4.8L V8 at times. 

 

The owners manual calls for 4.5 qts in the 4.3L V6;  6.0qt in the V8 engines.  So it would appear your mechanic is wrong. Show him the owners manual...

  • Like 1
Grumpy Bear Senior Enthusiast

Grumpy Bear

Posted
Posted
12 hours ago, Shashika Sudasinghe said:

Hello, I have some kind of a same problem. Bought a 2013 Express with 4.3 v6. Took it to get the first oil change and it took 6qts instead of 4.5qts.  I search everywhere and all of the sites states that 4.3 engine takes 4.5qts. But my mechanic put whole 6qts anyway. I was just wondering why and does it matter when it comes to over filling the engine with recommended amount of oil? can someone please explain.

 

I'll bet he confused the 2013 4.3 Vortec with the newer Ecotec3 4.3 which does take six quarts and a hair. 

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • bwiese
      seat base height *lowering* (base 40/20/40 seat, 2026 1500 WT std cab)

      By bwiese · Posted

      Folks, Have a great new 2026 WT  (std cab, 2.7/4WD) w/base 40/20/40 mech adj bench "fake buckets"  (with lower and upper center console) heavy vinyl seats.  Overall the seats are very comfortable and the vinyl is heavy and appears less likely to 'split out'. Am very tall (6'5")  + a bad back/osteporosis/former hyperparathyroidism so ease/range of movement is a bit restricted.  The truck rides a bit high and I use a nerf step bar w/my left foot to step in, then I put right foot/leg in, drag my butt in  & get seated.  Worked fine in my 2018 RAM quadCab. But I end up dragging my butt over the left raised sidecushsion area of vinyl seat, and due to texture there's fair amount of traction on slide inward.  (ArmorAll didn't improve.) If the seat were even ~1/2" - 3/4" lower it'd be helpful, but base seats just have the forward/backward underseat bail and the side lever for tilt which really doesn't affect seat height.   I really don't want to 'de-puff' the left side sidecushion forming the  fake 'bucket'. I know one company sells 'seat elevator blocks':  but is there a simple way of lowering the height of the driver seat instead?   Thanks Bill W San Jose  
    • bwiese
      on-wheel cellphone control: 2026 1500 WT (2.7L 4WD std cab)

      By bwiese · Posted

      I have a basic 2026 1500 WT  (2.7L/4WD reg cab shorttbed). Comfy, generally happy with electronics/radio - but is there a way I can add switches to steering wheel right-side position (curr. empty) so I can adjust volume, push phone button to voice dial, etc? Bill W San Jose  
    • Tyler Gibbs
      Travel Trailer 2024 2500 HD 6.6 Gas Engine ?

      By Tyler Gibbs · Posted

      The curb weight on a 1 ton crew cab long bed is around 7k lbs.  Now, I don't know where you went to school but 9k is not more than 2x 7k lbs. More than 2x 7k lbs would be 14k+.   With that said, obviously yes you're going to feel a 9k lb trailer when slowing down.  I already said, when accelerating.  When changing lanes?  No.  But if you look at the context of what was quoted, the original person said, "after a mile or two..." which means that would be after the accelerating portion and you're driving a generally steady pace.  Please do learn to read and comprehend.
    • sFrank
      2026 Silverado Range AFM DFM ECU loaction

      By sFrank · Posted

      So I purchased the Range unit for my 2026 and I am seeing different locations suggested for the ECM . Can anyone confirm wither under hood, left side or right side or behind the wheelwell?
    • No F-bdy Bs
      Dave's Auto (custom engine builder) tear down of L8T

      By No F-bdy Bs · Posted

      Like I've said before. Di and Carbon buildup is not that big of a concern. Engine had minimal buildup, and that engine was obviously not super well maintained. Do regular oil changes, and you're gtg as long as the rest of the truck lasts. Also, the High Pressure FP that people ****** about, but can't tell you why.  Now, I wish they'd trash the variable oil pump. No real world issues with them, but I'll gladly eat whatever miniscule MPG it's saving me in favor of more oil at all RPMs.    Curious to see his assessment of the 7.3 compared to the 6.6. I expect he'll praise the port inj, but from a structural standpoint, the 6.6 is as robust as any engine out there.    Not to take away from the 7.3. I feel it's equally as good as the 6.6.     As to heat on the rear cyls, I'd have to see numerous examples before I'd say it's an issue. Especially not knowing the history of that engine. For all is known, they could have blown a rad hose, and ran it hot, and the 2 rear cyls may be the first to get hot in a low coolant situation, but not be an issue aside from that. 

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...