The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop DIPSTICK READS DOWN 2 QT ????

Here is a weird situation.
I have been experiecing an unusual problem with my 235 engine in my 1/2 ton pickup.
once in a while when out on a drive my after market oil gage would occasionally drop down to( 0 )oil pressure. The first time it happened I pulled the truck over and immediately shut off the engine and checked my oil dipstick and it read full.
So I believed I either had a problem with the gauge itself or an oil pump issue...so I was keeping an eye on it.
Today when out for a ride the gage did the same thing, dropping to (0) oil pressure. I pulled the truck over and shut off the engine and checked the oil dipstick to see that it read 2 quarts low....After letting the truck sit for a couple of hours the dipstick now reads full................
Whay do you think is most likely the issue ???

Time for an exorcist? Could the top part of the dipstick that limits how far the stick goes into the pan be loose ?

Dennis

The best time to check an engine is after it has sat for a while. All of the oil drains down into the sump, and this can take some time. If you have a bypass filter, they take quite a while to drain. They typically hold a quart of oil, but some hold two quarts.

The safest way to check would be to drain the oil, fill with the correct amount (5 quarts for a 235 plus the amount for your bypass filter if you have one), then check the dipstick to see where it reads. You can check it both hot and cold to know how it should read with the correct amount of oil in the engine. If you have a bypass filter, the factory marks on the dipstick are not accurate because they do not account for the extra oil needed for the filter canister. Etch a mark showing full with the correct amount of oil so that you have it for a reference.

My hunch is that you are low on oil because of a bypass filter. If your dipstick reads full after the truck has sat for a while, you are at least a quart light. When you fire up the engine, the oil pump will fill the bypass canister and you will not have enough oil in the sump.

Matt

Matt, what you say here makes perfect sence.........I installed a by pass filter and believe I only put in 5 qts of oil. I will do an oil change tomorrow and install 6 qts and then mark the dip stick accordingly.
Thanks a bunch Matt............

Dennis, I checked the cap on the dipstick and all is good there. Appreciate the tip....

For what it's worth, I put 6 1/2 quarts in mine when I do an oil change. The extra half quart covers what goes into the filter lines and doesn't raise the level high enough to allow the crank to froth the oil. I know that I'm going to lose some over time from leaks and various other reasons, so the extra half quart buffer works for me.

Glad that's all it was,

Matt