Hard to see level of new oil on dipstick when re-filling

[rigga]

Captain Answer said:

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

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

I've a mini, worst dipstick in the world for design, but its a simple task to get its true reading.

[Captain Answer]

rigga said:

I've a mini, worst dipstick in the world for design, but its a simple task to get its true reading.

That is a black one too I think? Only had my hands on one once so not over familiar

Edited by Captain Answer on Monday 15th March 13:57

[andburg]

i find the best way to do it is to drill a hole in the sump, that way you can just look in to see the level

[rigga]

Captain Answer said:

rigga said:

I've a mini, worst dipstick in the world for design, but its a simple task to get its true reading.

That is a black one too I think? Only had my hands on one once so not over familiar

Edited by Captain Answer on Monday 15th March 13:57

Its a dark red plastic, with two bulb shapes, which drag oil from the tube as you pull it out, some have resorted to filing the plastic lumps down, or buy an aftermarket version, its pretty crap in design.

[vikingaero]

perryr777 said:

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.

That's brilliant! Can we have everyday guides on general car maintenance from you?

[steveo3002]

i tried the sucking method and ended up with 5 ltrs of 15w/40 in my belly

[perryr777]

Thanks guys for your helpful suggestions – it’s been a revelation.
As a professional mechanical engineer with 50+ years of working on cars I have never been able to fathom out how to use a dipstick but I think I’m beginning to work it out.
The suggestion of using kitchen roll is pure genius – who would ever have thought of that ?
(the oil actually shows up much better on blue workshop roll wipe)

The level of technical expertise demonstrated by you guys on PH is truly awesome and from here on out it’s my go-to forum for any question I might have where the answer is the bleeding obvious and doesn’t need more than two brain cells.

[rigga]

50 years? I've only been a car mechanic, and then train maintenance tech for 40, but I'm sure you've heard of the KISS principle?

It's generally the best way.

[Nads02]

Checking engine oil is so easy you don't even have to be a mechanic to check.

Tools required:
1 hand
Common sense
Pair of eyes (1 still does the job)
Tissue
Flat ground

Duration:
30 to 90 seconds

General process:
1. Open the car when it's parked on flat ground. Make sure the handbrake is on
2. Open the bonnet using the release handle inside the car
3. Lift the bonnet, usually it has a stick so the bonnet doesn't crush your head but occasionally there's a gas strut system.
4. Identify the oil dipstick
5. Lift the dipstick
6. Wipe the dipstick with tissue and then put it back in the hole
7. Lift the dipstick again and check the level. It should be between min and max.

Ideally check your fluids and tyres about once a week, you should be fine

[Ozone]

perryr777 said:

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.

I am very interested to know how you check tyre pressure.

[Nads02]

Ozone said:

perryr777 said:

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.

I am very interested to know how you check tyre pressure.

Use a drill in the sidewall. If you can hear air then it should be fine

[Tony1963]

perryr777 said:

Thanks guys for your helpful suggestions – it’s been a revelation.
As a professional mechanical engineer with 50+ years of working on cars I have never been able to fathom out how to use a dipstick but I think I’m beginning to work it out.
The suggestion of using kitchen roll is pure genius – who would ever have thought of that ?
(the oil actually shows up much better on blue workshop roll wipe)

The level of technical expertise demonstrated by you guys on PH is truly awesome and from here on out it’s my go-to forum for any question I might have where the answer is the bleeding obvious and doesn’t need more than two brain cells.

Doing weird things for 50+ years....

[mrporsche]

I do find checking on a dry sump car hassle.

The book is along the lines of hold engine revs at 2000 for a minute - neighbours love that. Turn off car then pull out tight long and difficult to reach dipstick within 30 seconds and measure oil level.

[sociopath]

Ozone said:

perryr777 said:

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.

I am very interested to know how you check tyre pressure.

Empty all air in tyre into plastic bag, measure size of bag and calculate total volume, work out internal volume of tyre, calculaye pressure from difference, reinsert air into tyre. Repeat 3 more times (or 4 if you have a spare)

[Ozone]

[s p a c e m a n]

I blew down the tube and now the bit of cork is in the sump, what do I do now?

[Clifford Chambers]

perryr777 said:

Thanks guys for your helpful suggestions – it’s been a revelation.
As a professional mechanical engineer with 50+ years of working on cars I have never been able to fathom out how to use a dipstick but I think I’m beginning to work it out.
The suggestion of using kitchen roll is pure genius – who would ever have thought of that ?
(the oil actually shows up much better on blue workshop roll wipe)

The level of technical expertise demonstrated by you guys on PH is truly awesome and from here on out it’s my go-to forum for any question I might have where the answer is the bleeding obvious and doesn’t need more than two brain cells.

Hello Mrs Patterson.

[Skyedriver]

Maximus_Meridius101 said:

Put some green food dye in the oil, job jobbed.

Duckhams?

[Nads02]

s p a c e m a n said:

I blew down the tube and now the bit of cork is in the sump, what do I do now?

Set the car on fire

Or drain the oil, take off oil sump and hopefully it should be there

[tozerman]

If it is a metal dipstick simply heat it with a torch/flame until it goes black.
Problem sorted.
Very occasionally on PH you can get a straight forward reply to a simple question