Add a dipstick to your Briggs!

[flatlandtacoma]

Did you know that the Honda GX oil fill plug/dipsticks use the same threads as B&S oil fill plugs? Neither did I. They are all the same threads. From a tiny GX25 up to at least a GX390, they thread into the standard Briggs oil fill plug.

I have a Simplicity chipper/shredder with a 5hp flathead and checking the oil level is impossible. I know, fill til you spill. But what a waste and mess when it's already full.

I went to ebay and got 4 chonda GX dipsticks for $5.00 delivered from Hong Kong in a week. They have a nice o-ring seal and are much easier to grip than the B&S tiny plugs. I'm gonna put one on Mom's little 3.5 hp mower. Anything I can do to make checking the oil easier for her is a good thing. I might have to shorten the stick but nothing 5 seconds with a dykes wouldn't cure.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Nice find!!

 

[zzyzzx]

Pictures would be very helpful here.

 

[flatlandtacoma]

Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
Pictures would be very helpful here.

You want a picture of my dipstick?

They look like this:

The ones I got were black and the only lettering on them is "H R" in the recess. The stick has H at the top and L at the bottom of the crosshatching.

 

[flatlandtacoma]

Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
Pictures would be very helpful here.

Replacing this:

 

[Quest]

Think with your dipstick, Jimmy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pcqVQe-4z0

Q.

 

[TFB1]

HUH?? Isn't the Briggs full when level is at top of threads??

Seems a dipstick would be unnecessary to check oil...

 

[flatlandtacoma]

Originally Posted By: TFB1
HUH?? Isn't the Briggs full when level is at top of threads??

Seems a dipstick would be unnecessary to check oil...


No, not necessary, especially if you can see inside when you pull the plug.

But on my chipper, one side is under the gas tank, the other is under the branch chipper chute. Filling involves a long skinny funnel. If you don't know how much it needs, most of it runs out. I think I explained that in my original post.

Another thing I like about the dipstick is the ability to smell the oil for fuel dilution issues.

Hondas don't "need" them either, but they have them from the factory.

 

[flatlandtacoma]

Honda GX has the exact same maximum oil level as Briggs but still has a dipstick:

Certainly not necessary but a nice convenience.

 

[dlundblad]

I like the idea.

I have a Honda pressure washer that is very simple to check the oil on. While I like to keep it topped off, it is nice to know the current level too.

It would be more beneficial if the engine actually consumed oil though. Conventional or synthetic, it doesn't seem to care.

 

[Whimsey]

Originally Posted By: dlundblad
I like the idea.


+1. I have a 16 oz squeeze bottle with a flip up nozzle to add oil to my B&S generator which has the same oil fill set up, cap only. When I change the oil I'll add 20 oz with a funnel and the final 8 oz using the squeeze bottle. Previously it would just spill out the fill neck when just using a funnel and make a mess.

Whimsey