does your dip stick or dip stick holder smoke when engine is hot?

[A Traveler]

Can you help me out?
FYI: I have been turning a wrench for over 40 years as a shade tree mechanic. I’m still new to a Corvette.
I have a situation unfolding and I need some simple help.
I have a 2002, black, C-5 Corvette, with a 350/350, (and I’m not sure which one is the H.P. and CID), just a plain Mary Jane.
You can choose to answer or disregard or just answer one or more questions.
I’m just information gathering because I need to know.
Q. When you put in new oil, as in my case, Mobile Synthetic 5w - 30w, and right after you run/drive the Corvette, say 31 miles, (25 highway and then 6 in town), and then you check the oil; does the oil appear to be invisible, thin on your dip stick and IF you rub the oil between your fingers, it sort of disappears?
1. Have you ever checked your oil when the engine is hot?
2. When you did, did your dipstick smoke from heat?
3. When you did, did smoke come out of your dipstick holder’s opening?
4. Did it ever take a good five minutes for the oil to start registering on your dipstick?
5. And over 10 - 15 minutes to get a “full” reading after initial oil change.
IF you choose to answer, THANK YOU!!!
IF you chose not to answer, THANK YOU for reading what I sent!
Happy Trails, A Traveleratraveler@mchsi.com
(And yes, i do believe there are contaminants in the oil that are burning off.aka smoking dipstick and dipstick holder. IF NOT, prove me wrong!)

 

[Red Vette]

My 2002 base coupe/ 350/350, had invisible oil on the dip stick when changed - hard to read on the hash mark. Sometimes my oil and dip stick were very hot and I detected a vapor or smoke as you call it (they are not the same), and yes it would emit from the dip stick tube. Also, the dip stick was difficult to read when hot, but you can rough up the hash mark with sand paper or steel wool according to the C4C5specialist (Paul) so you can get a reading - sometimes the oil was detectable only along the sides of the hash mark. Never had engine problem, but always checked the oil and monitored the actual oil temp thru the DIC whenever it was hot. I believe that when I experienced the "smoking" from the dip stick, it was because the oil was somewhat low and I added increments to bring it up to spec levels. Welcome to the Corvette world and the CAC.

Barrett

 

[dadaroo]

I have several vehicles with really clean engine internals that I use synthetic oil in. It is so hard to see the level I just started sprinkling some talcum powder on the dipstick to read the level.

 

[kpic]

Here is an analysis of the contents of used oil:
0.125% abrasives, sand and dirt
3.00% gasoline
0.25% soot and carbon
0.125% metals
0.50% water and glycol
0.50% tars, gums and resins
http://www.le-international.com/pdf/068-motor-oil-degradation.pdf

Judging by what they are some would evaporate at higher temperatures and others would not. Cold weather cycles where the oil never reaches operating temperature are the worst.

 

[A Traveler]

My 2002 base coupe/ 350/350, had invisible oil on the dip stick when changed - hard to read on the hash mark. Sometimes my oil and dip stick were very hot and I detected a vapor or smoke as you call it (they are not the same), and yes it would emit from the dip stick tube. Also, the dip stick was difficult to read when hot, but you can rough up the hash mark with sand paper or steel wool according to the C4C5specialist (Paul) so you can get a reading - sometimes the oil was detectable only along the sides of the hash mark. Never had engine problem, but always checked the oil and monitored the actual oil temp thru the DIC whenever it was hot. I believe that when I experienced the "smoking" from the dip stick, it was because the oil was somewhat low and I added increments to bring it up to spec levels. Welcome to the Corvette world and the CAC.

Barrett

Thank you.

Wow, I thought it was me. (vapor from dip stick tube.)

Oil not low. only 31 miles when first checked and after 4 miles in town, did same, but not as much as first time.

Oil level is full.

Thanks, again.

A Traveler, out.

 

[A Traveler]

I have several vehicles with really clean engine internals that I use synthetic oil in. It is so hard to see the level I just started sprinkling some talcum powder on the dipstick to read the level.

Thanks, cool idea.

D.F.Q. was that when you pulled the dip stick or re-entry? (Or it don't matter?)

Thanks for that idea.

A Traveler, out.

 

[A Traveler]

Here is an analysis of the contents of used oil:
0.125% abrasives, sand and dirt
3.00% gasoline
0.25% soot and carbon
0.125% metals
0.50% water and glycol
0.50% tars, gums and resins
http://www.le-international.com/pdf/068-motor-oil-degradation.pdf

Judging by what they are some would evaporate at higher temperatures and others would not. Cold weather cycles where the oil never reaches operating temperature are the worst.

Thanks.

I have to go to that site and review, and follow it about.

Although, the oil is new, 80 total miles, I have a gut feeling, that all is not right. On hold with Mobile 1; over an hour now.

Thanks again for the link.

A Traveler, out.

 

[kpic]

If you are really curious:

What is Oil Analysis

They offer a kit for free; the analysis is $25.
http://www.blackstone-labs.com/free-test-kits.php

Here is how they analyze the oil.
Engine Oil Analysis - Bob is the Oil Guy - Bob is the Oil Guy

 

[A Traveler]

If you are really curious:

What is Oil Analysis

They offer a kit for free; the analysis is $25.
Blackstone Labs

Here is how they analyze the oil.
Engine Oil Analysis - Bob is the Oil Guy - Bob is the Oil Guy

Bob,

NOW that is cool!

On a fixed budget, I can do that.

Thanks.

Will follow up come monday.

A Traveler, out.

 

[A Traveler]

Can you help me out?
FYI: I have been turning a wrench for over 40 years as a shade tree mechanic. I’m still new to a Corvette.
I have a situation unfolding and I need some simple help.
I have a 2002, black, C-5 Corvette, with a 350/350, (and I’m not sure which one is the H.P. and CID), just a plain Mary Jane.
You can choose to answer or disregard or just answer one or more questions.
I’m just information gathering because I need to know.
Q. When you put in new oil, as in my case, Mobile Synthetic 5w - 30w, and right after you run/drive the Corvette, say 31 miles, (25 highway and then 6 in town), and then you check the oil; does the oil appear to be invisible, thin on your dip stick and IF you rub the oil between your fingers, it sort of disappears?
1. Have you ever checked your oil when the engine is hot?
2. When you did, did your dipstick smoke from heat?
3. When you did, did smoke come out of your dipstick holder’s opening?
4. Did it ever take a good five minutes for the oil to start registering on your dipstick?
5. And over 10 - 15 minutes to get a “full” reading after initial oil change.
IF you choose to answer, THANK YOU!!!
IF you chose not to answer, THANK YOU for reading what I sent!
Happy Trails, A Traveleratraveler@mchsi.com
(And yes, i do believe there are contaminants in the oil that are burning off.aka smoking dipstick and dipstick holder. IF NOT, prove me wrong!)

WELL, I THINK I HAVE BEEN PROVEN WRONG!!!

I was just advised, that the 350 and most newer cars have what is called a "pressurized oil system" that keeps the oil in the upper part of the engine, to prevent dry restarts.

Eventually, 5 - 10 minutes later it is all, mostly drained down to the oil pan.

NOW, can anyone verify such an existance and briefly explain it to me?

Thanks in advance.

Happy Trails,

A Traveler

 

[A Traveler]

WELL, I THINK I HAVE BEEN PROVEN WRONG!!!

I was just advised, that the 350 and most newer cars have what is called a "pressurized oil system" that keeps the oil in the upper part of the engine, to prevent dry restarts.

Eventually, 5 - 10 minutes later it is all, mostly drained down to the oil pan.

NOW, can anyone verify such an existance and briefly explain it to me?

Thanks in advance.

Happy Trails,

A Traveler

More information:

not pressurized oil system. oil don't stay in head for 5 - 10 minutes. can't explain why low oil at first on dip stick.

secondly, since oil pan was removed, cleaned, there has (?) to be residue left in the pan. Only explanation. It is not smoking as bad as it first did.

Thank you all for advising.

A Traveler, out.

 

[kpic]

Depending what you mean by low oil on the dipstick; it takes a while for the oil which was circulating through the engine to drain back into the pan.

Some engines take longer than others.

 

[A Traveler]

Depending what you mean by low oil on the dipstick; it takes a while for the oil which was circulating through the engine to drain back into the pan.

Some engines take longer than others.

First there are drain hole in the head to allow the oil to return back to the oil pan. So, when you shut off your engine, the oil should drain down, almost immediately. Mine doesn't.
Thus, I believe there may be blockage in the system. Check any car, when you shut it down and you should get a reading on the "add oil" section. Then the remaining 2% should drain back into the pan.

Mine has no reading on the "add oil" part after I shut it down.

The crankcase still smokes as does the dip stick.

Something is wrong. In contact with Chevrolet Executive Offices and soon an oil test with 2 different labs.

Thanks for your response.

A Traveler, out.

 

[kpic]

Yes I know how a SBC drains oil from the heads.Usually I clean up the drains as part of a rebuild. If you believe there is a blockage, pull the valve covers and check.