| DannyC188 |
Ok all, so I changed my oil last week. I had a problem with a leaky oil drain plug and resolved that issue
I have read here that the dip stick is very hard to read, and mine is giving me some trouble. one side of the dipstick says it's at the correct level and the other side is halway up the dipstick wich would be about 4 times too much oil.
I have never seen this before. how can one side ofthe stick say one thing and the other side say something totally different? |
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| BikerJohn |
It could be that the one side is rubbing on the inside of the engine block as it gets pulled up.
To get the most accurate reading; let the car sit for a while after turning it off; then pull out the dipstick and wipe. Then re-insert it and pull it out quickly all in one motion.
The main problem with the dipstick is that it is located directly below the "flow" channel that carries the oil from the head down to the drain pan. |
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| Corin |
I've found that the easiest time to get an accurate read is in the morning after it's settled all night.
Not only is it not dripping down on the dipstick anymore, but the oil is as thick as it will get at that point, so it seems to be a lot easier to read the level. |
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| DannyC188 |
| I'll give it a shot after it settles more and see what happens |
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| Penderwheels |
I've had about 5 dealer performed oil changes (Both Florida and Michigan). Each one showed 1/2 quart low the next morning. Even wrote a letter of complaint to Florida dealer with cc to NNA. (Nobody responded.)
This last time, I discussed it with the Michigan service advisor and she re-checked the specs and determined that they had changed - going up about 0.2 quart (Idon't remember the before and after numbers.) The '07 owners manual says refill capacity with filter is 4-3/4 US qt.
We let the car set about 20 minutes after the oil change and, sure enough, it measured about 1/2 qt low. She gave me an additional quart to take home. I checked it the next morning and still measured about 1/2 qt low. (darned hard to accurately read dipstick - especially with new oil.) It took about 1/3 quart - and about 2 hours of time waiting between each little"add"- to bring it up to full.
My guess is that my dipstick is either a poor design (well, we KNOW it's a LOUSY design) but I'm just referring to the specified length from the shoulder of the rubber grommet to the markings or... my dipstick was not manufactured to spec.
I'm tempted to drill a series of small holes in the low to full range on the stick which would make it much easier to read. However, I fear that Murphy's Law will strike and the darned thing will weaken and break off and chew up the inside of the danged engine.
Why, you may ask, do I go to the $tealer for oil changes? I got a discount card from my salsman and get changes for $19.95.
Bottom line, I'll just keep on carefully checking after each change. |
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| SMenasco |
| Someone showed me a really simple method of checking the oil level on a dipstick that's hard to read. Pull it out, wipe it off, stick it in again, then press it flat on a paper towel, The oil will mark the paper towel with the exact level. |
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| Gonzo |
quote:
Originally posted by SMenasco
Someone showed me a really simple method of checking the oil level on a dipstick that's hard to read. Pull it out, wipe it off, stick it in again, then press it flat on a paper towel, The oil will mark the paper towel with the exact level.
What a good idea.... never thought of it. Thanks for the tip. I'll try it on my next check. |
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| njjoe |
quote:
Originally posted by SMenasco
Someone showed me a really simple method of checking the oil level on a dipstick that's hard to read. Pull it out, wipe it off, stick it in again, then press it flat on a paper towel, The oil will mark the paper towel with the exact level.
:1pat: Damn! Why didn't I (or the rest of us) think of that?
Thanks for sharing that great idea.
Nissan should include that tip in the Owners Manual. :4:
-njjoe |
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| SMenasco |
| Aw, shucks, guys. Even a blind hog'll find a acorn now and then. |
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| Wife's car |
Interesting. I see this thread is old, but I have found the oil level in our 2007 Murano to read low - right after an oil change. This was true whether the dealer changed it or the local oil change place. I assume they are filling to specs and it would appear to be right in the middle of the safe zone of the dipstick.
I am surprised by this. I have seen many - many a Chrysler/Dodge or Jeep vehicle with inaccurate dipsticks. I thought that was strictly an American manufacturer problem.
I can find no updates via AllData.com regarding any Technical Service Bulletin which might update/replace original |
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| Gonzo |
Keep in mind that they can't "fill it to specs" as the amount to add after an oil change varies.. depends on how long they let the oil drain, if the surface area is completly flat, oil temp during the drain etc.
I would rather have it half filled than have it filled the the FULL mark. Less is more. When I change my oil I fill it to 1/2 - 3/4 full. I never fill it all the way in any car.
Although the dipstick is hard to read in the MO it is not impossible and I do find it adequate. Don't expect any responses from NNA or a recall or something. Its a dipstick... pretty simple device. |
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| Wife's car |
quote:
Originally posted by nafddur
The MO dipstick reads accurately after the oil has had time to drain back down into the sump. Also, once you know how to read the dipstick, it's really pretty easy to do!
Thanks for the response - but I assure you, I am not a dipstick and I can read one! :)
Were it not for life's aches and pains (and the cold weather now upon us) I would consider doing it myself. I am more than capable.
Oh, and I use a paper towel for checking it for the same reasons mentioned by another poster. I'm telling you - the oil is LOW. |
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| Gonzo |
| While I do my own oil changes I certainly wouldn't call anyone lazy if they didn't do it themselves. That is a bit harsh don't you think nafddur? |
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| Gonzo |
| Thanks for your honesty.... we just try to keep this a great forrum that all can benefit from, whether they do their own maintenance or not. |
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| Eric L. |
I think whether people choose to do their own maintenance or not is a decision of time vs money. Some people are very busy and simply do not have the time or want to spend the mental effort to worry about manual labor on their vehicle, and as such, pay extra for a professional to work on it. Sometimes professionals screw up too. Others work on their own vehicles, whether it is to save money, ensure the job is done right, or simply because it is an enjoyable activity to work with tools and get dirty in the process.
I think it is unfortunate that most people regard their vehicles as appliances instead of thinking about all the care it needs to function, but its not my place to tell people what they should do if it doesn't directly affect me. |
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| Wife's car |
quote:
Originally posted by Eric L.
I think it is unfortunate that most people regard their vehicles as appliances instead of thinking about all the care it needs to function, but its not my place to tell people what they should do if it doesn't directly affect me.
I couldn't agree more - I don't see my or my wife's (see USER NAME) vehicles for granted/view them as applicances - a means of transportation only - but I also don't drive the Murano daily so I don't have the same "feel" for it as I do my own vehicle.
As for member nafddur, who suggests those who do not do their own oil changes should not complain about poor work - not that I owe anyone (especially nafddur) an explanation - but I suffer from both a herniated disc in my neck and a supposed "frozen shoulder" (which is a doctor's catch-all for "I have no idea" and little else) which seem to exacerbate each other's symptoms - but then I guess I fall under nafddur's description of the handicapped! Or was it obese? You lumped them together as one group. |
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| Eric L. |
quote:
Originally posted by nafddur
Nope, I definitely said handicapped OR obese, though it certainly would be possible for those 2 groups to overlap.
As for people too sick to do even simple work like oil changes on their own cars, I'd say (IMHO again, of course) that they are indeed handicapped. Even those with debilitating psychosomatic illnesses I would never go so far as to call lazy.
I do not see the point in singling out a group of people as lazy. It might be your opinion, but it is a negative opinion and those are often left unsaid as they only serve to invite conflict. I feel while this forum is open to considered opinions, they should not include rude ones. |
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| njjoe |
nafddur-
I know plenty of able-bodied people who love their cars/trucks yet have no interest in changing their own oil. They elect to have their vehicles serviced by professionals. They certainly are not lazy nor obese nor handicapped. They simply don't see it as a requirement.
Paying to have your oil changed is fine. Complaining that the people paid to change your oil did a less than satisfactory job is also fine. If you pay for a service you have the expectation that it will be performed correctly. There is nothing wrong with complaining that the oil change specialists under-filled the VQ.
-njjoe |
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| zebelkhan |
quote:
Originally posted by nafddur
...Even those with debilitating psychosomatic illnesses...I'd never call them lazy...well, maybe the obese ones...
Are you calling me lazy?????.....:2: |
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| Wife's car |
quote:
Originally posted by zebelkhan
Are you calling me lazy?????.....:2:
:jester: |
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| Gonzo |
I have deleted posts from Nafddur in this thread. Insulting handicapped or out of shape people is considered rude and violates forum rules.
Please be careful when posting so everyone can enjoy and obtain useful information from this forum. |
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| zebelkhan |
quote:
Originally posted by Gonzo
I have deleted posts from Nafddur in this thread. Insulting handicapped or out of shape people is considered rude and violates forum rules.
:6: :6: :6: |
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| Kris |
quote:
Originally posted by Gonzo
............out of shape people......................
Please define... ;)
Just flew for a couple of hours next to an individual that could be describe as above.....what can I say.....I wish he purchased two tickets and had two seats.....no, I will not sue him or the arline for "inconvenience".....;) |
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| zebelkhan |
quote:
Originally posted by Kris
Just flew for a couple of hours next to an individual that could be describe as above.....what can I say.....I wish he purchased two tickets and had two seats.....no, I will not sue him or the arline for "inconvenience".....;)
Like I said before, I am not lazy and I was NOT sitting next to you on the plane....:D |
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