Hard to see level of new oil on dipstick when re-filling
Discussion
Because new oil is so clean, it is sometimes very difficult to see where the oil level is on the dipstick when refilling with fresh oil. This works a treat:
a) Get a length of stiff plastic tube (nylon is best) which will go down the dipstick tube on the engine, 4-5 mm OD and about 40 cm longer than the dipstick.
b) Drill through a cork or rubber bung and thread it onto the tube so it is a sliding fit..
c) Keeping the bung in contact with the top of the dipstick tube, gradually push the plastic tube down the dipstick tube, at the same time gently blowing down it.
d) When the end of the tube reaches the oil in the sump you will hear a bit of bubbling and gurgling. If you suck gently you will also feel resistance.
e) Without moving the bung on the tube, withdraw it, align the bottom of the bung with the stop on the dipstick, and see where the end of the tube is relative to the level markings on the dipstick.
a) Get a length of stiff plastic tube (nylon is best) which will go down the dipstick tube on the engine, 4-5 mm OD and about 40 cm longer than the dipstick.
b) Drill through a cork or rubber bung and thread it onto the tube so it is a sliding fit..
c) Keeping the bung in contact with the top of the dipstick tube, gradually push the plastic tube down the dipstick tube, at the same time gently blowing down it.
d) When the end of the tube reaches the oil in the sump you will hear a bit of bubbling and gurgling. If you suck gently you will also feel resistance.
e) Without moving the bung on the tube, withdraw it, align the bottom of the bung with the stop on the dipstick, and see where the end of the tube is relative to the level markings on the dipstick.
I’d love to see the OP’s process for a complicated action lol.
Me: remove dipstick, clean with cloth. Reinsert dipstick fully for a couple of seconds, remove. Observe where dry bit meets wet bit, turn dipstick in the light if having difficulty seeing where dry bit meets wet bit. That’s the level...
Best the OP never dates a larger lady!
Me: remove dipstick, clean with cloth. Reinsert dipstick fully for a couple of seconds, remove. Observe where dry bit meets wet bit, turn dipstick in the light if having difficulty seeing where dry bit meets wet bit. That’s the level...
Best the OP never dates a larger lady!
rigga said:
Stop faffing and just pull the dipstick and place it on some kitchen towel.
Jesus I've never read such crap.
Straight to the point there Jesus I've never read such crap.
This is exactly how though, especially if you've got a car that is hard to read - the end on the dipsticks for SAAB were black for a good while, absolute arse to read any other way
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