Defective dipstick 1998 Avalon

I have a somewhat bizzare problem, which is that my dipstick doesn't
read accurately anymore. I seem to get a long thin trail up about half
the length of the dipstick, instead of a nice solid reading at the
bottem where it's supposed to be.

I'm pretty sure this started when I got it back from a shop in the
summer, I'm afraid they may have overfilled my engine oil? Anyways,
when I did my own change last month, I let it drain a long time and
very carefully filled to what the engine + filter capacity is. The car
has never burned oil, so I'm not worried about the level getting low,
but I would prefer to have a functioning dipstick.

Any thoughts on causes / cures?

There is nothing that can go wrong with a dipstick, other than the tube it
slides into can become lose and either come out when the stick is removed or
become raised. Either of these conditions can be worked around. If the tube
comes out, you can flatten it a bit so it fits tightly into the hole in the
block. If it sinks into the block (not a very likely scenario because the
tube has a positive stop on it) then you can fix this by buying a new dip
stick tube.

I doubt you have anything wrong with the dip stick at all, especially if you
are the original owner, and you take reasonable care to not destroy your
stuff.





"Danny L." <dan.lundberg@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1136814308.923560.124360@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
>I have a somewhat bizzare problem, which is that my dipstick doesn't
> read accurately anymore. I seem to get a long thin trail up about half
> the length of the dipstick, instead of a nice solid reading at the
> bottem where it's supposed to be.
>
> I'm pretty sure this started when I got it back from a shop in the
> summer, I'm afraid they may have overfilled my engine oil? Anyways,
> when I did my own change last month, I let it drain a long time and
> very carefully filled to what the engine + filter capacity is. The car
> has never burned oil, so I'm not worried about the level getting low,
> but I would prefer to have a functioning dipstick.
>
> Any thoughts on causes / cures?
>[/color]

"Danny L." <dan.lundberg@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1136814308.923560.124360@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
>I have a somewhat bizzare problem, which is that my dipstick doesn't
> read accurately anymore. I seem to get a long thin trail up about half
> the length of the dipstick, instead of a nice solid reading at the
> bottem where it's supposed to be.
>
> I'm pretty sure this started when I got it back from a shop in the
> summer, I'm afraid they may have overfilled my engine oil? Anyways,
> when I did my own change last month, I let it drain a long time and
> very carefully filled to what the engine + filter capacity is. The car
> has never burned oil, so I'm not worried about the level getting low,
> but I would prefer to have a functioning dipstick.
>
> Any thoughts on causes / cures?
>[/color]

More likely a defective dipstick operative.

Assume the level to be where he oil wets the dipstick all the way across.
Try taking a reading when the oil is cold, before starting.
Ultimate cure is to replace the dipstick operative.

Huw

"Huw" <hedydd[nospam]@tiscali.co.uk> wrote in message
news:42fs6oF1j5ujvU1@individual.net...[color=blue]
>
> "Danny L." <dan.lundberg@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1136814308.923560.124360@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=green]
>>I have a somewhat bizzare problem, which is that my dipstick doesn't
>> read accurately anymore. I seem to get a long thin trail up about half
>> the length of the dipstick, instead of a nice solid reading at the
>> bottem where it's supposed to be.
>>
>> I'm pretty sure this started when I got it back from a shop in the
>> summer, I'm afraid they may have overfilled my engine oil? Anyways,
>> when I did my own change last month, I let it drain a long time and
>> very carefully filled to what the engine + filter capacity is. The car
>> has never burned oil, so I'm not worried about the level getting low,
>> but I would prefer to have a functioning dipstick.
>>
>> Any thoughts on causes / cures?
>>[/color]
>
> More likely a defective dipstick operative.
>
> Assume the level to be where he oil wets the dipstick all the way across.
> Try taking a reading when the oil is cold, before starting.
> Ultimate cure is to replace the dipstick operative.
>
> Huw[/color]

HA! You nasty, insensitive, prejudiced man! Hmmph! /:^ /

Clearly the "dipstick" is not a Toyota part.
--

- Philip

Danny L., 1/9/2006,8:45:08 AM, wrote:
[color=blue]
> I have a somewhat bizzare problem, which is that my dipstick doesn't
> read accurately anymore. I seem to get a long thin trail up about
> half the length of the dipstick, instead of a nice solid reading at
> the bottem where it's supposed to be.
>
> I'm pretty sure this started when I got it back from a shop in the
> summer, I'm afraid they may have overfilled my engine oil? Anyways,
> when I did my own change last month, I let it drain a long time and
> very carefully filled to what the engine + filter capacity is. The
> car has never burned oil, so I'm not worried about the level getting
> low, but I would prefer to have a functioning dipstick.
>
> Any thoughts on causes / cures?[/color]

What do you think the capacity is? The six-cylinder takes at least 5
quarts. I would say let it sit for an hour or so before determining
the true level.

The other possibility is the dipstick is not seating properly. You
might even try another Toyota vehicle's dipstick that is the same model
as yours.

"Philip" <1chip-state1@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:HIAwf.7310$M%4.5635@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net...[color=blue]
>
> "Huw" <hedydd[nospam]@tiscali.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:42fs6oF1j5ujvU1@individual.net...[color=green]
>>
>> "Danny L." <dan.lundberg@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:1136814308.923560.124360@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=darkred]
>>>I have a somewhat bizzare problem, which is that my dipstick doesn't
>>> read accurately anymore. I seem to get a long thin trail up about half
>>> the length of the dipstick, instead of a nice solid reading at the
>>> bottem where it's supposed to be.
>>>
>>> I'm pretty sure this started when I got it back from a shop in the
>>> summer, I'm afraid they may have overfilled my engine oil? Anyways,
>>> when I did my own change last month, I let it drain a long time and
>>> very carefully filled to what the engine + filter capacity is. The car
>>> has never burned oil, so I'm not worried about the level getting low,
>>> but I would prefer to have a functioning dipstick.
>>>
>>> Any thoughts on causes / cures?
>>>[/color]
>>
>> More likely a defective dipstick operative.
>>
>> Assume the level to be where he oil wets the dipstick all the way across.
>> Try taking a reading when the oil is cold, before starting.
>> Ultimate cure is to replace the dipstick operative.
>>
>> Huw[/color]
>
> HA! You nasty, insensitive, prejudiced man! Hmmph! /:^ /
>
> Clearly the "dipstick" is not a Toyota part.
> --[/color]

Over here a 'dipstick' is slang for an idiot. It derives from the oil level
stick sometimes being called the 'idiot stick' because it is the most basic
of instruments. However, posts such as these prove beyond doubt that the
metal dipstick is not dipstick proof. LOL

Huw

"badgolferman" <REMOVETHISbadgolferman@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:xn0eh17n55ekfo8000@news.readfreenews.net...[color=blue]
> Danny L., 1/9/2006,8:45:08 AM, wrote:
>[color=green]
>> I have a somewhat bizzare problem, which is that my dipstick doesn't
>> read accurately anymore. I seem to get a long thin trail up about
>> half the length of the dipstick, instead of a nice solid reading at
>> the bottem where it's supposed to be.
>>
>> I'm pretty sure this started when I got it back from a shop in the
>> summer, I'm afraid they may have overfilled my engine oil? Anyways,
>> when I did my own change last month, I let it drain a long time and
>> very carefully filled to what the engine + filter capacity is. The
>> car has never burned oil, so I'm not worried about the level getting
>> low, but I would prefer to have a functioning dipstick.
>>
>> Any thoughts on causes / cures?[/color]
>
> What do you think the capacity is? The six-cylinder takes at least 5
> quarts. I would say let it sit for an hour or so before determining
> the true level.
>[/color]

Back in the Olden Days when gas was $0.32 per gallon, and the guy at the
station checked the oil and filled the tires all while the gas was pumping,
we got a pretty good reading off of the dipstick in under 2 minutes. Yes,
there were some jerks out there that would "short stick" to sell a quart
that wasn't needed, but people with integrity could see if that quart was
truly needed in the time it takes to ask, "may I help you?" then go start
the pump and raise the hood.

The correct method of reading any dipstick is to pull the stick and wipe it
off, put it back in, then pull it out again and read it. It is common that
oil will migrate up the stick while the engine is running, which can cause
the oil to be pulled along the side of the stick.



[color=blue]
> The other possibility is the dipstick is not seating properly. You
> might even try another Toyota vehicle's dipstick that is the same model
> as yours.[/color]

That's a possibility, but this would result in a short reading, not one
where the dip stick reader would be concerned that there was too much oil.
Of course, if the stick was not seated well and the person reading the stick
responded by adding a quart, then the level would be high, but this wouldn't
cause the oil to be drug up the side of the stick.

"Huw" <hedydd[nospam]@tiscali.co.uk> wrote in message
news:42g47nF1ibh6bU1@individual.net...[color=blue]
>
> "Philip" <1chip-state1@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:HIAwf.7310$M%4.5635@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net...[color=green]
>>
>> "Huw" <hedydd[nospam]@tiscali.co.uk> wrote in message
>> news:42fs6oF1j5ujvU1@individual.net...[color=darkred]
>>>
>>> "Danny L." <dan.lundberg@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:1136814308.923560.124360@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>>>>I have a somewhat bizzare problem, which is that my dipstick doesn't
>>>> read accurately anymore. I seem to get a long thin trail up about half
>>>> the length of the dipstick, instead of a nice solid reading at the
>>>> bottem where it's supposed to be.
>>>>
>>>> I'm pretty sure this started when I got it back from a shop in the
>>>> summer, I'm afraid they may have overfilled my engine oil? Anyways,
>>>> when I did my own change last month, I let it drain a long time and
>>>> very carefully filled to what the engine + filter capacity is. The car
>>>> has never burned oil, so I'm not worried about the level getting low,
>>>> but I would prefer to have a functioning dipstick.
>>>>
>>>> Any thoughts on causes / cures?
>>>>
>>>
>>> More likely a defective dipstick operative.
>>>
>>> Assume the level to be where he oil wets the dipstick all the way
>>> across. Try taking a reading when the oil is cold, before starting.
>>> Ultimate cure is to replace the dipstick operative.
>>>
>>> Huw[/color]
>>
>> HA! You nasty, insensitive, prejudiced man! Hmmph! /:^ /
>>
>> Clearly the "dipstick" is not a Toyota part.
>> --[/color]
>
> Over here a 'dipstick' is slang for an idiot. It derives from the oil
> level stick sometimes being called the 'idiot stick' because it is the
> most basic of instruments. However, posts such as these prove beyond doubt
> that the metal dipstick is not dipstick proof. LOL
>
> Huw[/color]

I expressed as much and more elegantly. ;^)

--

- Philip

"Philip" <1chip-state1@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:_yBwf.5262$%W1.531@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net...[color=blue]
>
> "Huw" <hedydd[nospam]@tiscali.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:42g47nF1ibh6bU1@individual.net...[color=green]
>>
>> "Philip" <1chip-state1@earthlink.net> wrote in message
>> news:HIAwf.7310$M%4.5635@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net...[color=darkred]
>>>
>>> "Huw" <hedydd[nospam]@tiscali.co.uk> wrote in message
>>> news:42fs6oF1j5ujvU1@individual.net...
>>>>
>>>> "Danny L." <dan.lundberg@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:1136814308.923560.124360@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>>>>>I have a somewhat bizzare problem, which is that my dipstick doesn't
>>>>> read accurately anymore. I seem to get a long thin trail up about
>>>>> half
>>>>> the length of the dipstick, instead of a nice solid reading at the
>>>>> bottem where it's supposed to be.
>>>>>
>>>>> I'm pretty sure this started when I got it back from a shop in the
>>>>> summer, I'm afraid they may have overfilled my engine oil? Anyways,
>>>>> when I did my own change last month, I let it drain a long time and
>>>>> very carefully filled to what the engine + filter capacity is. The
>>>>> car
>>>>> has never burned oil, so I'm not worried about the level getting low,
>>>>> but I would prefer to have a functioning dipstick.
>>>>>
>>>>> Any thoughts on causes / cures?
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> More likely a defective dipstick operative.
>>>>
>>>> Assume the level to be where he oil wets the dipstick all the way
>>>> across. Try taking a reading when the oil is cold, before starting.
>>>> Ultimate cure is to replace the dipstick operative.
>>>>
>>>> Huw
>>>
>>> HA! You nasty, insensitive, prejudiced man! Hmmph! /:^ /
>>>
>>> Clearly the "dipstick" is not a Toyota part.
>>> --[/color]
>>
>> Over here a 'dipstick' is slang for an idiot. It derives from the oil
>> level stick sometimes being called the 'idiot stick' because it is the
>> most basic of instruments. However, posts such as these prove beyond
>> doubt that the metal dipstick is not dipstick proof. LOL
>>
>> Huw[/color]
>
> I expressed as much and more elegantly. ;^)
>[/color]

Discretion and tact is probably lost on dipsticks. ;-)

Huw

"Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:hZadnZFRR4n-eF_enZ2dnUVZ_tWdnZ2d@ez2.net...[color=blue]
>
> "badgolferman" <REMOVETHISbadgolferman@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:xn0eh17n55ekfo8000@news.readfreenews.net...[color=green]
>> Danny L., 1/9/2006,8:45:08 AM, wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>> I have a somewhat bizzare problem, which is that my dipstick doesn't
>>> read accurately anymore. I seem to get a long thin trail up about
>>> half the length of the dipstick, instead of a nice solid reading at
>>> the bottem where it's supposed to be.
>>>
>>> I'm pretty sure this started when I got it back from a shop in the
>>> summer, I'm afraid they may have overfilled my engine oil? Anyways,
>>> when I did my own change last month, I let it drain a long time and
>>> very carefully filled to what the engine + filter capacity is. The
>>> car has never burned oil, so I'm not worried about the level getting
>>> low, but I would prefer to have a functioning dipstick.
>>>
>>> Any thoughts on causes / cures?[/color]
>>
>> What do you think the capacity is? The six-cylinder takes at least 5
>> quarts. I would say let it sit for an hour or so before determining
>> the true level.
>>[/color]
>
> Back in the Olden Days when gas was $0.32 per gallon, and the guy at the
> station checked the oil and filled the tires all while the gas was
> pumping, we got a pretty good reading off of the dipstick in under 2
> minutes.[/color]
snip

Those were also the days when NOBODY drove SOHC or DOHC engines with their
propensity to retain a lot of oil around the valve train.

--

- Philip

"Huw" <hedydd[nospam]@tiscali.co.uk> wrote in message
news:42g7htF1irj66U1@individual.net...[color=blue]
>
> "Philip" <1chip-state1@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:_yBwf.5262$%W1.531@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net...[color=green]
>>
>> "Huw" <hedydd[nospam]@tiscali.co.uk> wrote in message
>> news:42g47nF1ibh6bU1@individual.net...[color=darkred]
>>>
>>> "Philip" <1chip-state1@earthlink.net> wrote in message
>>> news:HIAwf.7310$M%4.5635@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net...
>>>>
>>>> "Huw" <hedydd[nospam]@tiscali.co.uk> wrote in message
>>>> news:42fs6oF1j5ujvU1@individual.net...
>>>>>
>>>>> "Danny L." <dan.lundberg@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>>>> news:1136814308.923560.124360@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>>>>>>I have a somewhat bizzare problem, which is that my dipstick doesn't
>>>>>> read accurately anymore. I seem to get a long thin trail up about
>>>>>> half
>>>>>> the length of the dipstick, instead of a nice solid reading at the
>>>>>> bottem where it's supposed to be.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I'm pretty sure this started when I got it back from a shop in the
>>>>>> summer, I'm afraid they may have overfilled my engine oil? Anyways,
>>>>>> when I did my own change last month, I let it drain a long time and
>>>>>> very carefully filled to what the engine + filter capacity is. The
>>>>>> car
>>>>>> has never burned oil, so I'm not worried about the level getting low,
>>>>>> but I would prefer to have a functioning dipstick.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Any thoughts on causes / cures?
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> More likely a defective dipstick operative.
>>>>>
>>>>> Assume the level to be where he oil wets the dipstick all the way
>>>>> across. Try taking a reading when the oil is cold, before starting.
>>>>> Ultimate cure is to replace the dipstick operative.
>>>>>
>>>>> Huw
>>>>
>>>> HA! You nasty, insensitive, prejudiced man! Hmmph! /:^ /
>>>>
>>>> Clearly the "dipstick" is not a Toyota part.
>>>> --
>>>
>>> Over here a 'dipstick' is slang for an idiot. It derives from the oil
>>> level stick sometimes being called the 'idiot stick' because it is the
>>> most basic of instruments. However, posts such as these prove beyond
>>> doubt that the metal dipstick is not dipstick proof. LOL
>>>
>>> Huw[/color]
>>
>> I expressed as much and more elegantly. ;^)
>>[/color]
>
> Discretion and tact is probably lost on dipsticks. ;-)
>
> Huw[/color]

Truth but ... I was speaking only to you and, you understood. ;^)
--

- Philip

Manual says 4.5 qts, 4.7 qts with filter. It's never taken 5 quarts in
the past, always a bit more than 4 and a half.

The readings I did were with a cold engine.

Not sure where I'll find another dipstick (other than the ones who
hijacked this thread to call me an idiot), but if I find myself parked
next to another 1998 avalon, maybe I'll get the guts to ask them.

Then again, "hey buddy, can I borrow your dipstick" might not be a good
thing to say to a stranger.

"Philip" <1chip-state1@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:IaCwf.5299$%W1.2436@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net...[color=blue]
>
> "Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:hZadnZFRR4n-eF_enZ2dnUVZ_tWdnZ2d@ez2.net...[color=green]
>>
>> "badgolferman" <REMOVETHISbadgolferman@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:xn0eh17n55ekfo8000@news.readfreenews.net...[color=darkred]
>>> Danny L., 1/9/2006,8:45:08 AM, wrote:
>>>
>>>> I have a somewhat bizzare problem, which is that my dipstick doesn't
>>>> read accurately anymore. I seem to get a long thin trail up about
>>>> half the length of the dipstick, instead of a nice solid reading at
>>>> the bottem where it's supposed to be.
>>>>
>>>> I'm pretty sure this started when I got it back from a shop in the
>>>> summer, I'm afraid they may have overfilled my engine oil? Anyways,
>>>> when I did my own change last month, I let it drain a long time and
>>>> very carefully filled to what the engine + filter capacity is. The
>>>> car has never burned oil, so I'm not worried about the level getting
>>>> low, but I would prefer to have a functioning dipstick.
>>>>
>>>> Any thoughts on causes / cures?
>>>
>>> What do you think the capacity is? The six-cylinder takes at least 5
>>> quarts. I would say let it sit for an hour or so before determining
>>> the true level.
>>>[/color]
>>
>> Back in the Olden Days when gas was $0.32 per gallon, and the guy at the
>> station checked the oil and filled the tires all while the gas was
>> pumping, we got a pretty good reading off of the dipstick in under 2
>> minutes.[/color]
> snip
>
> Those were also the days when NOBODY drove SOHC or DOHC engines with their
> propensity to retain a lot of oil around the valve train.
>[/color]


I have neverj measured, but I can't imagine any automobile engine thaty can
hold more than a couple of cups of oil outside of the oil pan. This is
hardly enough to cause one to be concerned about anything relative to this
discussion.

When the engine is warm -- has been driven for more than a couple of
minutes -- the oil should drain relatively quickly, surely in less than an
hour - as was suggested by another poster.

Danny L., 1/9/2006,7:52:08 PM, wrote:
[color=blue]
> Manual says 4.5 qts, 4.7 qts with filter. It's never taken 5 quarts
> in the past, always a bit more than 4 and a half.[/color]

Your manual is probably right, but my Haynes manual says 5.0 qts for
1MZFE engine.

You don't need another dipstick. Wipe the stick you have, and put it back in
and then read it.




"Danny L." <dan.lundberg@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1136854328.101159.138880@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Manual says 4.5 qts, 4.7 qts with filter. It's never taken 5 quarts in
> the past, always a bit more than 4 and a half.
>
> The readings I did were with a cold engine.
>
> Not sure where I'll find another dipstick (other than the ones who
> hijacked this thread to call me an idiot), but if I find myself parked
> next to another 1998 avalon, maybe I'll get the guts to ask them.
>
> Then again, "hey buddy, can I borrow your dipstick" might not be a good
> thing to say to a stranger.
>[/color]