I went to check my oil level today (something I dread doing) and of course my oil stick seemed pretty dry as it does every 1000 miles. I added about a quart of oil but it's so hard to verify my oil level with these sticks.

Would it hurt anything to drain the oil into a clean bucket then pour it back in once I verified the amount of oil? The bucket I plan on using is scored for checking up to 5 quarts or so. I'm guessing this wouldn't hurt anything since the oil isn't being changed in anyway. (It has only been 1000 miles since my last oil change)

Or maybe someone can shed some light on reading this oil stick. I took two pictures, one of the front and one of the back. You'll notice that the back of the stick shows oil going past the high mark (if the markings were shown on the back). Then on the front of the stick there is absolutely nothing in the middle but then there are two drops of oil above and below the markings.

Back of stick


Front of stick

 

The FSM recommends waiting at least 10 min after shutting car off to check the oil but I always just let it sit overnight and just check it in the morning just so that i know all the oil has settled. Yes these dipsticks are hard to read I agree but you will have better luck if you use the dipstick with the handle facing up rather than down.

 

If I could see the pics it would help. I don't understand why so many people have a hard time reading the dip stick. Turn the car off, let it sit for half an hour. Pull the stick, wipe it clean and reinsert it. Pull it right away and hold it horizontal, NOT vertical!

 

Definitely holding it horizontal, are the pics not loading for you? They seem to be loading fine over here.

 

Check the oil hours after you use the car. I usually check mine first thing in the morning after it's been sitting. For whatever reason they put the oil filler hole right above the dipstick, so you can't get an accurate reading for quite a while.

When I pull my dipstick first thing in the morning after sitting overnight, it's fairly easy to read.

 

I know exactly what you mean.......but that sounds sooooo funny dude

 

As per the suggestions in this thread I waited until morning and took another reading. It was definitely easier to read, but I always feel guilty adding one quart of oil to my car without knowing for sure how much is in the engine.... I guess having a car that burns this much oil is hard for me to believe.
Front

Back


The Front appears to be just above the L mark while the back seems to have a thin layer of oil all the way up. Regardless the front is the part of the stick that was meant to be read, so what do you guys think? Does this look like I'm at a good level? ie not over full? The last thing I want to do is create a new oil leak after all the time I spent repairing the old leaks.

 

as soon a car starts using excessive oil,,,get rid of it,,,

 

Well I really didn't want to take a chance so I drained the oil and it turns out I had about 3 1/2 quarts. I poured it back in and added another 1/4 quart and called it good (mind you this is after I already added that last quart). I'm considering doing the piston ring job myself but I've been browsing the forums and there doesn't seem to be a single write-up on it. I'm guessing the job is much harder than the average job.

Man that is depressing to hear, I just put a ton of money in this thing to make it much nicer.

 

My car burns a fair amount of oil... I don't care, it runs great.

 

Have you check the rear VC to see if theres oil inside the spark plugs hole?

 

Are you wiping off the oil after you first pull out the stick, then re-inserting to take your reading? The second picture looks like how it looks the first time the oil stick is removed.

Also, I have found that checking the oil after the car sits over night makes it easier to get an accurate reading.

 

I agree with you on that one!!

 

The "front" is the accurate one. One of the oil drain back channels is in line with the dipstick, so it constanly drips on the "back", giving a uncertain reading, even after sitting.

Fussier than it needs to be, but it is what it is.

 

That makes me feel better

No, but I shall put that on my list of things to do.

Yeah I am wiping the stick, and I agree checking it after the car has sat over night makes a big difference.

I see. Thanks for the input, it will help me in the future.

 

The 1 of oil drain back ports is located above the dipstick and it drain down the stick....that's why you need to wait about 10 min. after shut down to read the dipstick.....only read the back with the hash marked High to low section....I'm blessed not to have one of those oil thirsty VQ's. I really think alot of that stems back to PPL not breaking in their engines properly, b4 beating the crap out of it....and the rings never seated/broke in......