Checking Oil Level....uneven reading
 

Hi,

So when I start my car, there is Always smoke...
Don't know if this has anything to to with oil level.
But, When I'm parked on a level surface, I check my oil,
And one side of the stick is always higher than the other.
I feel like I can't get an accurate reading because both sides
aren't at the same level. Any advice?...yes I do need to
get my eyes checked...
ps. And the oil level is supposed to be closer to the top line correct?
I've got a 1983 300D.
Thanks
Lindajane

Smoke at start up is typically worn valve stem seals... low cost part, three hours labor by someone familiar with the job...
if your oil is approximately half way between the full mark and the low mark you are fine.. the oil stick is going in at an angle... not enough to count..
Many many people report that they burn more oil if they keep the oil level close to the full mark... so many make sure they keep it half way down...

Color?

Check it next time your filling up at a station on their flat level ground. I don't understand why your dipstick doesn't have a max and min line?

Jake, are you asking about the color of the handle on her dipstick ?
Mine has ' indents ' on the side of the dipstick for full and low...

Hello Jake,

The stick does have a Low line and a High line.
What I'm saying is the level of oil don't seem
to be the same on both sides of the oil
stick when I measure it...

Wipe stick clean, put it back all the way and count to 3, remove, read stick.

There's no reason for the stick to otherwise have a different oil measurement from either side, as it's dipping directly into the pan. If you're on level ground, the level should be nearest the top line, but not over.

It's smoking when you first start it, get your glow plugs checked. When were BOTH of the fuel filters last replaced? When was your last valve adjustment?

After you shut down the engine wit 10 minutes before checking.

I also have noticed that one side of the stick the oil will be higher than the other side once in a while.
Don`t know why. I wipe it off, put it back in, wait 5 sec then pull it out and it will read same on both sides.
And Iam on level ground.

LindaJane; I hope I am not insulting you but ..... You say your dipstick has High and Low lines. If the stick does not have notches instead of lines, you may be looking at your transmission dipstick instead of the engine dipstick.

Standing at front of car looking into engine, the engine oil stick is at right front of engine. It will have a loop handle and probably colored yellow. The oil will be black and will stain your hands when it gets on them.

The transmission stick is at left rear and will be red with a locking lever. The fluid is probably reddish but could be clear.

If you already know all this, ignore me and never listen to me again.

Goodness me!

My transmission dipstick is at the RIGHT rear of the engine compartment. Left and right on a vehicle is always determined as if you are sitting in the driver's seat.

Sure, but do you look at your engine from the driver's seat? Do you rotate your crankshaft clockwise from the driver's seat position? FSM's refer to engine bays as if you were standing in front of the vehicle.


Call it passenger / driver side when poster's familiarity with vehicles seems suspect.

Thanks....
I think I'm looking at the oil level stick.
The stick does have notches, but the notches show as an upper
line and and lower line (notch). It has a looped white handle.
I'll recheck I'm looking at the right thing,
Lindaj

It is common automotive practice (ask any mechanic) to determine the left or right of the car when sitting in the driver's seat.

Yes.. this is standard procedure... has been forever and I just checked our FSM ... for instance... the inspection ID plate is listed as being on the LEFT pillar... and the picture shows it on the driver's side of the car...