Reading the Dipstick

[SlothBurger]

Sorry to ask a question that's probably been answered but on my T6 Kombi dipstick I am seeing one level on one side of the dipstick and another level when I turn the dipstick around. Both readings are within the min max range but one side showing just below the max mark and the other about 2/3 way up. I'm checking it on level ground after running it up to temperature and then stopping and leaving it for approx. 20 minutes. Oil changed by VW garage about 3k kilometres ago & I'm thinking I need to top up but with the dipstick not clearly showing I don't know how much to drop into it.

 

[Howzat]

I've never though to turn it around! I always check the side where the handle is is facing me but I'm intrigued now.

 

[Sasquatch]

Go by the instructions in your handbook.

If the oil is 2/3 up the marks then there is no need to top up. 1/2 to 2/3 is perfect.

 

[SlothBurger]

I've never though to turn it around! I always check the side where the handle is is facing me but I'm intrigued now.

I've always turned dipsticks around on every car I've had & they've been level all way round including other Audi's and VW's.
I wish I hadn't turned it round on this T6 as it's another thing to wreck my head wondering about.

 

[SlothBurger]

Go by the instructions in your handbook.

If the oil is 2/3 up the marks then there is no need to top up. 1/2 to 2/3 is perfect.

Yeh. There's plenty of oil in it. It's just that I'm watching it like a hawk these days as there's a bit more of that white gunk showing up at the top of the oil filler cap than I'd like to see for a van that does long journeys. I'm told it's condensation but it's been burning a bit more oil off than any other vehicle I've every had so I'm worried & like accuracy on the dipstick.

 

[Sasquatch]

You're wise to keep an eye on the level.

1/2 to 2/3 is the sweet spot. Running them brim full can upset the oil level sensor, which isn't brilliantly designed. This triggers off warning messages that are harmless but annoying. Keeping the oil further down between the mark avoids this.

Filler cap gunk isnt unusual either.

 

[RobertO2023]

The difference between one side and another is not worth thinking about - OTT?

 

[JumpShip]

Mine is a t5.1, it's kept on max on the front of the stick (that's an eighth of an inch lower on the back ).

 

[SlothBurger]

The difference between one side and another is not worth thinking about - OCD?

Probably. Keeping an eye on an oil level hardly warrants saying somebody has a disorder though on a forum does it lad?

 

[ginkster]

One side for hot, other for cold possibly?

 

[bluezie]

Dip sticks can sometimes pick up oil from the tube, giving a false high reading particularly on one side. If the lower side has a definite line between wet and dry, that's the true reading.
Try leaving the dipstick out for 10 minutes to allow the tube to drain down.

 

[The Bear78]

Sorry to ask a question that's probably been answered but on my T6 Kombi dipstick I am seeing one level on one side of the dipstick and another level when I turn the dipstick around. Both readings are within the min max range but one side showing just below the max mark and the other about 2/3 way up. I'm checking it on level ground after running it up to temperature and then stopping and leaving it for approx. 20 minutes. Oil changed by VW garage about 3k kilometres ago & I'm thinking I need to top up but with the dipstick not clearly showing I don't know how much to drop into it.

Does the level read like this if you clean the dipstick and then re-check it?
The tip of the dipstick must sit against one side of the tube. I'm thinking it probably is a bit of crankcase breathing just blowing oil up the side of the diptick that isn't touching.

 

[SlothBurger]

Does the level read like this if you clean the dipstick and then re-check it?
The tip of the dipstick must sit against one side of the tube. I'm thinking it probably is a bit of crankcase breathing just blowing oil up the side of the diptick that isn't touching.

Yeh. It's above max when I initially take out the dipstick. Then I clean it & put it back in. Wait about 10-20 seconds. Take it out again & both sides show slightly different levels. I'd say you're correct it's pulling the oil higher on one side than the other. I thought inside it would be just going into the top of the sump & getting the oil level from there at a straight angle.

 

[MarkW-T6]

From the maintenance/service book (2016 - CAAC engine)

 

[SlothBurger]

Here's a photo of the difference in one side of the dipstick & the other when oil is warm (red arrow). Now I noticed a different issue. When cold the measurements show at the blue arrows. On other VW's/Audi's I'd be adding a bit of oil to bring it up to the max line for both blue & red but on this T6 I don't know what to do.

Should I be adding oil with these measurements as they're msking me doubt it as no consistent measurement?

 

[Alster]

Looks fine to me- don’t over think it! (Definitely don’t put more in)

 

[Sasquatch]

Never on any vehicle bring the oil up to the max line. At best its unnecessary, at worst (as on the 6.1 and many other modern vehicles) it can trigger a game of warning light bingo.

Half to three quarters up the dipstick when cold is perfectamundo, and then check the oil weekly or before a long journey, as per the handbook. I'd be quite happy with it as pictured on mine.