ok so i checked my oil today before i started my car and it was fine. i started it and let it warm up then i shut it off and checked it again and there was NOTHING. it took over an hr for anything to even show up on the dipstick. i have good oil pressure and everything seems to be fine. does anyone know why this is happening or what i need to do to fix it? my cars a 98. thanks for any help guys/

 

When was the last time you changed your oil?

Do you check it frequently? If so, was it fine the last time you checked it?

 

yeah i try to check it weekly and it always seems fine but i usually dont let it warm up first, should i? after it sits it goes back to normal. i had my oil changed about a month ago and havent even put 1000 miles on it. i did put some zmax engine treatment in it and i thought that might have knocked some carbon off and maybe clogged the return holes.

 

Just put six quarts in and call it a day. As long as you don't have any leaks you're fine.

 

thanks still scares me that it doesnt show up on the stick though ya know. im sure youd be worried if your terminator didnt have any oil on the stick.

 

Sounds like your burning oil. How many miles is on your car? Is there ever any smoke coming out the tail pipes especially during cold start ups? The z max you put in is worthless snake oil, and people are going after them for it http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2001/02/zmax1.shtm

 

My stick never really shows oil. Most of the time it's because the synthetic oil is so slippery, it doesn't stick to the stick. But I fill it, and leave it because I know I'm not leaking. If you don't smoke out of your exhaust, you're not leaking out of the valve seals/guides. But to each is own.

 

theres about 98,000 miles on it. i havent seen any smoke and there isnt any kind of oily substance in the tailpipe just some carbon buildup. As for the zmax deal THOSE BASTARDS!!!! god damn i wish i wasnt so damn gullable. that is crazy and thanks ALOT for letting me know about that, i put that junk in both of my cars and now im sad.

 

wouldnt it take time for the oil to drain back to the oil pan? you should check when the oil when engine is cold and not running or right afterward driving around!

 

yeah i know its gonna take time but its synthetic oil and it shouldnt take over 1 1/2 hrs for anything to show up on the stick