Oil Levels

AKcold · Sep 15, 2020

Silly question I guess. I notice that when I check the engine oil before cranking the dip stick always shows over the full mark on one side and between low and full on other side. The between reading is correct as after oil change I know what I have in it. Just curious if this common.

oosik · Sep 15, 2020

No - I have not found the condition you are experiencing to be common. Something on one side of the dipstick that doesn't allow the oil to stick. Is the angle that the dipstick goes into the oil sump so radical - its causing this condition.

Insert the dipstick fully - rotate 360* while inserted - pull and read. This should be your true oil level.

Redbug · Sep 15, 2020

That's interesting oosik. I never thought of doing that. I have always measured using the lower side of the dip stick. Seems rotating it would give the highest mark. I do know on mowers and such you need to screw the dip stick in and get the reading from being in all the way.

Bearsixty7 · Sep 15, 2020

AKcold said:
Silly question I guess. I notice that when I check the engine oil before cranking the dip stick always shows over the full mark on one side and between low and full on other side. The between reading is correct as after oil change I know what I have in it. Just curious if this common.

My MT240 does similar as well. I pull the dipstick before starting and it appears over full, I wipe it off with a shop towel and recheck and it's just below the H or full mark. I don't recall one side being higher than the other all though I know it's hard to see the oil on the blank side of the dipstick as it stays pretty clean.