**** Dip Stick

[w3ozwizard]

Ok Folks I have just about had it with that long snake engine oil dip stick on my V-10 Ford 6.8 engine. It is very long and has many twists in it. Why??? I do not know. Anyway I have been changing and checking my oil in the past year I have had the MH. When I pull the dip stick out, it seems there is oil on it about half way up. I really can't tell where the oil stops on the stupid stick. There are two holes on the end of the stick and I am assuming that as long as there is oil in them I am find. Today I changed my oil and filter. Put in 6 quarts of oil with the filter. I checked the oil and again I just could not tell where the oil line ends on the stick. Anyone else have this problem and can tell me how to read the stick. I have never had a car or truck that had a mickey mouse stick for checking Oil like this one does.

[grinder613]

spot on.....never check any engine oil when you pull into a gas station. You will get a false reading. check it when it is sitting overnight. no need to wipe the stick. Just pull it out and look. easy peasy...........

[w3ozwizard]

I tried the suggestion of just letting it sit over night and then just pulling it out and checking without the usual cleaning the oil off the stick and re-inserting it. That method seems to work just fine. So thanks to all of you for your fine help.

[Old_Crows]

Bee like Dakzuki & the Crow....

Check your oil level from the dashboard ..... Get a Mercedes Sprinter!;)

[Gjac]

I have one of those dip sticks so I know what you are talking about. Mine, when it said full was over 1/2 a qt more that the 7 qts needed. So I filled with the req amount of oil, then filed a new notch in the dip stick. I also cleaned the tip with a fine emery cloth. The oil sticks better on a slightly rough surface than a shiny one. Also I know now which way to insert it so it goes in easier, when "oil" on handle is upside down.

[bdpreece]

Used to have a truck that acted like that. What I did was pull the dipstick in the evening wipe it down and leave it out then insert and check the following morning.

[Dakzuki]

I push a button on my dash board and it tells me the oil level.

[tpi]

I usually check mine after sitting at least overnight. Usually in the storage spot or leveled in a campsite. Usually not at fuel stops, I'll do a quick glance for leaks and an underhood sniff test at that time. Oil consumption on mine is low and very consistent. Oil level checks have not been especially hard when engine has had plenty of time to drain back and cool off. The cool thicker oil hangs in position on stick better than hot thin oil.

[DutchmenSport]

In the old days of Model T's ... well, I'm not THAT old, but back in the 60's and 70's, we never check the oil with a hot engine. Always checked it after it sat several hours so all the oil would drip back down. Then, you get only 1 chance to check it. Otherwise, the oil would smear up the stick shift. No wiping, just pull it out with a cold engine.

Sounds like yours is like that too. Try it in the morning, and see if that help. Just pull it out and see what it reads.

Normally, the oil level should be between those 2 holes. Top hole is full. Anything higher than the top hole is overfill. Bottom hole means ... add. But your stick may be different.

[w3ozwizard]

Thank for the replies. I check all my cars with no problem using the same procedure. Pull the stick out, wipe it off, reinsert it, pull it out and look for the highest indication of oil on the stick. Works on all my cars. But this **** twisted stick has oil all over it when I pull it out the second time and every time there after. I will try the suggestion of just pulling it out and looking at the level after it has sit for awhile, maybe that will work. All dipstick I have on all my cars including my BMW have just plain flat sticks with no twisting and I have no problem measuring with them, it is just the stupid Ford stick that is a mess. Some engineer must have had a bad night the day he designed this monster.

[gbopp]

PSW wrote:
Same technology for checking oil levels since............Model Ts?

A century of tradition, unhampered by progress. 😞

However it is cheap, simple and reliable.

[DrewE]

Mine seems to work okay, or as well as any oil dipstick. It is long, but I assume that's because it's a long distance from the top of the hood to the actual oil crankcase, especially with the engine being as much under the dashboard as under the hood.

It's always harder to tell oil level on a dipstick with new oil since it's still nice and light in color. Sometimes I find it helps when reading to hold the dipstick on a paper towel and see where the towel gets stained.

[mgirardo]

No one has ever changed or checked the oil on our 2009 Motorhome except me. My experience is totally different than yours. My oil level indicator on the dipstick is clear as can be.

I've used this procedure since I first started driving, pull the dipstick out and clean it. Put it back in, pull it back out and read the level. 6 Quarts of Mobil 1 is what I put in our E-450, every 7,500 miles or once a year, whichever comes first.

-Michael

[PSW]

Same technology for checking oil levels since............Model Ts?

[K_Charles]

Maybe a hole in the floor or the dog house? If you want one end in the oil and the other end where you can reach it it will have to go from one end to the other. I have seen longer dip sticks then your V10 ford has.