Oil Level -- can't get good reading

the blur · Aug 25, 2024

Sometimes, I can't get an accurate oil level reading. Either it's all the way up the dip stick, 1/2 way up the dip stick. I wipe it off, and same problem.
and I know I had 6 qts in there perfectly a month ago when I changed the oil.

2013 Burb 120,000 miles.

What causes this ?

j91z28d1 · Aug 25, 2024

flat ground.. let it set for a good 5mins or so. pull stick and read the lowest reading. meaning the lowest spot that doesn't have oil. front or back, sometimes sticks go in engines at odd angles and you'll see oil on half the stick high and dry spots lower.

you can also make twist it 180 and try that way. seems odd but I've had some go in and out easier turned just right

donjetman · Aug 25, 2024

On level ground let it sit overnite and check it in the morning.
What was a month ago may not be the case today.
There are many reasons it may consume oil.

homesick · Aug 25, 2024

JIC, don't have it running; then, as said- flat ground, check both sides of the stick, and make sure you're pushing the stick all the way in.

joe

OR VietVet · Aug 26, 2024

The fresher and cleaner the oil, the harder it can be to see. Engine off for at least 3-5 minutes, level ground, pull stick out and wipe clean, insert and pull back out and look for solid wet across the stick. Do not care about what is sticking to side edge of the stick, just what is making wet completely across the flat portion of stick.

homesick · Aug 26, 2024

Damn we're good.

joe

the blur · Aug 26, 2024

Here's the answer: Truck must sit overnight to get an accurate reading. Otherwise, the dipstick tube is loaded with oil, preventing an accurate reading. The dip tube is pretty much to the top with oil.
Why, because of blow by. Oil is blowing up the tube from blow by, or bad PCV. 125,000 miles, uses a qt of oil per 1,000 miles. Not sure 1,000 miles per qt is acceptable or not, but it is what it is....

Dustin Jackson · Aug 26, 2024

@the blur I wonder if popping the oil fill cap will help relieve crankcase pressure allowing the oil to properly settle into the oil pan instead of sticking in the dipstick tube

donjetman · Aug 26, 2024

the blur said:
Why, because of blow by. Oil is blowing up the tube from blow by, or bad PCV. 125,000 miles, uses a qt of oil per 1,000 miles. Not sure 1,000 miles per qt is acceptable or not, but it is what it is....

Piston rings are probaly stuck because of poor valve cover/pvc design. Install a catch can ($40): https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/get-a-catch-can-before-any-mods.49716/page-53#post-1288561
This will indicate if the pvc/valve cover is the cause of the oil consumption.

Read and perform this GM technical service bulletin: https://f01.justanswer.com/ebrock63...il+Consumption,+MIL+ON,+Engine+Runs+Rough.pdf

the blur · Aug 26, 2024

I'm reading that TSB. I have a 2013, so I should have the good valve covers.
The piston ring replacement, nah. I'll keep buying oil.

Oil Level -- can't get good reading

the blur

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j91z28d1

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donjetman

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homesick

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OR VietVet

Multnomah Falls

homesick

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the blur

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Dustin Jackson

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donjetman

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the blur

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