Is the dipstick useless?

[Ultrashock]

I figured out that I had an oil leak when i saw my oil pres gauge hit zero on hard stops (and the check gauges light came on). I checked the dipstick an it said it was still in the operating range. When i added more oil the problem disappeared. Is this a common problem to have a "useless" dipstick???

[JaVeRo]

How much oil did you add? Was it less than a quart? If so then I would guess that you have other problems or have really good brakes!

When you change the oil does it take 4.5 quarts to get to the full mark?

Do you have 265k on this engine or just the truck?

James

[Ultrashock]

Originally Posted by JaVeRo

How much oil did you add? Was it less than a quart? If so then I would guess that you have other problems or have really good brakes!

When you change the oil does it take 4.5 quarts to get to the full mark?

Do you have 265k on this engine or just the truck?

James

i have about 80k on the engine. I added about 3/4 of a quart of oil into the truck. Right now its above the full mark which is usually what its at. it was about halfway down the operating range before i filled it up.

edit: the oil leak is coming from the oil filter i just have to replace it

Out of all the things i do myself, i actually dont change my oil because its quicker and cheaper at the service place here

[BlazerLT]

Replace the oil sender unit.

Overfilling your crankcase for this is poor thinking. You never overfill or you introduct air into your oil.

Only put in the amount of oil that the manual states with a filter change and note where that level brings you up on the dipstick.

With my 1995, a full load of oil brings it up to 3/4 in the cross hatched area. Any more and I get oil into the lifters and they will tap.

[JaVeRo]

It sounds to me like the pickup tube from the oil pump is not reaching the bottom of the oil pan.

I'm not an engine man by a long shot but I did (with the help of my brother) rebuild the 4.3 in a 91 S10 truck several years ago and I seem to remember tackwelding the pickup tube to the oil pump to keep it from coming out. I don't remember if it was low enough to still pick up oil if the tube came out.

I bet there is someone here that would know.

I think it may have been the same truck that the gasket from the old oil filter stayed in place and I put a new filter on. It leaked from the first startup. Now I always check to be sure the old gasket comes off with the old filter.

James

[DelCoch]

Originally Posted by Ultrashock

i have about 80k on the engine. . . Right now its above the full mark which is usually what its at. it was about halfway down the operating range before i filled it up. . .

As stated above it could be a problem with the pick up tube. However, do you know it the dipstick belongs on that particular engine?

Considering the dipstick may be from another engine, the only way to tell if your getting a correct reading is to change the oil yourself and make not of how much oil you put in, and where it reads on the dipstick.

[Ultrashock]

Originally Posted by DelCoch

As stated above it could be a problem with the pick up tube. However, do you know it the dipstick belongs on that particular engine?

Considering the dipstick may be from another engine, the only way to tell if your getting a correct reading is to change the oil yourself and make not of how much oil you put in, and where it reads on the dipstick.

Its a jasper engine so its probably the right one. I did some more inspection and found out that the oil filter housing (since its a remote oil filter) is cracked and causing it to leak.

Besides that though it has always seemed that the dipstick has never really been all that accurate.

Ill just change the oil myself next time and make a note of where it is at, after I fix that housing

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by Ultrashock

Its a jasper engine so its probably the right one. I did some more inspection and found out that the oil filter housing (since its a remote oil filter) is cracked and causing it to leak.

Besides that though it has always seemed that the dipstick has never really been all that accurate.

Ill just change the oil myself next time and make a note of where it is at, after I fix that housing

Yes, remember to just fill with the amount specified in the manual (4.5Qts I believe for you), and note where that brings you up to on the dipstick.

Since I have done this I get ZERO oil consumtion seeing the engine is not consuming the oil as it brings the oil down to its normal level.

[silicon212]

Another vote for pickup tube. These engines can generally fall two quarts low (under normal conditions) before you start having oil pump cavitation issues (the low pressure light, low pressure on the gauge during hard braking etc), so if you have a Full reading on the dipstick and it's doing this, it well could be the pickup tube.

The point on the oil pump where the pickup tube attaches will be just barely submerged when the oil is full - any sloshing around of the oil will allow the pump to cavitate (draw air) and this obviously is bad for the engine. You will have to drop the pan to inspect it. Do this now before you spin a main or rod bearing.

[534BC]

Another vote for suction side of pump/pick up tube.