Dipstick reading.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 295
Likes: 2
From: Carroll County MD
Dipstick reading.
I can't get an accurate reading at all. It's on level ground, but on the front side of the dipstick I get a reading that looks like it's way past full, on the backside it looks like it's barely on the dipstick at all. I just changed it 1000 miles ago with 5.5 quarts, and I know there are no leaks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,865
Likes: 2
From: Hope, Arkansas - '07 LMB Coupe
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Warm the engine to a min of 175 degrees and then let it sit for 5-10 minutes for the oil to drain back into the oil pan. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it clean. Then put the dipstick back in fully seated to take the reading. Pull the dipstick out and hold it roughly level while reading.
Any streaks of oil along the edge of the dipstick should be ignored. You want to look for the lowest point on the dipstick where the oil covers the face of the dipstick across it's entire surface. Hopefully, that will be in the cross-hatched area. Also, make sure you read the dipstick in a well lit area.
Any streaks of oil along the edge of the dipstick should be ignored. You want to look for the lowest point on the dipstick where the oil covers the face of the dipstick across it's entire surface. Hopefully, that will be in the cross-hatched area. Also, make sure you read the dipstick in a well lit area.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,514
Likes: 235
From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
I noticed the same problem but it was the opposite - front showed very low while the back was fine. This was with 6 quarts in a Z51 right after an oil change. I rechecked it after sitting all night. Same thing except, as expected, no oil at all above the full mark. All holes were full and the line on the back side was sharp right at full. I determine there was a coating on the stick that was allowing the oil to "bead". I'm comfortable that as long as there is oil in the holes and one side has a sharp line where the oil is supposed to be. Dry spots on the other side can be ignored.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 0
From: Evans Georgia
I had the same problem. In fact, in just changing my oil recently I noticed the problem more as the oil is so clean. Just ignore the streaks and read where the oil covers completely across the dipstick.
Oddly, just before I changed the oil an accurate reading was easier to get as the oil was much dirtier.
Oddly, just before I changed the oil an accurate reading was easier to get as the oil was much dirtier.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 295
Likes: 2
From: Carroll County MD
Finally
After sitting all night, I got an accurate reading that was the same on both sides. Originally I tried checking it after driving over 100 miles, and it had been sitting for at least 3 hours. I never get a good reading at a gas station, guess not enough time for it to settle.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 826
Likes: 52
From: Chicopee MA
Your are going to get this alot just use the lower of the two readings. The other side is the oil wipe you get from the inside of the dipstick tube. It will change from side to side depending on which way you put the dipstick in.
Last edited by don7790; Jun 22, 2007 at 08:00 AM.
Instructor
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From: Cary NC
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: San Clemente CA
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,896
Likes: 3
From: New Bern NC
It's not easy, but I never have a problem with getting a reading I am satisfied with. Just hold the stick level so the oil will not run up or down the stick. Take a couple of reading. Marking the stick with a crosshatch pattern will help.
