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What's up with the oil dipstick? 2017 5.3 GMC 1500

supercab78

By supercab78
in Engines & Drivetrain

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supercab78 New Member

supercab78

Posted
Posted

My free oil changes are used up.  I'm not new at this as  I've been changing oil for 45 years. In the 70's it was also costumer cars.  Here is what I'm talking about. I drain a warmed up block for a good 10 minutes, change the oil filter. I even checked for a possible front sump drain in the pan. Didn't see one.  I then add the called for 8 quarts start it, check under for leaks then shut it off.  The damn oil is reading way high on the stick.   As I'm pouring the old oil in the empty jugs it measures up to about 6 quarts (and it was not reading low prior to the oil change) .  Can anyone smarter than myself explain this to me?  Thanks.  

HeySkippyDog Senior Enthusiast

HeySkippyDog

Posted
Posted

Are you sure the dealer was putting 8 quarts in?

Any time I have them change oil, I always confirm with them that they're putting 8 quarts in of 20w synthetic.

When you say "way high" on the dipstick, how high is way high?

There will be some oil in the oil cooler that won't come out with an oil change, but that's alright. The owner's manuals say to add 8.5 quarts, which would cause a high reading on the stick. It won't hurt anything but they put out a bulletin that says it's ok to just use 8.

Sent from my SM-J810F using Tapatalk

supercab78 New Member

supercab78

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I can't find any of my receipts to check. I'm positive it's not a 4.3 (v6). I drained two quarts out and it still reads about a 1/2 inch high. Before that it would be about an inch plus high on the stick.  I guess it's possible I used up 2 quarts in 4000 miles! Sure as hell hope not though.  Truck only has 33,000 miles.

M1ck3y Senior Enthusiast

M1ck3y

Posted
Posted (edited)

You need a shorter dipstick. Check it when its cold (don't start it), it should be the right length then.

Edited by M1ck3y
CamGTP Senior Enthusiast

CamGTP

Posted
Posted

The stock air box usually has a sticker on it that says the engines displacement. Or just count how many spark plugs wires you got.

Grumpy Bear Senior Enthusiast

Grumpy Bear

Posted
Posted

I really dislike these new plug style dipsticks. I get the best read in the morning before the first start after everything has cooled, it's thick and the tube isn't coated. Just pull and read. The one in the wife's GMC was so smooth it shed oil so I sanded it with some 320 WD to make it easier to read. Everything  I have (3) that has this style of stick reads high. 

  • Like 1
diyer2 Senior Enthusiast

diyer2

Posted
Posted

I have always checked my oil after it sits overnight. 

:)

  • Like 1
M1ck3y Senior Enthusiast

M1ck3y

Posted
Posted
3 minutes ago, supercab78 said:

I guess I'll  split the difference and run 7 qts. and keep a good eye on it for now.

 

Yeah, that's not a good idea. But its your truck ?

txab Senior Enthusiast

txab

Posted
Posted
20 minutes ago, supercab78 said:

I guess I'll  split the difference and run 7 qts. and keep a good eye on it for now.

 

:crazy:

diyer2 Senior Enthusiast

diyer2

Posted
Posted
13 hours ago, supercab78 said:

I guess I'll  split the difference and run 7 qts. and keep a good eye on it for now.

 

 Put in the 8 quarts, let it sit overnight then check it. Use this as a reference. Doesn't matter if it's shows overfilled it has the required amount of oil. 

Whats confusing is you didn't seem to have this problem when the dealer was doing oil changes.

  • Like 1
M1ck3y Senior Enthusiast

M1ck3y

Posted
Posted

Dealers in my area will always put in 8 litres.  Do it myself now, and it reads accurate. I think their reasoning was that it somehow stops cold start lift tick. 

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