Threaded dipstick

[Ronsway]

What is the "accepted" way to check oil level in engine or equpitment with a threaded dipstick? With the dipstick threaded in or just sitting on threads?

 

[5030]

Whatever your owners manual states...

On my big Kohler than powers my engine drive welder, Kohler states with the threaded dipstick resting on the fill port, not threaded in...

All depends on the engine actually.

 

[Ronsway]

That is my question- don't have manual and checking oil. Is there a "Redneck" accepted way?

 

[5030]

Not that I know of. What is the brand of engine?

 

[oldnslo]

What brand or model of engine - vehicle?
Kawasaki in my X540 check not screwed in, Briggs on push mower check with screwed in.

What is volume or height difference screwed in vs resting on the threads?

 

[Ronsway]

Honda, B&S, Kohler and self contained hydraulic pump/tank on dump trailer

 

[Racer4]

I know my dad’s last 2 tractors that had Kawasakis, you set the dipstick on the tube and didn’t screw it in. My Toro timecutter with the Loncin engine is the opposite. Screw it in, then remove and read the level.

 

[YanmarFever]

Ron,
Put up a picture of the engine and someone will see it and know...

 

[5030]

In reality, the difference between screwed in and not isn't much anyway.

 

[Ronsway]

Thanks for the replies...I will keep doing it the way I have been.

 

[oldnslo]

B&S I believe would be screwed in.

 

[Gregster613]

Thanks for the replies...I will keep doing it the way I have been.

Which is???? My craftsman log splitter hydraulic tank has a threaded checker rod (Instruction manual does not give clarification) and I've always checked it by threading in first then reading. Haven't destroyed anything if 20 years; so whatever works for you.

 

[grsthegreat]

The briggs on my riding mower says to screw it-in to check level.

 

[big bubba]

as mentioned, won't make a big difference either way on a Kawi v twin. as long as you measure on level ground.. i go unscrewed & don't allow level to go above (or of course below) that.

i've read where small diesel engines are not as forgiving on oil overfilling b/c of injector pump, but cannot verify on that. good luck, just keep servicing w/quality oil & filters as you are doing & keep yer blades sharp for the season, good job

 

[RayIN]

In reality, the difference between screwed in and not isn't much anyway.

It is for my 16HP Honda ZTR engine, the crankcase capacity is 1.3G. That ½" of threads makes the difference between full and low.

 

[rontaki]

That is my question- don't have manual and checking oil. Is there a "Redneck" accepted way?

After a thorough oil drain, fill with the proper amount of oil and check the dipstick reading both ways. Hopefully the "proper" amount won't overfill it.

 

[RandyT]

Kohler, Kawasaki, Honda, and Tecumseh are normally checked with the dipstick resting on top of the threads, and more specifically putting the dipstick on top of the threads and then turning it backwards until it drops onto the thread. Kawasaki dipsticks will normally say to not screw in right on the side of the dipstick, but there are a few exceptions to that rule I have found over the years.

Briggs had always been screw in to check. The difference in the level between the screw on and not screw on is normally about the distance between the full and add marks, which for at least lawnmower rider engines is about 8 oz of oil.

 

[Runner]

I guess the "redneck" method would be screw it halfway in to check.

 

[ljgordon]

Whatever your owners manual states...

On my big Kohler than powers my engine drive welder, Kohler states with the threaded dipstick resting on the fill port, not threaded in...

All depends on the engine actually.

Have you looked on the dipstick. Mine says how to check.

 

[5030]

Have you looked on the dipstick. Mine says how to check.

Mine says nothing, it cannot talk...lol In reality, it'a metal rod with knurling to denote the proper fill level. Nothing more. Far as I know, all K series engines had the same round metal dipstick.