Hi,
I am puzzled as to why my transmission dip stick in a 1987 260E is almost completely free of oil on one side and on the other side has traces of oil that are higher than the marks. I thought that if something is dipped in oil, there should be oil on both sides, I am missing something very basic here. The side that comes up with oil can be any of the two sides, it depends on how I insert the dip stick. Also the oil on the side where it appears does not appear to be uniform, meaning that some regions on the stick have no oil while others have oil. Just does not look like the engine oil dipstick when I remove it. Am I low on transmission oil ?

Thanks for the help.

Saumil

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Saumil S. Patel

True it does happen, but I do not know. However this happens more if the oil level is low. After about a five mile drive, with the handbrake applied and gear lever put into park, keep the engine runing.

Check your oil level. there are two markings on the dip stick towards the end, or there could be notches. What ever the marking you have, the bottom reads low or minimum oil when the oil is hot. Oil should be in between the two marks preferably just above the half way mark of the two lines or notches.

To add oil, do that from the dip stick tube a 1/4 to 1/2 litre at a time and checking levels continously. When the dip stick is removed, hold in the up right position, bring the d/stick to your eye level to read the oil level. Turn the dip stick both sides and compare the levels, I would go along the lower reading, When the oil level starts to read higher up the dipstick, I think the levels even out. If not go by the lower reading.