My DIPSTICK is on crack! PLease advise

[roperteacher]

Hello! I haven't posted in a while, but wanted to get opinions here. My dealer changed my oil and I drove my truck 500 miles. Checkjed the oil and it was on the "Add" line. Dead on it. THis was after several minutes after it was shut down on LEVEL surface. Checked 2x more... . same deal. . on ADD. SO I go to get 2 qts oil and ck just prior to putting the oil in... and it was on the FULL mark..... Checked 5 minutes later... on the ADD again... . I went and had them change the oil right in front of me this time to make sure they filled it.....



Why would my dipstick be so inconsistent? Did the dealer just not fill it up to full?????? Have driven it 500 miles since and it is perfect. .



This truck NEVER burns a drop of oil and runs like a dream. Got under it, absolutelyt DRY no leaks... . THIS IS WEIRD!!!! :--)

 

[Mobius1]

I couldn't quite tell but did you check your oil with the motor running?

 

[nauidvr1]

roperteacher,

Others on here have stated to let you truck set for at least 15 minutes after running on level surface BEFORE checking oil. Sometime takes that long for all the oil to run back into the pan.



When I picked up my truck from the dealer they had over filled it because they did not let it sit long enough, after pulling it into the shop bay for prep, before they checked the oil and thought it was low.

 

[Moose]

Not to question ur intelligence or n e thing but r u sure that u pushed the dip stick all the way in?. . Ive made that mistake a time or two and ended up driving around with an extra 2 quarts of oil in the engine... Aside from that I usually wait atleast 20 min or so before checking it just to be sure... Just my $. 02





Moose

 

[roperteacher]

No offense taken, yes, I always ck it with the engine off for sure. ANd yep, Dip stick goes all the way in! THanks for the advice guys

 

[nickleinonen]

i actually wish the sump on our engines was desigined for having the lube oil level checked with the engine running. . some extra baffles and a longer pipe around the dip stick would make that happen easially... i am so use to the engines i work on and they are all check oil with engine idling and hot

 

[jmtandem]

ropeteacher,



I have found it is better to add the correct amount of oil measured not by the dipstick when changing the oil and filter. In my experinece if the truck is not level, or cold or not been shut off for 15 minutes the dipstick is just an approximation. It can vary a lot especially on uneven ground.

 

[DannyW]

It helps to pull the dipstick out, and leave it out for 15-20 minutes before taking a reading. The oil seems to wick up into the guide tube with the stick in place.

 

[DannyW]

It helps to leave the stick out for 15-20 minutes before taking a reading. The oil seems to wick up into the guide tube with the stick inserted, giving erratic readings.

 

[CFulton]

Same thing happened to me once. Truck had been setting overnite on level pad, checked the oil and exactly 2 quarts low. Checked and rechecked; finally added the 2 quarts and it was right on. Drove the truck the next day and after setting awhile was exactly 2 quarts over and stayed that way till next oil chance. Never figured out the cause etc. Dealer and Cummins couldn't figure either! Cummins said not to worry about the over fill unless was a gallon or more over!

 

[brownc1]

Same thing happened to me once. Truck had been setting overnite on level pad, checked the oil and exactly 2 quarts low. Checked and rechecked; finally added the 2 quarts and it was right on. Drove the truck the next day and after setting awhile was exactly 2 quarts over and stayed that way till next oil chance. Never figured out the cause etc. Dealer and Cummins couldn't figure either! Cummins said not to worry about the over fill unless was a gallon or more over!

Just bought a 2005 3500. I am flunking reading the dip stick. Never had a dodge before. How are you able to tell these levels to the quart? I can't even see clearly on the stick where the markings are. Granted I have not checked it in full sunlight, its always been snowing and lower visibility.