Questions about oil

[onspeed]

I recently bought a '98 5speed camaro with 89k on the odometer. I've noticed my oil dipstick is all twisted, and it always read full or above full. Prior to my first oil change, the oil pressure was lower than normal (the bar before the middle 60 one) and the dipstick was reading full. After noticing my lifters were making noise after the car had been sitting for the night, i got an oil change and my oil pressure is now around the middle mark. The dipstick reads the same though. Naturally, I assume my oil dipstick is incorrect, so i was wondering how long the dipstick is supposed to be.

Another thing, every now and then after i turn off the car, theres an odd smell, like some sort of electrical burning. I've searched around, and i'm told burning oil smells similar. Any suggestions for this? I haven't seen any oil on the ground after the car has been sitting for a while.

Thanks

[bigbrian442]

Re: Questions about oil

Do you check it with the motor running or off? The higher oil pressure could just be a different oil was used when it was changed.

[crushedout]

Re: Questions about oil

The dipstick is suppose to be twisted. It helps when installing it back into the motor. My cars oil pressure is usually around 60 just after an oil change then later on in oil life when car starts up it starts at 45 psi then when it gets warm its around 30 psi. I've read on this forum that GM states that anything over 10 PSI is ok

[HeadyFirebird'00]

Re: Questions about oil

burning oil could be the oil burning off the exhuast pipes. i have that smell cuase i have oil all over my y-pipe. i got a leak

[onspeed]

Re: Questions about oil

I check when the car is off and sitting for a couple hours.

Thanks for all replies, just got a couple more questions. When i start my car in the morning, my lifers tap for about a minute then it goes away. I've been told this isn't a significant problem and that using a thicker oil should make it cease. Are tapping lifters ok?

Unrelated to oil, how often and how long does it take to change a head gasket, and whats the average price including labor?

[bigbrian442]

Re: Questions about oil

If its a lifter tapping and it goes away, it's nothing to worry about. Changing a head gasket is very time consuming and shops would charge upwards of $1000. If they change one they should change the other as well at the same time.

[onspeed]

Re: Questions about oil

So a couple of minutes of lifter tapping in the morning is "normal"? As for the head gasket, someone told me it should be done every 100k, I thought this was a bit early considering the gasket on my suburban didn't go out till ~200k. 1000 is about 1/5 of the price i paid for the car... ha!

[bigbrian442]

Re: Questions about oil

Not all of them tap but lots of motors do.

I wouldn't change the head gaskets until you have problems with them. Many 3.8's have gone well over 100,000 with out issues.

[crushedout]

Re: Questions about oil

I see no reason to change head gasket at 100k miles, now changing the intake gaskets around 100k I think is a good decision. They tend to go out between 85k and 125k miles on RWD 3800 and 80k to 100k miles on the FWD.

[onspeed]

Re: Questions about oil

Ok, well thanks for all the responses, it was very helpful!

[chevy the kid]

Re: Questions about oil

Does someone could make a thread about the 3.8L oil pressure.

With the different guy here. pressure on start up, at idle cold and warm.

Mine is a little under the midle on start up and when i drive(55). When warm it's 45 on idle. On heavy city traffic my pressure is 35-40.

When i bought the car the pressure was 60-65 all the time, so i'm very worry. I don't want to spun a bearing.

Now i need to replace my intake gasket, or head gasket i don't know.

Does this could cause a bad oil pressure?

[cam98aro]

Re: Questions about oil

Thanks for all replies, just got a couple more questions. When i start my car in the morning, my lifers tap for about a minute then it goes away. I've been told this isn't a significant problem and that using a thicker oil should make it cease. Are tapping lifters ok?

this is wrong, thicker oil will make the noise happen more

the reason why they are clicking, or tapping is because oil isnt getting to them yet, once the engine warms up and *surprise* the oil gets thinner, they stop

[bigbrian442]

Re: Questions about oil

this is wrong, thicker oil will make the noise happen more

the reason why they are clicking, or tapping is because oil isnt getting to them yet, once the engine warms up and *surprise* the oil gets thinner, they stop

Thicker oil produces higher oil pressure and doesn't bleed down as easy as thin oil. Lifters start tapping like that because they get worn and can't hold the oil in them like they could when new(er).

If his lifters weren't getting oil they would all be tapping and it would not stop when warmed up.

[onspeed]

Re: Questions about oil

I was told that with thicker oil, the lifter's wouldn't drain as fast or easily thus keeping oil on the lifters for a long period...


Is it just me, or does the sub-forum only show like 6-8 topics at a time... how did you bump this one?

[cam98aro]

Re: Questions about oil

Thicker oil produces higher oil pressure and doesn't bleed down as easy as thin oil. Lifters start tapping like that because they get worn and can't hold the oil in them like they could when new(er).

If his lifters weren't getting oil they would all be tapping and it would not stop when warmed up.

which is why when the engine warms up the oil can get up through and they stop clicking