Topic: Accurate dipstick reading

[Dos]

Hello all,

I have an upper head gasket leak and I regularly check my oil to make sure I don't loose to much.

I've noticed I get a different reading when the engine is cold vs when I've been riding around for alittle.

When cold it's half filled when hot it's reading completely to the top.

What reading should I take. Thank you!

[jerry h]

Hot (at least on a 750... sorry not sure on a 350f)

[Don R]

 On a wet sump motor I'd say cold. That's how you check it after an oil change. When it's been running recently some of the oil is up in the top of the motor. After a few minutes it should drain down.

[scunny]

If a wet sump, so all apart from the 750, with the bike upright, dip stick is placed, not screwed down and take your reading. this is done cold, or a while after riding.
If a 750, sorry, can't help.

[Dos]

Cold it is.

That means I need more oil!

Thank you

[Bodi]

On a 400, I've never noticed any significant oil level change hot vs cold.

[Dos]

I'm using 20w 50 old school conventional and it foams up and everything lol

[ekpent]

 'Foam' in your oil would not be a good thing for protection. Don't think I better go any further though or things could start to get too oily   

[Dos]

hm yeah. it's not foamy but just little air bubbles on the dipstick. I'm using valvoline 20w 50 conventional motorcycle oil.. Guess I better go synthetic?

[grcamna2]

hm yeah. it's not foamy but just little air bubbles on the dipstick. I'm using valvoline 20w 50 conventional motorcycle oil.. Guess I better go synthetic?

I've used that same Valvoline oil and it's good.

[ekpent]

hm yeah. it's not foamy but just little air bubbles on the dipstick. I'm using valvoline 20w 50 conventional motorcycle oil.. Guess I better go synthetic?

I've used that same Valvoline oil and it's good.

+1 ^^   don't let me get you worrying.

[Dos]

Yeah I just checked it cold and it was at full..

I guess when I check it mid right it's up top so I get a half reading. Interesting

[Bankerdanny]

Hot or cold shouldn't make a material difference, if anything it would read a bit higher when cold as the oil has had a chance to settle into the oil pan.

When I check a hot engine I always wait a few minutes after shut down.

[beemerbum]

Hot or cold shouldn't make a material difference, if anything it would read a bit higher when cold as the oil has had a chance to settle into the oil pan.

When I check a hot engine I always wait a few minutes after shut down.

How do you check the oil level "in the pan" on a dry sump motor?

[Bankerdanny]

He has a 350, so it is a wet sump.

[Dos]

So I should run the bike around the block for alittle and then take a reading for a more accurate result?

[Bankerdanny]

No, that isn't necessary. Checking it cold before a ride is just fine.