Technical 1.3 MJ trying to read oil mark on dip stick

[kuliand]

Does anyone else have trouble reading the mark on the dip stick? i ask as no matter how many times i wipe and replace it the dip stick is covered in oil about 2 inches above the top end of the measuring area even though i have just replace the oil and not put anywhere near 2.8 litres in.

I've had this problem for years so i just out in 2.2/2.3ish litres and trust the level is ok but it would be good to have an accurate reading.

Is there reason manufactures can't give us a reservoir to read off like other engine fluids??

 

[Sweetsixteen]

Do you take s reading just after a drive?
Ideally, take it first thing in the morning after the car has stood for a few hours and the engine is cold.

 

[notsmartcars]

I find its only hard to read when the true level is above the flat section on stick so wipe dipstick off but don't push all the way in maybe 1/2" out and work out the level from that .
Over full is not a good idea though

 

[SB1500]

Sounds stupid.. But worth mentioning..

You are checking the oil with the car on flat ground?

 

[PuntoHowTo]

When you change the oil on these you never seem to get more than a litre and a half in basically you need to pour a bit, check, pour, check etc until you're up to the mark. The engine stores a lot of oil all over the place so it doesn't all drain back into the sump

Sounds like you have likely over filled it

 

[kuliand]

haha yes it's on the flat when i'm checking it!!

i think i have put in just over 2 litres which i thought wouldn't be enough as the hand book says 2.8 litres. This is the 5th or 6th time i have changed the oil myself and i have never been able to read the dip stick very well but i haven't had any issues in 100,000 miles so hopefully i am not over filling it.

 

[notsmartcars]

Like I said once the level is higher than the flat area and on to the spiral you will not see the level so wipe off dip stick push back in but leave it out maybe 2" may be better and see if it's on the flat marker area and gradually push further in till you can tell what's going on I presume your diesel pump is not leaking in to the sump

 

[jaywalk]

I know the problem, but have always been able to get around it. Try doing the same, but placing the dip stick on a clean paper towel or similar after you pull it up. There'll be more oil soaked up from the part that was in the oil than from the part that just scraped up oil from the walls.

And of course it's easier to read once the oil is a bit dirty.

 

[g8rpi]

Pull dipstick out,
wipe whole length of dipstick,
Push back in, but not all the way, stop about 4" 100mm short,
Pull dipstick out,
wipe whole length of dipstick,
Push back in, but not all the way, stop about 4" 100mm short,
Pull dipstick out,
wipe whole length of dipstick,
Push back in, but not all the way, stop about 4" 100mm short,
Pull dipstick out,
wipe whole length of dipstick


This will clear the tube of oil.
Put all the way in, pull out and take reading.


HTH,
Robert G8RPI.

 

[Sweetsixteen]

If you wait till the motor's cold, then the dipstick tube will be clear of oil and any oil elsewhere in the engine that has a path to the sump will have drained into it.

Just insert the dipstick, remove after a few seconds, hold it against a plain backdrop and take a reading. That'll be about as accurate as you'll get.