1. Home
  2. Car Maintenance
  3. Oil Level and Dipstick in 1.4 TDCi

Oil Level and Dipstick in 1.4 TDCi

Evening,

I'm finding it very hard to take oil readings from my 1.4 TDCi (Ford Fusion 03). It looks like I may have a little too much oil in there, which is a concern, but each dip seems to reveal something slightly different. See pics:

formatting link
I can only find one other reference to this problem anywhere with no clear guidance - Some complaints about the dipstick picking up oil from the edges of the tube. These sticks do do about half a turn on their long journey in and out so I can see how that might be the case.

This I hope is oil that was put in as part of the service when I bought the car.

As usual with my posts, the car drives fine and as also usual, i'm in paranoia mode (given I was right about most problems with the last car I can't ignore my paranoia). I find it noisier under load than my old 2 litre HDi, but I think that had more sound proofing and didn't need pushing anything like as hard to get quickly up to speed.

If this reading is right, just how over full would this indicate it is? It seems to be the case that a lot of extra oil is needed to do any real damage? If it was doing any damage, what symptoms would I expect to see?

Any assistance greatly appreciated.

Cheers, Tom.

Reply to
Tom Hawley
Loading thread data ...

Don't be offended im not trying to be a clever arse, but...Are you...

A) Wiping the dipstick before each "dip"?

B) Pushing the stick all the way home?

C) Having the car cold/cool and standing on level-ish ground?

You'd be shocked and surprised what people get up to!

Tom

Reply to
Tom Burton

I've come across somebody testing it with the engine running before now...

Reply to
PC Paul

SNAP! - That's one the things that prompted the post and a suggestion to my aunt that an ideal gift for her halfwit offspring would be a few evenings on a local college car maintenance course.

Tom

Reply to
Tom Burton

I wouldn't be at all suprised, but yes, yes and yes - i am following the rules.. Any thoughts?

Cheers, Tom.

Reply to
Tom Hawley

Try dipping the oil with the engine hot, and 5 minutes after it's stopped.

Reply to
moray

Hi, If you are concerned that oil in the tube is confusing your reading, remove the dipstick for an hour before you dip the level. This will allow the oil that is dragged up the tube to run back down, don't forget that the initial pulling out of the dip stick drags oil with it so you won't have this happen by spreading the procedure over an hour. Cheers now Ken

Reply to
Chappers

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.