'99 Ironman dipstick length...

[Amnesia]

I have 228,000 miles on my '99 VX as of today. All of those, but approximately 28,000 are my own.

Tonight while wrapping up an oil change, I discovered that after putting in 5qts of oil, starting it, and then letting it sit for a few minutes... that when I checked it; it registers about 1/2 way between the ADD & FULL line on the dipstick!

I've always thought it took 5qts, but looked it up tonight and discovered that with a filter change, it should take 4.2 or 4.3 depending on where you look. So I'm trying to figure out why after putting in 5qts and checking it, it still shows as 1/2qt low. I'm wondering if my dipstick is too long. (Let's be adults here...) haha Total oil required to get to the full mark ended up being 5 1/2 qts. I used an Amsoil Ea15K20 Filter, which is the same size as the Driveworks filters that I've been using up to now... which isn't an extra capacity filter as far as I know.

I'd appreciate it if some of you could measure yours and let me know what you have, so I can compare it to mine. Mine is 26 7/8" from the tip to the bottom edge of the rubber cap that contacts the dipstick tube when installed.

Thanks in advance!

[vt_maverick]

Maybe you have an aftermarket oil pan with a larger capacity?

[JoFotoz]

Yup...mine is 26 7/8 ths from tip to bottom of rubber cap/disc.

So yer good on that

Jo

[Amnesia]

Thank for taking the time to measure and let me know! I really appreciate it.

I'm still really confused though... I've never heard of anyone else having an extra capacity oil pan on our VXs... I let it sit in the garage overnight and pulled the dipstick again this morning. Right at the FULL line after adding (and starting it up to circulate the oil) 5 1/2 Qts of oil.

Are the specs online just wrong? Don't know how I never noticed this until now, since I've had this VX since 2003.

[JoFotoz]

No problem....glad to help.

Is this a function of a brand new oil filter ...

....taking up 1/2 qt of oil... ??

Just a thought!

Jo

[Amnesia]

The Amsoil filter that I'm using is the same size as stock. Plus it'd have to be one BIG filter to swallow up a full extra quart, plus of oil....

Wondering if the online specs (capacity) are wrong. 4.2 / 4.3 VS 5.3 or 5 1/2?

Anyone else find that they need 5 1/2 qts of oil with the oil/filter change?

[Y33TREKker]

The Amsoil filter that I'm using is the same size as stock. Plus it'd have to be one BIG filter to swallow up a full extra quart, plus of oil....

Wondering if the online specs (capacity) are wrong. 4.2 / 4.3 VS 5.3 or 5 1/2?

Anyone else find that they need 5 1/2 qts of oil with the oil/filter change?

With that many miles, is it possible a few engine-block/head oil passages might be partially clogged and preventing full oil capacity drain-back into the pan?

[tom4bren]

I just checked in the shop manual (page 0B-11) & it states:

Oil change with filter change: 5.0Qt (4.7L)

Oil change without filter change: 4.3Qt (4.0L)

So now you only need to account for that extra 1/2 quart of magic oil

& I challenge anyone on the forum to pour 0.7 quarts of oil into one of our dinky-doo oil filters & have it all fit.

[evillecutter]

when the vx sees oil it says get in ma belly

[wintermute]

when the vx sees oil it says get in ma belly

hahaha! I LOL'd.

[circmand]

My owners manual shows oil capacity at 5.6 quarts of course I am the idiot that can't find the radiator cock to drain the radiator