Oil change issues
 

Hey BFers,

This is my first post on this forum, and I believe I am making a bad first impression, but what the hell. For the record I drive a 2003 2dr all black blazer, which I have owned for roughly 4 years.

I changed my oil Friday night (today is Wed.), and noticed when driving later on that night my car engine was idling pretty low with that "Im about to stall on your ass" shutter. Got gas, & it has been fine since. Then today I had to drive pretty far, when I started my car it did the same, sluggish thing (very low RPMs like its about to stall, whole car shutters). THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED, EVER.

I have changed my own oil on my other vehicles numerous times, but on my blazer it was my first. I read that I should add 4-5 qts of oil, of which I added about 4.8. But my dipstick shows it to be WAY high, (like half way up). Also I just read on another thread that I should have filled my oil filter, I have NEVER done this on any vehicle with no adverse reactions. So to make a long story short here's my question to you all,

----Should I drain oil out until it is at the proper level? And is it okay that I didn't fill the filter? Again I have only experianced the slug on two occasions of which it went away after turning of the vehicle for a couple minutes.

Due to lack of time, I am going to drain oil out until it is at the appropriate dipstick level. Then check on the bulletin tonight.

Thanks for all the advice I have found, and hope to aquire.

Peace
Dark Rider

Is the amount that you put in the same as you have always used? Did the amount drained out seem to be the same as always? Are you checking the level with the engine hot or cold? How's the appearance of the oil - normal color and consistency?

Hey Riddle,

Thanks for the quick reply. I just finished.

1. Unfortunatly since this was my first time changing the Blazer's oil, I do not know how much is regularly used when refilling.
2. Same as #2, however I used a 1gal1qt Blue Bunny Icecream tub as a catch and it filled only to the 1 gal mark (about 4 qts). I added (originally) 4.8 qts back.
3. I check the oil about 5 minutes (give or take) after running until engine temp is 210. (per the manuals request)
4. When I changed it, it was black as dark chocolate, normal consistency. When I just drained it it was a healthy amber color, and perfect consistency.

For the record before I started my oil pressure gauge was around 3 or 4 notches below forty (half). I just drained approx 2.6 qts, which was too much, and re-added 1.6qts, so I should be at the 3.8-4 qt mark. Now my oil pressure is about two notches above forty. (The manual says you want higher pres. than lower)

I really do appreciate your quick response and hope that your gut tells me everything is okay.

Dark Rider

could there-on a remore possibility-be something in your pan, which could be clogging/covering the drain hole? you sound like someone who does regular maintenance, so i don't think anything would've gotten in with an oil change. you didn't mention what the mileage on your truck is, i'm thinking maybe crap from inside might have dislodged and "settled" in the pan.

old skool luvr,

Thanks for the reply, I don't believe there to be something in the pan, I hope not at least. Now since draining again everything has been running fine and my oil pressure is back to a normal range. Again thanks for your advice.

PS Please let me know if the signature is too much.

hmm thats weird. Were you checking the oil when the engine was off or running? Also the 4.3L requires 4.5qt. Dont think it will be that big of a deal to be .3 over but now you know for next time. You dont have to fill the filter. Some people do that some dont. If you do make sure you dont out in as much oil.

glad to hear things are running normal again.

nah, the sig looks fine, props.

No larger than 640px by 200px on the sig please.

Umm, let me get this right,this was the first time you've done a oil change on your Blazer that you have had 4 years.
I do an oil & filter change every 6 months.