Strange dipstick reading!
Discussion
Hi all. I've recently bought a Mondeo. I've checked the oil level a few times, with the same result. When the dipstick is removed, it looks dry.
If I then re-insert it and check again, it shows a perfect maximum reading. It isn't anything like a smear, just what you would expect to see.
Surely though, it must be immersed in the sump, so I don't get it! On all my previous cars, there isn't usually much difference, if any, between the two readings.
Tim
If I then re-insert it and check again, it shows a perfect maximum reading. It isn't anything like a smear, just what you would expect to see.
Surely though, it must be immersed in the sump, so I don't get it! On all my previous cars, there isn't usually much difference, if any, between the two readings.
Tim
Same here.
And the dipstick is crap. It's like a fishing weight crimped onto a wire.
Why oh why do they do that? It can't save any money. My Saab was the same (except that the end was plastic).
The one on my Ovlov was so much better - a simple metal strip with a cross hatched end.
As they should all be.
And the dipstick is crap. It's like a fishing weight crimped onto a wire.
Why oh why do they do that? It can't save any money. My Saab was the same (except that the end was plastic).
The one on my Ovlov was so much better - a simple metal strip with a cross hatched end.
As they should all be.
When the engine is running the oil level in the pan is lower than when the engine is off. Some air gets trapped in the dip stick tube. When you shut the engine down, all the oil drains back into the pan and fills. However, that tiny bit of air in the tube keeps the oil from rising up the tube. So, when you pull the dipstick the first time it may be dry or low. The second time, the air is cleared, the oil rises up the tube and you get a reading on the second dip.
( taken from the interweb)
( taken from the interweb)
Section 8 said:
When the engine is running the oil level in the pan is lower than when the engine is off. Some air gets trapped in the dip stick tube. When you shut the engine down, all the oil drains back into the pan and fills. However, that tiny bit of air in the tube keeps the oil from rising up the tube. So, when you pull the dipstick the first time it may be dry or low. The second time, the air is cleared, the oil rises up the tube and you get a reading on the second dip.
( taken from the interweb)
3/10. Giving a reasonable and factual answer without questioning previous posters intelligence or manliness. No reference to how many companies you are a director of or how powerfully built. PH expects more.( taken from the interweb)
Thanks
Oldandslow said:
Section 8 said:
When the engine is running the oil level in the pan is lower than when the engine is off. Some air gets trapped in the dip stick tube. When you shut the engine down, all the oil drains back into the pan and fills. However, that tiny bit of air in the tube keeps the oil from rising up the tube. So, when you pull the dipstick the first time it may be dry or low. The second time, the air is cleared, the oil rises up the tube and you get a reading on the second dip.
( taken from the interweb)
3/10. Giving a reasonable and factual answer without questioning previous posters intelligence or manliness. No reference to how many companies you are a director of or how powerfully built. PH expects more.( taken from the interweb)
Thanks
Section 8 said:
When the engine is running the oil level in the pan is lower than when the engine is off. Some air gets trapped in the dip stick tube. When you shut the engine down, all the oil drains back into the pan and fills. However, that tiny bit of air in the tube keeps the oil from rising up the tube. So, when you pull the dipstick the first time it may be dry or low. The second time, the air is cleared, the oil rises up the tube and you get a reading on the second dip.
( taken from the interweb)
That's interesting, thank you! But, this is my 4th Mondeo, and it never happened on the previous 3. At least I won't be adding a litre of oil now....( taken from the interweb)
Tim
Interwesting. Velly interwesting ...I have owned several mk3 petrol mondeos that all have this problem when checking the oil and it does seem to be a problem with the dipstick sealing it’s tube, trapping air in it and not allowing the oil up to its correct level until you remove the actual dipstick. You need to reinsert the dipstick to get a reading. Also it is really necessary to have these cars on absolutely level ground when checking the oil, because the position of the dipstick and the smallest gradient can mean the the difference between a minimum and maximum level reading. I have a 1.8 that drinks oil (I think the previous owner ran it empty of oil at sometime causing engine wear), this means I have had a lot of experience of checking the oil.
Interesting to read up on when to take that oil level reading.
Whilst almost everyone assumes on a cold engine, its generally accepted on Subarus (probably other makes too) to check the level with the engine warm several minutes after switching off, in the handbook they suggest at fuel stops the preferred method with advisory notes about the danger of overfilling when checking cold.
Whilst almost everyone assumes on a cold engine, its generally accepted on Subarus (probably other makes too) to check the level with the engine warm several minutes after switching off, in the handbook they suggest at fuel stops the preferred method with advisory notes about the danger of overfilling when checking cold.
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