- Aug 19, 2016
- 133
- 26
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Hi Guys,
So I have read that the dipsticks on the cars is actually wrong for whatever reason. On my 1990 Mustang GT when I did the first oil change I pulled both drain plugs and the filter, let it drain out for a few hours, then filled it back up with the 5 quarts and marked the dipstick at that level. The attached picture shows the mark. I found another post and it was said that it should be about mid way between the top of the hatched area and the second 'L' on the word Full. Based on that I think I about right where I am supposed to be. Does anyone agree or disagree with any of that?
Hopefully that is all good. I went to check the oil today and it was basically at the bottom of the hatched area. I added the roughly 3/4 quart of oil I had left over from last oil change which put it about midway in the hatched area. So I guess my concerns are that the car must be burning oil because there is never more than a drop or so every once and while under that car. I think that is coming from the PCV which I understand is a bit of a problem area for these. I have taken it out, cleaned the screening below and replaced the valve itself so I think it is all good there. Do these tend to leak a lot more when the engine is running? Maybe that is the culprit, I just assumed if there was more of a severe leak it would result in more than a drop on the floor.
I will have to have someone else start the car from cold while I am out to see if there is any smoke, and maybe have them rev it up a bit once warm to try and see if it is burning any oil, but I don't think it is.
I guess I was just surprised because I had no reason to suspect such low oil and am now a little alarmed at how low it has to get for an oil light to come on, unless mine is not working. About how much oil has to be lost before the oil light will come on? I suppose the other thing is I may be over-reacting - I don't think the dipstick goes quite to the bottom of the pan, so assuming the mark I made is right at 5 quarts and the dipstick still has an inch or more of oil below it, maybe it isn't as low as I think it is.
Thanks!
So I have read that the dipsticks on the cars is actually wrong for whatever reason. On my 1990 Mustang GT when I did the first oil change I pulled both drain plugs and the filter, let it drain out for a few hours, then filled it back up with the 5 quarts and marked the dipstick at that level. The attached picture shows the mark. I found another post and it was said that it should be about mid way between the top of the hatched area and the second 'L' on the word Full. Based on that I think I about right where I am supposed to be. Does anyone agree or disagree with any of that?
Hopefully that is all good. I went to check the oil today and it was basically at the bottom of the hatched area. I added the roughly 3/4 quart of oil I had left over from last oil change which put it about midway in the hatched area. So I guess my concerns are that the car must be burning oil because there is never more than a drop or so every once and while under that car. I think that is coming from the PCV which I understand is a bit of a problem area for these. I have taken it out, cleaned the screening below and replaced the valve itself so I think it is all good there. Do these tend to leak a lot more when the engine is running? Maybe that is the culprit, I just assumed if there was more of a severe leak it would result in more than a drop on the floor.
I will have to have someone else start the car from cold while I am out to see if there is any smoke, and maybe have them rev it up a bit once warm to try and see if it is burning any oil, but I don't think it is.
I guess I was just surprised because I had no reason to suspect such low oil and am now a little alarmed at how low it has to get for an oil light to come on, unless mine is not working. About how much oil has to be lost before the oil light will come on? I suppose the other thing is I may be over-reacting - I don't think the dipstick goes quite to the bottom of the pan, so assuming the mark I made is right at 5 quarts and the dipstick still has an inch or more of oil below it, maybe it isn't as low as I think it is.
Thanks!
