D4D Inaccurate Oil Level On Dipstick

[Freeman]

Gents, I am struggling to find a method to measure my oil level on the dipstick of my D4D.

When I remove the dipstick, all parameters fine (temp, level surface etc) I get 2 smears under each bubble, rear side level displays way higher than the top mark.

I have tried removing the dipstick for a few minutes and then replacing it but I have the same result.

Please no comments on a hilux not using oil, engine being cold or the level surface for measurement? I have a genuine challenge and need some constructive input

[Quadmyster]

I have the same problem with the d4d dipstick.

I sometimes wonder if this is right and if my oil level is correct. It seems to smear of on the curves of the pipe it's running in.

Would be interesting to see what answers comes up.

[Die$eL]

I get the same problem on both the MR2 and D4D

Sorry, i cant offer a solution, just sympathy... lol

[damazon]

Same on my 2.5 D4D

[Polarbear2008]

How soon after you stopped the motor do you check the oil? I was told by a Toyota mech that you need to let the engine sit for a while, so that the oil can drain back to the sump before testing the dipstick as this will be an accurate reading.

My 2c worth.

[Hoppy]

You need to cool the dipstick down before inserting it, in the old days the mechanics used to wipe them and made some swordplay moves, this was actually a cooling ritual, once it's cool, the oil sticks to it better, you can also insert it, turn it 180 degrees and insert it again.
I think you will get more practical tips on the Landrover forum, they do it much more often.

[Sun Chaser]

I

I think you will get more practical tips on the Landrover forum, they do it much more often.

[Die$eL]

I think you will get more practical tips on the Landrover forum, they do it much more often.

[Aquanaut]

I would suggest to check the level at your next service, the workshops fill the engin according to the volume specified, e.g. 4l or 6l. check to see where the level of the oil is according to these specs, then you can see which side is the correct one.
???

[Mylux]

I have the same problem on my V6. I've tried twisting the dipstick when pulling it out but that did not help.I am considering draining the oil to measure the actual volume vs the specs. Otherwise I will do the same on the next oil change.

[Traveler]

Can you guys maybe post a pic of the problem? I have not seen it in either of my SRX's.

Best advice I ever got was to check the oil first thing in the morning before even starting the engine, cause that will show you the actual content in the sump, and it helps a fool like me to not overfill which can also lead to other problems.

[ChrisF]

same problem on a Tata Indica car - FULL on the one side of the dipstick, NO oil on the other side. With the EXACT volume of oil added as per the manual.

[Mars]

It is really difficult to check the level, particularly when it is full. That is why I have taken to measuring the oil exactly when I service it.

Remember that the oil will not push up any higher in the dipstick tube than the actual level so if there is a smear adjacent to the full mark/hole then there must be oil there.

So the procedure is to measure on a level surface with the engine off. Take out the dipstick and wipe properly. (Good idea to let the dipstick cool if it was running as stated above) Insert and remove. (Sorry if I am stating the obvious but this is after all the Internet) The highest point where the oil can be found is the mark. I actually check on the edge of the dipstick to see as the bend in the tube wipes the oil off as the op stated.

[Freeman]

Gents, Thanks for all the input, but to sumarise, there is no solution in sight it seems. Here are a couple of pics as requested. Trying to measure a cold engine, both sides of the dipstick.

[Jaws]

The level should be between the two indentations on the dipstick. You cannot simply full the engine with a certain amount as specified after an oil drain as you will never get all the oil out of the engine. If you do this you will overfull the engine. To refill the oil when I service my car I usually fill it up with 5l and wait a few minutes. I then check the dipstick to see it the oil has reached the tip. I then slowly add more oil about 250ml at a time, giving the oil time to drain to the sump and each time checking the dipstick.

Overfilling the D4d turbo engine with oil can be catastrophic. My one mate almost lost his motor because the Toyota overfilled it at a service. Then oil pushed past the turbo seals into the intake, the engine then runs away running on oil.

[Kaaskrul]

What I normally do, take dipstick, dip the tip into the water bucket at garage of windscreen wash, stick it in engine and check again.

[Aquanaut]

What I normally do, take dipstick, dip the tip into the water bucket at garage of windscreen wash, stick it in engine and check again.

Which garage is that, I want to avoid that one in case I want to wash my windscreen!!

[Danman]

Ek verstaan nie die vraag nie......Toyotas gebruik mos nie olie nie

Nee ernstig nou
Ek kyk ook maar altyd die olievlak in die oggende terwyl die enjin nog lekker koud is en al die olietjies nog le en rus.

[Mars]

The point I wanted to make is that the oil will not be able to push up the tube to a point higher than it actually is i.e. to the full indicator in the first pic. So if you see it there just below that mark then it must be on that level. and it is fine. Remember that it needs to be somewhere between the max and min mark.

[Ali3n]

I did not see this mentioned unless I overlooked it in which case I say sorry.

With an AUTO box, the engine must be running and in "Park". It has 2 levels, One for hot and one for cold. check accordingly.

[Freeman]

I am not buying your auto box running engine oil level check, no offence.

What I want to know is, does the fault lie in a too smooth dipstick or is there some special method that needs to be used??

Anyone who has owned a KZ knows the dipstick has cross markings on it and there is never any doubt as to where the oil level is?

If your vehicle goes in for a service and comes back with eather too much or too little oil in, you will neverknow. This to me is not acceptable as here in SA our service delivery is poor to non existent most of the time!!!!!!!

We must be able to perform spot checks gents............................

[JEEPIE]

I am not buying your auto box running engine oil level check, no offence.

What I want to know is, does the fault lie in a too smooth dipstick or is there some special method that needs to be used??

Anyone who has owned a KZ knows the dipstick has cross markings on it and there is never any doubt as to where the oil level is?

If your vehicle goes in for a service and comes back with eather too much or too little oil in, you will neverknow. This to me is not acceptable as here in SA our service delivery is poor to non existent most of the time!!!!!!!

We must be able to perform spot checks gents............................

so if you dont agree with alien ,
1. have you tried his approach ?
2. have you asked the local toyota garage how they check it ?

if you are unhappy with dealer services , why dont you use a private mechanic or do it yourselve ?

how mant times have you checked your vechile when it has been for a service ?
and if you have , what have you found to be done incorrectly ?
and if you have found inconsistants with your service , what have you done about this ?

[Mars]

I did not see this mentioned unless I overlooked it in which case I say sorry.

With an AUTO box, the engine must be running and in "Park". It has 2 levels, One for hot and one for cold. check accordingly.

A distinction must be drawn between the topic at hand which is the difficulty to see the exact engine oil level in which case the engine must be off and the oil level on an autobox which normally should be measured with the engine idling and the car in neutral or park depending on the instructions of the manufacturer.

Whoa Jeepie. The OP is just frustrated that it is difficult to see the level exactly and not making reference to any specific instance of poor service delivery.

[MOFASA]

If you download the workshop manual im sure it will have a little picture there of how high up the dipstick the oil should be when its full..............

This is a simple task...... there must be a mark on the dipstick somewhere...
So is the oil on it or below it.....
Look on the edge of the dipstick like Hoppy mentioned as the oil cant be rubbed off from there by the dipstick pipe....

Simple enough...........

[Mars]

Freeman. If it looks like the 1st picture you posted it is right.

[Enrico]

I must agree with Freeman. I also battle finding the correct level, especially when the oil is still clean. I'm considering to drill small holes at the current 2 indents in the dipstick. Enrico

[Mars]

Those two indents ensure that the oil directly adjacent to them are not wiped off in the tube. So you at least see if there is oil there. See pic one. If you drill them out I'm not so sure if it will make it worse.

[Freeman]

Gents, I asked a toyota mech to show me how he measures the oil, wait for it.....he uses the back of the dipstick. ie the side with the 'holes' in it. not the side with the ' bumps' . (I am not sure about this...)

I had some input from the dealership in Estcourt yesterday afternoon, they recommend checking it first thing in the morning, cold engine, level surface. (all the things we know..) BUT, you pull the dipstick once and the first reading will be the accurate one. Apparently, if you try again you are prone to get smearing and so on.

I haven't tried it yet but will post my results.

[Jaws]

Thanks for the feedback.

My complaint re the dipstick - sometimes mine gets stuck - like in pulling with all the power my muscular body allows before it comes out and thats a lot of power :-)