Anybody realize when checking the oil dipstick.....
03-01-2006, 05:33 AM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Anybody realize when checking the oil dipstick.....
that the oil is ALL over the dipstick even though the engine is turned off for 30 seconds or more.... making it impossible to check the oil level...... even after wiping it off with a towel and checking again, its all over the dipstick in uneven and random spots
03-01-2006, 05:51 AM
#3
Racer
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Benz_05_TSX
never happened to me before.....everytime i checked the oil is at a constant level..
is your car parked on a flat surface?
is your car parked on a flat surface?
03-01-2006, 07:10 AM
#5
C'mon, man! Row yer own.
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Originally Posted by Un-Kut
yes, flat surface.... i have common sense you know
03-01-2006, 07:21 AM
#6
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by peter_bigblock
You need to wait longer than 30 seconds. Wait about five minutes and see if you still have oil up and down the dipstick.
30 seconds isn't long enough.
03-01-2006, 07:37 AM
#7
Luke 1:37
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Nope, he's right. I have the same problem. I just checked this morning (12 hours parked) and my oil is all over the place. It makes me think I'm ok, but its been 7,000 miles since I've put any oil in, soooooo its got to be running out soon correct?
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03-01-2006, 08:03 AM
#8
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Yup, I have the same problem. It seems I have to wait more like 45 minutes or even an hour to get a good reading. Frustrating and I've never seen this before.
By waiting that long am I getting a different reading than when the engine is actually operating? It seems logical that it would read higher after letting it sit that long.
By waiting that long am I getting a different reading than when the engine is actually operating? It seems logical that it would read higher after letting it sit that long.
03-01-2006, 08:54 AM
#9
Someone stole "My Garage"
Originally Posted by BulldogHockey
Yup, I have the same problem. It seems I have to wait more like 45 minutes or even an hour to get a good reading. Frustrating and I've never seen this before.
By waiting that long am I getting a different reading than when the engine is actually operating? It seems logical that it would read higher after letting it sit that long.
By waiting that long am I getting a different reading than when the engine is actually operating? It seems logical that it would read higher after letting it sit that long.
03-01-2006, 09:18 AM
#10
send me a link to JDM??
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Originally Posted by virtualbong
Nope, he's right. I have the same problem. I just checked this morning (12 hours parked) and my oil is all over the place. It makes me think I'm ok, but its been 7,000 miles since I've put any oil in, soooooo its got to be running out soon correct?
03-01-2006, 10:05 AM
#12
Originally Posted by curls
By waiting, you're getting a more accurate reading, based on how the dipstick holes are 'calibrated'. They're meant to be read when all oil has settled into the pan.
Let it settle and let the engine cool. You don't have to wait this long, but I usually check mine in the morning, after the car has been sitting overnight.
03-01-2006, 12:08 PM
#18
Try this: Pull out the dipstick a first time, try to pull it out straight without touching the walls of the inside of the dipstick hole, wipe dipstick, put it back in, take it out straight, again avoiding touching the inside walls, then read
I think the problem might be (at least in my experience), sometimes when you pull out the dipstick the first time, you get oil around the inside of the dipstick hole, and when you put it in and pull it out a second time, the oil gets on along the dipstick again...
so in short, pull out your dipstick straight without getting the inside of the hole wet, wipe dry, stick it back in, pull out straight again, and observe..
emm... that didn't sound so right did it....
I think the problem might be (at least in my experience), sometimes when you pull out the dipstick the first time, you get oil around the inside of the dipstick hole, and when you put it in and pull it out a second time, the oil gets on along the dipstick again...
so in short, pull out your dipstick straight without getting the inside of the hole wet, wipe dry, stick it back in, pull out straight again, and observe..
emm... that didn't sound so right did it....
03-01-2006, 01:11 PM
#20
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Originally Posted by supraken
so in short, pull out your dipstick straight without getting the inside of the hole wet, wipe dry, stick it back in, pull out straight again, and observe..
03-01-2006, 01:19 PM
#21
Luke 1:37
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I'm going to test the oil again tonight after its been sitting for awhile, but every time, I've tried not to get the dip stick to hit the walls. I'll let you guys know how it goes.
btw. how long does oil last before you have to put more in usually?
btw. how long does oil last before you have to put more in usually?
03-01-2006, 01:59 PM
#22
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Originally Posted by virtualbong
I'm going to test the oil again tonight after its been sitting for awhile, but every time, I've tried not to get the dip stick to hit the walls. I'll let you guys know how it goes.
btw. how long does oil last before you have to put more in usually?
btw. how long does oil last before you have to put more in usually?
Are you asking how long it would be before you burned off so much oil it would be a problem? In this car less then others, but a decent amount of time. You should really get the oil changed far before you would EVER "run out" of oil.
I thought you were kidding about that ealier
Changing the oil should be a concern before running out. People have reported burning off quite a bit (although I haven't really noticed it) but you shouldn't be burning off so much oil you are running out
03-01-2006, 02:38 PM
#25
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Originally Posted by jpt
The inside of the hole always seems to be wet long before i pull my dipstick out...
:thread jack: I am excited trading in Evo for 03 Tiag M3 Excitment
03-01-2006, 06:16 PM
#27
Swinger, just ask Lindy
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Originally Posted by Benz_05_TSX
Maybe getting a JAY-DEE-EM dipstick will solve the problem??
03-01-2006, 08:25 PM
#29
Originally Posted by BulldogHockey
Yup, I have the same problem. It seems I have to wait more like 45 minutes or even an hour to get a good reading. Frustrating and I've never seen this before.
By waiting that long am I getting a different reading than when the engine is actually operating? It seems logical that it would read higher after letting it sit that long.
By waiting that long am I getting a different reading than when the engine is actually operating? It seems logical that it would read higher after letting it sit that long.
yes, this is a problem with your TSX. go take it in to your dealer and let them mess around with it and ultimately laugh at you for being an idiot.
03-01-2006, 11:16 PM
#31
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Originally Posted by frescagod
you're an idiot. you've gotta wait longer than that. i'm only 23 but i've owned 5 different cars now and every one of them needed awhile to get an accurate reading on the oil. "oooh, it takes more than 30 seconds to get an accurate reading...." hahhahahahaha.
yes, this is a problem with your TSX. go take it in to your dealer and let them mess around with it and ultimately laugh at you for being an idiot.
yes, this is a problem with your TSX. go take it in to your dealer and let them mess around with it and ultimately laugh at you for being an idiot.
03-02-2006, 08:49 AM
#32
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Originally Posted by frescagod
you're an idiot. you've gotta wait longer than that. i'm only 23 but i've owned 5 different cars now and every one of them needed awhile to get an accurate reading on the oil. "oooh, it takes more than 30 seconds to get an accurate reading...." hahhahahahaha.
yes, this is a problem with your TSX. go take it in to your dealer and let them mess around with it and ultimately laugh at you for being an idiot.
yes, this is a problem with your TSX. go take it in to your dealer and let them mess around with it and ultimately laugh at you for being an idiot.
Whatever dude. Take it easy, jeez. I said 45 minutes, not secs. I've owned more than 5 cars and most of them give you sense of where they are at when you pull up at the gas station.
And yes this thread is probably reaching a little bit as far as newsworthy information...
03-02-2006, 09:46 AM
#33
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Originally Posted by JTso
I can't believe a thread on how to check oil. What's next? 
Now that we have dropped to the level of name calling and second splitting I felt compelled to point out the long told, obvious lesson taught every young boy when he was first allowed to check the family car's oil level (insert cherry popping sound hear).
First you gently pull out the dip stick as straight as possible.
Second you clean it of all oil.
Next you slowly reinsert it (as in dip) in a straight motion (the TSX stick does twist a bit) trying not to collect any oil on it before it hits bottom.
Finally, and here's the important part, repeat step one.
Lastly, do it all over again to double check your findings.
Now before anyone gets all offended and takes my suggestion as a personal affront to their manhood; I'm not talking to you. I'm only trying to help those of us who might need to pay a little more attention to their technique because there is one indisputable fact - we all have the same engine, soooo..... Operator error???
03-02-2006, 09:58 AM
#34
Team Owner
Adding to the above post.
When you check your oil level you need to concentrate on the very end of the dipstick, where the two marker holes are. Ignore oil splashes higher up because, unless you (or your mechanic) overfilled by quarts, the level will not be up there. Look for the soak line, below which the dipstick is soaked. Dry spots on the dipstick is most likely an indication of splashed oil transfer rather than oil level. Your main concern is that there isn't enough oil rather than there being too much. The difference between the lower and upper level mark is 1 quart so you can eyeball how much oil you need to add once you see the level.
When you check your oil level you need to concentrate on the very end of the dipstick, where the two marker holes are. Ignore oil splashes higher up because, unless you (or your mechanic) overfilled by quarts, the level will not be up there. Look for the soak line, below which the dipstick is soaked. Dry spots on the dipstick is most likely an indication of splashed oil transfer rather than oil level. Your main concern is that there isn't enough oil rather than there being too much. The difference between the lower and upper level mark is 1 quart so you can eyeball how much oil you need to add once you see the level.
03-02-2006, 04:53 PM
#38
Someone stole "My Garage"
Originally Posted by gsclifton
^^^
How to inflate the tires?
Buckle the Seatbelt?
Oh wait .... how to refuel?
How to inflate the tires?
Buckle the Seatbelt?
Oh wait .... how to refuel?
Not joking here. This past fall I was putting gas in the car when a POS early 90's Nissan sedan pulled in to the pump behind me. Some older east-Indian guy gets out... looks at me, looks at the gas nozzle... looks at the gas nozzle on his pump, and then says to me:
"How you poot gaz?"
I couldn't even dignify that with a response. Futhermore, I was more concentrating on getting the hell away from him, because if he doesn't have a CLUE how to put gas in the car, how the hell can he be licensed to drive? I didn't want to find out.
03-02-2006, 05:39 PM
#39
Drifting
Try turning the dipstick around to the otherside and get a reading then. [I've had this happen before too when looking on one side. But often the other side gives a good reading.
03-02-2006, 06:35 PM
#40
Burning Brakes
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Originally Posted by curls
I couldn't even dignify that with a response. Futhermore, I was more concentrating on getting the hell away from him, because if he doesn't have a CLUE how to put gas in the car, how the hell can he be licensed to drive? I didn't want to find out.