Oil Dip Stick reads screwy

[jy116]

I know this sounds really dumb, but its frikkin pissing me off... I've changed oil many times, easy stuff right... After my last one on my 1991 s13 KA, 144k mies, I fill her up, start it, let the oil flow through and fill the filter, etc... let it sit a while then pull the dip stick to check the level.

The oil is all splattered along the stick. there is no easily identifiable oil level. I wipe it off, put it back in, wait a little, pull it out, same confusing mess again! I have no idea how or why this is happening, and its making me paranoid about how much oil I have/need to add!

Can anyone explain how this may be happening, or offer some tips? Is the tube dirty maybe? Should I pipe clean the tube... get a new dipstick? thnx

[swwifty]

I've had the same problem before.

When you wipe the stick clean and put it back in, do it quickly.

Let it sit for a split second, then pull it back out.

Try not to hit the sides of the tube when you pull it out, that will cause the reading to get messed up.

[jy116]

my stick is kinda curved so maybe thats why... but man does it suck looking at that vague mess! I gues pulling it out without touching anything would help... but the time you wait b4 putting it back in shouldnt matter rite? I guess I'd hafto make sure it doesnt touch the walls on the way in either...

I dunno, I never had such problems before, touching the walls of the dipstick tube was never an issue... why now?! Is there another more technical problem possibly?

[95zilvia]

YOU CHECK THE OIL WITH THE CAR OFF.
Thank you.

[swwifty]

Check the oil after the car has been sitting overnight also.

Are you running synthetic oil or what?

[Gnnr]

Best way to check oil level: When you wake up in the morning, go to the car, DONT turn it on, and check the oil level. Thats the most accurate reading since all the oil should have dripped to the bottom overnight. You dont need to turn it on before hand.

[scir16v]

Sounds like a user error to me.

[Nan Desu Ka?!]

user error FTW. how on earth do you think running engine (with oil splashing all over inside the block) would give you an accurate reading???

common sense aint so common

[riubens]

I dont usually post.but all I have to say is damm. deh duh

just kidding bro,but I believe parents are the ones that teach the sons how to read the oil of a car at least to me.

[jy116]

where does it say i had the car running? The car been sitting for about a week b4 i checked last. I just refered back to the oil change example because i figured it would be important to let you all know the steps i did to change oil so you dont flame me or lecture me on how cuz i know some of the dicks on here will do that... BUT I also know theres some good, knowledgeable ppl here, so this is addressed to them.

THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR AT LEAST 5 DAYS BEFORE I CHECKED THE OIL AND WROTE THIS...

[jy116]

YOU CHECK THE OIL WITH THE CAR OFF.
Thank you.

Your not welcome! Dont be so quick to assume your peers are that dumb...

I re-read my post to try to understand your logic. I admit I didnt write that I turned the car off. SORRY... so, after I changed the oil, I TURNED THE CAR OFF... then I walked left foot, then right foot, then left foot again, until I got to the engine bay, then i stretched my arm out until i could reach the orange dip stick handle... BETTER?!!?!? geeezzz

[swwifty]

so what motor oil are you running?

synthetic is harder to get a good reading from.

[jy116]

non-synth. I think its 20w-50 Castrol High Milage.

[95zilvia]

Run like 10-30

There should not be oil in the tube. (period)

[fliprayzin240sx]

non-synth. I think its 20w-50 Castrol High Milage.


K first off, how long do you let the car sit after you run the engine to check the oil. Considering your running such a thick viscosity, there are other issues to think about. Was the car at operating temp when you turned it off? Was the engine cold? I say that cuz if your oil is up to operationg temp, then itll flow alot easier and faster. You can get an accurate reading in say...20 mins after you turned off the engine. If its cold still, itll prolly be longer before all the oil drips to the bottom of the block since the oils cold and its thicker in consistency. Also, make sure the cars not on a slope when your checking the oil. With that thick of an oil, it shouldnt be hard to differentiate between a drip mark to a oil line mark on the stick.

[Nismo180]

I like how all these douche bags are throwing around that he is an idiot and he did it wrong, then giving BAD ADVICE! He had it right, always start the car and let the oil get all spread around. You want a full pan with all the orfices filled. Turn the car off then check it imediatly just takes a steady hand. Wipe, dip, check.

NEVER tell people to do something unless your sure it's the right way. waiting until all the oil has drained back into the pan is a good way to get an extra 1-1.5 quarts in your reading. With a 3.5quart system what you think is "only half a quart down" Could mean detrimental damage.