That's right! And keep in mind not to keep the level at the max level when engine oil is cold, as oil expands with heat, you'd end up with too much. It's a good habit to check the level when the engine is warm, about 5 minutes after shutdown. If checked cold, the oil should be a little under max level.

 

Ohh I hate this dipstick with a passion!

 

+1 to that!!

I mean... what exactly is the point with this thing?

It's the worst dipstick I've ever used. Every time I check my oil it's like more of a guess than an actual reading. Why would the engineers (or whoever) change from a simple flat metal stick - tried and true for many decades - to this red plastic blob? I could see it if the thing was actually an improvement over the old style, but really! Why "improve" something so simple and straightforward only to make it worse? I just don't get it.

If some aftermarket vendor made one for my '08 Cooper like this:

Attachment 40775

... I'd buy one in a second.


OK, my rant-of-the-day is now over.

 

I would love to hear why.

 

I could not have expressed myself better than that

I know Craven speed offers what seems to be a good dipstick, but holy jesus it's 80 bucks. I'm not sure how much dipsticks go for but it sure seems a little too much. Although I'm still thinking about it, I can't stand the stock one... might as well not even check the oil level.

 

I happened to be in Downtown MINI (Orlando) Service Dept. for touchup paint kit.

Saw an Oil Changer with five quarts on the bench, he poured in four and then asked the other techs; "who has a half-quart" and swapped for his fifth bottle to complete the job.

Even if you have an "Oil Burning" MINI, overfilling is still not a good idea, just check more often.

I have no trouble reading my DipStick, but if I did, I would just carefully paint the section between the ferrules with a Flat White Paint.

 

You're kidding right? I think it has been stated many times why it's not good to overfill your engine with oil. I think underfilled is just as obvious.

 

Why?

 

having it underfilled is still better than overfilled; I dont know about IL 4 Cyl high strung French engines are, but in say a V6 or 8 y'll blow a seal somewhere with too much oil in the case. Stuff's under intense pressure.

For $72 large I sprung for a Cravenspeed dipstick thru Moss Mini that's easily readable--and RED!. I guess only Germans can read the oem one. sheesh.

 

Go read post #23.

 

Too bad post 23 is false. The overfilling issue is an old wives tale. As long as you do not completely fill your oil pan, there is no real issue. The excess oil simply goes back into the pan. I suggest you do your homework before you roll your eyes at someone else.

 

While the answer in post 23 is false, it will not raise engine oil pressure, overfilling IS a serious issue.

When overfilling some engines, our engines probably included because of the crankcase design, you run into issues with the crank counterweights coming into contact with liquid oil, not vapors like it is used to.

I tested this with a blown SB Mopar engine, it had a hole in the block so you could easily see the crank. With a 6qt pan, 7qts of oil raised the oil level to the point that it was nearly touching the counterweights. At speed, the amount of stretch that the metal parts have and sloshing of the oil would certainly cause contact.

 

Hey, at least I got you to say something other than "why?" ... wait for it ...

 

At least I ask the questions instead of mindlessly believing what others tell me. Run along sheeple.

 

Now that's an answer, with real evidence.

 

(baaaah, baaaaah)
So you were going to...

• thoroughly test any answer you received to arrive at a scientifically-sound answer?
• mindlessly believe what others told you here after chiding others for mindlessly believing what others already said here?
• ignore answers (true or false) that had already been given and just keep asking "why?" until you could chide others for mindlessly believing what others already said here?

Here, let me help you out - http://tinyurl.com/cmmm5j

(sorry I tried pointing to one of the answers already given. your "why? ... why?" didn't make it clear to me that you had already read and rejected previous answers. ... um .... )

 

Typically overfilling the oil in an engine can cause several issues -- a little bit overfilled, and the crank will start splashing in the oil -- this robs power, and will "whip" the oil in the engine like in a blender -- this will cause air to get in the oil and decrease its effectiveness. Alot overfilled and the oil will create severe pressure resistance inside the crankcase such that the seals in the engine (oil pan, front and rear main, valve cover, and even the head gasket) will begin to leak oil and eventually fail, resulting in a costly repair.

And I have a tendency to belive the engineers at BMW who state in the vehicles manual that overfilling the engine with engine oil will in fact do damage.

I hope that gives you what you need. If not I guess I can't help you.

Pat

 

I've never noticed much difference in the oil level, hot or cold.

 

Oil does expand and contract slightly with temperature variations, but it's nothing that you're going to notice on the dipstick - a few percent at most.

 

i have the metal dipstick and that thing is even more of a pile of crap. Why take a huge step backward for such a simple tool? my 9 year old bmw has a better dipstick. I guess they just wanted to be "cool"

 

The question is: how much oil is the engine supposed to take after you drain the oil? I think my book says 4.5 qt, Robin's dealer told him 4.5 for the mini 4.75 for the MCS, they told one guy they routinely put in 5 qts (I bet that's the case) and that amount certainly goes over the top fill mark of the dipstick by about 1/2 inch as that's what started this thread. Maybe they just need to change the dipstick calibration a little then we'd all shut up Logic tells me my engine's safe if they put in 5 qts even though a emotionally didn't like seeing it over the top fill mark.

 

Ok I'm ashamed to admit this but every time I check the oil I can't tell the level very well.... Usually I try after the car has been cold (I know not a good idea) but whenever the engine is hot and I pull it out, it seems to me that there is oil all the way up the dipstick....I feel even if I try to roll it on a dry paper towel to see where it is I don't get an accurate reading....

So anyone got any advice to help me see it the easiest/best/most efficient way?

 

First pull, it will be coated with oil and you must wipe it dry before taking measure.

Now push the dry stick all the way in and out to check the level.

If you then can't see the measure, lay it in the crease of a folded scrap of paper and fold (squeeze) it around the stick
(paper towel is too absorbant and will quickly 'wick' above true level).

 

The first 2 I do...I'll try the 3rd next time - thanks!

 

I have the red dipstick.... I take it out, dry it off, then reinsert it.

Take it back out, and the oil level is where it is shiny.... the red plastic is matte, and the oil will make it shiny. I don't have a problem at all reading the level on the OEM dipstick...

Then again, I was born in Germany...