Jumpy oil level?

[Pretty much broke]

Hey guys, now that the vic is back on the road again and running fine after replacing the IAC and just a regular tune up I've noticed something that I've never seen before in a car. I just changed the oil about 300 miles ago, I put in about an extra 1/4 of a quart so it was just above full. I drove it to work and checked the level, and it was just above the add mark. But after work I checked it again and it was back where it should be. Is this normal for these cars? it has good oil pressure but the dipstick readings jump around. I assume it's probably something along the lines of bad valve seals. It doesn't burn any oil either. Any advice or reasonings behind this would be great! thanks. 1989 5.0 LTD wagon.

[sly]

This is normal. You should wait one minute after you shut off the car to check the oil level as oil is up in the passages of the engine and valves and such and needs time to drain back into the pan for a proper level check.

[Pretty much broke]

I'm glad it's normal, but for me it seems to take a good hour or two before the level returns to normal again. I don't really mind if the valve seals are bad I just don't wanna run out of oil and have it all be stuck up there while running. I've also noticed the oil is extremely hot after running. I can't even touch the dipstick right after running. I assume that's normal too, I've just never had a 5.0 before. I'm used to the 4.9 that ran like an ice cube in any condition. And the oil didn't exactly look super healthy either. My Head gaskets are fine as far as I know but the oil was more of a dark cream color rather than gold. I did the HG tests and it passed with flying colors though. I'm just paranoid with this sort of thing. I've got a feeling the oil cooler isn't working or it's clogged up as well. This car was pretty neglected before I got it.

[jaywish]

Make sure the car is level. A bit of a slope front or back or side to side can really make a difference.

I always thought about 5 minutes is plenty of time for warm or hot oil to drain back down. IMHO if the level goes up after that period of time I think you have some clogged oil drain passages and you concern is valid. If so, change the oil as soon as it goes black. Record how many miles it took. You might use an inexpensive oil till it starts staying clean longer. Repeat until the problem resolves. If a few changes don't make a difference you could take off the valve covers and look around.

Don't know what an Hg test is. Just in case you do have water in the oil, is there a reliable mechanic or shop owner you can get to look at your oil?

[Pretty much broke]

It's parked in my garage so it is flat. I just put a new oil filter on and it seems that the old one was pretty terrible quality, the filter itself fell apart and clogged up the internal holes. I put the new one on and it seems to go back to normal relatively quickly now. I do still believe either my oil cooler is clogged or one of the drains is clogged though. Before I bought it I think this car was pretty badly neglected. When I pulled the PCV it shot oil out. I'm sure the pans are still full of deposits but I have changed the oil twice in the past 500 miles. I wouldn't have any concern over all this if the damn thing just had a temp gauge. But the coolant isn't dropping and it's staying a healthy green, I'm just hoping it's buildup from neglect coming off.

[sly]

yeah, probably sludge build-up. do the oil changes as the oil gets black and you should see your miles between getting longer and longer.

[BigT]

I have a weird thing when I which my dip stick around. On one position it read higher than the other position. Not sure if you are having the same issue. As long as the oil is in the hash marks, you should be good.

[sly]

depending on how the stick is bent... that will make a difference. Mine are pretty damn straight so the difference is minimal. either position the pull ring is in the same location relative to everything else. Shouldn't really be more than a quarter inch difference on the stick though, which seems to be about what you've got there. That means that the stick is resting on opposite sides of the hole the tube is mounted in.

+1 as long as you're in the hashed area, you're good.

[Freddy768]

You might run some sea foam with your oil for a couple hundred miles and change the oil. It'll help break down the sludge and won't harm the engine to be run with it.

[Midnight Drifter]

Forget Seafoam, order some Kreen.