Reading a Dipstick

super99 · Sep 8, 2019

Does anyone else have trouble seeing the oil on a dipstick? Worst ones are automatic transmissions. Pull the stick with the trans warm and in park, one side of the dipstick is dry and the other side has oil but I can't hardly see where the level is. Same thing with the Hydra power and hydraulic dipsticks on my 1850's. Finished repairing transmission cooler line on the 98 Chevy 3500 yesterday and had a awful time trying to see just where the oil level was. I can't blame this on being old, I've had trouble reading them all my life. Chris

Phil9N3667 · Sep 8, 2019

You're not the only one with that problem.
Happens with me on diesels, ATF, gas engines. Wipe the stick off clean and dry, stick it again. Works for me.

David G · Sep 8, 2019

I have the same trouble, takes a lot of light for me to see it.

dlbuck · Sep 8, 2019

I sometimes take a black marker and color the end of the dipstick. Makes it easier to see the oil.

9001ron · Sep 8, 2019

Wipe the dipstick and put it back in -- then remove it and lay the end on a clean chunk of white cardboard . The oil will stain the cardboard and give a indication of where the level was on the stick. You can also use the back of your hand -- but not on a hot dipstick for obvious reasons.

Steve@Advance · Sep 8, 2019

That's why some have crosshatching, holes, notches...

Something to catch the oil and cause a difference in refraction, spanning a hole, clinging to an irregular surface, etc.

Anything you can do along those lines will help.

ohiojim · Sep 8, 2019

i don't mind the dipstick as much as the sight glass, my kubota glass in behind the floorboard, you fill at the rear of tractor, if it gets over the glass before you catch it you don't know if it needs oil or you're overfull....

JD Seller · Sep 8, 2019

Wipe the stick dry and then recheck the oil level. When you have it out take a small bottle of baby powder and whoosh it on the drip stick. The powder will show the oil level because it will become oil soaked and the area above will not.

Bill(Wis) · Sep 8, 2019

My last two or three trucks have not had transmission dipsticks. Light comes on if oil level gets too low.

37chief · Sep 8, 2019

I lay it on a clean paper towl. Stan

Eric in IL · Sep 8, 2019

I had often thought about painting troublesome dipsticks with flat black paint. Then wondered how long the paint would stick on. So on steel dipsticks I use a torch to turn the end blue. That seems to help a little.

Tony in SD · Sep 8, 2019

Yes. But just since I?ve either gotten old or when I was able to buy new equipment. Not sure which but it happened about the same time.

johnofnewhaven · Sep 8, 2019

I do the same thing 37chief.

r.w.b. · Sep 8, 2019

I use the paper towel

Ian Beale · Sep 8, 2019

I tried gun blue but that didn't last

Ray UK · Sep 8, 2019

Wipe the dipstick clean of oil then wipe the stick with blackboard chalk, re dip the oil and you be able to see the oil level in the chalk.

Vicinalvictor · Sep 8, 2019

I know what you mean about those dipsticks. I think IH had a good idea as I remember the drip petcocks on my Farmall Super A.

flying belgian · Sep 8, 2019

I thought we just dissected that baby powder causes cancer!

flying belgian · Sep 8, 2019

discussed

dlbuck · Sep 8, 2019

With the marker you have to use it every time you check the oil but, it works good for me.

Reading a Dipstick

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