Dipstick Level

2710Fan · 04-11-2001, 09:44 AM

It seems as I look at the dipstick marks on my tractor that there's considerable range between the high and low marks. Certainly, anything within the range is acceptable...but where do most of you keep the level at?

Any thoughts about the expansion when Hot?

Any difference between Engine Oil and Transmission Oil?

As always...thanks for your input.

JB

GlueGuy · 04-15-2001, 11:21 AM

Jon,

I traditionally check the oil level cold before starting. Since I have a cabinet of oil, I will usually "top off" if it's even down just a little. I keep one quart in a special place in the cabinet for this purpose. It's probably not much of an improvement, but it makes me feel better.[img]/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif[/img]

I don't know how much oil expands when hot, but I don't like to check the engine hot. There is often oil up in the galleries, and I don't think you get as accurate of a reading.

Well, there ought to be a big difference in engine & tranny oil. For one thing, quantity. Ought to be a few gallons in te tranny. Of what difference are you you referring?

The GlueGuy

geneP · 04-15-2001, 06:06 PM

I wouldn't want to run my engine if it were more than a quart low, if it were to use that much between changes. I have also noticed the wide range between the Hi/Low marks. When I changed oil the first time I installed 1 quart less than the capacity, ran the engine, let it set for a while, then marked the dipsitck with a notch to show where the "quart low" position is. Then I added the final quart. I also check my oil when cold, so I wanted to simulate checking oil on cold engine.

Bird · 04-15-2001, 06:29 PM

2710Fan, as you say, anything within that range is acceptable, but like GlueGuy, I tend to top it off if it's more than about a quarter of a quart (1 cup) low. And I, too, usually check it cold before I start it up to work with it, but I don't mind checking it hot so long as I give it a few minutes (5 or so) to all run down (I really think 2 minutes is adequate). What I don't want to do is start it up, then shut it down before it warms up good, and check the oil.

Bird

04-11-2001, 09:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
2710Fan Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 18	Dipstick Level It seems as I look at the dipstick marks on my tractor that there's considerable range between the high and low marks. Certainly, anything within the range is acceptable...but where do most of you keep the level at? Any thoughts about the expansion when Hot? Any difference between Engine Oil and Transmission Oil? As always...thanks for your input. JB

04-15-2001, 11:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
GlueGuy Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Francisco Bay Area California (CA) Posts: 1,659	Re: Dipstick Level Jon, I traditionally check the oil level cold before starting. Since I have a cabinet of oil, I will usually "top off" if it's even down just a little. I keep one quart in a special place in the cabinet for this purpose. It's probably not much of an improvement, but it makes me feel better.[img]/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif[/img] I don't know how much oil expands when hot, but I don't like to check the engine hot. There is often oil up in the galleries, and I don't think you get as accurate of a reading. Well, there ought to be a big difference in engine & tranny oil. For one thing, quantity. Ought to be a few gallons in te tranny. Of what difference are you you referring? The GlueGuy

04-15-2001, 06:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
geneP Gold Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Central Mississippi, USA Posts: 389	Re: Dipstick Level I wouldn't want to run my engine if it were more than a quart low, if it were to use that much between changes. I have also noticed the wide range between the Hi/Low marks. When I changed oil the first time I installed 1 quart less than the capacity, ran the engine, let it set for a while, then marked the dipsitck with a notch to show where the "quart low" position is. Then I added the final quart. I also check my oil when cold, so I wanted to simulate checking oil on cold engine.

04-15-2001, 06:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
Bird Epic Contributor Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Corinth, TX, USA Posts: 22,926	Re: Dipstick Level 2710Fan, as you say, anything within that range is acceptable, but like GlueGuy, I tend to top it off if it's more than about a quarter of a quart (1 cup) low. And I, too, usually check it cold before I start it up to work with it, but I don't mind checking it hot so long as I give it a few minutes (5 or so) to all run down (I really think 2 minutes is adequate). What I don't want to do is start it up, then shut it down before it warms up good, and check the oil. Bird

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