Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Dipstick is shifting positions

[John Berger]

Checking the oil last night, I was shocked to see that it was about a quart below the full line. I'm thinking WTF is going on here. When I inserted the stick in for a double check I noticed that the whole tube shifted back as I pushed the stick into the tube. I loosened up the mounting bracket, and pulled the tube forward and re-tightened. Did an oil check and it is almost to the full line. I have not been getting consistent level readings from the dipstick since last May. I'm not losing oil out the exhaust pipe or after the exhaust turbo and the only visible oil is from the puke tube, so this has been perplexing to say the least. Has anybody else experienced this?



My dipstick always showed about a quart over the full line including right after oil changes with one quart in the filter and ten in the crankcase.

 

[Whitmore]

John, take a looksie at where the tube goes into the block and make sure it is inserted all the way, this will help so you can be accurate.



cheers, Kevin

 

[John Berger]

Oil level seems to have stabilized. I loosened up the tube mount, pulled it up where it should be, wrapped some electrical tape around the tube and tightened the clamp around the tape. So far so good. The tube was fine at the bottom of the engine. So now I know where all my oil was going... I've had more crap vibrate loose on this truck. I've been fortunate in that I've got the TDR and I catch the stuff early. I think I'll make a shake, rattle and roll maintenance list. It could be long.....