Oil will not read on my dipstick unless my truck has been running for awile??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Hoods69BadBowTie · 05-22-2005, 12:48 AM

Okay in my '79 pickup, 350 SB, lots of miles probably, looks like an older engine.
Oil will not even read on the dipstick in my engine unless the truck has been running for a minute or two and then it reads really high. Was a tad bit low about a week ago,filled it up. Drove it for like 3-40 miles maybe went to check it yesterday, would not read on the stick. Added a little bit hoping that it would read and it never did. Oil does not leak anywhere and truck does not smoke either.
Anybody got any ideas or suggestions, I have not seen this before.
-Thanx

BodyShopDropOut12 · 05-22-2005, 03:50 AM

You can't get a level check on the dipstick unless the engine/oil has been warmed up to idle? I'm not a mechanic by any means, but I'd say thats normal.

*1FaastC10* · 05-22-2005, 04:17 AM

no that's not normal. drain it, change the filter, and put 5 quarts in it. if it has a stock pan on it, that should put it right in the ballpark.

you arent trying to check it while its running are you?

screwballl · 05-22-2005, 10:32 AM

damn 1faast beat me to it... i had same problem on my 76 for the first week i had it... once i gave it the oil change it was fine...

cliffsta · 05-22-2005, 12:59 PM

Checking fluids (as i know how it supposed to be done)
Oil: Engine cold and not running
ATF: Engine and tranny at operating temp in Neutral or Park
P/S: Either way as the capstick has both marks

Hoods69BadBowTie · 05-22-2005, 04:19 PM

Thanx for the suggestions!!
No, I no the engine is supposed to be off and cold. I just changed the oil like a month ago and it was very dirty and black but no metal or anything else came out with it. What I was trying to say is that the oil wont read on the dipstick unless it has been running for a little while. I know that is not accurate though. I did drain the oil but not change the filter this time because I just did it. Filled it up with almost 5 qts. and it still won't read on the dipstick. I did not think it would matter if I put in a new filter since I did it just like a month ago??
-Later

f.monroe · 05-22-2005, 05:47 PM

Almost sounds like the drain holes in the lifter valley and also the heads are clogged . I would pull the valve covers and check the cylinder heads to make sure the drain holes are open . The engine is probably sludged up . You said it doesnt smoke . Have you let it sit and idle for about 10 minutes then revved it up a couple of times ? If the oil is sitting in the top of the engine (valve cover area) it will smoke at this point . I bought an old truck once and this was the problem . I removed the intake , valve covers , and oil pan . I filled the engine with as muck Degreaser a I could , washed it out completely with a water hose and sprayer , and reassembled it . Believe it or not it really ran good after that . If yours is clogged you could probably leave the intake on it . I ran mine for a day then changed the oil again and all moisture was gone . Just a thought .Frank

slingin mud · 05-22-2005, 05:47 PM

I had about the same prob when I dropped the oil pan there was a piece of garbage stuce up in the oil pump since then np

Hoods69BadBowTie · 05-22-2005, 06:41 PM

Thanx, I was going to tear it apart today and get started looking for simple stuff like that. But it has been drizzling alot.\
-Later

GMCLS1 · 05-23-2005, 11:14 AM

You may have the wrong dip stick installed.

crawdad · 05-23-2005, 01:33 PM

That's what I was thinking...wrong dipstick.

05-22-2005, 12:48 AM	#1
Hoods69BadBowTie Chevys Kick A$$ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zootown, MT Posts: 12,699	Oil will not read on my dipstick unless my truck has been running for awile??? Okay in my '79 pickup, 350 SB, lots of miles probably, looks like an older engine. Oil will not even read on the dipstick in my engine unless the truck has been running for a minute or two and then it reads really high. Was a tad bit low about a week ago,filled it up. Drove it for like 3-40 miles maybe went to check it yesterday, would not read on the stick. Added a little bit hoping that it would read and it never did. Oil does not leak anywhere and truck does not smoke either. Anybody got any ideas or suggestions, I have not seen this before. -Thanx __________________ HOODS is what I answer too -'79, '77, '88 Pickup Sold, '85 Camaro, '83 T/A, '81,'83,'90 K5 Blazer All Sold -'79 3/4 ton "Big Yellow Bananna" Lifted 4spd. 39.5 TSL Swampers, The money Pit -'86 K5 Blazer Silverado 6.2 4" lift 35"s -'95 Ext. Cab Shorty 4" Tuff Country rolling 35" M/T's -'83 Monte Carlo T-Tops. 126,500 Original Miles -LATER I would rather push a Chevy then drive a ford!! Last edited by Hoods69BadBowTie; 05-22-2005 at 12:50 AM.

05-22-2005, 03:50 AM	#2
BodyShopDropOut12 9 months Join Date: May 2004 Location: Gahanna, OH/Jacksonville, AR Posts: 430	You can't get a level check on the dipstick unless the engine/oil has been warmed up to idle? I'm not a mechanic by any means, but I'd say thats normal. __________________ "You'ins gonna go?"

05-22-2005, 10:32 AM	#4
screwballl Tonawanda 454 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Liquid Sunshine State Posts: 2,754	damn 1faast beat me to it... i had same problem on my 76 for the first week i had it... once i gave it the oil change it was fine... __________________ 91 Chevy Suburban Tonawanda 454 R2500 - SOLD!!! 04 Dodge Durango 5.7L Hemi 2WD, 24K miles (as of July 2011) In the past 30 years about 90% of Fords are still on the road, the other 10% made it home. -------------------

05-22-2005, 12:59 PM	#5
cliffsta Stepsides RULE Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 1,921	Checking fluids (as i know how it supposed to be done) Oil: Engine cold and not running ATF: Engine and tranny at operating temp in Neutral or Park P/S: Either way as the capstick has both marks __________________ 1981 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe Stepside 350 V8, headers, side exhausts, 3-speed auto SOLD 1980 Chevy C10 Custum Deluxe Stepside 305 V8, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 1406 600CFM 4-barrel, TH350C. Bent rod. SOLD 1984 GMC Sierra Classic Longbed 6.2L Diesel SOLD 2009 Kawasaki KLX-250S too many mods for this signature 1999 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder, 17" Motegi Wheels 215/45/17 Sumitomo tires, Tein S-Tech lowering springs, KYB GR2 shocks, Acura TL 20mm rear swaybar, debadged, blackhoused headlights, Short-Ram Intake Cardomain of the Accord

05-22-2005, 04:19 PM	#6
Hoods69BadBowTie Chevys Kick A$$ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zootown, MT Posts: 12,699	Thanx for the suggestions!! No, I no the engine is supposed to be off and cold. I just changed the oil like a month ago and it was very dirty and black but no metal or anything else came out with it. What I was trying to say is that the oil wont read on the dipstick unless it has been running for a little while. I know that is not accurate though. I did drain the oil but not change the filter this time because I just did it. Filled it up with almost 5 qts. and it still won't read on the dipstick. I did not think it would matter if I put in a new filter since I did it just like a month ago?? -Later __________________ HOODS is what I answer too -'79, '77, '88 Pickup Sold, '85 Camaro, '83 T/A, '81,'83,'90 K5 Blazer All Sold -'79 3/4 ton "Big Yellow Bananna" Lifted 4spd. 39.5 TSL Swampers, The money Pit -'86 K5 Blazer Silverado 6.2 4" lift 35"s -'95 Ext. Cab Shorty 4" Tuff Country rolling 35" M/T's -'83 Monte Carlo T-Tops. 126,500 Original Miles -LATER I would rather push a Chevy then drive a ford!!

05-22-2005, 04:17 AM	#3
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,399	no that's not normal. drain it, change the filter, and put 5 quarts in it. if it has a stock pan on it, that should put it right in the ballpark. you arent trying to check it while its running are you?

05-22-2005, 05:47 PM	#7
f.monroe Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Caldwell,Tx. Posts: 3,648	Almost sounds like the drain holes in the lifter valley and also the heads are clogged . I would pull the valve covers and check the cylinder heads to make sure the drain holes are open . The engine is probably sludged up . You said it doesnt smoke . Have you let it sit and idle for about 10 minutes then revved it up a couple of times ? If the oil is sitting in the top of the engine (valve cover area) it will smoke at this point . I bought an old truck once and this was the problem . I removed the intake , valve covers , and oil pan . I filled the engine with as muck Degreaser a I could , washed it out completely with a water hose and sprayer , and reassembled it . Believe it or not it really ran good after that . If yours is clogged you could probably leave the intake on it . I ran mine for a day then changed the oil again and all moisture was gone . Just a thought .Frank

05-22-2005, 05:47 PM	#8
slingin mud Mark Join Date: May 2005 Location: columbus ohio Posts: 102	I had about the same prob when I dropped the oil pan there was a piece of garbage stuce up in the oil pump since then np __________________ Look at every day as a holiday, some just better than others.Build what you got be happy with what you have This truck is for sale

05-22-2005, 06:41 PM	#9
Hoods69BadBowTie Chevys Kick A$$ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zootown, MT Posts: 12,699	Thanx, I was going to tear it apart today and get started looking for simple stuff like that. But it has been drizzling alot.\ -Later __________________ HOODS is what I answer too -'79, '77, '88 Pickup Sold, '85 Camaro, '83 T/A, '81,'83,'90 K5 Blazer All Sold -'79 3/4 ton "Big Yellow Bananna" Lifted 4spd. 39.5 TSL Swampers, The money Pit -'86 K5 Blazer Silverado 6.2 4" lift 35"s -'95 Ext. Cab Shorty 4" Tuff Country rolling 35" M/T's -'83 Monte Carlo T-Tops. 126,500 Original Miles -LATER I would rather push a Chevy then drive a ford!!

05-23-2005, 11:14 AM	#10
GMCLS1 1987 GMC Sierra Classic Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 121	You may have the wrong dip stick installed. __________________ Gary L Hilton jr

05-23-2005, 01:33 PM	#11
crawdad Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 614	That's what I was thinking...wrong dipstick. __________________ 2012 Silverado LT 1500, 5.3, 6 speed auto '86 SWB C-10 Silverado

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