I can't figure out how to use the oil dipstick

[GroundClearance]

First post! I've been lurking for about a year, but figured it was time to join.

Anyway, I know I may sound retarded for asking this, but I seriously need help with this simple task. I gave my 4runner its first oil change a couple months ago, and every time I try to check the oil level I can't figure out what it is. I pull out the dipstick, and there is oil several inches above the "full" line. I will wipe it off, reinsert, check again, and I get the same thing. I have done this repeatedly under all conditions, including first thing in the morning before starting, ~30 minutes after turning off the engine, and while still at operating temperature, and I always get the same results.

Before you jump on me and tell me that I don't know how to change the oil, that is not the case. I have been doing that for years with other vehicles and have never had this problem before. I completely drained the old oil, changed the filter, and put in new Pennzoil Platinum synthetic. I put in whatever the amount specified in the owner's manual stated as the capacity, although I don't remember exactly how much that was.

I am just extremely frustrated by this, because there is no way there is that much oil in the oil pan. Sometimes the dipstick will have oil up to 6 inches above the full line, which is just ridiculous. Am I just reading it wrong? Is there another method I should try? Do I suck at life? Advice appreciated.

 

[toto]

I've found with the V8 that there's one way the dipstick likes to go in an out. If you put it in that way, it moves very easily. But if you turn it around to a different angle, it's a lot harder to slide, and even messes up the reading like you're describing.

So that's an idea... keep turning it a little bit and putting it in until you find the direction where it works best. There's now a mark on the top of my dipstick that tells me which way it goes in.

 

[kyrunner]

When I was using Havoline I had a hard time reading the dipstick since the oil was so clear. The only time I could get a reading was 1st thing in morning after it had set overnight, and even then only on 1 side of dipstick. I am using Mobil 1 now and it darkens up more so it is quite a bit easier to see the fill mark.

 

[biglatka]

I completely drained the old oil, changed the filter, and put in new Pennzoil Platinum synthetic. I put in whatever the amount specified in the owner's manual stated as the capacity, although I don't remember exactly how much that was.

Is it possible that you put in the quantity of oil specified for the V8? The amount you see over the full line is just about the difference between the two engines. Other than that, sometimes the dipstick scrapes along the side of the tube and picks up some oil over the full mark. My guess is the former.

 

[Jeff Kleb]

Your V6 should take 5.5 quarts (with filter change) to fill it. I don't know the V8's capacity, but it is certainly a bit more. Check your owner's guide carefully, because they show the capacity for BOTH the V6 and the V8. The former is a 4.0, while the latter displaces 4.7 liters.

You may also want to be sure that your 4Runner is on level ground when you drain the oil....as even a slight incline could cause some of your oil to remain in the pan. (To be sure all mine drains out, I will stand on the trailer hitch and jar the vehicle up and down......or will push down on the front bumper.)
:bigok:

When you read the dipstick, the oil level should be right at the 'top' dot, which is basically the "FULL" mark. The lower dot, of course, is the "ADD" mark. Toyota probably doesn't put any lettering on it because they sell vehicles in so many different nations with varying languages.

Making one dipstick with two 'dots' on it beats the heck out of making over 50 different ones from English to Chinese to German to Swahili. Those Toyota folks are efficient, you know.
:awais:

 

[Mountaineer]

Sometimes it's hard to see the oil level on the dipstick, especially right after the oil has been changed. If you look close enough though you can usually tell where it is. If you have to pull the dipstick a few times to check it try to be quick when you insert and remove it so you won't pick up as much oil from the sides of the tube. This seems to have worked for me in the past.

 

[Uneek]

I put 5.25 quarts without a filter change and 5.5 with a filter change. On the Tacoma forums, many have drilled out the dimples and sanded hash marks in between the dimples.

 

[GroundClearance]

I'm sure I put in the V6 capacity, not the V8. I will try putting the dipstick in at different angles and see if that does anything. And I am not having a problem seeing the oil on the dipstick, it is fairly easy to get a reading.

It seems like there is just excess oil on the pipe walls where the dipstick goes in, and the oil is catching on the dipstick when I pull it out, skewing the reading.

Out of curiosity, how serious is the potential damage from having too much oil in the pan?

 

[toto]

Excessive oil in the system will cause the oil to foam as it gets sloshed around by moving parts. That can cause a loss of effectiveness, including a drop in oil pressure. Too much oil is as bad as not enough oil.
The tolerance isn't that tight. You could easily be 1/2 a quart high without causing a problem, so don't lose sleep or get out a graduated cylinder trying to put in exactly the right amount.

 

[jcm]

You're not alone. I also have a V6 and have the same problem. There's oil well above the top fill mark whenever I take a reading. I thought perhaps the oil gets sloshed up the dipstick tube while running so I've tried taking a reading after letting it sit overnight. Pulled stick, got a high reading. Cleaned stick reinserted and another high reading. I put in exactly 5.5 qrts. This situation makes it v. hard to gauge when/how much oil to add during long drain intervals (I use Amsoil Series 2000). This issue is independent of whether I do the oil change or I have a shop do it.

Re: stick orientation: I believe the stick will only go in 2 ways since there's a bend in the tube and the stick can only bend along a single axis. Both ways are equivalent.

Mine is an '04. I'm curious if this issue is production year related and if it is show's up on the newer V6's.

 

[mtnc]

I pull the dip-stick out and leave it for 10 to 15 minutes. I usually get an accurate reading then. That gives the oil in the tube time to drain. Trying to check the oil while filling the gas tank is an absolute waste of time.

 

[kurt1011]

i have an '06 and it is the same as mention before - royal pain in the arse to determine oil level....i will try leaving the dipstick out for 20 mintes and see if it helps.

 

[scooterz]

dipstick

I had a new ford truck, the first oil change the oil didn't even show on the dipstick. Turns out they put the wrong dipstick in from the factory. So check the length of the dipstick.

 

[chip4]

I have a V6 and it reads high with the 5.5qts -way past the marks. Oh well maybe if we complain enough Toy will do something. I think mine will get by with 5qts

 

[Mountaineer]

I put 5.5 qts in my V6 and it's always at the full mark. That's with a filter change too.