How to Calibrate Oil Dip Stick???

tinman · #1 05-01-2009, 05:16 AM

A couple of questions...
1) Should you count the oil in the filter as part of your total while marking your dipstick?

I'm thinking along the lines of starting with a fresh filter and four quarts in the sump, starting the engine for a minute, shutting down and waiting a few minutes, then pulling the stick and making a mark for four quarts.

Add a quart and repeat for five

Add a quart and repeat for six

and so on...

Any hints would be appreciated.

pierre smith · #2 05-01-2009, 05:29 AM

...Stay away from confusion down the road and don't count the oil in the oil cooler, the oil lines and the filter. There's an FAA reg somewhere that requires oil sumps to be able to carry twice the minimum oil so our 0-360's have an 8 quart capacity and can safely be run down to 4 quarts.

After an oil/filter change, I usually put in 7 quarts, knowing that after the engine start, it'll show 6, where it's happy and I add a quart when it's down to 5 showing.

Regards,

tinman · #3 05-01-2009, 05:53 AM

Pierre,
Thanks for the feedback...my question is- how do you know when "5 are showing"? I am trying to figure out how to go about marking the stick so that I will know...

Does my methodology as layed out in my first post seem like the right way to go about marking the stick?

Radomir · #4 05-01-2009, 06:45 AM

There's no need to run the engine.. You wanna know how much is in the sump

tinman · #5 05-01-2009, 07:10 AM

But don't I want to run the engine so that the filter fills up?

mahlon_r · #6 05-01-2009, 07:10 AM

http://www.eci.aero/pdf/03-5.pdf
This will work for any brand engine.
Good Luck,
Mahlon
"The opinions and information provided in this and all of my posts are hopefully helpful to you. Please use the information provided responsibly and at your own risk."

tinman · #7 05-01-2009, 08:05 AM

And this is exactly why I purchased my engine from Mattituck!
Thanks Mahlon.

gasman · #8 05-01-2009, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mahlon_r

http://www.eci.aero/pdf/03-5.pdf
This will work for any brand engine.
Good Luck,
Mahlon
"The opinions and information provided in this and all of my posts are hopefully helpful to you. Please use the information provided responsibly and at your own risk."

With a small set of stamps from HARBOR FREIGHT. you can stamp the number and a line on the stick with ease.

fl-mike · #9 05-01-2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gasman

With a small set of stamps from HARBOR FREIGHT. you can stamp the number and a line on the stick with ease.

This is what I did, but I filed a flat on the sitck at each level and stamped the number in the flat area. That way the oil hangs in the flat area edges and is a little easier to see. It would also be nice if the stick was anodized black.

Rick_A · #10 05-01-2009, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fl-mike

... I filed a flat on the stick at each level and stamped the number in the flat area. That way the oil hangs in the flat area edges and is a little easier to see.

Great idea, it's a real challenge reading the oil level after an oil change when the oil is very clean.