We're making a point, at this point, in assisting an individual to positively identify the engine oil dipstick in the engine bay of her vehicle. Which as RR has identified as being on the right side of the engine nearest the front and the trans dipstick being at the left rear. Which is correct when you're standing in front of the car looking at the engine as he has mentioned.... Right rear = passenger rear, no one can debate that as being improper, but when you're looking at an engine bay, for those that could give a hoot less of proper terminology, left is left, right is right.

Let's make a fatuous point of making sure common automotive practice is put forth for an individual that at this point, I'm sure doesn't care what the "right" side of the car is from the driver's seat as long as she can positively identify the dipstick. It's no wonder this forum has gone into being useless banter for the individuals posing the questions.

Good grief.

Linda, good luck. I hope you can get past people trying to nit pick every bit of advise given to you without offering some of the their own.

__________________
Allen Kroliczek
Oak Grove Autosport | Oak Grove Autosport
01 G500, 82 300TD, quite a few more.....

If you are going to give advise at least make it correct advise. I have had many conversations with Linda Jane in the past (defective ignition switch tumbler) and know that she has suffered enough and gotten ripped off by bad advice. Nit picking is one thing, giving incorrect instructions is another.

You got caught out making a statement which was not true... that is the bottom line... you can complain all you want.. but nomenclature and procedure is important around here since often pictures are not available.

__________________
1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/10414-help-i-need-check-stretch.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

Hi....

Sorry, maybe the way I phrased the question wasn't all that clear...
Wouldn't be the first time...but all the advice is appreciated
Lindaj

EDIT:

Not even going to bother, good luck Linda.

__________________
Allen Kroliczek
Oak Grove Autosport | Oak Grove Autosport
01 G500, 82 300TD, quite a few more.....

It's important to be clear when describing a problem with words and no pics on forums. This reminds me of the 710 joke lol

https://youtu.be/Ec2tBbjTHes

__________________
85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

This thread has gone far beyond helpful and is on the cusp of turning nasty. If you nit-pickers would go back and reread my post you will find I wrote "Standing at front of car looking into engine," Of course we all know the convention. I was trying to be helpful to someone whose automotive expertise was unknown to me.

If we can't help her read the dipstick then just put a sock in it.

Seems it was too much for them to read bud, I gave up on it last night lol

__________________
Allen Kroliczek
Oak Grove Autosport | Oak Grove Autosport
01 G500, 82 300TD, quite a few more.....

LJ: just walked out & checked my 85 300D. It hasn't run for 48 hours. Pulled stick, one side of the stick has oil higher than the other; wiped & rechecked, ditto. Feels like the stick rubs the side of the tube while being withdrawn, thus giving differing readings.

Attached Thumbnails

     

I might be missing something here. But often, whether it's transmission fluid or motor oil, often one side of the dip stick reads higher than the other (I do not know why).

Stick the dip stick back in and read it again. You should get a "truer" reading.

"That's what she said."

Sorry, I couldn't help it!

I have the same problem as LindaJane and I'll try to explain it, although I can't add much to what she already said. The dipstick has a set of notches for high and low and the white looped handle so it seems correct and OEM for the car (82 300D).

When removing the dipstick to check oil level, one side of the dipstick will show the oil level at the low notch on the dipstick. Turning the dipstick immediately to the opposite side will show the oil level midway between the notches. I can wipe it off and repeat the process and the results are the same.

The car is on level ground in my barn, but for the level on the stick to be at the low notch on one side and midway between the notches on the opposite, the car would probably need to be parked on quite a hill to get this result.

The problem is that it's not clear what the oil level actually is in the pan. Is it at the low notch or midway between the notches? I guess I can work on the assumption that the lowest point is correct so I'm sure there is enough oil in the car. Putting the oil level at the midpoint on the low side of the dipstick should put the opposite side of the dipstick at full.

I replaced the oil pan and saw the business end of the dipstick tube in the process. It's in there at a bit of an angle but it doesn't seem to be enough to cause what I see on the stick. i don't have the owners manual but I would think there should be some guidance in there on how to read this. Does anyone happen to have an owners manual for a 300D around this era? Mine did not come with one.

This is more of an FYI in case someone else sees the same thing. I'm not sure if there is anything to be done about it, I just remembered reading this thread when I first got the car (I read 10 pages worth of threads to see what i could learn) and just wanted to back up what the OP reported.

I was just siting here wondering if the surface tension of the oil might be involved. Since the dip stick does not go in perfectly vertical. In any event my guess is this effect was well known by dipstick designers. Excuse me a little for that description.


The true reading may be a point between the readings between the two sides. Or the dipstick was designed for right or left handed people. Where you are going to obviously far easier observe the part of the dipstick blade that faced the centerline of the engine.


Anyways I really , really, do not want to get into this much further. Other than I have lived with this effect whatever it is with many brands of cars.


If a person can remember to check their oil on these or any really old buggy at every fill up. You may save your engine someday. Most burn some base oil so it never hurts to check it plus you may develop a serious leak at anytime you might catch early.

Please people. It doesn't f'n matter. Anywhere between the notches is o.k. I doubt that LindaJane will ever ask for our help again. I certainly wouldn't if this was the response I got.