Oil Level

[thegreengoblet]

I'm really having difficulties checking my oil level on my 4.5.
When I pull, wipe clean, dip, and re-pull, the dipstick, I have oil smeared all over the bottom 3-4" of the dipstick making it impossible to get a true reading. I always check the oil when she's completely cold and on a flat surface.

Any tips?

I'm fairly sure she's not been overfilled as I've only had her for 2 weeks - bought from Fernies. And in that time I've only covered 200 miles and haven't added any oil myself. I cannot remember having this difficulty when I owned the very same Cerb many years ago although I know that Fernies use a thicker oil than that which TVR recommends - maybe this isn't helping?

[FUBAR]

Best tip I had (which I am now passing on) is to pull the dipstick out and leave it for a period (best overnight) then you will get at least one good check the next morning

[futie]

My 4.2 was always a bit of a pain to read - as you say, it seemed to smear oil all over the dipstick. However, I seem to recall that this was only on one side - on the 'back' side of the stick it gave an accurate reading. Mind you, different dipstick on the 4.5 ..

[spartacus]

FUBAR said:

Best tip I had (which I am now passing on) is to pull the dipstick out and leave it for a period (best overnight) then you will get at least one good check the next morning

That's what I do.

[thegreengoblet]

Thanks for your valuable knowledge guys
I'll give it a try tonight.

[morebeanz]

I had a similar issue, and it seems to be caused by the need to bend the dipstick inside the raised bonnet as you pull it out. This action scrapes the measure against the inside of the tube, smeering the mark.

To get around it, I run the dipstick through a (protected by cloth) hand held by the tube opening. This seems to stabilise the measure sufficiently for it not to get smeared.

[nsparey]

Yep read it off the back of the dip stick, always works for me, also easier if somone can hold the bonnet upright rather than leaving it on the stay, give a bit more room to get the dipstick in as straight as possible.

[FUBAR]

nsparey said:

Yep read it off the back of the dip stick, always works for me, also easier if somone can hold the bonnet upright rather than leaving it on the stay, give a bit more room to get the dipstick in as straight as possible.

Said the vicar to the nun

[kojak]

FUBAR said:

Best tip I had (which I am now passing on) is to pull the dipstick out and leave it for a period (best overnight) then you will get at least one good check the next morning