I've got a couple questions. I have a 98 gt with some minor mods. I bought the car from a guy who didn't tell me much about it. First, I can't get an oil reading no matter what I do. I have an aftermarket oil dipstick and tube. But I've bought a used stock one and measured and they're both the same length. So I don't think that could be the issure. In fact, the aftermarket one pulled out and went back in very easily, too easily I think. Should I throw some rtv gasket maker on it b4 I put it back in? So, the only thing I can assume is that it's the oil pan itself. I don't know if it's an aftermarket one that holds 7 qts or something. IDK? I can't tell. But I would def like to know how much oil is in my car! What should I do? And next, While my car is at idle, I hear a really fast tick...tick..tick...tick. mainly coming from the passenger side valve cover. Although, I can also hear it underneath the car too. Hoping it's not a piston or rod or something like that. It sounds too fast of a ticking to be just one piston though. Idk. I wanna pop the valve cover off and look around but it doesn't look like Ill have clearance. Do I have to jack the engine up to have clearance? What could the noise be? and what should I look for when the cover is off? Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks guys

 

You can get that "tick tick tick" noise if your car is low on oil! Take your car to get an oil change and go from there.

 

Can you take a couple pics of the oilpan and post em.

 

Yeah, I'll post the pics soon. I did add an extra quart which brought me to 7 qts. I messed around with the aftermarket braided dipstick tube and straightened it out. It's supposed to go thru the exhaust manifold right? But anyway, the 7th qt finally showed a little at the bottom of the dipstick. I know if i add some more it'll register as full, but I'm afraid to overfill it. Last time I put enough in to register full, I drove it for about 20 mins, went into the store for about a half hour and when i came out to start it, it started then stalled and wouldn't start again but would crank over. I drained 2 qts and it ran like a charm. But anyway, I'll post the pics and hopefully someone can identify my oil pan. thanks!

 

Oh, and how do I post a pic on here????? Will be very helpful for many future posts. And how do I edit my profile to have my signature with all my mods and pic of whatever I want???Thanks