Engine Oil Dipstick Volvo Penta MD22

[VicS]

I finally got a reply: "The oil level should be checked with the dip stick pushed fully home. Please check again after the engine has been run and left to settle for 10 minutes to allow the oil to drain back to the sump."

This doesn't explain why it is not reading correctly.

Dipsticks are pretty simple bits of kit. Unless the wrong one has been put in at some time or another it is difficult to see how it can read incorrectly

Perhaps you are being misled by the data in the manual which says the oil capacity is 6 litres ... That is for a dry engine. You will never need that much when changing the oil.

Put in say 5 litres, let it drain down for a few moments then top it up to the full mark on the dipstick. Now run the engine for a few minutes. Check for leaks esp around the new filter.
Stop it, let it stand for a few minutes and again top up to the full mark or a smidgen below.

Check it again and top up if necessary after the first proper short run.

If you get in much more than about 5½ litres I'd be surprised.

 

[VicMallows]

This ridiculous dilemma has applied to nearly every engine and most gearboxes I have owned. The difference between screwing in (or even pushing in) the dipstick ... or justing resting it in the hole is often much greater than the difference between the min & max markings. Inquiries invariably yield inconclusive or unreliable answers.

WHY OH WHY are manufacturers NOT CAPABLE OF MAKING THIS SIMPLE POINT CLEAR :disgust: