Check Engine Oil Level

Jet-X · June 21, 2009

'02 Silverado 5.3L w/~57K miles. Beginning of the week got the typical Change Engine Oil message. Okay... This morning I got a mixed message of Check Engine Oil Level & Change Engine Oil. Weird, never seen that before. I haven't checked my oil level, but I was just curious if anyone knows at what level the engine oil level sensor is triggered? I can't believe I'm burning a quart or more in 3K miles. Well, maybe I'm not that surprised. I see no visible signs of an oil leak.

Matt_ · June 21, 2009

'02 Silverado 5.3L w/~57K miles. Beginning of the week got the typical Change Engine Oil message. Okay... This morning I got a mixed message of Check Engine Oil Level & Change Engine Oil. Weird, never seen that before. I haven't checked my oil level, but I was just curious if anyone knows at what level the engine oil level sensor is triggered? I can't believe I'm burning a quart or more in 3K miles. Well, maybe I'm not that surprised. I see no visible signs of an oil leak.

Edit, nevermind... read that wrong

Have you checked your oil level using the dipstick? Either you're losing oil somewhere, or you have a faulty sensor.

Matt_ · June 21, 2009

double post

c4cruiser · June 21, 2009

'02 Silverado 5.3L w/~57K miles. Beginning of the week got the typical Change Engine Oil message. Okay... This morning I got a mixed message of Check Engine Oil Level & Change Engine Oil. Weird, never seen that before. I haven't checked my oil level, but I was just curious if anyone knows at what level the engine oil level sensor is triggered? I can't believe I'm burning a quart or more in 3K miles. Well, maybe I'm not that surprised. I see no visible signs of an oil leak.

So what was the oil level when you checked?

It could be nothing more than a bad sensor; my old '92 Corvette would occasionally show a Low Oil message and the oil level was right where is should have been. The sensor was on the side of the oil pan and it was a 15 minute replacement job including jacking the car up to get to the sensor.

Jet-X · June 21, 2009

I checked the oil level and it was below the last hole on the dipstick. I don't know what the 4 hole scale on the dipstick represents. I added a quart and it came up almost to the top of the fill line. I guess the oil consumption rate is increasing. I'd still like to know what the scale on the dipstick represents as far as capacity goes. If anyone knows please post. Thanks.

Matt_ · June 21, 2009

I think the manual (or even the dipstick) says that if you're at the lowest mark, to add 1 quart. So i guess that's the scale...

brims · June 21, 2009

Ya, sounds like the low oil level was truely low. With engines that are known to burn oil, you should check the level at every fill up.

wlvrn1215 · June 21, 2009

man, I've never seen a 5.3 burn oil at 57k let alone at all.

Sinkhole · June 21, 2009

I have 53K on my truck and don't use a drop of oil. I check it once a week and checked it today before I changed my oil and it was still right at the full line. I change my oil right around every 5K.

2007VictoryRed · June 21, 2009

Ya, sounds like the low oil level was truely low. With engines that are known to burn oil, you should check the level at every fill up.

I do the same check it every fill up. But I also seen that different oils will burn but others won't. I swited to amsoil and now I don't burn a drop at all.

Irv · June 21, 2009

Ya, sounds like the low oil level was truely low. With engines that are known to burn oil, you should check the level at every fill up.

I do the same check it every fill up. But I also seen that different oils will burn but others won't. I swited to amsoil and now I don't burn a drop at all.

I shouldn't be surprised as I have heard a few others switched to Amsoil and consumption stopped?

Myself on the other hand, I can't run Amsoil because I consume it like mad In my old truck, my Grizz 660 atv, injector oil in my sled etc! Personally I hate the stuff and will never run it again in anything!

I researched this issue to death, found lots of others with the same issues as me at bobistheoilguy.com, iboats.com, grizzlyowners.com highlifter.com etc but always a few said consumption stopped when they ran it?????