Improving the visibility of oil on an engine dipstick

[prs]

If you do all that it will break off while leaving paint in the oil.
Lots of good suggestions. Avoid paint and choose other options in order of least mechanical effect and ease of reversibility if they dont suffice.

That's a joke son you're supposed to laugh - YouTube

 

[SPYDERLK]

Not the least of which is laying the unmodified stick on a clean paper towel.

I find that sometimes oil smears upward on one or other side of the stick. When so, you really need to see the low side.

 

[RickB]

I find that sometimes oil smears upward on one or other side of the stick. When so, you really need to see the low side.

Whatever.

 

[Beaux Duke]

I like to go with whatever is the least amount of work.
I pull it out, wipe it off, stick it back in, pull it back out then call my grandson over to look at it.

We are talking dipstick so remember that

 

[dragoneggs]

Flashlight!

 

[dragoneggs]

Flashlight!

I use my camera on my iPhone too for many things tough to read. Zoom in.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Around here we use a sight glass on the oil pan of irrigation engines. You do need to remove the oil pan and add a pipe threaded opening. You can even check the oil level while the motor is running.

 

[CobyRupert]

I like to go with whatever is the least amount of work.
I pull it out, wipe it off, stick it back in, pull it back out then call my grandson over to look at it.

We are talking dipstick so remember that

Whew!!! Thank God!! :ill:

 

[dragoneggs]

We are talking dipstick so remember that

Hey let’s not get personal here

 

[4570Man]

Not the least of which is laying the unmodified stick on a clean paper towel.

The amount of trouble some people are willing to go through to fix a non existent problem is amazing.

 

[SPYDERLK]

The amount of trouble some people are willing to go through to fix a non existent problem is amazing.

Do you actually have any experience with dipsticks?

 

[4570Man]

Do you actually have any experience with dipsticks?

Do you mean the things that check oil or a different kind of dipstick? Yes I have experience with the oil checking dipsticks. The only ones that are hard to read are the hydraulic oil ones. If you're lucky enough to have a hydraulic oil dipstick, quite whining. The sight glasses are truly awful.

 

[pmsmechanic]

The sight glasses are truly awful.

I don't know what you are talking about. One quick glance at mine and I know what my oil level is. Way quicker and cleaner than a dipstick.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Do you mean the things that check oil or a different kind of dipstick? Yes I have experience with the oil checking dipsticks. The only ones that are hard to read are the hydraulic oil ones. If you're lucky enough to have a hydraulic oil dipstick, quite whining. The sight glasses are truly awful.

I am referring to a second order problem : That where the dipstick encounters some proximal interference when inserted or withdrawn that causes the oil to leave a partial mark on one side that is higher than the true full mark left on the opposite side. In such instances you have to be able to get the true indication on the low side.

Im surely open to it if you can posit any alternative other than direct visual.​

 

[Oldpath05]

I put a punch mark on my kabota oil dipstick for the 5 quart full mark, it worked so good I marked the dipstick on my butter dish, one for full, half empty, and a hole for low so the wife knows when to refill it.

 

[Budweiser John]

I use my camera on my iPhone too for many things tough to read. Zoom in.

Stellar idea. Five years ago I could see a fly on a telephone pole fifty yards away. Macular degeneration causes one to get really creative in dealing with the affairs of daily living.
B. John

 

[dragoneggs]

Stellar idea. Five years ago I could see a fly on a telephone pole fifty yards away. Macular degeneration causes one to get really creative in dealing with the affairs of daily living.
B. John

I was there too with the great vision. Still better than most at distance with enough light, but low light and close up it is increasing frustrating. I'd like to take back all the ribbing I did to my father at a restaurant when I sat across the table and asked if he would like me to hold his menu. :laughing: :ashamed:

I admit I use my phone and zoom for vision and also memory these days. Another thread already on the forum here somewhere goes on about smart phones vs. 'dumb' phones and whether they are needed. I can tell you that as I grow more deaf, dumb, and blind... my iPhone is proving to be my best tool and it's almost always in reach.

 

[bohaslup123]

John Deere makes a dye for hydraulic oil under part number MT3668---cheap about $4 a bottle-and it really improves visibility on the stick---dont see why it cannt be used for oil.