Oil levels

[MahindraPete]

I always follow the instructions regarding the amount of oil required during an oil and filter change (5570 model). However the dip stick always indicates too much oil. No big deal or something to worry about?

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

I change oil engine warm and let it drain overnight. I'm guessing all of the oil didn't drain out. I wouldn't want it much overfilled, but barely above full no concern.
Is it over full after engine started & circulated?

 

[MahindraPete]

I change oil engine warm and let it drain overnight. I'm guessing all of the oil didn't drain out. I wouldn't want it much overfilled, but barely above full no concern.
Is it over full after engine started & circulated?

Just ran it a few minutes but it was still a bit high after that. Think I’ll try to suction out some oil just to be sure. Thanks for your response.

 

[Roadworthy]

The oil capacity given in the specs is for a new engine. All the oil never drains our unless the engine is disassembled. Go by the dipstick.

 

[gsganzer]

If there's a range on the dipstick, I always fill to the high side of that range, not the middle of the range.

 

[MahindraPete]

The oil capacity given in the specs is for a new engine. All the oil never drains our unless the engine is disassembled. Go by the dipstick.

Thanks! Will do.

 

[DarkBlack]

How much oil discrepancy are you seeing from stated capacity to what actually shows on the top line of the dipstick?

If you’re talking a lot, then, I wouldn’t just assume a dipstick that disagrees with the stated capacity is reading correct , until you’ve proven it’s accurate. Next time you drain, drain it hot, and let it drain for some hours, and measure how much drains out, including oil in the filter.

 

[Opti-Mist]

Don't over think it. Cast oil pans have variable capacity more so than stamped. That said, manufacturers tend to indicate a "safe" range on the dipstick to accommodate that range. As long as you are within the range you are good. Also, does the dipstick screw into the tube? It probably should not be screwed in to check the oil level. Check your operator's manual.

 

[ericm979]

I refill a bit short, run it to fill up the filter, wait, then check the level and add enough to get close to the upper line.

 

[Rockbadchild]

I use the manual amount as a guideline to know how much to purchase and for how much to put in, but the dipstick is the true measurement not what the manual say. When I do my oil change I will put oil in until I am getting close to the manual amount (around half a liter less then recommended) then I check the dip stick and fill to the top of the line of the dip stick. Start the engine let it run for a minute or two, let it settle then check again and refill if required.

I would also not worry with a slight overfill.

 

[sandman2234]

A slight overfill could mean a lot of things to different people. We all know that running an engine over full isn't good for it, but just how much is too much. Each engine as well as each manufacturer is different and the variances of what "slight overfill" is, could mean trouble.
Unless I knew just how much a "slight overfill" was, I would tend to want to lower the level.
David from jax

 

[gsganzer]

A slight overfill could mean a lot of things to different people. We all know that running an engine over full isn't good for it, but just how much is too much. Each engine as well as each manufacturer is different and the variances of what "slight overfill" is, could mean trouble.
Unless I knew just how much a "slight overfill" was, I would tend to want to lower the level.
David from jax

I watched a video of a car engine that had a cut away so they could watch the effects of overfilling. It was pretty dramatic, but they only ran into a true problem when they had severely overfilled it. I'm sure each engine type is different though.

 

[Rockbadchild]

Lots of engines the oil dip stick will pops out and will overflow through there. On a quad I have see going up through the valves and out the airbox.

 

[John0829]

One thing to remember is that the dipsticks are mass produced so there will be variations but the biggest thing to remember is that the oil amount of oil given in the manual is for a DRY engine and there is NO WAY you are going to drain the engine to that level of empty.

 

[dodge man]

If it a 10 quart and it’s a pint high, not a big deal. If it’s a 3 quart system and a quart high, that’s a problem.

 

[sandman2234]

Another thing to consider is if it is the correct dipstick for that unit? I lost the dipstick for my JDeere 2555 and I ordered one from JDeere. It came in, and was not the correct length. (I had found the old one while waiting on the new one to arrive.
I also wonder if the dipstick should be screwed in or not, (if it is one that has threads).
David from jax

 

[WinterDeere]

The oil capacity given in the specs is for a new engine. All the oil never drains our unless the engine is disassembled. Go by the dipstick.

This. All engines retain some oil with each change, this is why they always show a high reading when re-filled according to capacity, and never a low reading.

I can't believe how many people are posting about variability in oil pan capacity or dip stick variations. Do you honestly believe that the error is significant enough to cause these misreadings? And if so, why does the error only ever go in the direction of over-filled, and never under-filled, when refilled to the specified capacity???

It's retention, not variation.

I also wonder if the dipstick should be screwed in or not, (if it is one that has threads).

I hate these, as there's no fully-consistent standard, here. Most manufacturers use the rule of setting the dipstick on the threads, without screwing it in, to get a reading. But I can remember at least one or two cases that used the opposite rule, to screw it home and then unscrew to get a reading. Because of this, I almost always have to grab the machine manual and look it up, as I have at least a half dozen machines with this stupid setup.

 

[sandman2234]

This. All engines retain some oil with each change, this is why they always show a high reading when re-filled according to capacity, and never a low reading.

I can't believe how many people are posting about variability in oil pan capacity or dip stick variations. Do you honestly believe that the error is significant enough to cause these misreadings? And if so, why does the error only ever go in the direction of over-filled, and never under-filled, when refilled to the specified capacity???

It's retention, not variation.


I hate these, as there's no fully-consistent standard, here. Most manufacturers use the rule of setting the dipstick on the threads, without screwing it in, to get a reading. But I can remember at least one or two cases that used the opposite rule, to screw it home and then unscrew to get a reading. Because of this, I almost always have to grab the machine manual and look it up, as I have at least a half dozen machines with this stupid setup.

In the case of this particular JD LT160 with one of a couple engine options, the manual does no good at all. While JDeere says "install" the dipstick, they don't specify if it is screwed in or not. I guess being vague gives them a way out when someone decides they don't like what their mower did when it did whatever!
David from jax

 

[WinterDeere]

In the case of this particular JD LT160 with one of a couple engine options, the manual does no good at all. While JDeere says "install" the dipstick, they don't specify if it is screwed in or not. I guess being vague gives them a way out when someone decides they don't like what their mower did when it did whatever!
David from jax

The JD LT160 uses a Kohler Command CV460S, and Kohler has a nice 148 page manual for that engine. On p.49 it says to rest the dipstick on the threads, but not screw it in, when checking the oil:

https://resources.kohler.com/power/kohler/enginesUS/pdf/tp_2339_d.pdf

This'd be one of those cases I'd be leaving a nice note to myself in Sharpie, on the underside of the hood. I'm terrible at remembering this stuff, but I'm great at leaving myself notes.

 

[sandman2234]

The JD LT160 uses a Kohler Command CV460S, and Kohler has a nice 148 page manual for that engine. On p.49 it says to rest the dipstick on the threads, but not screw it in, when checking the oil:

View attachment 3713364

https://resources.kohler.com/power/kohler/enginesUS/pdf/tp_2339_d.pdf

This'd be one of those cases I'd be leaving a nice note to myself in Sharpie, on the underside of the hood. I'm terrible at remembering this stuff, but I'm great at leaving myself notes.

Thanks WinterDeere! We didn't take the time to search Kohler's website for the engine, although I knew I probably should. I sent the link to my Bride for her to file.
JDeere's manual is only 28 pages and covers not much more than how to crank it!
David from jax