I'm changing the oil in my '86 Duke, and I swear I remember reading somewhere that this particular year had incorrect numbers for the amount of oil it required in the owners and service manual. Both of my manuals say 3 qts, but I could have sworn it was REALLY supposed to have 4... none the less, acording to the dipstick, I'm at full with 3 qts...

Is it mis-reading because I just filled it up? Or is it really full? Thanks.

see man! i posted this same question weeks ago and got 0 responses amazing

we're gonna blow our Dukes like this

god damn GM what were they on the year they messed that up?

quote Originally posted by red84fieroman: see man! i posted this same question weeks ago and got 0 responses amazing we're gonna blow our Dukes like this god damn GM what were they on the year they messed that up?

I found my original source article, it seems I read it on Wikipedia, but it fails to specify which years were affected... then, I read around that there was a recall on an unspecified year, where they put in shorter dipsticks so people would add more oil due to the risk of running low and breaking the connecting rods and starting the infamous engine fires we've all heard of....

My dipstick says my oil is at the right level, but my oil pressure sensor hasn't worked since the day I bought it (gonna get around to fixing that this spring) so I can't ask that.

What did you wind up doing? have you been running at 3 qts and been ok thus far? Should I maybe throw in 3.5 qts, because I don't think a half a quart either way will throw too much of a wrench in it...

well i have the original 84 model oldest one.. It seems well maintained and they seem to have taken it back for all the recalls since the drip-shields are in. the dipstick im not sure, i have yet to change the oil on the car i bought it Jan 1st this year. I havent changed it since the oil is clean still and its right on the dot where its "supposed" to be. I guess when i change the oil it will be 4 quarts fully synthetic and see where it lies on the dipstick

wish i wasnt so broke i'd do it immediately

[This message has been edited by red84fieroman (edited 01-10-2009).]

Well, I'm going to trust my dipstick for the time being. It's at the mark it was when I picked it up from the dealership, and the car seems to be running just fine. I'll keep an extra quart in my trunk, and keep an eye on the level for the first few days... and, then again in about a month to make sure the synthetic hasn't revealed any leaks... I doubt very much it will, but just in case....

Unless of course, somone posts something to the contrary.

My 86 2.5L takes 3.5 quarts at oil change including the AC PF47 oil filter.

[This message has been edited by 30+mpg (edited 01-10-2009).]

The 84 originally specified 3 quarts for an oil change. One of the recalls to prevent engine fires boosted the oil level to 4 quarts. This was done by simply installing a dipstick with the "add" and "full" marks moved up on the stick. No change was made to the oil pan to change the capacity. The same recall also specified a somewhat larger oil filter, but I don't remember the details. The Duke does just fine on 3 quarts, but is very intolerant of any loss from that level. If you have a car with a pre-recall dipstick, you can use 4 quarts at oil change and note where the level falls on the stick. Mark that with a punch or scribe and drive on.....

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Rod Schneider, Woodstock, Ga.
"You can't have too many toys!"
1988 Fiero GT
1966 Porsche 911
Van's RV-6 airplane-under construction

quote Originally posted by Rodrv6: The 84 originally specified 3 quarts for an oil change. One of the recalls to prevent engine fires boosted the oil level to 4 quarts. This was done by simply installing a dipstick with the "add" and "full" marks moved up on the stick. No change was made to the oil pan to change the capacity. The same recall also specified a somewhat larger oil filter, but I don't remember the details. The Duke does just fine on 3 quarts, but is very intolerant of any loss from that level. If you have a car with a pre-recall dipstick, you can use 4 quarts at oil change and note where the level falls on the stick. Mark that with a punch or scribe and drive on.....

Does that apply to '86's as well?

Run 4 quarts and check your oil regularly. You'll be fine.

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Spent my days with a woman unkind Smoked my stuff and drank all my wine...

quote Originally posted by joeveto: Run 4 quarts and check your oil regularly. You'll be fine.

Alright... I've heard some horror stories about what happens if you over-fill your oil... and, I just wanted to be very, very sure... I don't like arguing with my car, it ruins the relationship :P

quote Originally posted by Twilight Fenrir: Does that apply to '86's as well?

I don't remember if the recall was issued prior to 86 or not, but since the oil pan on the 86 is identical to the 84, running 4 quarts of oil will not present any problems at all.

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Rod Schneider, Woodstock, Ga.
"You can't have too many toys!"
1988 Fiero GT
1966 Porsche 911
Van's RV-6 airplane-under construction

quote Originally posted by Rodrv6: I don't remember if the recall was issued prior to 86 or not, but since the oil pan on the 86 is identical to the 84, running 4 quarts of oil will not present any problems at all.

Thanks alot, that is very re-assuring. (Dunno why, but that sounds fecesious, and I don't mean it that way. I really do appreciate it )

Just rebuilt my 85 2.5, I use 4 Qts.