Is there a trick for reading the oil level on the dipstick?
#17
Race Director
with the 2 filters the oil stays pretty clean even with some miles on it - makes it hard to read on stick
The filter on the oil tank looks like it was taken off a piece of heavy equipment
I do agree with you on reading the gauge. If the car as at temp and level, it seems to read pretty accurately.
The filter on the oil tank looks like it was taken off a piece of heavy equipment
I do agree with you on reading the gauge. If the car as at temp and level, it seems to read pretty accurately.
nevertheless, if i had to, white paper towel shows the oil just fine.
#18
Three Wheelin'
I've wiped the stick on a paper towel many times and it dries relatively clean (not arguing for or against oil changes). My car has about 70k on the clock and I'll run up to about 6k on the oil.
I own a good deal of heavy equipment and trucks - so I'm used to seeing black oil and the oil in the 993 looks very clean.
#19
Rennlist Member
Usually when I check the oil level I have to pull the stick out and clean it off several times as the oil is clear and very hard to see on the twisted part of the dispstick. I usually convince myself too, that I've spread oil all over the metal as I pull the absurdly long thing out of the end of the whatchamacallit it goes in.
Just wondered if there is a trick to doing this that makes the level more obvious - like certain light sources or some such thing?
Just wondered if there is a trick to doing this that makes the level more obvious - like certain light sources or some such thing?
- slowly pull the stick through a light colored paper towel or shop rag
- carefully note where the rag gets "oily"
- that's your answer.
#20
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Checking the oil on my Turbo is a pain - the oil is very hard to see on the stick. What I do is pull the dipstick out, and lay the twisted section along one of my fingers - if you pull the stick away a bit, you will see the oil left on your finger that shows you where it ended ...
I rarely see a 993 with the oil dirty enough so it clearly shows itself on a dipstick due to its color...
Cheers,
Mike
I rarely see a 993 with the oil dirty enough so it clearly shows itself on a dipstick due to its color...
Cheers,
Mike
#21
Rennlist Member
My car also refuses to discolour its oil ..... it's either that, or failing eyesight: my failsafe trick is to pinch a small scrap of tissue under my thumb nail, and slide it down the twist section slowly .... it will visibly wick oil at first contact.
I've thought that if the critical zone of the 'twist' were acid etched, it would better diffuse light through the held oil ..... any ideas?
I've thought that if the critical zone of the 'twist' were acid etched, it would better diffuse light through the held oil ..... any ideas?
#22
Rennlist Member
#23
Rennlist Member
Us mortals in NA cars always have clean oil...hard to read but yes, placing it on a rag or towel is the best method.
#24
Race Director
Next time one of y'all does an oil change, can you pour a little of the old oil into a glass container and take a pic.
I'm intrigued by this oil that never gets dirty.
I'm intrigued by this oil that never gets dirty.
#26
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If you are saying your oil is so dark that its totally visible on your dipstick, that is a lot darker than the majority of the cars I have seen.
Why don't you take a picture of your dipstick showing the oil level and post it, and I will do my car as well, and we can compare...
Cheers,
Mike
#27
Rennlist Member
I need to try the towel trick because i too can hardly see the oil on the dip stick. My oil stays very clean as most have stated. I change my oil once a year and I typically only have a bout 3-4K miles on it.
#28
Rennlist Member
#30