Reading the dip stick
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 394
Likes: 5
From: West Point Utah
Reading the dip stick
I was just wondering if I'm the only person who has trouble telling what my oil level is from looking at the dip stick. It never shows a straight line of oil across the dip stick. I consider myself a preety good mechanic having been a Jet Engine Mech in the USAF for 23 years and having done intake, exhaust, heads and cam to mt vette. If anyone has the trick to getting a good reading please let me know. I always check it on level ground.
Thanks, Laurence
Thanks, Laurence
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I was just wondering if I'm the only person who has trouble telling what my oil level is from looking at the dip stick. It never shows a straight line of oil across the dip stick. I consider myself a preety good mechanic having been a Jet Engine Mech in the USAF for 23 years and having done intake, exhaust, heads and cam to mt vette. If anyone has the trick to getting a good reading please let me know. I always check it on level ground.
Thanks, Laurence
Thanks, Laurence
One thing I did do though to help get a more "clear" reading on the stick (both sides) is to use some wet/dry sandpaper on the lower section of the stick in order to make the surface a bit more rough. The rough surface makes the oil have a bit sharper line and not "climb the stick" (so-to-speak). If I had had a bead blaster, I would have used it instead.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
With clean oil, it is hard to read. Some people have roughed-up the dipstick with sandpaper to make it easier to read. I noticed that if you put it in backwards, it is easier to read.
While on this subject, there are 2 different dipstick "systems" on a C5. Early years read full (6.5 quarts) at the normal fill point at the top of the hash marks.
Later year C5's read full (6.5 quarts) at the MIDDLE of the hash marks (normally this is the half a quart low mark). This is why some people put in 7 quarts, (which won't hurt the engine).
After an oil change with 6.5 quarts of oil, note where your level is. Oh, you drain 4 ounces more oil if you raise the rear end higher than the front when draining oil.
Thank you for your service to our country !
I am a retired DoD Engineer who worked on aircraft escape systems (rocket scientist) for 33 years.
While on this subject, there are 2 different dipstick "systems" on a C5. Early years read full (6.5 quarts) at the normal fill point at the top of the hash marks.
Later year C5's read full (6.5 quarts) at the MIDDLE of the hash marks (normally this is the half a quart low mark). This is why some people put in 7 quarts, (which won't hurt the engine).
After an oil change with 6.5 quarts of oil, note where your level is. Oh, you drain 4 ounces more oil if you raise the rear end higher than the front when draining oil.
Thank you for your service to our country !
I am a retired DoD Engineer who worked on aircraft escape systems (rocket scientist) for 33 years.
Last edited by Oldvetter; Jul 11, 2009 at 11:06 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,073
Likes: 1
From: Sarver Pennsylvania
With clean oil, it is hard to read. Some people have roughed-up the dipstick with sandpaper to make it easier to read. I noticed that if you put it in backwards, it is easier to read.
While on this subject, there are 2 different dipstick "systems" on a C5. Early years read full (6.5 quarts) at the normal fill point at the top of the hash marks.
Later year C5's read full (6.5 quarts) at the MIDDLE of the hash marks (normally this is the half a quart low mark). This is why some people put in 7 quarts, (which won't hurt the engine).
After an oil change with 6.5 quarts of oil, note where your level is. Oh, you drain 4 ounces more oil if you raise the rear end higher than the front when draining oil.
Thank you for your service to our country ! I am a retired DoD Engineer who worked on aircraft escape systems (rocket scientist) for 33 years.
While on this subject, there are 2 different dipstick "systems" on a C5. Early years read full (6.5 quarts) at the normal fill point at the top of the hash marks.
Later year C5's read full (6.5 quarts) at the MIDDLE of the hash marks (normally this is the half a quart low mark). This is why some people put in 7 quarts, (which won't hurt the engine).
After an oil change with 6.5 quarts of oil, note where your level is. Oh, you drain 4 ounces more oil if you raise the rear end higher than the front when draining oil.
Thank you for your service to our country !
I am a retired DoD Engineer who worked on aircraft escape systems (rocket scientist) for 33 years.Oh, since you've been relieved from so many responsibilities ("You don't have to be a rocket scientist") you feel qualified to state an opinion?
Just kidding - thanks for your input (certainly valid!!) and I really do agree!
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,105
Likes: 7
From: Canal Winchester OH
CI 3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11 Vet
CI X Blind Auto-X Champ
Mine is the same way and it's a freaking pain. One of the things that worked much better on my C4 
If I want to check it, I usually check it first thing before I drive it after it's sat overnight. It is the only time it appears to be working normally. After it's driven, It's a crap shoot. Unfortunately mine does use some oil so it really sucks that I can't get an accurate reading on it
. I've never had the DIC light up with low oil on it. How low is your oil if the message come on your DIC?
If I want to check it, I usually check it first thing before I drive it after it's sat overnight. It is the only time it appears to be working normally. After it's driven, It's a crap shoot. Unfortunately mine does use some oil so it really sucks that I can't get an accurate reading on it
. I've never had the DIC light up with low oil on it. How low is your oil if the message come on your DIC?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
It is easier to read when the engine is cold, so I just check it cold.
I like to run mine a little below the full mark anyway, so the expansion is negligible.
The fact that the level is at an angle on the stick is not a problem. If any part of the line touches the full level, you are good to go. Also, you can check the level on each side of the stick and take the average.
I like to run mine a little below the full mark anyway, so the expansion is negligible.
The fact that the level is at an angle on the stick is not a problem. If any part of the line touches the full level, you are good to go.
Also, you can check the level on each side of the stick and take the average.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 484
Likes: 0
From: North Dallas area TX
It is easier to read when the engine is cold, so I just check it cold.
I like to run mine a little below the full mark anyway, so the expansion is negligible.
The fact that the level is at an angle on the stick is not a problem. If any part of the line touches the full level, you are good to go. Also, you can check the level on each side of the stick and take the average.
I like to run mine a little below the full mark anyway, so the expansion is negligible.
The fact that the level is at an angle on the stick is not a problem. If any part of the line touches the full level, you are good to go.
Also, you can check the level on each side of the stick and take the average.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,526
Likes: 18
From: Santa Fe TX
When you pull the stick, oil get's wiped along the inside of the dipstick tube. If you wipe and immediately put the stick in, you will have an issue with getting the reading (although if you look carefully you can still see the "line" where it dipped into the oil). But there will also be a thinner line running up higher in the stick.
I remove the diptsick, wipe down, and hang in the hood catch while waiting on the oil to settle out of the dipstick tube.
I remove the diptsick, wipe down, and hang in the hood catch while waiting on the oil to settle out of the dipstick tube.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 1
From: LEBANON PA.
Hi There Brit 2001:
Oldvetter is correct about the 2 different readings.Yours is the same year as mine. As others have stated scuff the dipstick & take the reading when cold. Your full mark will be in the center of the hash mark , if you filled the filter at o/change & added 6qts. to the crankcase.
Thanks for your service25 year veteran here.
robsc501
Oldvetter is correct about the 2 different readings.Yours is the same year as mine. As others have stated scuff the dipstick & take the reading when cold. Your full mark will be in the center of the hash mark , if you filled the filter at o/change & added 6qts. to the crankcase.
Thanks for your service
25 year veteran here.robsc501
