Checking oil level: '08 Yukon

[quikag]

I changed my oil the other day at 2,400 miles to add some Mobil 1 synthetic and I drained out all the old oil, changed the PF48 filter, and added 6 quarts. The next morning, cold, I checked the oil after it sat overnight and it was showing above the full mark (maybe 1/4-1/2 quart high). Should I check it hot? Any problems with this level? Not sure why it's showing high when I added the requisite amount of oil...

 

[Stargazer]

I've always thought that you were supposed to check the oil at operating temp. Shut off the engine, wait a minute or two, then check it--that's what I do.

 

[quikag]

If that's the case, then is probably why it's reading high because every drop of oil is sitting in the drain pan.

GM recommends adding an extra quart in the Vettes for track racing. Would it be okay to have a bit extra in the Yukon as well? I doubt even as much as a quart over would really harm the engine??

 

[quikag]

I just checked it warm and it's still a bit over. The dipstick has four dots between the normal operating range and it is about the length of one extra dot length over the top. So is that like a quarter quart over? Should I be worried?

 

[metro273]

^^^You'll be fine. The engine will "burn" some off anyways.

 

[quikag]

Thanks for the reassurance, Metro. I was guessing GM wouldn't let one of their motors blow because it's a 1/4-1/2 quart high on oil.

 

[aaron72]

You're getting some misinfomation here with the "burn-off" answer.

When you drain your oil, not all of the oil comes out of the engine and pan. The 6 quarts is what it takes to fill the system when it is dry. Once you've drained the oil, you just need to add the required amount to get to the propoer level. There is no set amount as it depends on how much drained out.

Here is how I do it.

Drain the oil from the pan. Remove the old filter. I fill the new filter with oil and install it. I then add oil until I have emptied four quarts. I then check the dipstick and then start adding until I get to the full line. I then take the truck for a drive so that it gets to normal operating temperature. Come back and park it on level ground. Let it sit for 10 minutes and the check the level again and then add any additional oil if needed to get to the full line.

This method will ensure that the correct amount is in the engine. Too much oil can cause problems.

 

[quikag]

I will definitely try this method in the future. That said, I don't think a 1/4 to a 1/2 quart over at this point is going to cause any engine issues, no? :confused2:

 

[Gambler]

.5 a quart over is not a problem. I typically let mine drain for 15 minutes or so while I go do something else, and then dump in the 6qt. It is usually just about perfect.

 

[quikag]

I let mine drain for at least 10 minutes. I drove up on Rhino ramps and even jacked up the driver's side to get a bit more oil out. Wonder how the extra oil stayed hidden in there. The oil was quite warm too so it drained quickly.

Oh well. I think GM probably built some oil level tolerances into such an advanced powertrain.

 

[JD Larue]

I had mine changed at the dealership last week and TOLD them that 6 full quarts was a little too much cause the last time I changed the oil I just dumped the whole 6 in like the manual said. It was too high on the dipstick just like yours.

So what does the mechanic do? Dumps in the whole 6 quarts so now it's overfilled again. Didn't seem to hurt it last time so it probably won't hurt it this time. Thought a mechanic would know better though. Silly me!

 

[quikag]

I wonder where that extra 1/4 to 1/2 quart hides when draining the oil??

 

[JD Larue]

:crazy:

I wonder where that extra 1/4 to 1/2 quart hides when draining the oil??

There's all kinds of little trick nooks and crannies inside an engine where the oil hides and refused to come out.

 

[GIXXER]

Think of the oil level like running along a beach line... If there is too much oil it's like running in deeper water, a greater effort and inefficient. Conversely, too little oil is like running higher up on the beach where there is no oil to keep your feet cool. You want to be on or very close to that full line!

 

[pursuit2550]

I dont know what all the comotion is. Drain oil, remove filter, install filter and add 6 quarts. The little bit that is over is not going to do ANYTHING. I had a 01 Silverado did the above procedure for 136,000 miles no problems. Also have a 98 Accord same procedure 155,000 miles no problem. Do you think the dealership does anything diffrent, NO. Acually its worse if its done at the dealer of at a oil changing place. Engine is hot the oil is every where in the engine and they just pull the plug remove the filter and let it drain till its just dripping. They dont wait till every ounce of oil is out. Thats why I let it sit over nite then drain, like that all the oil has worked its way down.

 

[quikag]

That is exactly what I did. I've changed oil in my other vehicles dozens and dozens of times, so I just a bit suprised it was over the full mark when I completely (or so I thought) drained the oil (even jacking the truck up on the driver's side to get more out) and having it read high on the dipstick.

I don't want there to be issues with my brand new Yukon Denali on it's first oil change, so I was probably being a bit too paranoid.

 

[pursuit2550]

I know what its like. You want it to be perfect, like me. It will be fine alittle extra is no big deal. I check all my fuilds the last il change and anti-freeze was high, trans. was high, power steering was high. Not buy much but just not right at the lines and it came like that from the factory.