Dye in engine oil

[317140]

I was checking the engine oil in my 140 today before using it to get up leaves. Under the shed when I checked the oil it appeared to be low. I topped it off and moved it outside to hook up the leaf catcher. Just as an afterthought I checked the oil again and found that I had overfilled by a substantial amount. So I had to drain out the overfill. I would like to say that this is the first time that this has happened, but it's not. new oil and bad light make for a aggravating situation. I have a 317 mower and a 3520 compact tractor and the oil is hard to see on the dipstick on these also. After they run awhile and the oil turns a little black it's easy to see. I know our eyes get weaker as we get older But I had the idea that a little dye in the engine oil would make it easier to see. Am I just crazy or am I overthinking this. These ideas usually come to me when I least expect it.

 

[John_in_TN]

JD sells a dye (MT3668, $3.69) to use in the Hy-Guard fluids for just that purpose. Not sure if they reccomend it for engine oil or not, but seems like it might work.

 

[Skyco]

I've drilled a small hole in a Toyota dipstick because the oil level was hard to see. With the hole, at the full mark, it is immediately recognizable as being full.

 

[EMB5530]

I know the problem..

Your oils not dirty enough

Just kiddin

Drillin a hole like mentioned in earlier post helps.

 

[ccsial]

I look at it at an angle and it is easier to see that way.