using the dipstick (aka chocolate teapot) to check oil level
08-07-2002, 07:42 PM
#1
Drifting
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Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Leeds, where I have run into this many lamp
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using the dipstick (aka chocolate teapot) to check oil level
Is it me, or is exremely difficult to get a simple oil level reading off the bloody dipstick!!!
08-08-2002, 02:11 AM
#4
Rennlist Member
I ditto the dippy stick reading issue. Seems to read better if I stick it in and withdraw in one motion. If it sits for any time I can't see a level, and one side reads hi - the other low & matches the gauge (sometimes). As to the gauge - another problem is the car just will not get Hot enough? I don't have the engine pan or the foam insulation anymore. Even after a long drive the temp is at 8 oclock. The Northwest is not a hot climate. To get a good read on the guage I need it to idle in the garage for 15 or more minutes (gets to about 9 oclock then)? ANYone else have this problem? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">
08-08-2002, 06:14 AM
#5
Three Wheelin'
Hi John
Personally I find dipstick difficult to use.
I find that the gauge gives different readings for the same oil level i.e. stop car on journey on level ground etc etc it will indicate nearly in need of top up, stop again later and it will indicate overfill! I'm exagerating but as a result when topping up I put a bit in wine glass), drive, stop a few times to get an average and add more as required. Its a hassle but worth it as I will do anything to avoid an overfill!!
BR
Piers
1990 C4 Coupe
54K Miles
Personally I find dipstick difficult to use.
I find that the gauge gives different readings for the same oil level i.e. stop car on journey on level ground etc etc it will indicate nearly in need of top up, stop again later and it will indicate overfill! I'm exagerating but as a result when topping up I put a bit in wine glass), drive, stop a few times to get an average and add more as required. Its a hassle but worth it as I will do anything to avoid an overfill!!
BR
Piers
1990 C4 Coupe
54K Miles
08-08-2002, 07:07 PM
#6
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Location: Utah
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I measured mine after a long drive last Saturday. The synthetic oil is hard to see; i measured 5 times, after letting it sit for about 3 minutes. Had to use a portable florescent light, hold the dipstick at a bit of an angle to get some sort of reflection from the oil. Not easy; in my garage, it was low both dipstick AND gauge wise, so I added another quart. That synthetic is hard to see.... <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />
08-09-2002, 04:13 AM
#7
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[quote]Originally posted by Roygarth:
<strong>when topping up I put a bit in wine glass</strong><hr></blockquote>
How very civilised!
You must remember that oil is VERY expansive. Taking a reading (guage or dipstick) at even a slightly different temperature produces a very different result.
Be wary of 'topoping-off' your oil level on a very warm engine - if you then get it really hot, you will have overfilled and muck up all sorts of stuff, including your idle-stabilising valve.
Don't fill above 2/3 on a very warm engine.
<strong>when topping up I put a bit in wine glass</strong><hr></blockquote>
How very civilised!
You must remember that oil is VERY expansive. Taking a reading (guage or dipstick) at even a slightly different temperature produces a very different result.
Be wary of 'topoping-off' your oil level on a very warm engine - if you then get it really hot, you will have overfilled and muck up all sorts of stuff, including your idle-stabilising valve.
Don't fill above 2/3 on a very warm engine.
