Hey guys.
I had a leaky pressure switch. And my oil was a bit low, when i woke up yesterday, the oil was just on the very end of the dipstick, my guess is that it was not filled enough (and a small leak didnt help). I put 1/2Qt in. SO.... today, i replaced the pressure switch, lost several ounces of oil doing that, maybe 1/4qt. After doing that i put in another qt of oil. I was having a real hard time reading the dipstick as always since the oil gets in the dipstick tube. I have let the car sit for several hours, and now the line is between the marks, so i think it is ok. I just wanted to make sure that a completely cold engine with all the oil in the pan should be between the marks, or if only a hot engine should. The longer i wait before driving, the lower the level on the dipstick, that seems odd to me, i would think that it would go up since more oil is making its way to the pan. What do you think? I am just excessively nervous, and do not understand why i have to wait 6 hours after running the car to get a clear dipstick reading, that i do not even know is accurate since the engine is cold.
thanks.

btw, i am using mobil 1 5w30 and have been for several oil changes, i now have 83k mi. I never notice oil stains under the car.

 

Its better to wait longer before you check it because all the oil goes back into the oil pan. Sounds like you should be alrigh, let it sit overnight and check it in the morning. If you're still unsure you might want to drain all the oil and refill it just to be on the safe side.

 

You're fine.

I've always found it easiest to read the dipstick on the VQ after the engine has sat overnight. The reason it seems like the level is higher the sooner you check it after shutdown is that as you drive the oil is moved around in the pan and shows higher on the dipstick than the actual level. Some of this oil can take a long time to completely drain down the dipstick to allow you to read the proper level.

 

ok, i am not worried. as long as i have no leaks from replacing the pressure switch or from the drain plug, i should be good. i am a bit concerned about having such low oil levels before though. the oil color looked ok, and the engine is running great, so, cross my fingers, i think i am in the clear.

 

dont check the oil while engine is running. this doesnt have a lot to do with your post but i thought i would share. i did that once in a hurry, wanted to check trans fluid and oil at same time, and didnt shut of engine, yea well the dipstick comes out covered in oil and drips off the dipstick onto everything.