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Reading the dipstick

RedMF40

RedMF40

Well-known Member
So I changed my oil, first time in many years. This is for my Honda and there was some discussion about oil filters. I won't bring that up again.

What I have on my mind this time is dipsticks. For the life of me, after I put new oil in, ran the car, let everything settle, then tried to read the dipstick--I couldn't do it. The oil is just TOO LIGHT against the light metal of the dipstick. It's ridiculous. I've had this problem before but now maybe it's worse or I'm just going blind. CLose-up vision is supposed to be good.

What about the people who make dipsticks just pump them out in a different color? Like black. Or blue. I like blue, it's a calm color.
I think the shine of the oil--new or old, dirty or clean, would show up better against some other color. If you really want to see if it's dirty or not, just wipe it against a clean rag.

Anyone else having this problem? I'm guessing no.

Gerrit
 
Your guess is wrong, Many have the issue. I have encountered it many times. just last week I looked at the transmission dip stick on a S-10 Blazer my son purchased. Neither he nor I could
see the level. Putting 3 therr 1/16" holes in the stick at fluu, mid level full, and low allowed it to fill the holes when submerged. (filing shallow notches may also work. Jim
 
I definitely have that problem too. If the dipstick is only marked on one side I find that it is sometimes easier to see the level on the smooth unmarked side than the side with markings. You can then turn the stick over to see where that is on the marked side. Sometimes you can hold the dipstick at an angle with the tip pointing away from you and you can see the edge of the oil line. Also a small bright light like a penlight can help. If you shine it at an angle pointing towards the tip of the stick you can see the light shine on the edge of the oil line on the stick.
 
I have thought the same thing many times. Some little engines use white
plastic but don’t think that would be good for vehicles. Just goes to show
that engines nowadays are clean running. Them old engines you could
hardly tell the oil was changed once started
 
(quoted from post at 19:09:39 10/28/20) Your guess is wrong, Many have the issue. I have encountered it many times. just last week I looked at the transmission dip stick on a S-10 Blazer my son purchased. Neither he nor I could
see the level. Putting 3 therr 1/16" holes in the stick at fluu, mid level full, and low allowed it to fill the holes when submerged. (filing shallow notches may also work. Jim
Click to expand...

I like the holes, that sounds like a good idea. How do you feel about paint? Is there anything that would hold up to hot oil or is that a really bad idea? Thanks for the suggestions.

Gerrit
 
You are right about having trouble reading a dipstick with new oil. Sometimes I can see the oil better on the back side. I've always though something as important as engine oil there should be an oil level gauge on your dash like a gas gauge telling you whether you
need oil or not.
 
i thought of painting them also but am sure paint will never hold up in that hot oil. was thinking if a person sprayed it with that red gear
box coating stuff. cant think of the name of it now. but thats what its used for. or maybe try a 2 part epoxy paint. standard paint wont stay im sure. then the oil filter will need to do its job.
 
I have the same problem. How do them fast oil change places do it? I bet they don't even pull the dip stick. Book says it holds 5 quarts. Just pour it in and send it out the door.
 
Try carefully laying the dipstick flat down on a clean sheet of paper.

The oil will transfer to the paper when you lift the dipstick away.
 
While it is not really made for this type of problem they do make a oil dye to find leaks so I bet it would work so you can see the oil. O'Reilly's part #TP3090
 
My 2005 Toyota Camry has a yellow section at the oil end of the engine dipstick. That works well once the oil picks up some color, but not so well with clear brand new oil.

I've had good luck shining a bright LED flashlight at the dipstick or carrying the dipstick out into bright sunlight to see where the reflection off the new oil ends.
 
I am just wondering why you wouldn’t change your oil every 5k miles. I do. My car has over 314k miles. I
attribute high miles to clean oil. Is your car followed by a white cloud? I am not kidding. I see that
occasionally.
 


Yes it can be difficult to see but the solution is too quick and easy to think twice about. I just turn and get it into light so that it is reflecting. As Dean would say, Bingo.
 
I just change the oil on my Ford 8N. had a
flashlight handy it helped me to see where the oil
was on the dipstick. But the Ford 8N dipstick
has a lot of writing stamped on it which made it
easier to see also
 
Heating until it's blue may be too hot. I would go for a lower temperature temper. You can always reheat and bring it up to blue later if a straw temper doesn't work for you.

300px-Tempering_standards_used_in_blacksmithing.JPG
 
(quoted from post at 04:19:52 10/29/20) I am just wondering why you wouldn t change your oil every 5k miles. I do. My car has over 314k miles. I
attribute high miles to clean oil. Is your car followed by a white cloud? I am not kidding. I see that
occasionally.
Click to expand...
n re-reading the original post, I don't see where the oil change interval has been mentioned.
 
(quoted from post at 20:32:22 10/28/20) Try carefully laying the dipstick flat down on a clean sheet of paper.

The oil will transfer to the paper when you lift the dipstick away.
Click to expand...

That's a good idea for working at home in the shop. Out on the road I'd likely have a scrap piece of paper or envelope with junk mail in the car, so that should do the trick. Kind of a shame I have to get some other materials involved just to check the oil.

I wouldn't rely on the blue paper towels--if available--at some gas stops. I think the oil would immediately spread around as it's absorbed and become an incomprehensible blob. You'd know there was oil in the car, that's about it. Thanks for the suggestion,

Gerrit
 
(quoted from post at 01:19:52 10/29/20) I am just wondering why you wouldn t change your oil every 5k miles. I do. My car has over 314k miles. I
attribute high miles to clean oil. Is your car followed by a white cloud? I am not kidding. I see that
occasionally.
Click to expand...

Who says that he isn't changing it at least that often? It might take years to put 3K or 5K miles on a vehicle if it's your "fun" vehicle.
 
(quoted from post at 01:19:52 10/29/20) I am just wondering why you wouldn t change your oil every 5k miles. I do. My car has over 314k miles. I
attribute high miles to clean oil. Is your car followed by a white cloud? I am not kidding. I see that
occasionally.
Click to expand...

It looks like I said I haven't changed the oil in many years. THis is the first time I've changed it myself since I've installed a lift at my place. It gets regular oil changes, 3-5K miles. Honda CR-V 345K miles, engine runs like new, transmission bad. Been putting off doing an engine/trans swap but it'll happen any day now.

Gerrit
 
Pull your dipstick out, wipe it off. I then slap the dipstick against my pant leg leaving a film of dust on the dipstick. Re check and you can see where your oil level is.
 

They are tuff to read...

Some only read correct in one direction because the stick will not seat fully if 180 out... Paint it : ) I use Pro-line paint markers #0096871 I keep a box of them I originally found them at Lowes...
They are part of my everyday pocket tools... If I work on your car all the maintenance info will be recorded under the hood...

BTW every Honda I have owned uses oil it must be the luck of the draw... I drain and fill the transmissions every 30K I do it at least three times at 30K, its no harder than changing the oil. Most Hondas you cannot change the trans filter BUT some do have a filter you can replace.

A nice tool to have... Google

Motivx Tools Engine Oil Funnel for Honda, Acura, and Some Ford Engines with Threaded Oil Filler Caps

Are the orange one is what I use

Assenmacher (ASMOFHON1033) Honda/Acura/Nissan Oil Funnel

I am putting in bulk oil and don't like a spill : )
 

Another tip...

When you take the oil cap off lay it on top of the hood latch if you forget to put it back on the hood will not latch... The oil caps can get difficult to get off with out the use of pliers all they need is a new sealing ring/gasket are a NEW CAP : )

I put the customers name on the caps Yes I have been know to leave one off : ( its happen 3 times in 46 years... You learn from your mistakes are I hope you do...
 
(quoted from post at 05:17:00 10/29/20)
Another tip...

When you take the oil cap off lay it on top of the hood latch if you forget to put it back on the hood will not latch... The oil caps can get difficult to get off with out the use of pliers all they need is a new sealing ring/gasket are a NEW CAP : )


Thanks for the tips, Hobo and others. Changing the subject a little, do you know how much something like this costs new? It is up for sale at the local auction and I'd like to have it. Current bid is $105 with another day or so til auction end. Actual price would be about $124 but I'm sure it'll get bid higher. I haven't jumped in, wanted to check on prices but I haven't been able to find info online. This looks like a pretty nice unit. Thanks,

Gerrit
mvphoto64134.jpg
Click to expand...
 
I don't look straight at it, rather get a light reflection at an angle when reading one that is shiny clear metal. Yes it is difficult but works.
 
My Honda Civic has an orange plastic dipstick with cross
hatching, it’s impossible to see the oil level.
 

I don't know if a colored dipstick would make much difference. My zero turn mower has a Kohler engine. The dipstick is yellow plastic. I can usually see the oil level, but sometime I need to move to where the light is brighter.
 

Google

portable oil drain tank

I use a Jon Dow Self Evacuating Oil Drain. I never touch the oil when the tank is full I blow it out to a storage tank. I have the drain hose thru the wall to the storage tank hook up the drain hose to the drain tank and hook up a air hose to push it out to the storage tank.

If you go there come up with a filter/pad to go into the pan to catch the trash are the trash will stop up the drain in the unit... I have a piece of window screen, a sanding pad from a hard wood sander and filter media from used on the return on my HVAC unit...


mvphoto64145.jpg



mvphoto64146.jpg



mvphoto64147.jpg



mvphoto64148.jpg



mvphoto64149.jpg
 
Hi, you are not alone! Can’t remember what engine it was but I
painted the dipstick in red oxide primer. Never had any problems
reading it after that.
DavidP, South Wales
 
50,000 miles between oil changes usually solves the problem, but it takes a while to get an accurate reading.
 
(quoted from post at 10:28:05 10/29/20)
Google

portable oil drain tank

I use a Jon Dow Self Evacuating Oil Drain. I never touch the oil when the tank is full I blow it out to a storage tank. I have the drain hose thru the wall to the storage tank hook up the drain hose to the drain tank and hook up a air hose to push it out to the storage tank.

If you go there come up with a filter/pad to go into the pan to catch the trash are the trash will stop up the drain in the unit... I have a piece of window screen, a sanding pad from a hard wood sander and filter media from used on the return on my HVAC unit...


Thanks, I did a search and came up with a range of prices. Looks like this one is well on its way to selling for what one would cost new. You think the screen that comes with the pan isn't enough to filter everything out?

Gerrit
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the tips, Hobo and others. Changing the subject a little, do you know how much something like this costs new? It is up for sale at the local auction and I'd like to have it. Current bid is $105 with another day or so til auction end. Actual price would be about $124 but I'm sure it'll get bid higher. I haven't jumped in, wanted to check on prices but I haven't been able to find info online. This looks like a pretty nice unit.

FWIW, bought a Harbor Freight Oil Drain Dolly 7-8 years ago that's served me well

https://www.harborfreight.com/5-gallon-oil-drain-dolly-90582.html

Here's the HF version of what you're looking at

https://www.harborfreight.com/20-gallon-portable-oil-lift-drain-69814.html

If you go the HF route, don't forget your 20% off coupon

Fred
 
(quoted from post at 12:34:44 10/29/20)
(quoted from post at 01:19:52 10/29/20) I am just wondering why you wouldn t change your oil every 5k miles. I do. My car has over 314k miles. I
attribute high miles to clean oil. Is your car followed by a white cloud? I am not kidding. I see that
occasionally.
Click to expand...

Who says that he isn't changing it at least that often? It might take years to put 3K or 5K miles on a vehicle if it's your "fun" vehicle.
Click to expand...

Used to run 12-13K miles between changes on my 2001 Focus bought new. Mobil 1 for oil. Drove 130 miles/day for work. Got 400K miles out of it before the rust got too bad this past February and I bought a replacement. Never burnt any oil...would overfill a half quart when changing the oil (used the whole 5qt jug), dipstick would still read over full next time I'd change the oil.

Fred
 
FWIW, bought a Harbor Freight Oil Drain Dolly 7-8 years ago that's served me well

https://www.harborfreight.com/5-gallon-oil-drain-dolly-90582.html

Here's the HF version of what you're looking at

https://www.harborfreight.com/20-gallon-portable-oil-lift-drain-69814.html

If you go the HF route, don't forget your 20% off coupon

Fred[/quote]

Thanks, that's helpful. I was checking HF but couldn't find the oil drain system I was looking for. This looks like a better option than the one up for sale with all the bells and whistles. For occasional use it'll be fine and thanks for the 20% coupon reminder. I don't go there enough to know all the ins and outs so I'll make sure I get the discount. I appreciate the link. BTW the pro model at the local sale is approaching what a new one would cost and will probably go higher.

Gerrit
 

You're welcome. The oil drain dolly is nothing fancy, but has worked well for me

Been my experience the only time I get a deal at an auction is when I'm not really looking for anything, but I see something I can use going cheap. That's how I got my lift...went to a consignment sale just to have coffee with some friends, they had 3 lifts there...was told they came out of a Sears service center. 9000 lb capacity, one of the best $900 I ever spent. My days of laying under cars working on them are over. Too hard to get up off the ground it seems.

If I go looking at a specific item, it seems to go for new money or better...as you're finding out.

Be good

Fred
 
Heck yea, I do that at home. 5.3 silverado says 6 quarts. Dump in 6 quarts and go! No need to check, unless you dump in 7 quarts mistakenly. Hope my memory is better than that. (or is it?)
 
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