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No oil on dip stick

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by smbass, Feb 22, 2010.

  1. Feb 22, 2010 at 1:22 PM
    #1
    smbass

    smbass [OP] New Member

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    Changed the oil and filter on my 02 tacoma today. Buttoned everything
    up / added 5 qts. and still after 3 hrs. no reading on dip stick.
    No oil light on. Yes, the garage floor is dry.
    Any ideas on why the dip stick is not registering.
     
  2. Feb 22, 2010 at 1:25 PM
    #2
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

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    The 3.4L V6 takes 5.5 quarts.
     
  3. Feb 22, 2010 at 1:31 PM
    #3
    smbass

    smbass [OP] New Member

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    Thanks Steve O 77 but I always wait after using the BIG jug with
    5 qts. and then add the last with the little jug once I get a reading.
    5 qts should read on the stick don't you think.
     
  4. Feb 22, 2010 at 1:44 PM
    #4
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

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    Im not really sure. I never checked it at 5. Maybe someone else knows better than me. Im pretty sure when it is at the low mark, that means 1 quart will put it at the full mark. At 5.5, mine is perfectly in between the two marks.
     
  5. Feb 22, 2010 at 1:46 PM
    #5
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Put the other 1/2 quart in, and see what ya have then.
     
  6. Feb 22, 2010 at 2:51 PM
    #6
    stucksucksnayota

    stucksucksnayota Well-Known Member

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    I know sometimes if you buy the big jugs form a parts store they are 4 quarts and the big jugs from walmart are 5 quarts. (IDK why)

    But ya I'd just put some more oil in it HAHA

    Good Luck
     
  7. Feb 22, 2010 at 4:26 PM
    #7
    747

    747 function > form

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    Hmm...I always put in 5 qts and it shows in the middle of min and max. Do you think that mine is a "pre" thing...I wonder why yours would take a half qt more to register middle.:confused:
     
  8. Feb 22, 2010 at 4:27 PM
    #8
    rab89

    rab89 Well-Known Member

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    in the 3.4 you won't see it on the dipstick until you add that last 1/2 quart
     
  9. Feb 22, 2010 at 4:29 PM
    #9
    rab89

    rab89 Well-Known Member

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    is that with a filter change too?
    And do you change your oil with he engine warm or cold?
    if your doing it with the engine cold your probably not getting all of the oil out.
     
  10. Feb 22, 2010 at 5:19 PM
    #10
    747

    747 function > form

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    Filter Change: Always.
    Engine Temp: Warm (especially warm when it gets on my arm as I'm unscrewing the filter:censored:...a problem fixed with placement of the 2nd gens). Dishwashing gloves help, when I remember.

    I changed it last weekend, and checked again after driving...still mid-line.

    Always been 5 qts for me (approx. 54,000 miles; > 15 oil changes).
     
  11. Feb 23, 2010 at 1:25 AM
    #11
    rab89

    rab89 Well-Known Member

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    weird, I just did mine like 2 weeks ago and i had nothing on the stick at 5 quarts
     
  12. Feb 23, 2010 at 11:12 AM
    #12
    pdxwhiteout

    pdxwhiteout monster taco in the snow

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    will take atleast 5.5 with the filter change. just keep slowing adding and checking till its right. and yes its ABOUT 1qt from the bottom line to the full line.
     
  13. Feb 23, 2010 at 6:06 PM
    #13
    humtaco

    humtaco Well-Known Member

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    That's something I've pondered a bit and I'm guessing that a bit more oil will drain out when the engine is cold unless it's in very frigid conditions because the oil has had hours to run back into the pan.

    More guessing - the main reason for warming up the engine is to be sure everything has a good coat of oil on it for the brief moments of no oil pressure when first starting an engine after an oil change - especially when the filter is replaced.

    Seems weird to me that 5 qts won't show on the dip stick though.
     
  14. Feb 23, 2010 at 6:42 PM
    #14
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    The reason for changing the oil with the truck warmed up, is so all the contaminants are suspended in the oil, and come out. Also, as the oil is warm, is flows out more readilly, than when cold.
     
  15. Feb 24, 2010 at 2:00 AM
    #15
    rab89

    rab89 Well-Known Member

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  16. Feb 24, 2010 at 7:05 PM
    #16
    humtaco

    humtaco Well-Known Member

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    For arguments sake aren't those suspended contaminants still hanging out in oil passages, rod and main bearings for quite a while after you shut the engine off?

    Instead, why not allow all the suspended contaminants in a hot engine drain to the oil pan while the truck sits for several hours or overnight? The majority of the contaminants would now be in the pan, warm the damn pan with a torch, drain the oil and the greatest majority of oil with contaminants will drain out.

    For the record, I drain my oil after the engine has been warmed up like everyone else.:)
     
  17. Feb 24, 2010 at 7:46 PM
    #17
    2004Taco

    2004Taco Financially Irresponsible

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    LOL fail!
     
  18. Feb 26, 2010 at 3:13 PM
    #18
    humtaco

    humtaco Well-Known Member

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    Don't underestimate the effects of time and gravity
    ;)
     
  19. Feb 26, 2010 at 4:18 PM
    #19
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    The Cycle of the engine oil is as follows:

    It starts in the pan, dirty from the last pass. From the pan, it goes to the filter, at which point the damaging particles are filtered out. Then it goes to the Crank, main bearings, guids, valves, etc., picking up the crap, and ending back at the pan. By witing until the engine is cold, the crap that was once suspended in the oil, has now settled down at the bottom of the pan. Metal being heavier than the oil. When draining the cold oil, you only get the contaminants that the oil puls out along with it, leaving the heavier stuff still at the bottom of the pan. With it warmed, the circulation of the oil, keeps these particles suspended, allowing the majority of them to be carried out with the oil, when the engine is drained warm/hot. I personally, only let my engine sit a couple mins. before I pull the oil pan plug, and let it drain.
     
  20. Jan 9, 2011 at 6:29 PM
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    Visegripmech

    Visegripmech Member

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    Or, if you have time, pull drain plug while hot and leave out over night.

    Sounds kinda dumb now that I'm typing it. Well, there it is.
     

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