I have a Freshwater cooled Volvo MD11D on my Fulmar. The oil dipstick in a RW cooled MD11C is short and goes right into the block so there’s less chance of oil dragging along the stick. On my FW engine the alternator is in the way of the dipstick so Volvo added a long curved dipstick tube for ease of access. Unfortunately, because the long dipstick slides/drags through the long tube, it gives unreliable oil level readings. Is there another way to get accurate reliable oil level readings? Just spit balling here, maybe a different, straighter dipstick/extension tube combo? I added an oil pressure gauge as a failsafe, but would love a more straightforward, mechanical measurement.
Dipstick troubles on MD11D
- Thread starter FulmarCT
- Start date
I can not answer your question, but the dip stick tube is very close to the alternator output lug. You might consider slipping a hose over the tube to avoid a short, or turn the tube so it points more towards the back of the engine and away from the lug.
That happens on a lot of engines. The oil forms sort of a big U on the dipstick, just read the bottom of the U where the oil goes all the way across the stick.