checking Lycoming oil level? (plus a neat trick for adding oil)

[AJ88V]

Do you check your oil level just by pulling out the dipstick?  

Or do you pull the stick, wipe it and then check it again?  And if you do the latter, do you screw in the dipstick and then unscrew to check?  

I figure there's half a quart of difference in the level (typically no big deal, since these engines carry about double the oil actually needed to run without damage).

Oddly, I could not find anything definitive if you should check the oil with the stick screwed down, or without screwing it in. Not in my POH, not in the Lycoming docs, not on AOPA.  I always check screwed in.  You?

 

Now for the neat trick.  Found this on YouTube.  

 

[Rwsavory]

Screwed in. 

[BDPetersen]

Or add a finger width.

[Ragsf15e]

I check it 24 hours or more after a flight, so don’t wipe the dipstick as the level is easy to see.  If im flying again the same day, I just make sure there’s oil on the stick between 4-6 and add some based on my normal useage if required (like after a 3 hour leg, id add 1/2 qt).  But I wouldn’t worry about wiping the dipstick and getting it exact.  Most of the oil is up in the engine.

[1980Mooney]

13 hours ago, AJ88V said:

Do you check your oil level just by pulling out the dipstick?   Or do you pull the stick, wipe it and then check it again?  And if you do the latter, do you screw in the dipstick and then unscrew to check?  

I figure there's half a quart of difference in the level (typically no big deal, since these engines carry about double the oil actually needed to run without damage).

Oddly, I could not find anything definitive if you should check the oil with the stick screwed down, or without screwing it in. Not in my POH, not in the Lycoming docs, not on AOPA.  I always check screwed in.  You?

Actually it is in the Lycoming docs.  All current Lycoming Service, Maintenance and Operating manuals for Lycoming 360 and 390 Series engines say the same thing:

• "Refer to the section “Oil Level Check” in Chapter 12-10."

[MikeOH]

Did a whole bunch of posts disappear out of this thread???

Never mind...I guess there are TWO threads with the EXACT same title....life goes on.

[AJ88V]

5 hours ago, 1980Mooney said:

Actually it is in the Lycoming docs.  All current Lycoming Service, Maintenance and Operating manuals for Lycoming 360 and 390 Series engines say the same thing:

• "Refer to the section “Oil Level Check” in Chapter 12-10."

Outstanding! Thank you, Sir

[Fly Boomer]

11 hours ago, MikeOH said:

Did a whole bunch of posts disappear out of this thread???

Never mind...I guess there are TWO threads with the EXACT same title....life goes on.

That stuff confuses me too (not that hard).  I'm thinking "Didn't I just read this a couple of hours ago?"

[Grant_Waite]

I just use the bottle adapter that screws into the oil filler neck, that comes with all 20w-50 oil cases. You get a new one every time you buy 12qts of oil. It’s specifically designed to hold the bottle so you can leave it and let all the oil drain out of the bottle. You just have to push the bottle into the funnel past the lip, it’s designed for that. Not sure why nobody knows how to use it or what it’s for. It’s the best funnel attachment I’ve ever used and it’s FREE 

[toto]

4 hours ago, Grant_Waite said:

I just use the bottle adapter that screws into the oil filler neck, that comes with all 20w-50 oil cases. You get a new one every time you buy 12qts of oil. It’s specifically designed to hold the bottle so you can leave it and let all the oil drain out of the bottle. You just have to push the bottle into the funnel past the lip, it’s designed for that. Not sure why nobody knows how to use it or what it’s for. It’s the best funnel attachment I’ve ever used and it’s FREE 

I like that little funnel too, but how does it help you check the oil level?

[AJ88V]

16 hours ago, Grant_Waite said:

I just use the bottle adapter that screws into the oil filler neck, that comes with all 20w-50 oil cases. You get a new one every time you buy 12qts of oil. It’s specifically designed to hold the bottle so you can leave it and let all the oil drain out of the bottle. You just have to push the bottle into the funnel past the lip, it’s designed for that. Not sure why nobody knows how to use it or what it’s for. It’s the best funnel attachment I’ve ever used and it’s FREE 

Yeah, I do that too.  But then I have to lay the dipstick somewhere.  I use the U-channel on the filler door that keeps it from rolling off the cowling, but I thought the trick in the youtube vid was kind of neat.  Haven't tried it with the bottle adapter yet, but intend to.