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No oil according to dipstick

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Old 11-30-2009, 05:43 PM
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cababah
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Default No oil according to dipstick

Okay, I recently bought a certified pre owned 2005 Z and I checked the service records to indicate the oil was changed about 1k miles ago and just went to check the crappy dipstick about 10 times (1 hour after driving home on level surface) and I barely show a tiny trace on the very tip.

What gives? Am I seriously low on oil or is this just a crappy measurement tool? I am thinking about waiting until tomorrow morning to check again but damn..
Old 11-30-2009, 05:54 PM
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JEKL
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You might want to do something about that soon! Put a quart in and see if it helps at all. Is so then fill it up.
Old 11-30-2009, 05:57 PM
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1GR8350Z
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I know that 06's have had issues with oil consumption. Not seen a lot about 05's having the problem. I would say fill it up on the dipstick and keep an eye on it and if the level drops then you have an issue. It is possible that whoever changed your oil was careless and didn't put enough in.GL

Last edited by 1GR8350Z; 11-30-2009 at 06:00 PM.
Old 11-30-2009, 06:00 PM
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cababah
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I will take it to the dealer tomorrow to verify things but I read countless threads about how the dipstick makes it almost impossible to get an accurate reading...if the pressure really was this low, would I notice anything via oil pressure gauge or a warning light?

the car is still warm so maybe I should wait until morning to get a reading
Old 11-30-2009, 06:04 PM
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Moved...
Old 11-30-2009, 06:08 PM
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Emski
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05 anniversary with revup?
Old 11-30-2009, 06:10 PM
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If there is no oil in the motor put some in.
Drive the car to a mechanic.
Old 11-30-2009, 06:20 PM
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JEKL
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Originally Posted by davidv
If there is no oil in the motor put some in.
Drive the car to a mechanic.
I didn't know you got a 370Z, congrats!
Old 11-30-2009, 06:27 PM
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quietkilla6
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Make sure you are on perfectly level ground. I checked my oil in my drive way one time and freaked out but then relised my drive is pretty steep.
Reparked and checked again and it was fine. The dipstick on zs are a pain as is...
Old 11-30-2009, 06:28 PM
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SageZ
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Be a man and change the oil yourself. It's just too easy and if you take it somewhere, they could overtighten the screw and filter or not tighten them enough or mess the threads up. It's not worth it..
Old 11-30-2009, 06:30 PM
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cababah
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Thanks for the replies and moving the thread(sorry about that)...

anyway "update" I let the car sit for another 45 minutes and saw some oil reading in between the H and L mark so the problem could be I just needed to let the motor and oil cool to collect at the bottom. I will let it rest overnight and see what it reads in the morning to make sure..it looks alright though
Old 11-30-2009, 06:31 PM
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Polska350Z
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True^ and u save some money, i like it cause knowbody can put the amount of care into your car as you can
Old 11-30-2009, 06:34 PM
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Originally Posted by cababah
Thanks for the replies and moving the thread(sorry about that)...

anyway "update" I let the car sit for another 45 minutes and saw some oil reading in between the H and L mark so the problem could be I just needed to let the motor and oil cool to collect at the bottom. I will let it rest overnight and see what it reads in the morning to make sure..it looks alright though
Oh man you tried to trick us old timers.

Old 11-30-2009, 06:35 PM
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cababah
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Originally Posted by Emski
05 anniversary with revup?
not rev up sorry for not clarifying 2005 touring coupe 6sp
Old 11-30-2009, 06:54 PM
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nismo_nate
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our dip sticks arent the best to check oil,

just spend the $40 on mobile1+filter and do the oil change, atleast from this point on you know you have oil
Old 11-30-2009, 11:10 PM
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dirtbikr
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you shouldn't need to let it sit that long. The FSM states that after warming the motor to proper operating temperature, shut off the car and wait ten minutes. You check it after ten minutes, not overnight.
Old 12-01-2009, 12:34 AM
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SoldzMyZ
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I'm curious... why not check the oil overnight? Does that mean we are low on oil if the dipstick says you have oil overnight? In my 04, its nearly impossible to get an accurate reading.
Old 12-01-2009, 07:00 AM
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thekinn
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Originally Posted by dirtbikr
you shouldn't need to let it sit that long. The FSM states that after warming the motor to proper operating temperature, shut off the car and wait ten minutes. You check it after ten minutes, not overnight.
This is one aspect of the FSM that is wrong... Waiting overnight to get the 'most accurate' oil level reading is common in 03-06 350Z's. I found that around 30minutes is usually enough to get an OK reading.
Old 12-01-2009, 07:09 AM
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mclovin.too
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Above is correct, let it sit overnight then check for most accurate reading.
Old 12-01-2009, 08:18 AM
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I'm sure the FSM just means to wait AT LEAST 10 minutes, at this point most of the oil will have drained down into the pan and you will have a decently accurate reading. It is a PITA putting the dipstick in and out, but I haven't had any issues with it being inaccurate... As stated, just make sure your oil level is between the high and low mark on the dipstick, too much or too little can be bad for your motor. Check your oil level regularly, don't be one of the crazy people who thinks it isn't necessary to check oil levels just because you aren't due for an oil change. Don't wait for an oil pressure gauge to tell you that the oil level is low... normally if it is low enough for you to tell via the oil pressure gauge, damage has already been done. Since your car is under warranty, I would monitor the oil consumption level closely. If the engine is burning a quart or more every 1k miles I would pressure them to fix your engine.


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