Accurate Oil Dipstick pull

[BoostedProf]

I'm trying to figure out if there is a better way to check the oil on my GT350. The center strut tower bar gets in the way and so I have to go at an angle and sometimes it takes multiple checks to see what level the oil is at since most of the time, the oil drags along the dipstick. Any tips on better ways to get a more accurate check without doing it a handful of times?

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[RiotfunK]

Use 2 hands. Pull with one and guide with the other with a bend. Really the only way without drilling a hole through the brace. You can loosen the bolts on the passenger side and remove them on the drivers and shift it over enough to pull the dipstick out with clearance.

 

[Crew4991]

@WD Pro did you have a walkthrough guide on how to accurately check the oil with a reach around method for the strut tower? Would it be similar advice for checking oil on the GT350?

 

[WD Pro]

@WD Pro did you have a walkthrough guide on how to accurately check the oil with a reach around method for the strut tower? Would it be similar advice for checking oil on the GT350?

Hi,

My guide was mostly related to making reinsertion of the dip stick easy as everyone seems to moan about the strut brace being in the way, but pulling it out, a quick wipe, that method for reinsertion, then an immediate removal and check has never given me any problems on one side of the stick - other than new oil which is hard to see … lol

I can’t see why the 350 would be any different, but who knows.

Oil level on a clean stick with new oil (one hash down from the top of the hashing) :

My easy peasy access method :

Don't worry about a solid upper brace blocking the dip stick, it was a pain at first but I stumbled on a method that makes it very easy :

1. Stand on the left side of the car level with the brace.
2. Right hand on the right side of the brace, down low just over the top of the dip stick tube.
3. Left hand on the left side of the brace holding the dipstick.
4. From the front of the car, point the end of the dipstick under the brace at your right hand.
5. Feed it down the dipstick hole with your right hand in small movements, maybe 75mm at a time.
6. Don't apply any force with the left hand, use that hand just to keep the dipstick as vertical as possible and to stop the top of the dipstick from flopping around and / or marking the strut bar.

That method is that easy, it really makes the position of the strut bar a non issue

WD

That’s based on a gen 3 coyote, with the engine cover, and a 350 tower brace :

WD

 

[matthewr87]

You have to reach around and use two hands......wait what were we talking about again?

 

[JAJ]

I'm trying to figure out if there is a better way to check the oil on my GT350. The center strut tower bar gets in the way and so I have to go at an angle and sometimes it takes multiple checks to see what level the oil is at since most of the time, the oil drags along the dipstick. Any tips on better ways to get a more accurate check without doing it a handful of times?

Actually, the instructions in the Owner's Supplement are all you need. With the engine at operating temperature, wait 10 minutes after shutting down, and check the dipstick.

- If there's oil in the bottom hole, the sump is full and you're good to go.
- If there's no oil in either hole, then you're low and you need to add a quart.
- If there's oil in the top hole, you're overfilled.

Really, it's as simple as that.

 

[CANTWN4LSN]

I believe there is a whole thread on this if you do a search. With regard to the smear on the dipstick, what I found really works to eliminate it is to remove the dipstick, let it sit out for about 5 minutes, then insert and take a reading. This gives time for the oil in the tube to return to the crankcase and always eliminates the smear.

 

[FISH22]

I like to wipe the stick down with a shop rag wet with isopropyl alcohol. Let’s the oil grip a bit better as the stick is completely dry and oil free.

 

[nicksalvadore24]

Ha I just posted a thread on this last week. The best answer I got was to look closely to see the difference between where the dipstick was dipped in oil vs oil streaks from being dragged along the dip tube. It’s a pain but yeah you can tell. Every time I pull mine out there’s oil streaks way above the top hole and obviously there isn’t oil there, that’s just from dragging along the dip tube

 

[MNGT350]

It's funny with all the gauges and measurements this car gives you on the dash and console, they don't have an oil level monitor.

 

[Mrhavasu]

I always check it after letting sit overnite. Works perfect.

 

[Spart]

Brother, do not overthink this. These cars have two and a half gallons of oil floating around. You can be down two quarts and not really have a problem outside of extreme track use.

If you see oil anywhere above the bottom hole, you're good.

Check it fifteen minutes after shutting the car off and fully warmed up per the manual.

Right after an oil change it's really hard to see the level, if you change the oil and filter at the same time and let it drain for a good ten minutes while warm, you can just throw ten quarts in and not worry too much about where it lands on the dipstick.

 

[Nfs1000f]

It's funny with all the gauges and measurements this car gives you on the dash and console, they don't have an oil level monitor.

I would never want the gauge in place of a dipstick. Most manufacturers (BMW) have an indicator and you have no dipstick.

 

[JAJ]

Brother, do not overthink this. These cars have two and a half gallons of oil floating around. You can be down two quarts and not really have a problem outside of extreme track use.

If you see oil anywhere above the bottom hole, you're good.

Check it fifteen minutes after shutting the car off and fully warmed up per the manual.

Right after an oil change it's really hard to see the level, if you change the oil and filter at the same time and let it drain for a good ten minutes while warm, you can just throw ten quarts in and not worry too much about where it lands on the dipstick.

Yeah. We wouldn't be having this discussion if Ford had left the cross-hatching off the dipstick. It's meaningless as far as oil level is concerned, but since it's there, it really draws a lot of attention.

 

[526 HRSE]

You have to reach around and use two hands......wait what were we talking about again?

I give my wife the same advice.

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