Lately, when I check my oil I don't seem to get a straight reading from the dipstick. The oil is on there pretty normal except there is a thick part that comes up to about the bottom of the cross hatch (quart low). Then there is a very thin layer that comes to just above the cross hatch ( over full). It did this before I changed my oil and after. It does it before I start the car and after, whether I have wiped the dipstick or not. I'm not an idiot and I swear it never used to do this. Since I did just changed the oil I know its closer to right than a quart low but has anyone seen this? Which line do I believe? I am about to go on a road trip and don't want to damage the engine. Any ideas? I don't want to be guessing at the correct oil level.
hmmm... no leaks right?.. it should be a problem.. how many quarts did you use, when i did my oil change i think i used almost 4.2 quarts.. something close to that
You should follow the side that is lower of course. The one that indicates it needs a quart of oil. Just make sure the ground is level when checking it.
Well, since I have until Friday before I travel, I think I will just drain it and put back in the right amount and watch what it will do so I know for sure which one to follow. I just changed the oil a week ago so I don't need to change the filter. Holy200sx, you are a GA16 right? My owners manual says 3qts plus 3/8qt for the filter. But if the cars reads right who knows.
i was gonna say every time i change my oil its about 3 1/2 quarts.
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95 200sx timing advanced to 15*, custom cai, Stromung exaust (no cat), b&m short throw shifter, rusted out fenders, worn suspension, creaking balljoints, cracked windshield and bad cv axles. your regular hooptie that requires 92 octane.
Also, maybe one of you will know. If I just pull the drain plug and empty it but leave the filter on, will it drain too or will it stay full? I don't know the most about how the engine works. I am using a Fram filter which does not have a check valve. And for future reference, when I get the oem filter with the check valve, does that interfere with the dipstick reading at all? Just curoius how that works.
the filter will still have oil in it. cuz i usually pull the filter off after i drain the pan, and always get oil all over my arm. dunno about the check valve thing
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'95 200sx SE = konig divas on 185/60R-14 Kumho 716s, open-airbox, k&n filtercharger, 1.3 bar radiator cap, all red taillights, removed black doorframe vinyl, mesh grill, remote start alarm, no-chrome window frame, sylvania silverstars, optima red top, w/ 4AWG ground, full kenwood sound system. my car!
if the filter doesnt have an anti-drainback valve, all of it should drain, but i suggest changing filters at every oil change as recommended. it only holds a small enough of oil, nothing that will affect the oil reading, purely for cold start reduced wear.
Location: B.S. from University of Connecticut in 2003
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Assuming you have to external or internal oil leaks, if you drain oil and put in 3 1/2 bottles of oil then your dipstick level should be just below the middle of the cross hatch part - ie normal
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And that is exactly what I am planning on doing tonight before my trip tomorrow. The only reason I am not changing the filter is because I just did an oil change about a week and a half ago. The only reason I am draining/refilling is to make absolutely sure I am at the right level. As for the filter, yeah I always get some oil on my arm too but I think its just the lower half of the filter not being able to drain back since its completely on its side. Why do designers do that? I don't care if you have a lift or a pit, when you pull the filter its still going to leak oil right on everything below it. Either way, thanks for all the knowledge.
Well, I got it drained/refilled last night. Poured in 3 qt oil and there was a tiny bit in the filter I'm sure, comes up dead in the middle of the cross hatch. But I can still see that the oil is very thick up to a point and then thins down before stopping at the reading line. Maybe its just running down as I pull the dipstick out. I don't know but its right now. Thanks for all the good discussion and tips. Since the car doesn't burn a drop of oil hopefully I won't have to worry about this until the next oil change.
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