Oil dip stick reading

[Old-Duckman]

Sort strange but wondering if it is common? When I pull the dipstick to read the oil level, one side is up to the top of the center rectangle...flip it over and it is reading down about 1/4.

Is this common (2004 3.0L M54)? Which reading should I believe? I guess it is safest to go with the lower reading.

The car is in my garage, the floor seems pretty level to me, no noticeable slant.

 

[grannyknot]

Always go with the lower reading and it's a good idea after the first reading to clean it and dip again.

 

[patriot66]

Sort strange but wondering if it is common? When I pull the dipstick to read the oil level, one side is up to the top of the center rectangle...flip it over and it is reading down about 1/4.

Is this common (2004 3.0L M54)? Which reading should I believe? I guess it is safest to go with the lower reading.

The car is in my garage, the floor seems pretty level to me, no noticeable slant.

Mine is the same. It's because the dipstick or dipstick tube are at a slight angle in the sump. Pull the dipstick out first, wipe it clean, push it fully home, and then remove it and take a reading. I like to see the level on the wire in the upper gap

 

[Rockhopper]

2 is where it wants to be.

 

[SonnyA85]

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2 is where it wants to be.

Great post. I've just downloaded that for future reference. I don't really drive mine much for it to drop in-between services but I'm hoping to change that now so will use that when I check

 

[Rockhopper]

and the difference between 2 and 3 is one litre.

 

[kis]

I like to see the level on the wire in the upper gap

@patriot66 this looks like it's on position 1?


Is there a benefit to having the oil topped right up "to the brim"? I've always been happy with it somewhere in the middle...?

 

[Rockhopper]

Oil is used for cooling as well as lubrication.
If you run it towards the low end check it frequently as you are not leaving yourself much margin for error if your car burns a bit.

 

[patriot66]

I like to see the level on the wire in the upper gap

@patriot66 this looks like it's on position 1?


Is there a benefit to having the oil topped right up "to the brim"? I've always been happy with it somewhere in the middle...?

That was first pull out of the dipstick tube before wiping and re-dipping having just done 1500 miles up to, around the NC500 and back home to Lancashire. Also almost 3,000 miles since installing my supercharger with fresh oil and filter at the same time and was a visual check of the cleanliness of the oil. As you can see it is immaculate, like the day it went in
I then wiped the stick and dipped the level correctly and it was on the wire between 1 and 2, just where I like it. As Rockhopper says, oil is not just lubricating. It is also cooling, and as I now have a supercharger that is lubricated and cooled by the engine oil all the more reason to keep the level just a little higher

 

[kis]

Oil is used for cooling as well as lubrication.
If you run it towards the low end check it frequently as you are not leaving yourself much margin for error if your car burns a bit.

Yes that was my thinking too. But what's the most optimal point? Being full to the brim? With that litre as tolerance for the engine? Because on the newer dip-stick less cars it'll even tell you when the engine is over filled. I've had a quick google, and it says between the max and min is the optimal point. But what threw me, is patriot66 saying he kept it topped up to the upper level.

Personally I normally run it towards 1/2 or 1/4 before topping up with half a litre. Never lower than 1/4 and in all honesty I check the main fluids (such as coolant and oil weekly/bi-weekly depending on how frequently its used. Or before a long journey. So being dip-stick empty isn't really an issue/risk (for me).

What my post was for, although perhaps I wasn't very clear , was within the max and min points on the dipstick is there a 'more refined' optimal oil level point for lubricating and cooling the engine like you say.

Open detailed oil related discussion... :lol:

 

[kis]

[/quote]

It is also cooling, and as I now have a supercharger that is lubricated and cooled by the engine oil all the more reason to keep the level just a little higher

Makes sense from a supercharger point :driving:
I guess I'll keep it my bog standard one :rofl: more topped up from now on.

 

[Rockhopper]

I keep mine on the max line and always have done on all my cars and bikes. I’d never advise anyone to go over the max line though.

 

[Neens76]

At what point will it set off the “top up” sensor?
Mine has come on every now and again and I’ve checked the dipstick and it seems fine. Perhaps I need to top up by a few ML?

 

[Rockhopper]

Dunno, the E85 doesn’t have that feature.

 

[DMike]

At what point will it set off the “top up” sensor?
Mine has come on every now and again and I’ve checked the dipstick and it seems fine. Perhaps I need to top up by a few ML?

I’d scan the error codes to see what’s behind. If the dipstick shows right oil level there is something else going on.

 

[kis]

Do you follow the correct process for checking the oil? AFAIK you have to drive like 5 miles then wait like 5mins before checking the oil, this allows the oil to run back to the sump, but still leaves some floating around the engine. i.e. don't read the oil stone cold

 

[patriot66]

At what point will it set off the “top up” sensor?
Mine has come on every now and again and I’ve checked the dipstick and it seems fine. Perhaps I need to top up by a few ML?

Think you have a 3.0i M54 engine in which case no such thing as a 'top up' warning sensor. If you're getting a oil level warning light on the dash then either the oil level is LOW or the oil level sensor in the sump is faulty. Agree with DMike and you should scan for fault codes

 

[Neens76]

Dunno, the E85 doesn’t have that feature.

Mine is an E85!

 

[Neens76]

It occasionally does it, I think after the first run. If I stop, have a pint, or whatever, then it doesn’t do it next time I stop. It doesn’t do it when turning the engine on, only when removing key from ignition.

 

[colb]

Not the most reliable system is it, my E85 2.5 is the same as Neens76, get the amber oil light sometimes after a run, check with the dipstick shows its not low. I did change the sensor in the sump when I got the car 2 years ago as it had set a code for the sensor. Used a Topran brand sensor from Autodoc for circa £17. Last scan I did I did notice the sensor wasn't communicating so maybe next oil change will put another brand of sensor in. In the meantime regular checks with the dipstic will suffice. I just replaced the oil filter to engine block gasket which I noticed had started to fail, bit of oil wetness around the joint, the gasket when removed was indeed quite hard and compressed, feels quite brittle compared with the new replacement. Seems oiltight now, no sign of any wetness now.