04-19-2014, 06:29 PM
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
Posts: 149
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Tips for reading the oil dipstick?
I have 20/20 vision and have the hardest time reading the oil dipstick. Am I the only one? Does anyone have any tips or tricks that make seeing the oil on it any easier? The electronic gauge is nice for day to day monitoring, but I prefer to periodically get a dip reading if possible. If I get the light just right and hold it at the right angle and really close to my eyes, I can kind of see it. Yes, there is enough oil in my car and it is registering on the stick. I think I may have finally found something on my Chevy that I prefer to the Porsche.
Benjamin
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2000 986 S - "The Black Widow"
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04-19-2014, 06:39 PM
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#2
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I am my own mechanic....
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Posts: 3,433
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I thought my eye sight was fine until I got my first pair of reading glasses. Man, what a difference!
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'04 Boxster S 50 Jahre 550 Spyder Anniversary Special Edition, 851 of 1953, 6-sp, IMS/RMS, GT Metallic silver, cocoa brown leather SOLD to member Broken Linkage.
'08 VW Touareg T-3 wife's car
'13 F150 Super Crew long bed 4x4 w/ Ego Boost
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04-19-2014, 06:40 PM
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Riverside, CA
Posts: 1,665
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Having pristine virtually clear oil in your engine is a good thing but does make it hard to see.
like you discovered you have to angle it to the light just right to see it.
the only other thing I can think of, is to blow some flour on it and see where it sticks.
then you have to clean the dipstick though.
good point Timco, a magnifying glass would be good idea.
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"It broke because it wants to be Upgraded  "
2012 Porsche Performance Driving School - SanDiego region
2001 Boxster S, Top Speed muffler, (Fred's) Mini Morimotto Projectors, Tarret UDP,
Short Shifter, Touch Screen Dual Din Radio, 03 4 Bow glass Top (DD & Auto-X since May 17,2012)
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04-19-2014, 09:23 PM
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 8,709
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take a blue shop towel and lay the dip stick flat on the towel.
it will leave a 'fingerprint' of the dip stick.
Then take the dip stick and place it directly below the fingerprint.
You'll see if you're at hash mark or below it.
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GT3 Recaro Seats - Boxster Red
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BORN: March 2000 - FINLAND
IMS#1 REPLACED: April 2010 - NEW JERSEY -- LNE DUAL ROW
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04-20-2014, 03:22 AM
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
Posts: 149
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Thanks, I'll give that a try. The oil is not only new, it was still hot from running 20 miles, so maybe I will have a little better luck with cold oil. I also had the bright idea to wrap some blue painters tape around the end and dip with that, figuring it would show up better. Thankfully I abandoned that idea because with my luck the tape would come off in the engine or tube and I'd be in a lot worse shape.
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2000 986 S - "The Black Widow"
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04-20-2014, 03:27 AM
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Dahlonega , Georgia
Posts: 1,348
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Is there any type of white paint/coating that would live in the oil and hold up to the heat ?
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2002 Boxster S Arctic Silver with black top with glass window and black leather interior. Jake Raby 3.6 SS ( the beast ) with IMS Solution. 996 GT3 front bumper , GT3 rocker covers and GT3TEK rear diffuser and Joe Toth composites rear ducktail spoiler .
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04-20-2014, 05:46 AM
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Montreal, QC. (currently expat to Shanghai)
Posts: 3,249
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OP, I know what you mean lol
The tip of the stick is matte finish. If you just wave a light source (e.g. mobile phone backlight), that will create reflections where there is oil. It gets really obvious
The flashing trick doesn't work well under bright sunlight tho. In-garage or dark days only
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'97 Boxster base model 2.5L, Guards Red/Tan leather, with a new but old Alpine am/fm radio.
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04-20-2014, 05:50 AM
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#8
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I am my own mechanic....
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Posts: 3,433
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I also remove it, dry it, dip it, check it.
(The oil dipstick....)
__________________
'04 Boxster S 50 Jahre 550 Spyder Anniversary Special Edition, 851 of 1953, 6-sp, IMS/RMS, GT Metallic silver, cocoa brown leather SOLD to member Broken Linkage.
'08 VW Touareg T-3 wife's car
'13 F150 Super Crew long bed 4x4 w/ Ego Boost
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04-20-2014, 07:02 AM
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#9
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Boxster 1999
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Canada
Posts: 67
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Timco
I also remove it, dry it, dip it, check it.
(The oil dipstick....)
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:-) I almost spitted my coffee.
I do the same here and I do it twice to make sure.
Envoyé de mon Nexus 5 en utilisant Tapatalk
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Boxster 99
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04-20-2014, 07:16 AM
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#10
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Certified Boxster Addict
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 7,669
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Benjamin
If I get the light just right and hold it at the right angle and really close to my eyes, I can kind of see it.
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I use the same technique!
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1999 996 C2 - sold - bought back - sold for more
1997 Spec Boxster BSR #254
1979 911 SC
POC Licensed DE/TT Instructor
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04-20-2014, 07:56 AM
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Omaha
Posts: 2,866
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What is this dip stick thingy you are referring to?
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GPRPCA Chief Driving Instructor
2008 Boxster S Limited Edition #005
2008 Cayman S Sport - Signal Green
1989 928 S4 5 spd - black
1987 928 S4 - Granite Green Metallic (Felsengrun)
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04-20-2014, 08:28 AM
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: S. New Jersey
Posts: 1,239
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New oil is the hardest. After a few months, I can see on the dip stick.
The lay on paper towel method works. You just have to make sure your steady. I roll so you can see the stain in relation to the measure points
Definitely pull, clean, reinsert and then check
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2002 S - old school third pedal
Seal Grey
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04-21-2014, 08:55 AM
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PA
Posts: 299
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Quote:
Originally Posted by husker boxster
What is this dip stick thingy you are referring to?
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MY 2004 and earlier were supplied with a dipstick to measure oil level.
MY 2005 and later just has the dashboard monitor for oil level.
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2004 Boxster S
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04-21-2014, 12:05 PM
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Greenville, S.C.
Posts: 2,670
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Do the new cars really not have a dip stick, cfos or anyone with a 981 I am actually curious about engine access on them if anyone would like to share, pics are welcome.
Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk
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04-21-2014, 01:34 PM
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Omaha
Posts: 2,866
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Sorry, there isn't an imoticon for tongue in cheek or I would have included it in my comment.
Yes BJake, no dipstick starting with the 987. All electronic.
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GPRPCA Chief Driving Instructor
2008 Boxster S Limited Edition #005
2008 Cayman S Sport - Signal Green
1989 928 S4 5 spd - black
1987 928 S4 - Granite Green Metallic (Felsengrun)
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