I had the oil changed and thought I'd have a look at the level.

The dipstick is useless. Despite being on the level with a cold engine and trying multiple times I can't get a consistant reading with the dip stick. Even both sides of it give different levels!!

Is there a trick to using it as I dont know it....?

Also I understand from Yamaha fan that running with two much oil is not particularly good which is worrying as from what I can tell it is running a cm over the max fill.

Should I drain it and if so is the drain plug easy to find?

Cheers m'dears. '57 GS TD4 in Stornoway. Privacy, Leather, Tred Cills. From ebay etc.. 18" 12 spoke HSE alloys, rear spoiler, clear side repeaters with clear leds, led interior light to replace bulbs, sports exhaust trim, TomTom 720.
Favourite Off road vehicle, still my Santa Cruz Mountain Bike! http://www.team-banana-racing.com

Scootster, relax. We all have problems with the regular oil stick! The trick is to put the stick in the whole in the correct way, and that is when the oil can on the yellow top of the stick "looks" at you. After 5 to 10 minutes after shutting down your engine you can measure your oil-level and if you put the stick in as described you will have no problems in reading the correct oil level.
Just try it out. It works.

YF

Why not try checking it from cold ie over night so all the oil thats going to get to the sump is their?
its about 1 litre from the lower mark to the top one,ford spec 5w30

Tony

just for interest does the td4 have an oil level warning light other than the oil pressure light?

Anybody got to 1st service without adding oil? Just dipped the stick on my diesel at 9500 miles and it looks like I will be getting the can out soon. still pining for my 3dr, no removeable hardtop, no drop glass tailgate, no roof rack, no pockets everywhere to stow all that man kit

Quote:

Anybody got to 1st service without adding oil?

nope, not me : added 1 litre at about 12500 miles 

No I just added 5.8 litres and a new filter at 6000 miles I could let my car engine go 15000 on the same oil every 6000 and drop the oil and a new filter and the engine will go on for miles miles 07my Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Baltic Blue,Privacy Glass,Ebony black leather,Land rover detachable towbar,S/S Side bars,Climair wind deflectors,Bramble Rash,

never looked under my bonnet!!!! seemed to get to first service ok, no warning lights or anything so i assumed it was ok  Please let the car start!!!!!

Is this your car Penelope?

Click image to enlarge

I know this is an old post, but I had a problem reading the oil level. It always seemed different (not just the perceived level but more oil on one side than the other) no matter what I did. Eventually I called a dealer (while recently in the UK) and he suggested I travel the 20 miles so that he could look at it.

It took two seconds. The secret is that you have to wipe the whole stick thoroughly clean (did I not know that ) ... well lets just say that I've never had a problem reading the oil level before just by wiping the bottom of the stick but then I've never had a dip stick that bends and twists like a spring.

The dealer could have told me on the phone

to everyone who already knew this. 09 HSE Auto Lago Grey/Almond Napoli. Privacy glass.

Glad you sorted that one out

Being old and grey so they say, this is not a new method of dipping your dipstick and has little to do with wiggely ones. I learnt from my old daddy a longgggg time ago, that you should always wipe it before you dip it and in that way you will always get a satisfied result








 2007 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Manual with Premium Pack & Moonroof.
Stornoway Grey with Ebony Black Pleather, Clear Indicators, Body Side Mouldings etc.

Agreed. Procedure has always been the same. Something I learnt before learning about carburettors, distributors, points and rotor arms. (I'm showing my age now!) Always wipe the entire stick and ideally check oil levels with a warm engine that's been sat on a level surface for at least 10 minutes.

Never had to add oil, but I think everyone knows what little mileage my FL2 does!

Just to say I've not had to add any oil since new March 08 but has only done 12,000 miles. It has its 2nd (30,000) service on Saturday at a cost of £350 from my dealer - which I think is okayish after reading other posts. Specialist prices were about £265 upwards.

I like the 'tip' on dipstick placement, as I've always found it hit-and-miss, even from cold, and I've always wiped the whole dipstick. Was GS TD4 Auto, Privacy, Santorini with Tundra & Alpaca, Cold Climate Pack. Traded for Discovery Sport HSE Auto.

AndyT wrote:

Agreed. Procedure has always been the same. Something I learnt before learning about carburettors, distributors, points and rotor arms. (I'm showing my age now!) Always wipe the entire stick and ideally check oil levels with a warm engine that's been sat on a level surface for at least 10 minutes.

Correct,
And always read the level with the stick pointing downwards, i.e. not upside down so the oil runs up the stick