From Haynes, Diesel oil levels, how do you check yours

Keith · 20th March 2007, 18:54

A member asked a question at Haynes that I think I have seen mentioned before but can't remember where.

He gets differing readings on his dipstick depending on when he checks the level, and even differing levels if he repeats the same check a few seconds later.

I can't say I have noticed this behavior on my CDT but otoh I only check the level once a month if that, as the car does not use any oil ever, and that is always on level ground with a cold engine normally several hours after it had last been used

Is there a right or wrong way/time/engine temp etc to check the level?

Simon · 20th March 2007, 18:59

Good ol' Haynes manual says to check oil when engine is cold (or wait 5min after switch off). This is because when the engine is in use, oil is in circulation (obviously) and when you switch off the oil can still remain in the upper engine components (leading to a lower-than-actual reading)

Thermal expansion (albeit, only slight) can be important with hot oil too (not to mention personal injury risks....)

As you suggested at Haynes, sludge could be causing inaccurate readings if the sludge is blocking the pipes, especially in the narrow pipe the dipstick goes in.

Keith · 20th March 2007, 20:02

Snipped you twos last two posts funny but inapppropriate, you can get off the floor now Simon

Anyway I mentioned sludge as a possibility as that could cause higher than real readings but is that a real possibility?

Simon · 20th March 2007, 20:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith

Snipped you twos last two posts funny but inapppropriate, you can get off the floor now Simon

Anyway I mentioned sludge as a possibility as that could cause higher than real readings but is that a real possibility?

Quite right about posts, fair enough decision

As for sludge.... there would have to be a fair amount in there to cause inaccurate readings. In fact, if there were that much sludge you would start to question when the last oil change was...

What other mechanics are in the derv engines? Y'know, like reservoirs or places where the oil can settle?

Ti Rich · 21st March 2007, 09:23

Keith

The dipstick appears to have a tight air seal to it. You have to remove the dipstick, clean it, pop it back in and then take a reading.

Not that it uses any oil. I have only put in 0.5L in 55k miles between services.

maxi_crawf · 22nd March 2007, 15:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ti Rich

Keith

The dipstick appears to have a tight air seal to it. You have to remove the dipstick, clean it, pop it back in and then take a reading.

Not that it uses any oil. I have only put in 0.5L in 55k miles between services.

55K between services

maxi_crawf

Ti Rich · 22nd March 2007, 15:18

That's not quite what i meant!

I mean from new, apart from oil changes, I have only used 0.5L of oil.

Paranoid Carlos · 22nd March 2007, 18:04

When I take the dipstick out the oil on it smears up the dipstick hole, wipe then reinsert and the reading is always about 4 inches past the top mark.

Ti Rich · 22nd March 2007, 18:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by paranoid

When I take the dipstick out the oil on it smears up the dipstick hole, wipe then reinsert and the reading is always about 4 inches past the top mark.

Mine doesn't do that, interesting. Or, is your oil over filled?

Keith · 22nd March 2007, 18:29

Thats partly the point of this thread although 4" is a bit extreme I have seen it mentioned elsewhere and the guy at Haynes prompted me to bring the issue up again.

I agree with you Rich I reckon a combination of capillary action and the fact the stick is fairly airtight is causing oil to rise up the pipe on the move

So pull the dipstick, clean it, allow the contents of the tube to settle then check may give a bit more accuracy.

20th March 2007, 18:54	#1
Keith This is my second home ZT400 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ellesmere Posts: 5,948 Thanks: 0 Thanked 43 Times in 29 Posts	From Haynes, Diesel oil levels, how do you check yours A member asked a question at Haynes that I think I have seen mentioned before but can't remember where. He gets differing readings on his dipstick depending on when he checks the level, and even differing levels if he repeats the same check a few seconds later. I can't say I have noticed this behavior on my CDT but otoh I only check the level once a month if that, as the car does not use any oil ever, and that is always on level ground with a cold engine normally several hours after it had last been used Is there a right or wrong way/time/engine temp etc to check the level?

21st March 2007, 09:23	#5
Ti Rich Gets stuck in Audi A6 TDi 175 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Dudley Posts: 572 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Keith The dipstick appears to have a tight air seal to it. You have to remove the dipstick, clean it, pop it back in and then take a reading. Not that it uses any oil. I have only put in 0.5L in 55k miles between services. __________________ CD(Ti Rich) Audi A6 C7 TDI - zzzzzzzzzzzzzz, so boring!! BMW 330d M-Sport - Gone and missed ZT CDTi, gone but not forgotten!

22nd March 2007, 15:18	#7
Ti Rich Gets stuck in Audi A6 TDi 175 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Dudley Posts: 572 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	That's not quite what i meant! I mean from new, apart from oil changes, I have only used 0.5L of oil. __________________ CD(Ti Rich) Audi A6 C7 TDI - zzzzzzzzzzzzzz, so boring!! BMW 330d M-Sport - Gone and missed ZT CDTi, gone but not forgotten!

22nd March 2007, 18:04	#8
Paranoid Carlos Posted a thing or two Starlight CDT Conn SE Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Erdington, Birmingham Posts: 1,057 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	When I take the dipstick out the oil on it smears up the dipstick hole, wipe then reinsert and the reading is always about 4 inches past the top mark. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

20th March 2007, 18:59	#2
Simon Banned - Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: - Posts: 10,318 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Good ol' Haynes manual says to check oil when engine is cold (or wait 5min after switch off). This is because when the engine is in use, oil is in circulation (obviously) and when you switch off the oil can still remain in the upper engine components (leading to a lower-than-actual reading) Thermal expansion (albeit, only slight) can be important with hot oil too (not to mention personal injury risks....) As you suggested at Haynes, sludge could be causing inaccurate readings if the sludge is blocking the pipes, especially in the narrow pipe the dipstick goes in.

20th March 2007, 20:02	#3
Keith This is my second home ZT400 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ellesmere Posts: 5,948 Thanks: 0 Thanked 43 Times in 29 Posts	Snipped you twos last two posts funny but inapppropriate, you can get off the floor now Simon Anyway I mentioned sludge as a possibility as that could cause higher than real readings but is that a real possibility?

22nd March 2007, 18:29	#10
Keith This is my second home ZT400 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ellesmere Posts: 5,948 Thanks: 0 Thanked 43 Times in 29 Posts	Thats partly the point of this thread although 4" is a bit extreme I have seen it mentioned elsewhere and the guy at Haynes prompted me to bring the issue up again. I agree with you Rich I reckon a combination of capillary action and the fact the stick is fairly airtight is causing oil to rise up the pipe on the move So pull the dipstick, clean it, allow the contents of the tube to settle then check may give a bit more accuracy.