Oil Change Help .... Please Advise

tombstone · July 11, 2007

Hello again!

I changed the oil in my 2004 4.8 Sierra last weekend and the oil just barely showed up on the dipstick after I put in six quarts. I called the dealer and had them double check the part number of the oil dipstick that I had. They had a different part number so I ordered it. I went to pick it up and it's the exact same length.

I come home today, dropped the oil and filter again thinking maybe I messed up counting to six. Well, I measured out 6 more quarts and put it in. It's still barely on the bottom of the dipstick. I used the right AC/Delco filter.

What in the heck would be causing this? I changed the oil on an incline this time. Would more have gotten out than normal?

This has me both puzzled and worried.

Thanks!

Jeff

VMax2007 · July 11, 2007

Hello again!

I changed the oil in my 2004 4.8 Sierra last weekend and the oil just barely showed up on the dipstick after I put in six quarts. I called the dealer and had them double check the part number of the oil dipstick that I had. They had a different part number so I ordered it. I went to pick it up and it's the exact same length.

I come home today, dropped the oil and filter again thinking maybe I messed up counting to six. Well, I measured out 6 more quarts and put it in. It's still barely on the bottom of the dipstick. I used the right AC/Delco filter.

What in the heck would be causing this? I changed the oil on an incline this time. Would more have gotten out than normal?

This has me both puzzled and worried.

Thanks!

Jeff

Is it on level ground when your checking it? And getting ALL of it out is "normal".

98 Z71 SLT · July 11, 2007

If you added 6 quarts, then you only have one thing left to do.

Stop questioning yourself. Go to the junkyard, and pull a dipstick TUBE off another engine like yours. Install the tube to your engine...and you'll be ok.

tombstone · July 11, 2007

Why would swapping dipstick tubes take care of the issue?

98 Z71 SLT · July 11, 2007

The dipstick tube determines how far the dipstick is submerged into the engine crankcase.

If the tube is incorrect for your truck engine, and too long of a tube, you'll always be reading LOW on oil, when you actually have 6 qts in the engine.

jm99z71 · July 11, 2007

i have a 99sierra with a 4.8 engine & haven't had a problem.

redvett · July 12, 2007

All GMT 800 trucks use the same oil pan, dip stick tube & dipstick for 4.8,5.3 & 6.0 L engines.

tombstone · July 12, 2007

All GMT 800 trucks use the same oil pan, dip stick tube & dipstick for 4.8,5.3 & 6.0 L engines.

OK. Well if its the right dipstick tube and dipstick what else could I be looking at? How can I tell if a high capacity oil pan was installed.

This is so weird.

98 Z71 SLT · July 12, 2007

...from your responses, I get the feeling that you are laughing at us.

Because this whole thread is a joke.

You know what gave it away...when you typed "...this is so wierd..."

BUSTED

tombstone · July 12, 2007

I wish it was a joke. Unfortunately this is whats going on.

I have an appointment at the dealer on Monday, but I'm still trying to figure it out prior to.

lerbud · July 12, 2007

did you buy the new dipstick? did you check the fill markings on it? are they the same as the old one?? the dipstick may be marked wrong. if it has 6 qts and a PF46 filter you should be good to go. its under warranty right??

ZZ327 · July 12, 2007

all the smallblocks 4.8 5.3 6.0L are the exact same size and use the same parts, so your probably out of luck on the dipstick tube. Are you reading around 40 PSI oil pressure? and if you were low on oil all the time, a CHECK OIL LEVEL alarm and light will turn on under the Speedo

tombstone · July 12, 2007

did you buy the new dipstick? did you check the fill markings on it? are they the same as the old one?? the dipstick may be marked wrong. if it has 6 qts and a PF46 filter you should be good to go. its under warranty right??

I went to pick up the dipstick and it was identical. The lengths from were it would seat on the tube and the end were the same as were the markings on the dipstick.

They did a tear down of the motors to replace the lifters a few weeks ago. Maybe the dipstick tube isn't set properly? These didn't come with external oil coolers did they? I don't think so, but wanted to confirm.

Thanks!

tombstone · July 12, 2007

did you buy the new dipstick? did you check the fill markings on it? are they the same as the old one?? the dipstick may be marked wrong. if it has 6 qts and a PF46 filter you should be good to go. its under warranty right??

I went to pick up the dipstick and it was identical. The lengths from were it would seat on the tube and the end were the same as were the markings on the dipstick.

They did a tear down of the motors to replace the lifters a few weeks ago. Maybe the dipstick tube isn't set properly? These didn't come with external oil coolers did they? I don't think so, but wanted to confirm.

Thanks!

I am running at 40 PSI at 1000 RPM and no lights / buzzers are going off. The truck is under factory warranty until September and I do have an appointment on Monday.

I'll try to see if the dipstick tube is seated properly.

On a possible related note, how difficult should it be to get the dipstick in the tube in its entirety? Mine seems to be a battle.