Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] Dip stick calibration question
| Re: [GMCnet] Dip stick calibration question [message #271406 is a reply to message #271405] |
Sun, 08 February 2015 11:49   |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
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This is referenced to the quote glwgmc (Jerry Work) wrote on Sun, 08 February 2015 11:34
Jerry,
You are correct to be concerned.
In the case of the Olds 455, the stated refill capacity is definitely wrong for an engine in stock trim. I when about this long and hard early in my ownership. At the fill mark, the top quart goes away fast. Much of it through the crankcase vent system. (I only say most because I can't prove - all.)
While the lube oil handling may have been modified over the years, if it does not completely drain during a lube oil service, it does not matter. This is something that will have to be determined on a individual basis.
Being an "insider" I know that service manuals and instructions are usually produced by staff technical writers maybe with the assistance of junior engineers and neither of whom may have much real hands on experience. So, when to go to the oil guy and ask what the lube oil capacity his he will tell them. What they should have done was go down to dyno (where they did the oil consumption tests) and asked what the re-fill capacity actually was. They would know.
Then, there is the other issue. The actual dipstick (lube oil level indicator for purists). I don't even know how many are original. Mine probably is, it would not surprise me if it were not. I have never looked for the part number.
So, my advice in this matter is simple. Using a good, but not synthetic lube oil, fill the engine to the full mark and run it a while. Keep notes on how fast the level drops. At some mileage, the level may radically change the rate of decrease. Try to confirm that with addition of lube oil. If it is repeatable, that is your new full mark.
Case: When I brought the coach home, I changed the oil. We did some work and went off on a 2500 mile trek. I added a quart every 500 miles. Until my stock was depleted and then I brought more at our next good stop. When I went to check, I expected to have to add 2 more quarts, but the stick was only a little more 1 quart low. Another 500 miles it was now 1-1/2 quarts low. I added 1/2. At the next stop it was 1/4 low. So, I recalibrated my thinking to 2000 miles per quart and that is what it has been for the last 40k+ miles.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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