Can't read my engine oil dipstick
 

Seriously, 350z's oil dipstick sucks balls. I changed the engine oil and tried to check how much oil was in the engine by checking the dipstick. I did it when the engine was cool. Sometimes, it reads way overfill and sometimes, There's no oil before the high point.
This might be stupid but i put in 5 qts without checking the dipstick after maybe 4 1/2 qts. Do i have to worry whether i put too much or too little of oil?
The engine sounds bit different than previous. feels more smoother though.

Also, I found a wet spot of engine oil on the undertray. There was a drip of engine oil on the side of the oil filter. It might be from my homemade oil catch can but i didn't find oil leak there. :( Idk where it could have leaked from.

ps. Are all 350z engine oil caps never be able to open by hands? I always have to use vice grips to open it :( Is this the reason why ppl get aftermarket caps?

OK, in order....

No one can, just add correct ammt of oil, reread and hope for the best... I run a larger filter so I accommodate for extra oil...the dipsticks... they Suck A$$ and are worthless, esp when considering aftermarket intakes

Home made catch can probably is your problem there but check valves, guides, pcv, hoses etc...

No, aftermarket ones seem harder than my oem ever did, just use towel over it and grab away w/ hand or pliers...my "custom high pressure" ones suck too, just torque on em' it'll come off.

Highly pressurized systems always seem to do this with their caps...hope it helps

i can read my dipstick just fine another reason the HR is a win.
also getting the fill cap is easy just apply some elbow grease works every time no pliers or towels needed. but you may wanna try a gym membership.

i can read my dipstick fine, but my oil cap is hard to loosen

It's nearly impossible to read the dipstick. I wouldn't mind if i see like little bit of overflow but i see like more than 1 inch higher than highest point. Since i put 5qt, just don't worry about it?
The day i changed the oil, the oil pressure read 8. (don't know for sure) but now it reads 5 during idle. It used to read 4 during idle before i changed it.
Let's say the oil appears at the highest point on ONE side of the dipstick and the oil appears at the lowest point on other side of the dipstick, what's the final oil amount?

I totally expected someone to say that lol. I do go to the gym but hey, my fingers are not as hard as my forearms.

Is your dipstick straight cause mine is curved so that it goes in and out better

my dipstick is straight.. but i have the hr motor

BOOO!
Mine is DE lol:(

I can't read my dipstick worth chit either.

things to note...Custom bent my cai, hence the tubing and location of spiraled retard design of dipstick make it imposs, two I powerlift, so the gym things not much the issue brohan :cool:
And I hope thats not the only reason you enjoy the hr?:D

I've never had any problems reading my dipstick... I've got the DE Revup btw.:dunno:

Only time the dipstick is hard to read is when you first do an oil change, after a day of driving its easy.

If you rotate the dipstick and view both the back and front side you can see where the oil level is.

As far as getting it in/out I remove the dipstick guide leading to the hole. I can easily remove/reinstall the dipstick even without looking. I guess if you do it enough you will get it done.

http://www.ntstudios.com/albums/350z/images/z7.jpg

So you wipe it and try again, sometime its takes 9 to 10 times before you get the right reading.

I don't think anyone has every reported a problem with the dipstick before.. Must just be you. :rolleyes:

if you didn't wipe the oil-filter/drain plug area after tightening them.. there could have been some residual oil there that later dripped down.. or your catch can is having issues.

don't tighten your oil cap down as much.. it will be easier to loosen later.

^ the truth

the oil cap is only as hard to remove if you overtightened it the last time...it's not like it self seals

the dipstick is a bit of a PIA to remove on a DE (not impossible, just takes some finesse) but it's certainly not hard to read. If you can't read it properly, you probably shouldn't be taking it out in the first place

You get the car up to temp then shut it off for ten mins like it says in the manual.

I've done many oil changes on audi, g35, 350z, and camry. It's stupid to not wipe the oil filter and drain plug area. WHen i change tranny oil next week, i'll check where the oil might be coming from.

you have a custom high pressure oil cap?!?! :rolleyes: