What is the quarts "range" on the dipstick on these trucks?

[KMeloney]

The useable gauge length of the dipstick on these trucks looks to be 1" or so. If the oil level shows at the base of the gauge, where does adding 1 quart put the level?

 

[fondupot]

About to the top of the hash marks.

 

[KMeloney]

About to the top of the hash marks.

So I was probably 1.5 qts low if adding a qt just put me in the middle? Geez. Ok, thanks!

 

[jfoj]

Yes and no. 8 quart fill with filter only puts the oil level about 1/3 up the dipstick.

Are you running 0W20 oil?

How many miles on the engine?

How many miles since you last checked the oil?

How much highway driving are you doing?

Suggest you check the oil every 2nd or 3rd fill up.

I run put in 9 qts when I change oil. Puts oil level just slightly above top hash marks on dipstick, gives a buffer for oil consumption and fuel dilution.

 

[KMeloney]

Yes and no. 8 quart fill with filter only puts the oil level about 1/3 up the dipstick.

Are you running 0W20 oil?

How many miles on the engine?

How many miles since you last checked the oil?

How much highway driving are you doing?

Suggest you check the oil every 2nd or 3rd fill up.

I run put in 9 qts when I change oil. Puts oil level just slightly above top hash marks on dipstick, gives a buffer for oil consumption and fuel dilution.

Oil changed/checked just under 3K ago. Have @ 13.6K on the truck. Using the 0W20. Mix of highway and around town, depending on the day.

 

[jfoj]

Thanks for the reply.

I am just trying to get a feel for folks that are seeing oil consumption to understand how much is oil consumption, how much is under filling when changing the oil and how much is the oil is evaporating off when driving or being burned in the cylinders.

I am starting to think a lot of the 6.2l engine are failing due to the being run chronically low on oil. I think there are other factors as well.

I had a 2 hour drive the other day and my oil temps hit 226F and it was only 62F outside. Interested to see where the oil temps max out in 100F days where the asphalt is 130+F and I am driving for 6 hours. And my truck has the Max Towing package which is supposed to have a larger radiator, unsure if the radiator mounted oil cooler is any larger?

The thinner oils tend to evaporate quicker and at lower temps than thicker oils.

If the oil is vaporizing and being pulled through the PCV system without a catch can and folks are going through 1 quart of oil every 1000-3000 miles, this will be a lot of stuff in the intake and on the intake valves. Clearly some of the oil may be burning in the cylinders as well.

While I only have a little over 5k miles on my truck the oil has been changed 2 times and so far there does not appear to be any appreciable oil consumption. but I am currently running 5W30 oil rather than 0W20 oil. I think oW20 this plays into the oil consumption quite a bit. But 80% of my driving is long highway trips between 2-6 hours. Few short in town trips, a in town trip for me tends to be at least 30 minutes plus round trip. I also do not start the engine and allow it to warm up at idle, I just allow the RPM to drop and then drive. Fuel dilution, especially in the colder months is a problem and when fuel gets in the oil it thins out even more and can increase consumption.

 

[blanchard7684]

226F? Goodness.

For how long?

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

Thanks for the reply.

I am just trying to get a feel for folks that are seeing oil consumption to understand how much is oil consumption, how much is under filling when changing the oil and how much is the oil is evaporating off when driving or being burned in the cylinders.

I am starting to think a lot of the 6.2l engine are failing due to the being run chronically low on oil. I think there are other factors as well.

I had a 2 hour drive the other day and my oil temps hit 226F and it was only 62F outside. Interested to see where the oil temps max out in 100F days where the asphalt is 130+F and I am driving for 6 hours. And my truck has the Max Towing package which is supposed to have a larger radiator, unsure if the radiator mounted oil cooler is any larger?

The thinner oils tend to evaporate quicker and at lower temps than thicker oils.

If the oil is vaporizing and being pulled through the PCV system without a catch can and folks are going through 1 quart of oil every 1000-3000 miles, this will be a lot of stuff in the intake and on the intake valves. Clearly some of the oil may be burning in the cylinders as well.

While I only have a little over 5k miles on my truck the oil has been changed 2 times and so far there does not appear to be any appreciable oil consumption. but I am currently running 5W30 oil rather than 0W20 oil. I think oW20 this plays into the oil consumption quite a bit. But 80% of my driving is long highway trips between 2-6 hours. Few short in town trips, a in town trip for me tends to be at least 30 minutes plus round trip. I also do not start the engine and allow it to warm up at idle, I just allow the RPM to drop and then drive. Fuel dilution, especially in the colder months is a problem and when fuel gets in the oil it thins out even more and can increase consumption.

I can tell you mine burns basically none in the 5-6K mile OCI I am running it since new. At least the dipstick level has never fallen to below about 1/3 of the range from the top of the hatched area.

(could it be burning oil and being replaced with fuel...maybe...but it doesn't smell of fuel and doesn't seem low on viscosity.)

 

[KMeloney]

I suppose mine could have been low if the dealership didn’t put “enough” oil in at the last change. Otherwise, I don’t see or smell evidence of burning oil, either.

Incidentally, after add in a qt yesterday and then checking it again today, it appears that it was just low 1 qt.