So my 1996 3.4L took 5.5 quarts with oil change and filter. The oil would read right at the top dot.

My 1997 3.4L takes 6.5 quarts with oil change and filter, and reads just under the top dot.

What gives?!

 

Hmmm thats weird... The only thing I can think of is that there may have been something different about the oil pans somewhere along the lines. My 97 (12/96) taco holds about 5.5 quarts

 

Are the dipsticks exactly the same?

 

Yeah I can't remember the dipstick in my old 4runner. I believe it was the same. I am tripping out because I've changed the oil 2 times now and both times it was 6.5 quarts...

 

I would check this out has someone put a non stock oil pan on the one. If you are using the same filters.

Do both dip sticks have the same numbers?? are they the same length??

one extra quart in the oil pan could cause the oil to froth from the crank counter weights hitting it.

I know this would happen with Chevy Engines I might be wrong about the Toyota

 

Yeah I am aware of the problems that could arise from too much oil in the crank! Thats why I am wondering. Can someone snap a pic of their oil dipstick? I'll snap a pic of mine here soon, and measure it.

 

The dipstick "holder" can move / be adjusted. Especially if the truck is/was supercharged, I'd go by the book value. (installing the supercharger requires relocation of the dipstick holder) Of course, if the oil pan has been changed that would explain things.

 

I just did an oil change and 5 quarts is under the low mark.

FYI mine is a 97 T4R.

 

My 3.4 takes 5.5 qrts w/ filter. I changed oil(job) for 2 years and did a large number of toyota 3.4s / filter they were always 5.5 qrts.

 

After posting, I checked my dip stick and its fully attached. Tried pushing and pulling on the dip stick, but that was doing more harm than good.

 

I use an oversize filter, and 6 quarts always puts me right at the full mark. Come to think of it, my '96 took 5.5...and my '99 takes 6. Friends 99 takes 6 too.....

 

This sounds a whole lotta crazy, but since the oil change with less oil, I have noticed a drop in RPM.

I never paid attention to RPM prior to a thread I read. My RPM was at:

1600rpm cold/park
1200rpm park/hot
1000rpm drive/hot.

However, since the oil change and less oil, it has dropped:

1200rpm cold/park
750rpm park/hot
600rpm drive/hot

The oil change is the only thing that had changed. Period.

Used 5w-30 for both oil changes.

 

Could we get some measurements of oil dipsticks (no homo)?

 

This is really common. Don't ask me why, but the same exact engine will fill sometimes to different levels. One quart is a big difference though. I have seen some dipsticks that are slighlty bent, so you have to look very very closely at the reading. Also, oil level on the dipstick is taken from the side with the lowest reading. Don't know if that helps.

also, the 5vz takes the 90915-YZZD3 filter IIRC. This can be interchanged with the smaller 90915-YZZD1 filter which is roughly 1.5" shorter than the D3. You sure you got the right filters?

 

Baja,

How much oil do you get when you drained it this last time? I'd drain the current oil and fill up to 5.5 qts with a decent dino oil such as Chevron, Castrol, etc. Drive 3 or 4 days, then recheck.

How does the upper valve train look through the oil filler cap? Other than a major, major gasket leak, I can't imagine where it is going. PCV OK?

With regards to start up RPM, I will say that different oils have seemed to have different effects (duration of a high idle) but the difference is quite short lived.

 

Not sure if some of these questions are directed towards me, but I'm bored and will answer them

I'm currently using a decent dino and have been.

I will check tomorrow, which will be ~100 miles on the new oil.

I have had both valve covers off and replaced the gaskets. The cams and heads were clean after 200,000 miles.

The PCV is also new.

However, the 6+ quarts it took to fill my truck the first time should have nothing to do with PCV, gasket leaks or whatnot. The truck was ran initially with 5.5 quarts, but showed low. Once the oil made its way to the pan, I added oil till the was at the full mark

 

If this was the first, and turns out to be the only time, I'd write it up to short fill on the oil. Was it quarts or a big bottle (harder to notice on a big one)? Any fill machine can get out of whack every now and then. Maybe try a different brand next time.

 

Here's a pic of my dipstick. It measures 19" long (to the end of the yellow handle). I don't see any Asin or Toyota markings. In fact, I dont see any markings on it.

The oil is not going anywhere. I put in 6.25 to 6.5 quarts and it stays at the full mark. I did realize that after doing the oil change I do have a leaking valve cover, and burning oil smell (going onto exhaust manifold) making me think the dipstick is wrong. I believe I will just continue to use 5.5 quarts from now on.

 

This was the first the first time I had done an oil change since the purchase.

I used single quarts, compared to a jug.

Baja, I also had valve cover leaks and oil burning, hence the R&R on the valve covers. The leak slowed but still existed (a real bummer). However, since the oil change, the leak has slowed down again. I cant really name the location another leak, but I'm getting there

 

I've done more than seventy (yes, 70) oil changes on my 4Runner since purchasing it new in '01.

5.5 qts with a factory oil filter each time.


Andreas