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can parking at an angle affect oil dispstick reading?

Posted: 22 May 2011, 15:32
by subflux
Hi,

Can parking half on the pavement affect the oil dipstick reading?

Looking at the rear of the van, one side is higher up (at the moment the right side) so engine is not level.

I don't know where the oil dipstick reads it's value from (no Haynes manual yet - can't seem to find for Diesel 1.6), but might the angle of the engine relative to the road affect the dipstick value?

I have this picture in my head of the dipstick entering on one side of the engine, and all the oil being pooled at the other side as the van is not level.. it's probably rubbish since I have really very little idea of how the engine sits, and where the oil dipstick goes in..

Thanks!

Kenny

Re: can parking at an angle affect oil dispstick reading?

Posted: 22 May 2011, 16:05
by john1
Kenny, get her level for true reading mate

Re: can parking at an angle affect oil dispstick reading?

Posted: 22 May 2011, 16:33
by subflux
john1 wrote:Kenny, get her level for true reading mate

Here's the dilemma: the oil level currently reads the bottom dimple: I am wary of turning over the engine to move it to a level position with the oil too low.. :\

Re: can parking at an angle affect oil dispstick reading?

Posted: 22 May 2011, 17:07
by Red Westie
The engine can quite safely be started with the level on minimum you really don't need to be worried as this is the minimum level the engine can be run safely.
Obviously top up just below max level.
Martin

Re: can parking at an angle affect oil dispstick reading?

Posted: 22 May 2011, 18:03
by subflux
Awesome, thanks!

Good to know I can safely run engine with oil at lower level dimple on dipstick.

Thanks!

Kenny