V8 engine oil dipstick hard to read ?

[Outlaw77]

wow necro thread bump with some seriousness!

[sehovarter]

OK - after all this diatribe - I just want to add that (1) I too find the stock SS dip stick very hard to read and (2) no where in this post did anyone give a link to where one might find an aftermarket dipstick (the actual item you insert into the engine, not the email or phone # for any of us knuckleheads on this post - including me) that is easier to read. the stock dipstick is the same color as the clean oil, and clearly, when you pull the stick out, wipe it clean, put it back in and then pull it out again- get some residue. I did my first self change a few weeks back, and every so often get a slight wiff of oil in the cabin. I drained the engine, put in the requisite 8 qts (with new filter) but the smell had me concerned, even though I did not spill any when I put the new oil in. I find reading that f#$king stick hard - maybe someone make a white one??

[Trob85]

Holy Ghost bump batman, bringing out the dead. I've never had a problem reading my dipstick on my Procharger head unit that IS nearly impossible to read the oil is clear so that doesn't help. What I do is use a white rag lay the stick on it and move it showing where the oil sits on the stick.

[stmbtwilli]

I'm with you op. It takes me two or three tries in order to get an accurate reading. Usually I grab my super duper led light and that definately helps.

[Indydriver]

No wonder the OEs want to make it illegal for owners to work on their cars. Here's a hint: If you can't figure out how to read your dipstick, DO NOT under any circumstances, attempt to DIY service or modify your car.

[Muscle Car Lover]

Originally Posted by Indydriver

No wonder the OEs want to make it illegal for owners to work on their cars. Here's a hint: If you can't figure out how to read your dipstick, DO NOT under any circumstances, attempt to DIY service or modify your car.

I am with the OP here Indy, without a targeted light pointed at the dipstick it's actually hard to see what the level is. Of course, you could just have an LED handy to get the read knowing this in advance

[sehovarter]

fun and lively discussion boys and girls - and regardless of any of the implied comments on my abilities for working on cars - I have rebuilt engines, transmissions, suspensions, brake calipers, master cylinders, hell, I used to rebuild 3 speed hubs on bikes - it is not a lack of skill or competence - all I am saying is - the stick on the Camaro is hard to frickin read! plan to try tomorrow with the vehicle stone cold - to see if that doesn't remove some of the scatter up the stick. thanks for all the helpful and supportive comments....... I think!

[Camaro Dude]

The dipstick in this LS3 application is indeed harder to read than other applications that I have witnessed.

This particular dipstick's spiral design, and the insert tube path, doesn't allow for an easy and clean extraction of the stick, and thus oil consequently gets smeared, not allowing for clean and efficient observations.

[Bo White]

Like i said in this thread....a few years ago....i flip mine over a couple of times and see were its at.
The dipstick in these cars is easier to read than my wife.

[SixSpeeder]

I've owned a lot of cars, and modified a lot of cars with my own two hands. The dipstick in this car is the hardest to read out of any of the cars that I've owned. I have 20/20 also.

That's besides the point though, anyone running an aftermarket one that works well like others have inquired about in here? It's not that big of a deal to me personally that I would go out of my way to buy one, but it's funny how people are defending it in this thread and ridiculing others. It's the worst dipstick I've ever owned on one of the most expensive cars that I've ever bought.

[Camaro Dude]

Originally Posted by SixSpeeder

I've owned a lot of cars, and modified a lot of cars with my own two hands. The dipstick in this car is the hardest to read out of any of the cars that I've owned. I have 20/20 also.

That's besides the point though, anyone running an aftermarket one that works well like others have inquired about in here? It's not that big of a deal to me personally that I would go out of my way to buy one, but it's funny how people are defending it in this thread and ridiculing others. It's the worst dipstick I've ever owned on one of the most expensive cars that I've ever bought.

Don't sweat it, people will will argue and on here which is the better car, sunroof model vs non-sunroof model to the death,,,,which one sucks more 1SS or 2SS? , and the list goes on, lol.

+1 on an aftermarket dipstick.
I'll buy one instantly right here right now if someone provides a link to one.

[erickangulo]

my dipstick gets oil pretty high up pass the cross hairs. It's usually on only one side of the stick, vertically. Anyone have a link for a quality dipstick?

[Moto-Mojo]

Easier to read cold. So, if it's full cold, is that some kind of sign it's low when hot? I realize oil gets up top but if it's full cold, I'm thinking it's at the proper level. No?

[Camaro Dude]

Originally Posted by Moto-Mojo

Easier to read cold. So, if it's full cold, is that some kind of sign it's low when hot? I realize oil gets up top but if it's full cold, I'm thinking it's at the proper level. No?

By reading oil "cold", it simply implies, that enough time will have elapsed, to allow most of the oil to drain from the valvetrain, cylinder head, block, all the way back down to the oil pan.

Reading oil when hot, like say immediately right after filling up with gas, usually results in observations that read too low. As a result, the inexperienced end user, might end up overfilling with oil, due to error.