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RE: Overfilling
This is what works for me. Those more mechanically inclined than I am may
notice that some of it doesn't make a difference, but I always get good
results.
1) The engine should be warm, but you should let it sit for at least 5
minutes after shutting it off to allow all the oil to settle into the pan.
2) The car should be on level ground & should not be jack up at either end.
3) Take 2 to 3 readings, & when you read the dipstick, read both sides of it
rather than just one. I've seen dipsticks give different readings on each
side. Sometimes, a dipstick will get oil smeared on one side of it as it it
pulled through the dipstick tube. What I look for is the reading that occurs
most consistently. The reading that occurs most consistently is what I
consider to be my oil level.
4) Do not hold the dipstick upside down or at any other angle that could
allow oil to travel upward on the dipstick. This can give a false appearance
that the crankcase is overfilled. Also, don't let it hang upside down for too
long before taking a reading.
If all this sounds overly anal retentive for reading a dipstick; that's
because it is. I am a member of Anal Retentive's Anonymous.
Michael Keith
'98 Jetta GLX
'85 Golf SCCA ITB/DSP
>===== Original Message From pj-midnight =====
>How do you make sure that your dipstick is reading properly?
>
>Justin
>
>
>
>
>---Michael & Carmen Keith wrote:
>>
>> Also, if the oil is overfilled enough, the crankshaft will be
>partially
>> submerged in oil.
>>
>> This does two things:
>>
>> 1) It causes some power loss due to the fact that it is more
>difficult
>> for the crankshaft to turn in the oil (just as it is harder to move
>your
>> legs in a swimming pool).
>>
>> 2) The turning of the crankshaft in the oil will "froth" or
>"whip" the
>> oil. This stuff will be like beer foam or the foam from steamed
>milk in a
>> cappuccino. At some point, the oil pump will start sucking the foam
>rather
>> than oil, & because the foam is mostly air, it does not lubricate
>very well
>> at all.
>>
>> Having said that, I would make sure that your dipstick reading is
>accurate
>> before deciding that the oil is overfilled. I don't say that to
>insult your
>> intelligence. I'm just saying that dipsticks can & do render
>inaccurate
>> measurements sometimes.
>>
>> Michael Keith
>> '98 Jetta GLX
>> '85 Golf SCCA ITB/DSP
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Jose Gomez
>> To: jettaglx@igtc.com
>> Date: Tuesday, October 06, 1998 6:03 PM
>> Subject: Overfilling
>>
>>
>> >Murray
>> >
>> >Re: overfilling your oil, I read somewhere, maybe in the Owner's
>manual
>> that
>> >the excess oil could work it's way to the catalytic converter and
> damage
>> >it. To be on the safe side I'd take some of it out or take it back
>to the
>> >dealer and make 'them' take some oil out. That way it is
>documented in
>> >case anything were to happen down the line, you're covered. I
>heard a cc
>> >runs a few hundred . FWIW, I had major warranty transmission work
>done on
>> my
>> >car @ 9k miles and for a few months especially in the cold weather I
>> >couldn't even shift into second. Cracked synchro's etc...They told
>me to
>> >give it time but after about 3k miles I had no choice but to take
>it back
>> >The cause of my problem? according to their diagnosis, they had
>'under
>> >filled' the transmission. They corrected the problem and luckily my
>tranny
>> >has been behaving very well ever since. My point? Well, with 43k
>miles of
>> >warranty left guess who's going to pay for my next transmission if my
>> >current one ever decides to take a crap? You guessed it, the
>dealer, no ifs
>> >ands, or buts.
>> >
>> >Jose
>> >
>> >-----Original Message-----
>> >From: Murray Nesbitt
>> >To: jettaglx@igtc.com
>> >Cc: 'gtivr6'
>> >Date: Tuesday, October 06, 1998 6:34 AM
>> >Subject: Re: Off-topic: parking lot door ding
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >>Ob-GLX: I had my final scheduled maintenance (30k km.) done at the
>> >>dealer, and checked the oil afterwards--it's well above the
>cross-hatch
>> >>marks on the dipstick. How concerned should I be that they over-
>> >>filled it?
>> >>
>> >>Murray in Vancouver
>> >>'97 Black GLX
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>==
>pj-midnight
>StarChildern Gatherings
>Mass Entertainment Group
>http://www.wordisborn.com
>Hotlanta Ghetto House Style! Word is Born!
>
>
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