Can you read the oil level on a dipstick?
Can you read the oil level on a dipstick?
As always, the oil level on the manufacturer-supplied dipstick was almost impossible to read with fresh oil. I struck on the idea last night of making a dipstick out of a zip-tie, on the principle that the tiny ridges would hold the oil on the stick, and the possibility that the plastic would allow the oil to stick better.
Can a dipstick be left in the engine?
The oil level is very easy to read. Note that with a longer zip tie this should also work beautifully on cars too. Zip-ties are just the right combination of flexibility and rigidity that they should work beautifully, and the loop at the end will prevent them from falling in. I would caution that the dipstick cannot be left in the engine.
Why are my dipsticks so hard to read?
New cars, trucks, and many other machines that run on gasoline, propane, natural gas, and even hydrogen for that matter run very clean, and so the oils used in them stay quite clear and translucent. This can make it very difficult for people to get an accurate reading on these dipsticks.
How often do you need to check the dipstick?
You need to stop and check the dipstick periodically while refilling the crankcase. The dipstick trumps whatever the book says. If the book says 8 quarts, but the stick reads full after 6 quarts, don’t put in any more. Start the engine and run it for a few minutes. Stop the engine. Let the oil settle.
As always, the oil level on the manufacturer-supplied dipstick was almost impossible to read with fresh oil. I struck on the idea last night of making a dipstick out of a zip-tie, on the principle that the tiny ridges would hold the oil on the stick, and the possibility that the plastic would allow the oil to stick better.
The oil level is very easy to read. Note that with a longer zip tie this should also work beautifully on cars too. Zip-ties are just the right combination of flexibility and rigidity that they should work beautifully, and the loop at the end will prevent them from falling in. I would caution that the dipstick cannot be left in the engine.
You need to stop and check the dipstick periodically while refilling the crankcase. The dipstick trumps whatever the book says. If the book says 8 quarts, but the stick reads full after 6 quarts, don’t put in any more. Start the engine and run it for a few minutes. Stop the engine. Let the oil settle.
Can you make a dipstick out of a zip tie?
I struck on the idea last night of making a dipstick out of a zip-tie, on the principle that the tiny ridges would hold the oil on the stick, and the possibility that the plastic would allow the oil to stick better. The results? The oil level is very easy to read. Note that with a longer zip tie this should also work beautifully on cars too.
