The two engines I have owned over the years seemed to give me fits when attempting to read the oil level on the dipstick. Firstly, I owned both universal M-15 & M-18's. Virtually identical. So when I pull out the dipstick after filling the engine to the spec level of oil, (2.5 & 3.0 qts respectively). I then run the engine, & check the level the next day. Upon the initial pull, the oil barely registers on the dipstick (seemingly indicating too low on oil). I clean the stick off, reinsert & reads halfway up the stick (indicating too much oil). If I had to guess, I'd say the initial reading is more accurate, as after the first check I'd bet some oil follows & hangs in the dipstick tube to give any following reading a false reading. But you know I've changed oil over a dozen times (to spec) and it reads low every time. I end up leaving the engine alone & changing the oil more often since I don't feel I have a reliable way to measure the level. Ideas? Help me avoid the regular nightmares I have of seizing my engine up...
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m-18
I have the M-18. When I check the oil, I pull the dip stick out, clean it, stick it back in, pull it out again, and take the reading. That is with a cold, level engine.
I have the M-18. When I check the oil, I pull the dip stick out, clean it, stick it back in, pull it out again, and take the reading. That is with a cold, level engine.
Trapped air?
I'm guessing that air is trapped inside the dipstick tube after you've drained the oil and re-filled the engine, the reason it reads low. Upon pulling the dipstick out the next day, the oil level runs up the tube and reads too full. I always check my oil in my vehicle, and all engines, several times, never just once. Suggest remove the dipstick while filling the engine. After filling the engine, have a cool beverage and then check the oil two or three times. Dan
I'm guessing that air is trapped inside the dipstick tube after you've drained the oil and re-filled the engine, the reason it reads low. Upon pulling the dipstick out the next day, the oil level runs up the tube and reads too full. I always check my oil in my vehicle, and all engines, several times, never just once. Suggest remove the dipstick while filling the engine. After filling the engine, have a cool beverage and then check the oil two or three times. Dan
oil gone to fliter
When I change the oil in my Perkins 30 , I remove and dry off the stick. A change the filter and replace the recommended amout of oil. I insert the stick and get a reading. After running the engine, I check to see that the oil pressure light and alarm have gone on and off. I recheck the level again, knowing it will read low because some of the oil is now in the filter. I leave the dip stick out overnight and check it again when cold. The new oil can be hard to see on the stick. If in doubt, I mark a paper towel and lay the stick on top of it. The mark is now obvious. Hope this helps.
When I change the oil in my Perkins 30 , I remove and dry off the stick. A change the filter and replace the recommended amout of oil. I insert the stick and get a reading. After running the engine, I check to see that the oil pressure light and alarm have gone on and off. I recheck the level again, knowing it will read low because some of the oil is now in the filter. I leave the dip stick out overnight and check it again when cold. The new oil can be hard to see on the stick. If in doubt, I mark a paper towel and lay the stick on top of it. The mark is now obvious. Hope this helps.
oil in filter
I suppose the oil level could actually be low as the filter surely takes a fair amount of oil to fill, I assumed that space was considered when writing the spec, no? I wasn't too specific about this, but I get the same too low/high readings every time I take a reading (weeks, months later) so I doubt it is a trapped air issue. Do others get a low reading when they fill their engine oil to spec? I'm hesitant to add more. Does too much oil damage the engine?
I suppose the oil level could actually be low as the filter surely takes a fair amount of oil to fill, I assumed that space was considered when writing the spec, no? I wasn't too specific about this, but I get the same too low/high readings every time I take a reading (weeks, months later) so I doubt it is a trapped air issue. Do others get a low reading when they fill their engine oil to spec? I'm hesitant to add more. Does too much oil damage the engine?
Ron again
Too much oil is not good. Have you tried draining the oil and measuring what you get out, compared to what is specified to go back in ? Some engine manuals state the capacity with or without the oil filter.
Too much oil is not good. Have you tried draining the oil and measuring what you get out, compared to what is specified to go back in ? Some engine manuals state the capacity with or without the oil filter.
Initial oil reading
Your initial oil reading will be low. As you do, wipe off and take another reading. I think it was Stu Jackson said that when the engine cools, a vacuum is created sucking the oil from the dipstick tube. Reomving the dipstick lets the oil flow back into the tube. I always let the engine warm up at the dock, shut it down to check for leaks and check the oil again. Also, my engine, Universal 5424 requires 4.5 qts, but I have never been able to replace more than 3.5, can't seem to get it all out.
Your initial oil reading will be low. As you do, wipe off and take another reading. I think it was Stu Jackson said that when the engine cools, a vacuum is created sucking the oil from the dipstick tube. Reomving the dipstick lets the oil flow back into the tube. I always let the engine warm up at the dock, shut it down to check for leaks and check the oil again. Also, my engine, Universal 5424 requires 4.5 qts, but I have never been able to replace more than 3.5, can't seem to get it all out.
Ron, Glen, Good points
I'll have a look-see at how much oil I get out. My first engine the M-15, had to have the oil sucked through the dipstick so I'd potentially not get it all out (out of 2.5 qts, I got about 2.2 out). My M-18 has an oil drain hose on the bottom of the oil pan so I "think" I'm getting it all out. I'll need to carefully measure what I get out next time. Also Glenn has a good idea, since oil follows the stick up the tube when I pull it out, I might try pulling it out just enough to release any pressure say 1/2". Thanks for all your ideas!
I'll have a look-see at how much oil I get out. My first engine the M-15, had to have the oil sucked through the dipstick so I'd potentially not get it all out (out of 2.5 qts, I got about 2.2 out). My M-18 has an oil drain hose on the bottom of the oil pan so I "think" I'm getting it all out. I'll need to carefully measure what I get out next time. Also Glenn has a good idea, since oil follows the stick up the tube when I pull it out, I might try pulling it out just enough to release any pressure say 1/2". Thanks for all your ideas!
Dipsticks on U engines
Glen Thanks for remembering me, but I was wrong back then. It's simpler. There's a seal on the dipstick. Just pull it out, give the oil a few seconds to settle and thn reinsert the dipstick and then measure it. It is NOT like a car, which usually has an open dipstick tube. Look at the dispstick itself, it has the seal on the handle! Read the manual. Stu
Glen Thanks for remembering me, but I was wrong back then. It's simpler. There's a seal on the dipstick. Just pull it out, give the oil a few seconds to settle and thn reinsert the dipstick and then measure it. It is NOT like a car, which usually has an open dipstick tube. Look at the dispstick itself, it has the seal on the handle! Read the manual. Stu
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