| dip stick question [message #109036] |
Sun, 19 December 2010 19:20  |
RadioActiveGMC
Messages: 1020
Registered: November 2010
Location: Hot AZ desert
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My oil drip stick is as useless as it gets.
I'm not sure if its stock or not Im sure someone here will. But you check it by opening the drivers side front door. Its right near the trans dip stick.
When you pull it out alls you get it oil smeared all over the stick. Clean it off, put it back in, pull it back out, same thing!
You can't check the oil at all 
***"Gettin There"-1973 23' Sequoia-
Michael, Onans smell, "Go solar/wind power!"
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| Re: [GMCnet] dip stick question [message #109052 is a reply to message #109036] |
Sun, 19 December 2010 20:27  |
Charles
Messages: 455
Registered: January 2004
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Michael,
I think we all have the same problem at times.
Try putting the dip stick back in without
rotating it. Do not leave it at depth but just a
moment. Then when you pull it back out
try to look at both sides of the flat area.
Have you tried checking it with the engine
cold? Any oil that was in the tube should
have drained out while the engine cooled.
Charles
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Charles Wersal
Duncanville, Texas
26 foot 1975 Glenbrook
Pandora's Box
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| Re: dip stick question [message #109054 is a reply to message #109036] |
Sun, 19 December 2010 20:41 |
RadioActiveGMC
Messages: 1020
Registered: November 2010
Location: Hot AZ desert
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I've only checked it while hot....maybe cold is the answer. I do try to put it back in without rotating it however.
***"Gettin There"-1973 23' Sequoia-
Michael, Onans smell, "Go solar/wind power!"
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| Re: dip stick question [message #109057 is a reply to message #109054] |
Sun, 19 December 2010 20:46 |
George Beckman
Messages: 1085
Registered: October 2008
Location: Colfax, CA
Karma: 11
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| Mr.RadioActive wrote on Sun, 19 December 2010 18:41 |
I've only checked it while hot....maybe cold is the answer. I do try to put it back in without rotating it however.
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I agree with the check it cold. I learned from a GMCer to check it before you start each morning, when traveling. It really does help to have the engine cold and the oil drained down. The smear seems to be part of it, but cold, you can determine where the "real" oil was dipped.
'74 Eleganza, SE, Howell + EBL
Best Wishes,
George
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| Re: dip stick question [message #109061 is a reply to message #109036] |
Sun, 19 December 2010 21:02 |
RadioActiveGMC
Messages: 1020
Registered: November 2010
Location: Hot AZ desert
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I always thought checking it when the engine is warm was correct, but this ez idea maybe what I was looking for!
***"Gettin There"-1973 23' Sequoia-
Michael, Onans smell, "Go solar/wind power!"
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| Re: dip stick question [message #109062 is a reply to message #109061] |
Sun, 19 December 2010 21:26 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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| Mr.RadioActive wrote on Sun, 19 December 2010 20:02 |
I always thought checking it when the engine is warm was correct, but this ez idea maybe what I was looking for!
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You normally check the transmission fluid hot, but the temp doesn't matter with the oil. In fact it is a good idea to let it drain down into the crank case for a while before checking it.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: dip stick question [message #109064 is a reply to message #109036] |
Sun, 19 December 2010 21:29 |
RadioActiveGMC
Messages: 1020
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Location: Hot AZ desert
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You know I'm a idiot I'm fairly sure I've been checking it while cold. Its been along day! I don't think I ever let it sit long enough however after shutting it off. Maybe I'll check it in the AM since its sat over the weekend.
***"Gettin There"-1973 23' Sequoia-
Michael, Onans smell, "Go solar/wind power!"
[Updated on: Sun, 19 December 2010 22:08] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: dip stick question [message #109083 is a reply to message #109064] |
Mon, 20 December 2010 02:03 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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| Mr.RadioActive wrote on Sun, 19 December 2010 21:29 |
You know I'm a idiot I'm fairly sure I've been checking it while cold. Its been along day! I don't think I ever let it sit long enough however after shutting it off. Maybe I'll check it in the AM since its sat over the weekend.
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I got so fed up with mine that I made a new dipstick out of a piece of stainless cable. I had problems reading it so I tried several different coatings on the bottom 3 inches or so. I finally wrapped it at the full and one quart down points with a pieces of stainless safety wire. Then I dipped the end in POR-15. It dried hard as a rock and sealed the wrapping wire in place.
The oil level is now very easy to read hot or cold and I do not have to fight getting the dipstick in or out of the tube.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: dip stick question [message #109095 is a reply to message #109057] |
Mon, 20 December 2010 08:25 |
shawnee
Messages: 422
Registered: February 2004
Location: NC
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| George Beckman wrote on Sun, 19 December 2010 21:46 |
| Mr.RadioActive wrote on Sun, 19 December 2010 18:41 |
I've only checked it while hot....maybe cold is the answer. I do try to put it back in without rotating it however.
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I agree with the check it cold. I learned from a GMCer to check it before you start each morning, when traveling. It really does help to have the engine cold and the oil drained down. The smear seems to be part of it, but cold, you can determine where the "real" oil was dipped.
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I usually check the GMC oil cold to get a better reading. When I check it hot I have found looking at the back side of the dip stick for the level works better than the front which seems to get more oil smear. I check the level and then relate it to the front etchings. May not be perfect but works on the road.
Gene Dotson
74 Canyonlands
www.bdub.net/Motorhome_Enhancements New Windows and Aluminum Radiators
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| Re: dip stick question [message #109102 is a reply to message #109036] |
Mon, 20 December 2010 10:27 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
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| Mr.RadioActive wrote on Sun, 19 December 2010 17:20 |
... I'm not sure if its stock or not Im sure someone here will. But you check it by opening the drivers side front door. Its right near the trans dip stick. ...
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Just a note -- so you know:
A trans dip stick under the drivers side front door is not stock. The stock location is under the engine cover... not far from the drivers seat.
Your oil dip stick sounds like it is stock.
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: dip stick question [message #109103 is a reply to message #109102] |
Mon, 20 December 2010 10:39 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
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| mike miller wrote on Mon, 20 December 2010 08:27 |
| Mr.RadioActive wrote on Sun, 19 December 2010 17:20 |
... I'm not sure if its stock or not Im sure someone here will. But you check it by opening the drivers side front door. Its right near the trans dip stick. ...
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Just a note -- so you know:
A trans dip stick under the drivers side front door is not stock. The stock location is under the engine cover... not far from the drivers seat.
Your oil dip stick sounds like it is stock.
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you can see the stock trans dip stick in the upper left of this picture.
<http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=37031>
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: dip stick question [message #109248 is a reply to message #109090] |
Tue, 21 December 2010 07:22 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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| RF_Burns wrote on Mon, 20 December 2010 07:25 |
I have no problems with checking the engine oil, its the tranny oil I have issues reading.
And not just the GMC, any of my vehicles are the same!
Warm it up, find a level place, engine at idle... pull the stick and wipe it off... stick it in and pull it back out.... and there is no way I can tell the actual level! oil all over the stick!
The inside of the tube is covered with oil making the stick impossible to read. Must be my eyes.
Anyone know of a trick? besides getting underneath and removing the modulator?
thanks
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One thing I have done is to bead blast the reading area of the dipsitck. Blasting makes it rough and easier to read. Also look at both sides of the stick. Usually one side will read better than the other.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: dip stick question [message #109254 is a reply to message #109036] |
Tue, 21 December 2010 08:06 |
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RF_Burns
Messages: 2277
Registered: June 2008
Location: S. Ontario, Canada
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Thanks for that info Ken.
I'll look into how I can get bead blasting done locally.
Bruce Hislop
ON Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.
1 ton front end
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
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