oil level reading

GRAYFOXGT/CS

New Member
Nov 27, 2010
30
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AZ
OK today i put some oil in my 95 5.0 after seein it was low topped her off ran it for a few min took oil reading 15 min later an now its low again how long does it take to get an accurate reading
 
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Reading should be up within a minute of adding oil, although it may not be a perfect reflection of the amount in the pan. Oil goes back into the pan via gravity; the pump essentially pushes it through and to the top of the engine, and gravity drips it back into the pan. How much oil are we talking about? I always add in half-quart increments; that much will show on the dipstick right away. How much oil was on the dipstick? It's also possible the dipstick tube is coming loose from the block, it's only a press-fit. The dipstick tube will only go in so far, it should be in as far as you can get it.

In my experience, the "check oil" light comes on when I'm about 2 quarts low, and at that point no oil will be on the dipstick. Adding a quart will then show oil on the dipstick, but still quite low.