How to Check Oil

[Gene K]

Ive noticed people check oil different ways. Is their a technically correct way?

I hate checking oil cold as it takes to long for oil to drain out of the tube. Are dipsticks calibrated for cold or warm oil?

The way I usually do it.
1. Shut engine off.
2. Open hood and pull dip stick (to allow oil time to drain back out of tube).
3. Fill with gas.
4. Reinsert dipstick and check oil.

 

[tig1]

Shut the engine off.

Open the hood.

Pull out the dip stick.

With clean rag wipe off iron impregnated oil.

Insert dip stick into engine.

Pull dip stick out again.

Observe oil and shinny metal flakes on dip stick.

Insert dip stick back into hole.

Close hood. Start engine and here terrible metalic sound.

 

[TallPaul]

Never heard of #2. The tube should end where it screws to the block and the end of the stick should just dangle down into the crank case (but who knows with these newfangled engines).

Check after a hot shutdown or likely get low reading from cold oil all hung up inside the engine. I like to give it 5 minutes after shutting off engine.

I rarely check at filling station, but if you don't have a level driveway, maybe check when you come out of work or the store and it's been parked level.

You didn't put #3.5, wipe dipstick clean of oil residue before re-inserting it.

For us old geezers (yeah I am 52), you need #5: push glasses up on forehead so you can see close to observe oil level on stick.

 

[Gene K]

Originally Posted By: TallPaul
Never heard of #2. The tube should end where it screws to the block and the end of the stick should just dangle down into the crank case (but who knows with these newfangled engines).



Most newer engined have flexible dipsticks and tubes with curves. This results in oil being wiped off the dipstick and when you reinsert the dipstick it smears it often making it difficult to tell what the actual level is. One side of the stick looks like its full and the other side a half qt low. If you give the oil time to drain back to the pan you get a clean reading that matches on both sides of the stick.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Gene K
Ive noticed people check oil different ways. Is their a technically correct way?

I hate checking oil cold as it takes to long for oil to drain out of the tube. Are dipsticks calibrated for cold or warm oil?


Depends on the manufacturers. Typically it is stated in the owner's manual whether the oil level should be checked hot or cold.

In my case, I shut off the engine. Wait 5-10 minutes for most of the oil to drain back to the pan, and then pull out the dipstick, wipe it, insert it back and pull it out again.

 

[Gene K]

Originally Posted By: tig1


With clean rag wipe off iron impregnated oil.

Observe oil and shinny metal flakes on dip stick.

Close hood. Start engine and here terrible metalic sound.

Only if you use M1

(Ducking and running for cover)

 

[Steve S]

I just wait for the oil light to come on then add a couple of 3 qts. All is good to go untill the light comes on again.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Originally Posted By: Gene K
Originally Posted By: tig1


With clean rag wipe off iron impregnated oil.

Observe oil and shinny metal flakes on dip stick.

Close hood. Start engine and here terrible metalic sound.

Only if you use M1

(Ducking and running for cover)


Now that's funny!

 

[UncleS2]

Park vehicle on level ground/carport floor/etc.

Leave overnight.

Before starting engine again, open hood, remove dipstick & read.

*That* is your oil level.

 

[widman]

It doesn't matter much in the engine whether it is hot or cold. You are measuring in the pan that is large enough not to make a big difference.

But it should always have run at least a minute, and then drained 3 to 20 minutes.

Measuring first thing in the morning will give you a false reading if the filter has drained (many do, in spite of all we talk about in filters)

Always give it time to drain from the valve train. Some trucks and heavy equipment need 20 minutes to drain back. I once had to solve a problem for a guy who was complaining about using 4 liters a day. They were stopping the loader, measuring, adding the 4 liters short and running the rest of the day. The manual said 20 min drain. I got him measure after a 20 min drain and it stopped using oil.

 

[Rick in PA]

Originally Posted By: TallPaul
...For us old geezers (yeah I am 52), you need #5: push glasses up on forehead so you can see close to observe oil level on stick.


Ah, I usually just tilt my head down and look over my glasses.

I drilled a few holes in the dipstick (full, 1/2 quart, low). That makes it easy to tell the oil level. BTW, you need a special drill, dipsticks are pretty springy steel, a regular drill won't touch 'em.

 

[garlicbreadman]

check in the morning. Pull out and Read.


Dont need to wipe, reinsert and read this way.

 

[SteveSRT8]

^what he said^

You get your most accurate reading if the engine has not yet been started.

 

[UNC017]

I can think of one engine where checking the oil after sitting overnight is the WRONG way to do it.

Chrysler 2.4.

Why do you ask? I'll tell ya

In the Chrysler 2.4, the twin counter-rotating balance shafts are mounted in a housing that bolts to the bottom of the main bearing caps, so the whole housing is partially submerged in the oil sitting in the oil pan. Oil from the pan will seep into the housing over a span of a few hours and lower the level of oil in the sump. When you start the engine, the oil gets pumped back out of the balance shaft chamber and into the sump. There's actually a little scavenge pump that's part of the balance shaft drive mechanism just for that purpose, and to return oil pumped into the chamber to lubricate the balance shaft bearings back to the oil pan. The most correct oil reading on that engine is made by running the engine for a while, shutting it off, and then measuring the oil on the dipstick after its been off for at least 3-5 minutes, but no more than an hour. If you check it overnight, it will typical read about 1/2 quart low.

Just an exception to the rule. Generally I agree that most engines can be checked first thing in the morning for a very accurate reading.

 

[hardcore302]

Shut off engine. What an hour (have a beer and watch animal planet). Go check the oil.

 

[Lord Haw Haw]

You push the dipstick in
You pull the dipstick out
You take a quick peek
Then you shake it all about

Now wipe the [censored] off
Then push it in again
Because you're good to go
With a happy oil pan