Oil Capacity

[MarkD]

I changed the oil in my 5.3 yesterday.  I put in 5 qts. of Mobil 1, started the motor and let it run for a few minutes, then let it sit for about an hour and checked the level.  The level wasn't even on the stick!

 

I added another quart as per the capcity of 6 qts. in the owners manual.  The level was just barely on the stick.

 

Long story short...8 qts to get a "full" level.

 

If you can't tell, this is the first time I personally changed the oil in the truck.  The dealership has been changing it.

 

Does the HD towing package include an extra capacity oil pan (like the tranny pan)?

 

What has everyone else noticed?

[RyanbabZ71]

mine only takes 6 qts

 

There isnt any extra capacity oil pan in our trucks

[Z71GUY]

Something is wrong.  You are 2 quarts over.  My truck only takes 6 qts as well (5.3).

 

Did you buy the truck used?  Maybe the previous owner put on an aftermarket oil pan (no idea why he would though).

 

 

Eric

[carguru]

Mark,

 

Are you on a level surface when checking the oil.  I've noticed that if the truck is angled (front higher than rear or vice versa) the dipstick reading is off.  It should only take 6 qts.

[MarkD]

Yeah, the truck was level (as far as I could tell, maybe +/- 5 degrees).  I drove it home and checked it again and it checked slightly over (2-3mm).  I will check it again at lunch today.

 

It has the stock oil pan.

 

I didn't know if the capacity was maybe 6 + the filter or something.

 

If it's over, I'll drain out about a qt and check it again.  Boy will I hate throwing away oil (at $4.45/qt)

[GreenRado]

MarkD:

 

Assuming you have a stock oil pan (you said that in an earlier post - sorry), and no aftermarket parts that would require you to have more than 6 gts oil (w/a new filter), I'd get that extra oil outta there ASAP! Too much oil is extremely hard on seals.  

 

You might also want to check to see if you have the correct dipstick and mount tube and that they are seated/mounted correctly.  And I'd keep that extra oil and re-use it later, especially since it has only a few miles on it - so what if it's already turned slightly darker.

 

My 2 cents.

 

P.S. - Didn't mean to make you overly worried, but if you're all stock, then 6 qts is correct, including new oil filter.  I doubt you did any damage if you just drove it a short time, but just get it out ASAP.  Don't mention to the dealer that you overfilled it either - just an excuse for them to potentially deny warranty service later if they feel it's related!!

[kaspar139]

Also, if you are using Mobil 1, when you first put it in, that stuff is like water, and is VERY hard to see.  

 

But, seeing as how you have checked it several times, that probably is NOT the problem.

[carguru]

Another question.  Did you crank the truck after you put the oil in, but before you checked the oil?  I've found that not all the oil reaches the pan if you don't crank it first.  I agree that the oil is very light and hard to see when you first put it in.  Of course the regular dino is the same way.

[MarkD]

Yup! (mentioned in first post).  I will check it again in the next few minutes though.  I am thinking I may have a different dipstick.  I haven't checked the seating of the dipstick tube.

[Nick99Chevy]

By "full" level, do you mean to the top of the cross-hatches or just in them? 6 qts get mine in the middle of the cross-hatch area.