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Focus 1.5 TDCI Dips tick - reading??

ddave05
ddave05
in Ford Focus Club

Featured Replies

I am confused... 

I serviced my Focus a few weeks ago, checked the oil level on the dipstick as I topped the oil back up and seemed OK. 

I did another check this morning... On one side of the dipstick, it looked fine. One notch off max. But if i look on the reverse side of the dipstick, it's over the highest mark! 

Which is the correct measure. I don't want too much oil being in the sump for obvious reasons, but don't want to faff draining surplus if I don't need to. 

Thanks in advance. 

  • Quote


    9 minutes ago, ddave05 said:

    I did another check this morning... On one side of the dipstick, it looked fine. One notch off max. But if i look on the reverse side of the dipstick, it's over the highest mark! 

    Take the Dip Stick out, wipe it with a clean, non fluffy rag. Try again. What you describe is against the laws of physics 😂

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    • Author

    My thought exactly!!

    The 'top side', i.e. the side facing the engine when I pulled the dipstick out was just below max. The side facing away from the engine showed above max. Car was level. 

    I checked 3-4 times (with a clean kitchen towel). One side was higher than the other.

    I am wondering whether I just take the higher reading as the correct one and drain a bit out...

  • Quote
    6 minutes ago, ddave05 said:

    I am wondering whether I just take the higher reading as the correct one and drain a bit out...

    We all gotta see a photo of this miraculous manifestation...

  • Quote
    • Author

    Pic 1 - dipstick in resting position

    Pic 2 - dipstick when pulled out (engine facing side of dipstick) 

    Pic 3 - dipstick twisted 180.

    I cleaned the dipstick before taking pics 2 and 3.

    Can you explain the miraculous manifestation? 

    IMG_20240922_163618.jpg

    IMG_20240922_163625.jpg

    IMG_20240922_163629.jpg

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    One notch?? Gosh, I thought this was something serious. 🤣 Am prepared to state that gravity has a hand in this - I really wouldn't lose sleep over it...

    oildipstick.thumb.jpg.cd3c8d596a8105136affa5766934227f.jpg

  • Quote
    • Author

    Hmm I am hoping it is fine too. 

    Just to be clear, I am fine with the first image (one notch below max). I am less happy with the other side of the dipstick, where it is well above maximum. 

    No idea why both sides are not equal! This is the worrying bit - not sure where gravity comes into it 

  • Quote
    2 minutes ago, ddave05 said:

    No idea why both sides are not equal! This is the worrying bit - not sure where gravity comes into it 

    If the car is sitting on a slight incline (not a 100% flat surface), the side with the higher level will reflect the lower incline. Other than that, I feel I'm now totally unqualified to comment further  and maybe some else will be along soon...

  • Quote

    The second side is just picking up oil from the dipstick tube as it's pulled out.  The lower side is the correct reading.

  • Quote
    • Thanks 3
    16 hours ago, ddave05 said:

    I am confused... 

    I serviced my Focus a few weeks ago, checked the oil level on the dipstick as I topped the oil back up and seemed OK. 

    I did another check this morning... On one side of the dipstick, it looked fine. One notch off max. But if i look on the reverse side of the dipstick, it's over the highest mark! 

    Which is the correct measure. I don't want too much oil being in the sump for obvious reasons, but don't want to faff draining surplus if I don't need to. 

    Thanks in advance. 

    Mine also shows the same.

    Dipsticks are not be trusted.

  • Quote
    4 minutes ago, Bol said:

    Mine also shows the same.

    Dipsticks are not be trusted.

    They are quaint though being of a similar design for over a century LOL

  • Quote

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