Craven told me that the top divet is full and the bottom divet means you need a quart.

 

SO if the two top divets have no oil in them that means I need to add how? Or should I just add small amounts and check until all divets have oil in them?

 

how many divots are there?

# of divots without oil
total # of divots

is the fraction of a quart to use. So for example if there are 5 total divots, you'd need 2/5ths of a quart. (I don't know how many divots there really are, so substitute as needed)

 

There are 6 divets. The top two don't show oil so I assume i need to add 1/3 qt.

 

Whoops my bad - you're right. I'll go back and fix my math.

 

At 1/3 quart low, do we really need to add at all? (I really don't know this, so will be interested in the answer too)

Mine also shows two divots, because I drained some out when the dealer over filled.

 

[QUOTE=JoanieB;3539402]At 1/3 quart low, do we really need to add at all? (I really don't know this, so will be interested in the answer too)

Not critical, but I think your MINI would do this the closer you keep it to the top mark.
It's not a bad habit to have actually, and only takes a few moments.
Good luck.

 

I posted this quick fix here:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/how-to/230108-reading-the-2011-oil-dipstick.html

But thought it is worth reposting it in this thread to help everyone out. It really isn’t that difficult to modify the OEM dipstick so the oil on the lower bulb doesn’t get drug into the tube when you initially pull it out and add more indents for ease of reading.

 

BlackIce, can you pls. post a clearer pics..

 

These are the best photos my old digital camera will take. This is the modified dipstick dry.



And this is it wet, after one dip back into and out of the tube.



It is easy to read the oil level on the filed smooth flat dull surface on each side of the dipstick end, but the additional holes that fill with oil turn darker making it even easier with those in place.

It appears that the “lower” blub is what pulls the oil back into the tube when removing the dipstick. The upper bulb really shouldn’t be “in” the oil unless it is over filled and is possibly cleaning out the tube as you pull it out to wipe clean.

Either way, the filed to a point end doesn’t seem to drag additional oil up into the tube (or at least not as much), thus I am getting a good reading on the first dip after pulling and cleaning off the end.

 

Best mod so far.blackIce..

 

Glad it worked out for you too. Maybe Mini will redesign it for 2013 and make it even better.

 

Did mine this morning. Awesome tip ! No guesswork now. Thanks

 

IMPORTANT WARNING for users of the Craven aftermarket Dipstick!!!

I went to check my oil levels today...and when I was cleaning the dipstick before putting it back in for my first reading...the handle/head separated from the stick(coil)!!

I did not apply any pressure at all..it came apart with little to no effort!

I was LUCKY that it didn't come off when it was in the tube!!! Could you imagine?

I am contacting Craven about this...they have a good rep for making things right...but please be careful with yours.

Luckily I had the OEM handy...and its back in for now.

 

^ Oh no!

Mine is in a box. It was too tight and I couldn't take it anymore. Maybe I'm just not strong enough. If anyone wants it, PM me.

 

I used a coating of Plasti Dip rubber on the handle to serve as an insulating layer and reduce heat on the Craven dipstick. I'll keep you posted how well it works. At the very least it's supposedly easily removable if it doesn't help.

 

As a new MCS owner as of June 22/12, I'm definitely a rookie here,but followed BlackIce's advice & did the dipstick mod.Works like a charm!!!

 

Brandon, return it to Craven, they replaced some that had double powder coating. It's worth replacing, or maybe he will refund you.

 

Airwilf, you might want to narrow that top bulb down a bit, that is what drags oil through the channel. It will give you a false reading if the oil is smeared on the stick. Nice job! Dremel?

 

Nope.Just a file,some sandpaper,a a couple of glasses of wine.I'll narrow the buld down this evening.Thanks for the tip.

 

Not sure that is necessary, as the oil should not be up to the top bulb. My thought is the top bulb cleans the tube out when you remove the dipstick and having the bottom bulb removed prevents the transfer of oil into the tube because it is below the oil level and wet. That was my logic for leaving it on mine and it works fine with the full top bulb in place. Not sure of the facts, but know it works great every time as is!

 

You're right, Blackice, my bad.

 

Well, I have to add my 2c, since I'm having the same dipstick problem. I checked the oil at 5,100 miles (for the 1 st time, I know, don't tell me I should have checked it sooner), and the OEM dipstick clearly showed the oil level was a tad above the lower divet, and according to the owners manual , I needed to add 1 quart of oil to bring the level up to the full level, which I did. After I added the quart, and checked the dipstick the next day, the oil level now appears to be way up above the red part of the dipstick and onto the metal part of the dipstick. So, according to what everyone has said prior to my posting, the dipstick is dragging oil into the tube and giving me a false reading now, is that correct? I'm a tad anxiety ridden after seeing oil up to the metal part of the dipstick, thinking I have now put too much oil in, and I don't think adding the 1 qt of oil would have brought the level up so drastically higher. I'm also annoyed at Mini for making such an easy maintenance task so darn difficult. Can someone confirm my understanding? Will the oil in the tube recede eventually so I can get a proper oil level reading again?

 

minitennisball,

Pull the dipstick out for 20-30 minutes minimum to let the tube drain and check it again. Or, try the, insert it partially, wipe it, partially insert, wipe and repeat until you pull it all out, basically. You definitely don't want to be driving with too much oil. If you have to much, go to the corner auto part store and grab a siphon.

 

Minitennisball,

I also agree that pulling the dipstick out, wiping it off, and waiting at least 20 minutes before reinserting it is the best method. I would also suggest when you insert it for the reading, stop when the lowest part of the plastic handle contacts the top edge of the tube. The lowest part of the plastic is exactly 1" below the part of the handle the contacts the top of the tube when the dipstick is fully inserted. If you stop when the lowest part contacts, the reading will be exactly 1" below the actual level. If you have overfilled the oil by only a small amount you will get a reading somewhere in between the bulges. Measure 1" above where you read the level and that is the actual level. This allows you to see the actual amount of overfill. You only need to do this if the oil is overfilled.