Z06Vette.com - Corvette Z06 Forum

Richard · 05-01-2002, 02:03 PM

Hello,

Is it just me, or is it very hard to read the oil level on the dip stick on a 2002 Z?

Any ideas would help.....

Richard

sconi · 05-01-2002, 02:56 PM

It's much easier to read on a 2001!

Born_Again · 05-01-2002, 03:17 PM

It's a common problem.

Some members recommend using fine sand paper to rough up the dip stick so that the oil sticks better . . .

CrazedZ06 · 05-01-2002, 03:35 PM

Yeah...it be kinda hard.

But usually after taking it out and wiping it down real good, you can get a good reading on at least one side of the dipstick.

TAMUz06 · 05-01-2002, 03:48 PM

I park on a nice flat surface overnight...then pull the stick out in the morning and check it - DON'T wipe it, just straight out and read the level.

Jim · 05-01-2002, 04:17 PM

Take it to Chevy and let them check it

Z06Y Lady · 05-01-2002, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bernasconi
It's much easier to read on a 2001!

On an 01 the levels always add oil!

Easy to read

Z06Y Lady

vettepilot · 05-01-2002, 06:05 PM

I haven't figured out the difficulty in reading the dipstick yet. I have had no problems seeing the level since day one. I even looked at it the day I was buying the car, just because it was something I normally do. The oil was very clean, (it should be at 5.0 miles) and even right after my first oil change it was quite evident where the oil level was located. My 02 Zs dipstick has not been altered or modified in any way, so why is it so easy for me to read, while others having such a problem? Just wondering, not trying to put anybody down.

vettepilot

Jayzvette · 05-01-2002, 06:09 PM

Let the oil get real dirty before you check it. You'll be able to see it then

Z06Y Lady · 05-01-2002, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by vettepilot
I haven't figured out the difficulty in reading the dipstick yet. I have had no problems seeing the level since day one. I even looked at it the day I was buying the car, just because it was something I normally do. The oil was very clean, (it should be at 5.0 miles) and even right after my first oil change it was quite evident where the oil level was located. My 02 Zs dipstick has not been altered or modified in any way, so why is it so easy for me to read, while others having such a problem? Just wondering, not trying to put anybody down.
vettepilot

VP, it seems as though the viscosity of the Mobil 1 is such that there is a capillary action in the dipstick tube. In layperson's terms, the oil crawls, or splashes up the dipstick on its own when the car has been in motion. This leaves a long trail of oil along the dipstick which makes it nearly impossible to read a level. I finally adopted the first thing in the morning approach which gives me a reproducible reading.

Z06Y Lady, trying to help

vettepilot · 05-01-2002, 09:16 PM

That's when I check mine, before I start the engine. The main reason I do it before start-up is, it's cold, it's been sitting for some time, it's usually level, and I usually do it when I'm checking tire pressures, and other routine maintenance items on all my cars. So I don't do this on a daily basis, about once every couple of weeks now that I know the car. I now have just over 5000 miles on my 02, and it doesn't use any oil, level remains constant to the eye.
vettepilot

beggar · 05-02-2002, 09:33 AM

According to the owner's manual you're supposed to check the oil a few minutes after shutting the engine off, probably because hot oil takes up more space than cold oil and you don't want to overfill your engine. As far as the dipstick is concerned, I think the oil level is the highest point on the dipstick where the dipstick is completely covered by oil, i.e. ignore the long trails of oil along the edges.

Prescott63 · 05-02-2002, 11:41 AM

I gave up on checking the oil in my '01 Burner. About every two hundred miles or so I'll take a quart of Mobil 1 and pour a bit in the fuel tank...pour a little on my PRT pipes...and then splatter the rest on my rear facia. Apparently the engine doesn't need it as much as the rest of the car.

Richard · 05-03-2002, 02:06 AM

Thanks Everyone,

I tried Vettepilot's idea of checking in the morning, after car sits. It works well...

Thanks Vettepilot.......

Richard

EB$Z06 · 05-03-2002, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Prescott63
I gave up on checking the oil in my '01 Burner. About every two hundred miles or so I'll take a quart of Mobil 1 and pour a bit in the fuel tank...pour a little on my PRT pipes...and then splatter the rest on my rear facia. Apparently the engine doesn't need it as much as the rest of the car.

Been ther done that Bro..........get rid of it before you spend more on oil than you do mods.

Farris