dip stick alternative

[aureliusmax]

Hi all, I find the OEM style dipstick is not really working out to great. It's difficult for me to see the oil line as the indicator is plastic and also coloured brown like the oil. Even with my milwaukee engine light bar installed, and using a second head mounted spot light, aimed at the right angle on the indicator mark, and with my hand as the background, I can't make out the oil line as its the same colour as the plastic end piece. With multiple wipes. I know that there is oil on the dipstick, just finding a clear line to determine the level is the problem.
The way the engine oil seems to smear onto the plastic end doesn't work well either.
Was the indicator originally bright red when new and easier to see the oil mark ? See below, on a new part photo the indicator looks brown.



I much prefer the general motors and chrysler style dip stick where there's a flat steel bar with hash marks embossed and it's a good way to easily see where the oil line is.

Ideas ?

[andrewwynn]

Pull out dip stick, wipe off and put back in. Pull out dip stick and press it sideways against some paper towel it’s very obvious.

[audiophool]

The plastic has a matte finish. Pull the stick, clean it, dip it, and look for the shiny part.

[andrewwynn]

But it’s still not exactly easy especially in bad lighting. You did give me a good idea though: roughen up the surface with some sandpaper it will make the difference stand out better


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[wpoll]

Not an issue on the diesels - 100kms after an oil change, even the new oil is as black as night!

[aureliusmax]

Originally Posted by wpoll

Not an issue on the diesels - 100kms after an oil change, even the new oil is as black as night!

That's good for you. However my oil is quite new (2000 KM) and it's the most difficult to read dipstick I have ever encountered in my life. And I'm a heavy equipment mechanic, I read oil dip sticks every day.
Roughing the surface with sand paper seems like a good idea to try, as per andrewwynn .

[andrewwynn]

The other thought: some heat shrink tubing. Use two colors and transition at the middle "full line"

It does boggle the mind with any possible color the BMW enginerds came up with "used oil" as the color plastic to use for the dipstick

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by aureliusmax

That's good for you. However my oil is quite new (2000 KM) and it's the most difficult to read dipstick I have ever encountered in my life. And I'm a heavy equipment mechanic, I read oil dip sticks every day.
Roughing the surface with sand paper seems like a good idea to try, as per andrewwynn .

Joking aside ('cause I was trying to be funny - fail!) the M57 dipstick appears to be a little different...



It's easy to read. If the lower groove contains oil and the upper one doesn't - you're good. If they both have oil - too high, if neither has oil, too low.

It's not an absolute reading - it's either Go or No Go.

While you cannot (easily) see the absolute oil level in the image above, it doesn't matter; it's good to go, as the top groove is clean and the bottom one has oil.

[cn90]

I wonder how far the metal part extends into the plastic.

First, measure Min and Max as distance from the handle O-ring area.
Write it down...

Now, strip the plastic away, it should expose the metal rod part.
Now mark Min and Max using appropriate scribe tool.
Maybe one mark for Min and 2 marks for Max.

Just a thought...

[Scott ZHP]

I'm just grateful my E53 still has a dipstick, lol.