Oil Level Wait Time

[HomeMadeSin]

Troubleshooting my ‘18 Yukon XL Denali. First thing, checking oil level: manual says wait a minimum of 2 hours. Anyone test this theory? I waited an hour (after a 10 min commute to work for flat area to check). Didn’t see any difference at 15, 30, 60 minutes so I doubt 120 min is going to make a difference. Thoughts?

z

 

[OR VietVet]

I wait 5 minutes. Even that is a long time, IMO.

 

[RST Dana]

Dealership waits 15 minutes when doing the “oil consumption” test. If multiple test, each after 1000 miles, proves consumption, then they make a case to have the issue addressed. Mine is scheduled for August!

 

[homesick]

Troubleshooting my ‘18 Yukon XL Denali. First thing, checking oil level: manual says wait a minimum of 2 hours. Anyone test this theory? I waited an hour (after a 10 min commute to work for flat area to check). Didn’t see any difference at 15, 30, 60 minutes so I doubt 120 min is going to make a difference. Thoughts?

z

I agree with OR VietVet, except that I'd add a stipulation that the oil be hot.

joe

 

[OR VietVet]

I agree with OR VietVet, except that I'd add a stipulation that the oil be hot.

joe

Yea, I should have said the obvious.

 

[homesick]

Yea, I should have said the obvious.

That's what happens when you swap your Dickies uniforms and red shop rags for heels and fishnets.

joe

 

[ReaperHWK]

You know how much oil is really waiting to drip into the pan after you turn off the motor? Almost nothing it’s just what’s coating the bottom end. You can check the oil 2 min after shutdown and 99% of the oil would be in the pan.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Geeezzzz...... As an old timer, I pumped gas to earn spending money while I was in college in the early 70's. Those were the days where at least 20% of the gas customers also asked you to check their oil, and we did. Obviously, we could not wait 5 minutes for the oil to settle to check the level, and there were never any issues that I am aware of. That's just what everyone did back in the day at gas stations, right or wrong.

So, I just make sure that the oil is hot, and I check it without any significant waiting time.

 

[Doubeleive]

if you are having oil consumption issue's with 0-20 just switch to 5-30, problem solved
just epa crap anyway, just like v4 mode

 

[Marky Dissod]

if you are having oil consumption issues with 0W20, just switch to 5W30, problem solved.
just epa crap anyway, just like v4 mode.

Very much this. Even moreso this, if Engine Half@$$ has not yet been disabled.

Only thing I'll add: reduce your oil change interval by 500miles, see if that does not help oil consumption.

 

[HomeMadeSin]

Ha, half@$$ has been disabled. Planning to send the DOD/AFM to the gates of hell soon physically, not just via override. I’ve never waited that long for hot oil check. Just surprised the manual called for a min 2 hour wait. My Eco-diesel took some time….

 

[91RS]

You need to wait 15 minutes with the oil at operating temperature for an accurate reading. It is usually accurate with less time but if you’re looking for consumption or fixing to add oil, you need to wait for it to be accurate. The 2 hours is if the oil is not at operating temp.

 

[Marky Dissod]

... checking oil level: manual says wait a minimum of 2 hours. Anyone test this theory?
I waited an hour (after a 10min commute to work for flat area to check).
Didn’t see any difference at 15, 30, 60min, so I doubt 120min is going to make a difference. Thoughts?

To answer this question directly, may I put it in other ways?

How long does it take for a 212F-oildrop to slipslide its way down from the underside of a valvecover,
meander through various engine paths, all the way into the pan, during which time it's also cooling off?

How long does it take for a 248F-oildrop to slipslide its way down from under the pistons' wristpins,
down the rods, off the crank, (lil bit stays under the crank I hope), and drip into the pan as it cools off?

I wait 5min. Even that is a long time ...

About how long it takes to smoke a cigarette? (unless you're Keith Richards)

Dealership waits 15min when doing the “oil consumption” test.

About how long it takes to eat a meal?

I pumped gas ... in the early 70s ... at least 20% of the gas customers also asked you to check their oil ... we could not wait 5 minutes for the oil to settle to check the level ...

If they asked you to check WHILE pumping gas, under 5min?
If they asked AFTER, that'd depend on the size of the gastank, or how much gas they wanted?

Can't think of any more hairs to split. Not worth waiting more than however long it'd take for an engine to cool off in winter?

 

[k_arnold72]

Well... I went ahead and tested this. Measured level a few minutes after I got home and then again a few hours later. It was about ¾ quart difference.

 

[OR VietVet]

Well... I went ahead and tested this. Measured level a few minutes after I got home and then again a few hours later. It was about ¾ quart difference.

You saying it read 3/4 quart low on first check and then full on the check hours later?

 

[k_arnold72]

Correct. If I remember correctly, the manual states that the low oil mark indicates the engine is one quart low. So my oil level right when I got home was a little above that mark.

You saying it read 3/4 quart low on first check and then full on the check hours later?

 

[OR VietVet]

Correct. If I remember correctly, the manual states that the low oil mark indicates the engine is one quart low. So my oil level right when I got home was a little above that mark.

I would be pulling the valve covers and checking the drain back channels on the heads. Hot oil taking 3/4 of an hour to drain back to full, is way too slow, again IMO.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

To answer this question directly, may I put it in other ways?

How long does it take for a 212F-oildrop to slipslide its way down from the underside of a valvecover,
meander through various engine paths, all the way into the pan, during which time it's also cooling off?

How long does it take for a 248F-oildrop to slipslide its way down from under the pistons' wristpins,
down the rods, off the crank, (lil bit stays under the crank I hope), and drip into the pan as it cools off?About how long it takes to smoke a cigarette? (unless you're Keith Richards)About how long it takes to eat a meal?If they asked you to check WHILE pumping gas, under 5min?
If they asked AFTER, that'd depend on the size of the gastank, or how much gas they wanted?

Can't think of any more hairs to split. Not worth waiting more than however long it'd take for an engine to cool off in winter?

Clearly, you never pumped gas for customers. 90+% ask you to check the oil BEFORE you you start pumping gas. And, you check the oil WHILE the tank is being filled with gas.

Required efficiency. Otherwise, other cars in the line (yes, there were lines) get pi**ed and start honking at you.

 

[homesick]

Clearly, you never pumped gas for customers. 90+% ask you to check the oil BEFORE you you start pumping gas. And, you check the oil WHILE the tank is being filled with gas.

Required efficiency. Otherwise, other cars in the line (yes, there were lines) get pi**ed and start honking at you.

Absolutely right.

LOL, plus, depending on the driver, you want to hurry through that so you'll have more time to wash the windshield.

[I'm thinking young, female, mini dress, etc.]

joe

 

[OR VietVet]

I pumped gas in '68 and '69 to make some extra money, in high school. First time I ever used an old tire machine too.

Anyway, it made sense to get the gas started before I checked the oil and did the windows. No one showed me that, it just made sense. An older guy worked there too and he said to me one day, "you've done this before". I told him no and he said I moved around a car/truck, like I had done this type work before. All I knew was what my dad showed me. It was a Sinclair gas station in Excelsior Springs, Mo. I actually had fun working there.