Dipstick or deepstick, what's the tip ?

[TonyC]

Hi, I wanted to bring my little contribution to the forum about a matter already analysed, the disptick. When I had my E-type, I ruined a perfectly healthy and dry engine by overfilling it during one year. I had made my oil change, bought the 9,5 litres of oil needed and after checking the dipstick, added to this around 1,5 litres to reach the full mark. That's where the engine began pissing oil like a mad derrick. At the next oil change, I carefully added what the book said (still 9,5 l) and then made a new mark on the dipstick as full meant empty/add on the dipstick (which was checked and measured, was the proper one). So I did the same with the Stag, added oil to the full mark, then drain it and I recovered only 4 litres including the filter. This time with this one, if you add 5,1 litres (by the book, including filter change), it reads on the dipstick the same distance after full mark than between full and add. I know some oil can remain in the engine, after 2 days with the sump plug opened, but 1 litre is a lot !

Tony

[len]

i too had a similar problem with my stag,drained all the oil.changed filter and topped up with 5.1 L and then checked dipstick.it measured about 10mm above the max mark.i did make some enquires to stag specialist who all seemed like it had never happened before !the best advice i got was to leave it as it was but next time dont put quite so much in !
maybe th 5.1 L is not an exact figure .but i would guess next oil change would only involve about 4.75 L ,seems a lot less than what book says to put in
len

[Marco Polo]

Have you got the felt seal on your dipstick? It is about 8mm thick when new and may account for some of the additional oil level above the mark on the dipstick.
Regards,
Raoul

[73stagman]

I would have thought... and I have done a lot of oil changes on different cars without manuals... that the way to do it is to drain out the oil till it stops flowing. Remove the oil filter and dispose of it properly.
Fit the new oil filter prefilled with oil if possible (not always because sometimes the filter is upside down) then fill to the dip stick full mark regardless of how much you put in. Then run the engine and check to make sure you get your oil pressure back. Shut down the engine and let the oil settle again and recheck. top up as required to the full mark on the dipstick.
The manual info and capacities are normaly only a drawing office calculation from theoretical displacements and sizes of sump pans etc. Quite often they dont even allow for things that might be in the sump pan and therefore displace oil... ie pick up pipe and strainers.

[dasadrew]

...... fill to the dip stick full mark regardless of how much you put in......

+ (based on known experience - not mine!) make absolutely dead sure that the dipstick is absolutely 100% the right one for the car and has not migrated over the years of previous owners from another model which has the same diameter, look and form, but another length. True!

[73stagman]

+ (based on known experience - not mine!) make absolutely dead sure that the dipstick is absolutely 100% the right one for the car and has not migrated over the years of previous owners from another model which has the same diameter, look and form, but another length. True!

I assumed that was a given...daft assumption sorry But yes obviously check that the dipstick is right for your engine

[dasadrew]

Not sure about Triumphs, but it is a mishap waiting to happen on old Escorts! It only needs a Sierra or whatever to get a different sump to an Escort or Fiesta (very likely!) but remain with the same block, then someone gets dipsticks muddled up when he gets a recon engine. Hopefully Saab 99 or Dollie sticks or whatever don't fit the Stag!

[TonyC]

Not sure about Triumphs, but it is a mishap waiting to happen on old Escorts! It only needs a Sierra or whatever to get a different sump to an Escort or Fiesta (very likely!) but remain with the same block, then someone gets dipsticks muddled up when he gets a recon engine. Hopefully Saab 99 or Dollie sticks or whatever don't fit the Stag!

So, would one of you be kind enough to measure his dipstick in order to check that mine is the right one. I found it hard to engage in the tube, so maybe it's the answer ?

Tony

[DJT]

So, would one of you be kind enough to measure his dipstick in order to check that mine is the right one. I found it hard to engage in the tube, so maybe it's the answer ?

Tony

From an old thread on this subject:

http://www.stag.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?12639-Dipstick&highlight=dipstick

Dave

[TonyC]

From an old thread on this subject:

http://www.stag.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?12639-Dipstick&highlight=dipstick

Dave

Thanks Dave

Tony

[DJT]

Thanks Dave

Tony

No problem, Tony. I meant to add in reply to your first post that I have changed the Stag engine oil many times over the years and never used the whole 5 litres. There is always enough left over for a top-up when required.

Dave

[flying farmer]

A further thought to add to this, is your dipstick straight?
Because it enters the oil at quite a shallow angle, the slightest bend can have quite a significant effect, in fact if you put it in back to front the marked face is further down (or is it higher up)? can't remember without looking. On one of my cars with a stag engine, can't remember which (age maybe), the dipstick had to be inserted back to front as the loop on the top caught on something, and as a result I had to re mark the full level to get the right amount in there.
Neil

[73stagman]

Sorry I have a Rover V8 with an SD1 sump and associated dipstick

[jleyton]

And on the subject of filling with oil, who's been around when someone starts up a diesel that has been overfilled with oil ? (not me 'onest guv)

For the less technically minded, if this happens, the engine can suck in the excess oil though the breather system and, guess what ?, engine oil is pretty like diesel. Engine goes 'yum, yum - more fuel' and so goes faster and, as it goes faster it umm .........sucks in even more oil/fuel and goes even faster..and faster and faster etc.

Not much point in turning off the 'ignition' as there isn't one on a diesel It's not easy to stall a diesel at the best of times, but it takes a brave man, and a bloody strong clutch, to try and stall one that's revving it's whotsits off and getting faster all the time.

Usually it just goes BANG !

Cheers

Julian

[Phil]

I have a Mercedes Vito van (for sale) and the main dealer did its first service On the way home the dash warning came on oil overfill. Rang them up to ask what to do the reply was don't move where are you 20 mins later they removed 1.5litres of oil
No harm done luckily but they did panic