oil capacity seems to change
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: burlington wi
oil capacity seems to change
Hi all.
Iam on my third oil change now and when i change the oil it seems to take a different amount each time. I always change it when warm,in the garage,let it drain until it just drips. I change the filter each time with alike filter and rotella oil in gallon jugs. Once it took 12 quarts twice it took 11 quarts 16oz. Do you think the engine holds more in some cavities sometimes than others? Or the jugs aren't always filled the same? I check it after it has been run and over nite cold. Thanks.
Iam on my third oil change now and when i change the oil it seems to take a different amount each time. I always change it when warm,in the garage,let it drain until it just drips. I change the filter each time with alike filter and rotella oil in gallon jugs. Once it took 12 quarts twice it took 11 quarts 16oz. Do you think the engine holds more in some cavities sometimes than others? Or the jugs aren't always filled the same? I check it after it has been run and over nite cold. Thanks.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: NW Indiana
I've been thru the same thing and don't have a definitive answer. It does take a long time for all the oil to drip back to the pan. I've also noticed that you must be on absolutely flat level ground while checking level or changing oil. If your garage has a slight pitch, you may have found your problem.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: NW Indiana
Another thing I just thought of is the settling of your front springs. Or on the reverse side, adding new higher springs or spacers to the front end, all of which will change the pitch of the oil pan... Just a thought...
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: kingston,wa
it isnt settling of the springs.
during the changing of the seasons, when the earth changes its angle of axis rotation, the pull is slightly different, thus giving you slightly different fluid levels, in the winter the oil is pulled more the other direction from where the dipstick enters the pan. in the summer, you'll have to park 1 direction when checking, and 180* the other way in the winter time. This is more prevalent in the higher latitudes.
hope this eases your concern
during the changing of the seasons, when the earth changes its angle of axis rotation, the pull is slightly different, thus giving you slightly different fluid levels, in the winter the oil is pulled more the other direction from where the dipstick enters the pan. in the summer, you'll have to park 1 direction when checking, and 180* the other way in the winter time. This is more prevalent in the higher latitudes.
hope this eases your concern
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: kingston,wa
dude, i am really sorry for that last one. sometimes, i just go nuts
level changing of a few ounces isnt much to worry about. fluid expands and contracts with temperature. when you have 12 qts in a pan, it may change the level just enough with a few oz difference
level changing of a few ounces isnt much to worry about. fluid expands and contracts with temperature. when you have 12 qts in a pan, it may change the level just enough with a few oz difference
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From: Bryan/ College Station, Texas
DZ is right... Temp has a lot to do with getting different readings... Same issue as the lawsuit going on where people are upset about getting "hot" fuel. Hot fuel is expanded and after it cool you have actually bought less than you paid for... I usually just put 12 in the 3rd gens and call it good... I have found that some 3rd gens take 13 instead of 12... I am not sure that it is a different dipstick... I haven't had two truck side by side that have had that problem to compare and I am too lazy to go pull my own out to check....
Oilguy
Oilguy
1 qt in filter, the remainder in the pan. dont forget to prefill the filter.
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it isnt settling of the springs.
during the changing of the seasons, when the earth changes its angle of axis rotation, the pull is slightly different, thus giving you slightly different fluid levels, in the winter the oil is pulled more the other direction from where the dipstick enters the pan. in the summer, you'll have to park 1 direction when checking, and 180* the other way in the winter time. This is more prevalent in the higher latitudes.
hope this eases your concern
during the changing of the seasons, when the earth changes its angle of axis rotation, the pull is slightly different, thus giving you slightly different fluid levels, in the winter the oil is pulled more the other direction from where the dipstick enters the pan. in the summer, you'll have to park 1 direction when checking, and 180* the other way in the winter time. This is more prevalent in the higher latitudes.
hope this eases your concern