How do you read your dipstick?

[BruceWard]

My dipstick is yellow, the hydraulic fluid is clear. When I pull the stick there is fluid on the end but I cant see how high the fluid goes up the stick since it is clear. Does anyone have a trick?

What would happen if I added too much fluid?

 

[greenmule]

Maybe take a wire stiff enough to not wad up on you and verify with it. Maybe you could file lines in dipstick or something along those lines? or,maybe alls you got in it is what it shows on dipstick.

 

[MarkLeininger]

I shine a flashlight across it to see the fluid level. And I curse at the guy who designed that dipstick every time.

 

[RickB]

Pull the stick, wipe it with a clean paper towel. Pull it again and lay it on a clean part of the towel without sliding. The oil depth on the stick will show easily on the towel.

 

[LBrown59]

And if the level is low keep it on the paper towel a little longer and the fluid will soon bleed up to the right level!

Just why why I don't trust that method.

 

[Chris86303]

My dipstick is yellow, the hydraulic fluid is clear. When I pull the stick there is fluid on the end but I cant see how high the fluid goes up the stick since it is clear. Does anyone have a trick?

What would happen if I added too much fluid?

I had a 02 Chevy Tahoe that had a tranny dipstick where the last 3 inches was copper (don't know why) and the tranny fluid was red.. trying to read that dipsitck was impossible no matter what method was used.

I bought a 07 Ford Expedition and it has NO tranny dipstick, it is sealed for life.. this one I can deal with..

 

[aczlan]

My dipstick is yellow, the hydraulic fluid is clear. When I pull the stick there is fluid on the end but I cant see how high the fluid goes up the stick since it is clear. Does anyone have a trick?

Carefully drill 2-3 small holes at the max and min lines, then one in the middle, that way you can see if the hole is filled or not.

Aaron Z

 

[coveredbridge]

I had the same problem. I put a pair of reading glasses in the garage. Problem solved.

 

[RickB]

Just why why I don't trust that method.

It actually works very well. I use this method often, and recommend it to customers who struggle with reading clear hydraulic oil on a dipstick. I offer it as one solution; if it doesn't suit you, that's fine too.

 

[DieselPower]

The easiest thing to do is dye your oil to a contrasting color. The safest thing to use is what is known as candle makers dye. It can be purchased in small containers and a little goes a long way just like food coloring does. Candle makers dye is basically the same thing that lubricants manufacturers use to color their lubricating products. They are harmless to the oil and equipment. When I get a customer who wants a product dyed a different color than TRC has I just get them a bottle of candle makers dye from Liquid Dyes . If you do a internet search for candle makers or candle wax dye you will find numerous suppliers. I have been buying from Lone Star for a couple of years and are happy with their service.

 

[TRUST]

The hot pink dye would be a good contrast and really obvious if there was a leak The flashlight trick works for me. The yellow dipstick is easier to read than the silver metal (aftermarket) stick that was in my Harley.....I changed the oil in it and had to buy the factory plastic one just to check the oil with

 

[nspec]

After I pull the stick and wipe it well, I reinsert it, then when I pull it back out, I lay it carefully on the palm of my hand and you can easily see the level if you look closely. Oil will leave a mark on your palm where the level is.

 

[Redbug]

I wipe the dipstick off, reinsert, lift out...and carefully roll it edgewise on a piece of newspaper being careful by not sliding it. That's the best way to check clear oil. Learned it on TBN, and never had dipstick problems after that. Thanks guys!

 

[WaxMan]

I just wipe it off, put it back in , pull it out and look at it, shinny yellow is the level, dull yellow is the dip stick.

 

[garydc]

I used the same method as aczlan for both the motor and hydralic oil found it to work very well.

 

[Lunk]

Carefully drill 2-3 small holes at the max and min lines, then one in the middle, that way you can see if the hole is filled or not.

Aaron Z

Just be careful if it's a plastic dipstick. Drilling holes (even small ones) will create a weak spot. You don't want to snap the end off while replacing the dipstick, and have it floating around inside the housing...

I've always used the paper towel method when fluid level is hard to see.

 

[BruceWard]

I checked the hydraulic fluid level today in full sunlight and it was easy to see where the stick was wet. It did not work well at 5:30 PM last time.

 

[Ob1kubota]

The easiest thing to do is dye your oil to a contrasting color. The safest thing to use is what is known as candle makers dye. It can be purchased in small containers and a little goes a long way just like food coloring does. Candle makers dye is basically the same thing that lubricants manufacturers use to color their lubricating products. They are harmless to the oil and equipment. When I get a customer who wants a product dyed a different color than TRC has I just get them a bottle of candle makers dye from Liquid Dyes . If you do a internet search for candle makers or candle wax dye you will find numerous suppliers. I have been buying from Lone Star for a couple of years and are happy with their service.

Agreed this is the best way to see leaks, levels and problems with gear boxes, transmissions, pumps, etc., I use UV Dye manuf. in Kaufman, TX by EF Products. Cheap and works with any Ultra violet lamp....

 

[TRUST]

Let's take it one step further. I know the loader is supposed to be on the ground when checking the fluid level, which leads me to believe that all cylinders should be closed. So when checking the hydraulic fluid with a BH should the dipper stick and bucket be fully raised, thus closing the cylinders? (the boom and outriggers would already be closed)