Checking Oil

[Denio]

When I check the oil I have a hard time getting a good reading. The oil seems to drag up the stick and not giving a solid reading at the bottom..
I changed the oil 1k ago with Amsoil 5/30w and only have 22.8k on engine.
vehicle has sat for 24 hours in the garage
so all the oil should have drained down into the pan.

 

[<<<<]

Yea, it seem to be a problem for all of us here. Some people filed some of the dipstick to create rough surface. I havn't done that, because I think removing chrome from mild steel dipstick may cause it to rust. I just put 5.3 quarts of oil in at the change time (note not 5.5 but 5.3 to account for left over oil in the crankcase). I'm not to woried about the level, since I do my own oil changes and I know how much oil goes in.

 

[bsl888]

That seems to be a problem for the V6. I usually will take the dip stick out for 15 to 20 minutes, then insert and pull out. You pretty much get one reading only, if you reinsert then the oil will smear along the dip stick.

 

[Uneek]

Yup the 1GR dipstick sucks @$$. A few guys over on TN have drilled holes in the dipstick to get a better read.

 

[iLLWiLL]

sorry, can't really add to the discussion...just recognizing another Sacramentan on the boards...i think that makes 4 of us now

 

[97hb]

Hmmm, never had a problem with mine. Pull it out, wipe it clean. Reinsert and it comes out with a good reading. Always fill mine with 5.5

 

[malmgren]

Working at Jiffy Lube many many years ago, I can tell you guys a trick that works almost perfectly every time. After pulling out the dipstick, spray the end with water or windex, wipe it clean, then check it again. The problem is that the oil will still cling to the surface metal on the dipstick and make it hard to read. But after cleaning off the oil with water, it makes reading the oil level MUCH MUCH easier! This works for both oil and the AT dipsticks. Try it!

 

[jeober]

....have drilled holes in the dipstick to get a better read.

You can drill 1/16" holes in the dipstick at the full and add marks.

 

[Sichko]

I just had this same problem. For checking oil in airplanes I was taught to try to figure out the highest point you can see the oil going all the way around the dipstick. That seems to work for the 4runner also - though it is a bit hard with brand new / fairly clear oil.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I was simply taught to look for the longest stretch of consistent oil sheen, if it starts "breaking up" or spattering then that's just extra that's been dragged on the stick. If it's been submerged in oil it will be one continuous unbroken sheen.

 

[MrBunnyRunner]

I was changing the oil the other day and thinking to myself... why IS this dumbstick so hard to read??? Nice to know I'm not alone.

I have a 2007v6 and I've always filled with 5qts and called it good. The "line" was about in the middle (I think). However, based on manual and what was said above I tried adding another .2 qt but now it looks a little high... what do you guys think?

I also tried drilling out the bottom hole... but I'm not sure it's actually easier to read. I just "cleaned out" the top hole (ok the bit broke) but that one actually seems easier to read. Used a 1/16 bit and ran it in the hole for a few min and I like that one better.

Anyway, what do ya'll think about this oil level? Over full? Little full but it's ok? or OMG it's going to blow?

 

[AuSeeker]

Looks over filled to my eye, it shouldn't be passed the top hole.

But only seeing the one side og the stick it could be OK, I always check it from both side of the stick,
if the level is restively the same on both sides it should be an accurate reading

 

[ray k]

Maybe slightly overfilled but not enough to hurt anything IMO.

 

[CookieRoe]

After draining the oil and the filter, I just fill it with 5 quarts, check the level quickly and never give it a second thought.

Yes, these dipsticks can be tricky to read. Its not as bad as my 07 Civic. The dipstick in that is an orange plastic stick. The see new oil, you have to look as the reflection of light (on the oil) to see the level. A pain.

 

[MrBunnyRunner]

"Fill with 5qts and call it good"... That's normally what I do and what I'll go back to. Being a little over the mark isn't going to kill anything but I'll probably siphon it off after it's had time to clean a bit. I'm sure the lawnmower would love some second chance M1 oil from the t4r. If I can get a good pic of the oil level in the appropriate range... I'll post it for others who show up here.

 

[badattitude]

I also notice my dipstick reads too full when I add 5.5 quarts per the manual. 5.5 quarts with a Toyota Filter change in a V6. I know 5.5 quarts is what the manual states with a filter change but am concerned about being too full. I'm a new 4th gen owner and have done one oil change.

Sounds like 5.0 quarts is the real number. I believe the 5.2 quarts stated in the manual is imperial Quarts not our American quarts

 

[ecally]

I have a 2008 V6. I use a Toyota filter and 5.5 quarts brings it exactly to the upper mark on my dipstick.

 

[MrBunnyRunner]

I'm guessing we killed this one but here are some quick notes to help others in the future... I pulled my filter and drained it 3 times to extract .2L of oil (best way I could think of so I could measure systematically) and it's about perfect now. See image below...


Some data points for others not willing to give up.... I have a leveling kit on the front but I jacked up the back to compensate and it didn't make much of a difference. My garage floor slopes 1" to the rear... tried compensating for that also... didn't make much of a difference. I use a 5-us qts jug of Mobil 1 (not 1qt bottles... not sure if it matters), and I have a 2007 4.0 v6 (1GR−FE) with Toyota filter (90915-YZZD3).

fwiw the manual states the following but I'd fill to the dipstick before I blindly dumped oil in:
ENGINE LUBRICATION
Oil capacity (drain and refill), L (qt., Imp. qt.):
4.0 L V6 (1GR−FE) engine:

With filter 5.2 (5.5, 4.6)
Without filter 4.9 (5.2, 4.3)
​

4.7 L V8 (2UZ−FE) engine:

With filter 6.2 (6.5, 5.5)
Without filter 5.7 (6.0, 5.0)
​

 

[aabottom]

FYI: For your amusement and rapport there are more posts in this thread, which is where I posted today.


http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/196766-cant-read-dipstick.html#post2835506