How do you read your dipstick?

[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)