Dipstick readings are variable???

[Guest]

If I put my oil dipstick in with the handle facing the oil fill tube as opposed to putting it facing down (towards engine hatch) I get diff. readings. Can be as much as 1/4 to 1/2 qt. Anyone else have/delt with this issue. This only occurs after several hundred miles of driving after oil change. Engine has approx. 2400 miles since rebuild (Type 4 2056). Is there a certain position the stick should be at for the most accurate reading? Worried about under/overfilling it.

[dstar]

Put 4 quarts in and run it to fill all the oil passages.
Then let it sit a while and check the oil.

always put the stick i nthe same way, and use THAT as your baseline.

The length of time you let it sit before checking can change the measuremenet also.

I just check on my way to the car, first thing in the am.
THat way, it sits in the same spot, has sit htere all night and the readings are being taken under the same parameters.

IF your engine is using or leaking oil, FIX IT!


They were not designed to do EITHER and is an indication that
SUMTINGWONG!!


Don

[James2]

So I was showing my Ex how to check the oil in her car, I explained that it had to be to the second little line.

So every weekend, I would make her check the oil. One day she was checking it and it was a little low.

She called me over and exclamed " it's not to the line!"

When I walked over there, she mumbled " Oh, I think it's going to be allright now."

She was holding the dipstick sideways and slightly upside down when looking at it and oil was sliding down the dipstick to the fullmark!!!!

[dstar]

She was holding the dipstick sideways and slightly upside down
when looking at it and oil was sliding down the dipstick to the fullmark!!!!

BUWAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHA!

Sounds like my Ex......


Don

[Dipstick readings]

Putting in 4 qts. will over fill the engine. My 72' camper manual specifically states with filter change 6.125 pints, without filter change 5.25 pints. back of my manual says 3.7 qts. but that's with a fresh motor, my experience has been that after draining the oil and removing the filter it will take 3.0 qts to bring it to the full line. If you should remove the strainer, maybe 3.25 qts., but putting 4 qts in will over fill the crankcase, maybe not a lot but it sure looks like it according to the dipstick.

6.0 pints = 3.0 quarts
5.25 pints = approx. 2.75 qts.
3.7 qts. doesn't = 4.0 qts. there is a diff.

[dstar]

Racing 914s regularly run 4.5 quarts of oil........

That extra .3 quart isn't hurting anything..........isn't HELPING
anything either, except keeping YOU from throwing it away with the
bottle. or leaving it to leak in the trunk!


These engines were designed with high *idiot tolerances* built in......


Don

[yetibone (elsewhere)]

Racing 914s regularly run 4.5 quarts of oil........

That extra .3 quart isn't hurting anything..........isn't HELPING
anything either, except keeping YOU from throwing it away with the
bottle. or leaving it to leak in the trunk!


These engines were designed with high *idiot tolerances* built in......


Don

Actually, it will help to slightly overfill a Type IV. They seem to have an oil windage problem (no oil at the sump screen during hard cornering) that is easily remedied by an extra pint and a half of oil.

[MASSIVE TYPE IV]

I run 4 quarts and don't give a damn what the factory said....

They are the same bastards that set us up with a crappy camshaft! Remember that!

I can think of only two factory tolerances that I have kept the same as "The book"!

[Guest]

In a 914 I would agree it probably is a good idea to put the full 4 qts. in. But in a Bus not necessary, just to the full line is appropriate, not going to be doing any high speed/G's cornering.

[dstar]

Tell us what you do with the other half quart?

Throw it away? Nah! We're VW folks, we are too cheep fer that!

Pour it out on the ground?

Pour it in our sewers, lakes and ponds?

Pour it out in the trunk of your vehicle?
BUWAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHA!

Just put 4 quarts in it and go.......IF it needs oil before an oil change,
rebuild the top end or fix the leaks....


Don

[Guest]

I keep it in the compartment behind my seat in case its needed.

[dstar]

.......IF it needs oil before an oil change,
rebuild the top end or fix the leaks....


Don

Heh, heh, heh!

Don

[Guest]

Not true Dstar... A freshly rebuilt motor will use some oil. I'm running a Type 4 2056 w/approx. 5,000 miles on it. I just returned from a 2500 mile trip L.A. - Seattle and used 1 qt. total. there were about 5-6 grades ranging from 1700ft - 4300ft.

[dstar]

Yes, everyone knows that new engines will use oil until the rings seat......


IF you put a 1/2 quart over, then it would only be 1/2 quart low and
should make it 500 miles until the next oil CHANGE......



Don

[Guest]

Pour it out on the ground? Hopefully, no one believes what our govt. is telling us about what that does. Funny how that no matter where your were to pour it out, the govt. would always say what about the water table underneath. Well there aren't water tables everywhere, besides where do you think it came from in the first place.

Spilling it in your car? That would suck! Just make sure it's lid is tightly on.

After draining mine I pour it into the bottles I used to fill the engine with then out to the dumpster it goes, after that I could care less... This planet will be around for several million more years. Who knows maybe even a billion more.

Don't worry be HAPPY!