Hot Dipstick

2935ford

Well-known member
Went to check my oil level after a run and just about burned my fingers.........:(
Dipstick suppose to get that hot?
 
Yep. Your modern car would feel the same if it weren't the the plastic handle on the dipstick.

Nothing to worry about...
 
Note:
The correct oil level is only shown after switching off the engine for approx. >10 minutes.
 
Our club was on an expressway run for about 30 miles. We stopped to check our oil, and no one could touch their dipstick.
 
Note:
The correct oil level is only shown after switching off the engine for approx. >10 minutes.


And this brings up a question I've always had.....how did the old Full Service stations ever get an accurate reading of the oil during a gas fill up? I was always told by my dad to wait 10-15 minutes.
 
CatMan,


your father was right!

But the attendant at a gas station had a certain amount of experience. He knew roughly how much the difference was. And if in doubt, he had sold the customer a quarter of the oil.
 
An old gas station trick was for the attendant to put his finger between the dip stick and the engine so it would read a quart low, then he would show it to the customer and tell them they were quart low and sell them a quart of oil.

Tom Endy
 
An old gas station trick was for the attendant to put his finger between the dip stick and the engine so it would read a quart low, then he would show it to the customer and tell them they were quart low and sell them a quart of oil.

Tom Endy

No! They wouldn't do that would they?? :eek::eek:
 
And this brings up a question I've always had.....how did the old Full Service stations ever get an accurate reading of the oil during a gas fill up? I was always told by my dad to wait 10-15 minutes.
Well, when I was working at full-service stations during high school (in the '60's) we would always start the gas pumping, wash all the windows, and then do the underhood checks - to give the engine a bit of time to cool down and the oil level to settle.

JayJay
 
As many A's as I have had, this was the first time I checked the oil after a pretty good run. I did not realize how hot the dipstick was......yikes!
Well, now I know!
The reason I was checking.......I had installed a complete set of insert bearings and new rods.
 
And this brings up a question I've always had.....how did the old Full Service stations ever get an accurate reading of the oil during a gas fill up? I was always told by my dad to wait 10-15 minutes.

Old gas station attendants always had a rag or two stuffed in their pocket and the rag went on the dipstick before it was pulled. I've still got my old Texaco uniform which was once helpful in cadging a discount from the auto parts store back when service stations actually bought parts and did repairs.
 
Why would you check the oil level hot? Check before you start the engine, no burned fingers, lol. Yesterday I was out and about 4 hours later I had stopped to cool down and stretch my legs, I checked the oil level, cold it's halfway between L and F, hot it was closer to F and the stick was hot! Just don't check it hot and running or have a rag ready!!!
 
With the water temperature out of my engine at 140, using the IR thermometer, the head was at 170 and the pan was over 200. At the time I was cruising at 45 mph on a level road. I stopped to take the temperatures.
 
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