dipstick inaccurate

[ghillie]

It seems my dipstick is too long. When I have the crankcase topped off with 11 quarts of oil, it reads one quart above full line on dipstick.



So what's the fix for this?

 

[craftybigdog]

Are you considering that there is also a quart in the oil filter 11 quarts is including the oil filter!!!

 

[ghillie]

Yes, me no dummy. Total of 11 quarts, to include the filter, but nice try Crafty

 

[LSMITH]

You can get a new dipstick or you can mark the one you have for the proper full level. I would mark the one I have personally.



There may be a way to get the dipstick out of the handle and cut it on the proper end, but I am not aware of how or if it is even possible.

 

[ghillie]

anyone else have this problem or am I unique??

 

[Riflesmith]

Not unique...

Mine has been this way since I got it new. I have simply been living with it by keeping it about a quart over full on the stick.

 

[Gizmo 007]

Mine does the same thing. I just don't worry about.

 

[chuck3]

Mine too, and most likely a couple hundred more like that out there, there was a post on this about a year ago and there were a lot .

 

[TowPro]

they had a TSB on this in 98, I got a new one that read correct, I guess the found a case of the old ones left over (or maybe they USED the old ones they pulled out of the trucks in 98)

Originally posted by chuck3

Mine too, and most likely a couple hundred more like that out there, there was a post on this about a year ago and there were a lot .

 

[Royal]

Ghillie---Mine is the same,But Try checking the oil when the engine is warm a few minutes after you shut it off. I get a normal reding level then, with 11 qts. If you let it set for awhile or over night it will be about 3/8 to 1/2 inch over full,because the oil cooler and filter bleed back into the oil pan. Try it.

 

[RedRam1]

Mine reads one quart low with 11 qts. On my first oil change, I started after leting the truck sit overnight, I then jacked up the truck & drained the oil. While the oil was draining, I rotated the tires, and since the truck was brand new, I spent quite a while laying on my back on the creeper, just checking everything out. The drain plug was probably out for over an hour, and the truck was cold, so I'm sure I got every bit of the oil out... it wasn't even dripping when I put the plug back in.

I measured out exactly one quart of Delo from one of my gallon jugs, pre-filled and installed a new Fleetguard filter, and added the remaining oil to the crankcase. I was being very cautious, didn't spill a drop, and was very meticulous about the measuring and such (y'all know how it is with a new vehicle). When I was done, I started the truck to look for leaks, drove to the parts store to recycle the old oil, and came back home. The reading on the dipstick was right at one quart low. It's been this way at every oil change since new... I've thought about just dumping in all 12 qts to eliminate the minor hassle of measuring out one quart every time, with the capacity of the pans on our engines, one qt. probably wouldn't raise the oil level enough to cause leaks, cavitation, or any of the typical problems caused by overfilling. Anyone else have a dipstick that reads low?

 

[craftybigdog]

Hey I wasnt trying to be a smart uh !!!!! I was just trying to help I would go to the dealer and compare dipsticks if you want measure it from end to end and then to where the rivets are and I will measure mine and see if there is any difference hope this helps!!

 

[jwilliams3]

Ghillie,

Your pan holds about 9. 5 quarts, and 1 in filter.

As long as you drain your engine properly at oil change, and

install the proper amount at every change you have nothing to worry about.

The dipstick is meant for a reference point, it would be hard

to exactly gauge the amount of oil in your engine at anyone time (due to all the little oil passage ways in your block).

Hope this helps!

 

[ghillie]

Thanks for all the help guys.



I knew I was putting 11 quarts in after a good drain, one in the filter and 10 in the crankcase. Always read high. I was concerned that the dipstick might be right and the manual was wrong. Don't want to over fill by a quart. So I just needed to know where the error was, "dipstick or manual". You guys helped with that. So thanks.



Crafty, I know you were trying to help, and meant no offense by by my return comment.



Royal, your recommendation is the way I check, which typically is the more correct way, but thanks for the suggestion.



So thanks to all for the piece of mind.