Can someone tell me how to read this dipstick?

 

It is for this reason I purchased a Craven dip stick, so much better than any OEM dip stick!

 

Oil level should be between the two metal ferrels - preferably near the top one. The cone shaped ferrel on the bottom is not what I’m talking about.

Put out the dipstick and wipe it clean.
Wait - let any oil in the dipstick tube drain out - maybe even have a cup of coffee. Or maybe clean all the windows.
While you are waiting go get a clean paper towel. White is fine - brown is better.
Lay the paper towel on a flat surface.
Insert the dipstick and pull it back out.
Lay the dipstick on the paper towel.
The oil on the dipstick will bleed across onto the paper towel - showing you the oil level.

 

Except I don't think that's an OEM dipstick...

OP. What car did that come out of?

 

Beedeejay thanks for the info. I will give it a try. Maybe $75 would be worth it for an aftermarket one??

 

You talking about the OP dip stick or the aftermarket one Craven dip stick that I linked? My OEM dip stick looks exactly like the OP's DP.

 

My dipstick doesn't look like the OP's. Mine has a dark red end where you read the level.

It is difficult to tell where the level is though, but it looks to be at the 'full' nub, even though the car sounds like a diesel.

 

Interesting, I believe Mini made many different DP's, one with a yellow tip, one with a red tip and the coil type DP.

 

What does OP mean that everyone is referring to?

 

Original Poster

 

OP is original poster

You're not the first person to have problems with the standard MINI dipstick. Just be careful so you don't run your car low on oil.

 

Love this method! Yes and it works great....

Ended up getting a Craven Speed Dipstick - got it USED from Amazon labeled as "like new" for cheap.

 

The problem I had with my coil type dip stick is it's dark metal coil are so close in color to our oil making reading it some time difficult. Some of the coil type dip sticks actually pull oil up into the dip stick tube splashing on the area that is read, it has been known to give a false reading making it look like it's full when in reality it isn't. The Craven dip stick has nothing at its tip to pull up any oil and is made from lightly colored stainless steel which is different in color so only oil can be seen. Mini gets a grade F for their poorly designed dip stick! They are thinking with their dip stick.

 

after I clicked on the thumbnail...I also question if this is an OEM dipstick.

 

OP's is exactly what was in my 7 ... and I used the 'paper blot' method


use that on my 79 too . . .


making it classic verified as correct . . .

 

Well thank you...I've learned something. I'm familiar with the 2008, which has a different dipstick...

 

Haha the OP doesn't know what OP means.
Thanks for the advise I will keep a close eye on the oil level.
I just order an oil filter. Won't be here until Friday. Don't know what kind of oil that has been used in the past (synthetic or standard) I need to add to it now. Does it matter if it has synthetic in it and I add standard oil?

 

The recommended oil is SYN 5W-30 -- of course I've been wrong before...hehe. No standard oil.

 

I can't change the oil until I get the filter. Not knowing what oil is in it now will it hurt to top it off and take a chance it might have something different than what I use to top it off?

 

I know the craven speed dip stick may seem pricey for just a dip stick, but trust me, its worth its weight in gold. If you plan on keeping your MINI, just bite the bullet and buy one, you won't regret it.

 

In my opinion...any oil is better than low oil.

 

The most important thing to understand when using an OEM Mini dipstick is that the bottom bulb, if re-inserted into the oil pan will draw oil up into the tube when withdrawn.
The trick is after first removing the dipstick, re-insert it into the tube but not far enough to get oil on the bottom bulb.
You do this several times, cleaning the oil off each time, until the tube is clean of excessive oil.
After cleaning the tube of excess oil you can then re-insert the dipstick fully into the oil pan, withdraw it and read the level.
If you keep the OEM dipstick, the best thing you can do is remove that bottom bulb so it will not draw oil up into the tube in the first place.

 

Good point. I may grind off the bottom bulb.

 

That makes since to me.

 

Just talked to a mechanic friend he said it's ok to add synthetic to standard but not to add standard to synthetic.