Proper Engine Oil Level

[BamaBowrider 208]

Okay, I'm trying to figure this one out.....the original motor was a 5.0, replaced with a remanned 5.7 Vortec in 2012, unsure of the actual year of the replacement engine. The little bit of maintenance that I have done in the few weeks that I have owned it tells me that some parts were swapped over from the original engine to the replacement.

The engine oil level was at the full mark on the dipstick when I changed the oil and filter. Only 4 quarts of oil came out of the pan and filter. I did not run the motor prior to draining. I did lower and raise the trailer to see if there was any residual that might come out of the pan.

The SELOC 2001-2013 maintenance manual that I'm using states 4.5 quarts for either a 5.0 or 5.7 engine for all years up to 2012 when the 5.7 increases to 5.5 quarts. So even if the dipstick and tube were transferred from the original engine, why is this thing reading full when it is a half quart of oil low???

 

[alldodge]

What was the original motor serial number?

 

[BamaBowrider 208]

What was the original motor serial number?

OW676893

 

[alldodge]

Both the 5.0 and 5.7 MCM use the same length dipstick, which is 33 1/4 inches to tip. Its 31 inches to the full mark. Both list 5.5 quarts for change with filter

If your sucking out the oil, it not getting all of it

 

[JASinIL2006]

I don't think, for any vehicle of mine I've ever serviced, that I got out the amount of oil that corresponded to the engine's supposed capacity. There's also the extraction method issue like alldodge mentions... sucking oil via the dipstick tube never seems to get everything out.

Now, if you're draining the oil via the plug on the oil pan, then it's a headscratcher.

 

[BamaBowrider 208]

Both the 5.0 and 5.7 MCM use the same length dipstick, which is 33 1/4 inches to tip. Its 31 inches to the full mark. Both list 5.5 quarts for change with filter

If your sucking out the oil, it not getting all of it

I will measure the dipstick for comparison. Not sucking.....this motor has the oil drain hose assembly. So the SELOC manual is incorrect? It shows 4.5 quarts for both 5.0 and 5.7 carb or MPI for 2007

 

[alldodge]

The Seloc is a great manual to use when your kneeling on in the gravel, not to good for other things.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Mine is a mid-90s 350 Mag (a 5.7 essentially) and it takes 5.5 quarts. I wouldn't trust the SELOC manual for anything...

 

[BamaBowrider 208]

Understood.........use the SELOC manual for firestarter material only!!! Guess I need to invest in a factory service manual.

 

[Stinnett21]

I have a 2002 5.0 MPI (0M345638) that I have owned since new and all I have ever gotten out of it is 4 qts draining the hose through the garboard. Even if it sits for two weeks with a hole knocked into the filter. My dipstick measures 35 1/4" from tip to the stop. I chased this issue a few years ago on the forum and it seems I recall someone pointed out a mistake in manual 31 that I didn't quite understand. My solution was to continue filling with 4 qts.

 

[alldodge]

I have a 2002 5.0 MPI (0M345638) that I have owned since new and all I have ever gotten out of it is 4 qts draining the hose through the garboard. Even if it sits for two weeks with a hole knocked into the filter. My dipstick measures 35 1/4" from tip to the stop. I chased this issue a few years ago on the forum and it seems I recall someone pointed out a mistake in manual 31 that I didn't quite understand. My solution was to continue filling with 4 qts.

Manual 31 list 33 1/4 from stop to the tip and 31 from stop to the Full mark

 

[BamaBowrider 208]

I see the mistake in Alldodge's last attachment.........the last dipstick listed, #861942-9 has an overall length (C) in inches that is shorter than the dimension to the fill line (A). The mm dimension makes sense.

 

[BamaBowrider 208]

The last one listed is the dipstick that I have......35.25" in length, 33.50" to the full mark. There is even a -9 stamped at the top near the stop.

 

[Stinnett21]

Yeah that's what I mean, something is amiss with the manual. Aside from the mistake you note with lengths C and A, the C length given is obviously not what you and I have. When I refill with 4 qts. it puts it right at the full mark.

 

[alldodge]

Shouldn't be an issue to decipher as the inch is the only one with an issue in the last line. If MM are converted it comes out correct for what you have.
895mm =35.236 in
851mm =33.5 in

2nd to last line is for MCM and Tow sport
last line for MCM

So there is 2 different dipsticks for MCM's (stern drives) and that would be determined by which dipstick tube is installed

 

[Stinnett21]

Good point Alldodge. I didn't check the mm. So assuming we have the correct dip stick tubes that still leaves the discrepancy between the capacity stated in the manual (5.5 qts) vs what I'm getting out (4 qts.). I could see the filter retaining some but not 1.5 qts.

 

[QBhoy]

Both the 5.0 and 5.7 MCM use the same length dipstick, which is 33 1/4 inches to tip. Its 31 inches to the full mark. Both list 5.5 quarts for change with filter

If your sucking out the oil, it not getting all of it

5.0 merc mpi isn’t anything like 5.5 quarts AD. I know that much. It’s only a tiny bit over 4 litres at its most im sure. Think litres are same as quarts perhaps. Maybe I’m off on a tangent, but thought I’d add that in.

 

[Scott06]

I have a 2002 5.0 MPI (0M345638) that I have owned since new and all I have ever gotten out of it is 4 qts draining the hose through the garboard. Even if it sits for two weeks with a hole knocked into the filter. My dipstick measures 35 1/4" from tip to the stop. I chased this issue a few years ago on the forum and it seems I recall someone pointed out a mistake in manual 31 that I didn't quite understand. My solution was to continue filling with 4 qts.

I ended up the same way on my 5.0 on multiple sites ( other than seloc) I've seen 4.5 qts listed as well as 5.5. This was on a replacement engine i got from michigan motorz they told me 5.5 but their site lists 4.5...
Generally i add a gallon and top off maybe a hair more. never have any issue with oil pressure.

 

[BamaBowrider 208]

So the question is....fill with 4 quarts like the dipstick says or fill with 5.5 quarts like the manual says? Also, is there any difference between a factory 5.0 or 5.7 engine and a remanned 5.7 engine in regards to oil capacity, different sized pan, configuration, etc???

 

[Scott06]

So the question is....fill with 4 quarts like the dipstick says or fill with 5.5 quarts like the manual says? Also, is there any difference between a factory 5.0 or 5.7 engine and a remanned 5.7 engine in regards to oil capacity, different sized pan, configuration, etc???

Fill to the dipstick level. No difference between those engines as long as stock oil pan is used. In the unlikley scenario that a higher capacity aftermarket pan is used youd need more oil.