[MyCarlo]

Alright so, this is probably one of the most newb threads ever and I know I will get flamed, whatever.

So I do my own oil changes but it feels like I am putting in to much oil sometimes. The Haynes manual says to add 3qts then check level, add as necessary.

In that same manual it says the "Engine Oil Capacity (with filter)" for a 1997 3.4L DOHC is 5.5-6qts. (roughly 5.5 L)

My low oil and change oil light just came on the other day. So I went to change it today, barely 4 litres of oil came out (I'm Canadian, I use metric) And now I put 5 litres back in and it barely registers on the lower hole on the dipstick. I'm just afraid to put way to much oil in because only 4L came out. I must be burning oil because onyl 4 L came out which is not good but that's another issue.

Generally, how much oil do you guys have to put in the 3.4L DOHC to get it to fill up properly? Do I need a solid 6 L?

[me6894]

Its prbably leaking it. IIRC the 3.4 takes 5 quarts. Put in 5 start it for a second shut it off let it sit for a few minutes then check and see where its at.

[mrl390]

The 3.4 takes 5 quarts plus what the oil filter holds. I usually put 5 in, check it and then add about a half quart or so until its full.

[Z34Coop]

Have to account for a bit of oil being burned/lost through the galleries and such, not a whole Liter should be tho,
I got the 3.8 but I always put in 5 L
If your light keeps coming up (mine did too)
check out this link for how to reset the sensor
http://mymonte.com/d..._0&#entry277558
just put it on accessory, pump the pedal all the way 3 times in 5 seconds, wait, the oil light should flash, if it did it's reset
I did that on mine and I haven't had problems since

This post has been edited by Z34Coop: 24 February 2010 - 07:45 PM

[Dave96Z34]

5.5 you are safe with 6.

[tfaubus]

Mine takes 5.5 Qts for oil change plus filter and I usually put up to 1 Qt between oil changes for loss.
5.5 takes it to the full line but it should register in the cross hatched (between add and full) area with 5 Qts.

[MyCarlo]

tfaubus, on 28 February 2010 - 05:38 PM, said:

Mine takes 5.5 Qts for oil change plus filter and I usually put up to 1 Qt between oil changes for loss.
5.5 takes it to the full line but it should register in the cross hatched (between add and full) area with 5 Qts.

Hmm now see thats why I asked this in the first place. I put in 5 L (roughly 5 qts) and it doesn't even register on the cross hatched area. But the low oil light isn't on anymore so I really don't know. Ohh well. Thanks guys.

[ChibiBlackSheep]

The low oil light I believe jumps on when it is 2 quarts low, and the dipstick is ~1 quart low

so maybe you are ~1.5 quarts off so it's not on the dipstick, but not enough to trip the light?

[Nick07]

ChibiBlackSheep, on 02 March 2010 - 12:08 PM, said:

The low oil light I believe jumps on when it is 2 quarts low, and the dipstick is ~1 quart low

so maybe you are ~1.5 quarts off so it's not on the dipstick, but not enough to trip the light?

I need to reset mine if that's the case cuz when I get to about 4.5 quarts the low oil light comes on, either that or the oil level sensor is screwy. I haven't tried the break pedal thing, I just turn the key on but don't start it, then off, then back on and start the car and the light stays off til the car sits for a few hours or more again. If I add a quart or however much to bring it back to the proper level then the low oil light goes off, so I think the sensor works like it should. If I do the break pedal reset then does the light stay off even if the oil is low or will it come right back on if the oil is still low or becomes low again?

[Dave96Z34]

Low oil comes on at 4qts and will stay on till shut the engine off and add more.

[RedZMonte]

I put in 6 quarts with my turbo setup. i always used 5.5 quarts before i was turboed. I also run the PF52 Acdelco filter (longer then the PF47/Stock filter). I do burn/leak about 1-1.5qts between oil changes.... (she is gettn old)

S