Large differences between cold/hot oil check

ozzyleven

New member
How much of a difference should you normally see between a cold engine and hot engine oil check? I know theres a lot of similar posts on here, but none of them really answered my question. My 94 sits a touch under the full mark when cold, but after its been running awhile, it is a lot above it. Close to two inches above. I was always taught that the cold level is what you are looking for and thats also what the Toyota service manual for my vehicle says. Should I worry at all that it gets so high when its hot? The hot level seems like it would be overfilled (pretty sure its not). Its been like this for a couple weeks now, since I did the oil change. Funny thing is that I put in about the same amount of oil that came out. Within a 1/4 quart or so, since my drain pan is marked. I haven't seen any indication of it being frothy, no bubbles or anything on the dipstick. I've just never seen differences like that between checks on any other vehicles I've ever dealt with and it makes me worried that it could be an indication of some sort of problem...

Just a thought, do you think that when the oil is hot, it may be smearing up the dipstick when I pull it out and screwing up the reading?
 
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It doesn't actually have to be cold to get a good reading, it just can't be right after you've driven and parked it. It takes a while for the oil to drain back down into the pan to get a correct reading.
 
What you probably are seeing is what I see on my Jeep. If you check it too soon after shutting off the engine (hot), you will get an incorrect reading because oil from the upper parts of the engine if flowing (falling) back into the oil pan and hitting the dipstick as you are pulling it out.

I would wait about the time it takes to fill your tank from empty (or near empty). That's what I do and I get a consistent reading every time.
 
I actually feel really stupid about this now. I just wasn't giving it enough time. Checked it this morning and it was fine after letting it sit for about 5 minutes or so. I guess panic was setting in every time I saw that dipstick and my common sense couldn't quite catch up :)
 

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