Help please - A tough to read oil dipstick?

Question

The oil dipstick in my car is very tough to read ... tough to see the oil level.

Any tips on how to read it?

Answer 1

Had the same problem on a Ford. I just got a piece of sandpaper and cleaned the calibrated portion of the dipstick until it was shiny. Worked great.

Answer 2

If you have a bench grinder, take the side of the dipstick, and slightly notch it, holding it at a 45 degree angle to the grinder. This way, you can see the notch and the oil level.
Another technique is take a paper towel or clean rag. Pull the stick, and PLACE it on the rag. Pinch the stick tip, and let the oil soak onto the rag. Holding the rag in place, remove one side of the rag from the stick to read the level...the oil mark just above or below the stick level indicator will tell you as well.

Answer 3

10W-30 is OK to use. If it's burning oil then it maybe rings, maybe a ring is stuck. I would clean the air filter and the breather tube to eliminate that problem. Keep a good oil in it and keep a close eye on the oil level. You may need to go with a hotter plug to burn off excessive oil. The blue smoke my quit after some use and also after changing oil again. If you do suspect a ring that is stuck, you may try using some of the Lucas injector cleaner and upper cylinder lubricant. That seems to help cleaning the rings a bit. But as long as it runs and does the job, keep it well maintained and it my do just fine. My Brother-law has a mower just like that, it burns oil all the time but he has used it for 4 years now and it still starts on the first pull! Edit - Malky Malky is correct, that Sea Foam is really good stuff and it does work.

Answer 4

get a new dip stick from dealer or junk yard that is in better shape than yours
if ya dont want to do that then tale out your dip stick and clean it realy well so you can make out the marks and then remark it with a file on the edge just make a nick in it for the top mark and bottom mark and the inbetween mark yuo will know what they mean because you marked them did that for my old john deer tractor because i could not find a dip stick for it quick enough and wanted to use the tractor and not ruin the engine

Answer 5

use the glare of the light. and maybe just maybe there isnt any oil on it whatsoever. to see if thats the case ues a very clean paper towl and see if there is any residue after you wipe in on to the paper towl. if there is, thats good, cause not only do you have oil, but its clean. like its suppose to be.