How do you know the "True" oil level?

[ponycar]

I changed my oil the other day in my 05' 196 EXC 330 and I was able to get just about all 5 qts of oil out, which I replaced with Rotella 15w-40 oil (5qts). My issue is that everytime I pull the dipstick it reads as if there were hardly any oil in the system. I haven't run the motor except for when I had to suck up 5 gallons of antifreeze, so I would suspect all oil is still contained in the system. Do any others out there have this issue and how do you get comfort with your oil level readings?

[AirTool]

RE: How do you know the "True" oil level?

Don't be offended by this question.

But are you sure you are correctly seeing the level on the dipstick? When I change my oil, I have a hard time seeing the clean oil on the stick until it starts to blacken. I usually have to pull it out quickly and then lay it across a clean, dry paper towel. The stain on the towel matches up with almost full.

[j2nh]

Re: How do you know the "True" oil level?

I changed my oil the other day in my 05' 196 EXC 330 and I was able to get just about all 5 qts of oil out, which I replaced with Rotella 15w-40 oil (5qts). My issue is that everytime I pull the dipstick it reads as if there were hardly any oil in the system. I haven't run the motor except for when I had to suck up 5 gallons of antifreeze, so I would suspect all oil is still contained in the system. Do any others out there have this issue and how do you get comfort with your oil level readings?

For me the comfort comes from measuring what I take out. Agree with Airtool, fresh oil is tough to read on the dipstick. On the EXC 330 it seems that the dipstick takes a convoluted path and you may be losing the measurement as you withdraw it. Is the boat level?

Since you have above average intelligence, as demonstrated by your ownership of a 196, I have no doubt that the first thing you do after putting the boat in the water in the spring will be to warm it up, check for leaks on oil, fuel and water lines, and check the oil. No worries.

[ponycar]

RE: Re: How do you know the "True" oil level?

Thanks for the comments. I'll give your paper towel method a shot combined. I just figured the boat would be just as easy to ready as my Tahoe and Honda, then again this may be a result of the convoluted path j2nh mentioned.

[JUST-IN-TIME]

RE: Re: How do you know the "True" oil level?

always check oil when boat is on water and not on trailer
if you check oil level on trailer try to get the boat as close as floating in water level

i have seen too many screw ups on this

[core-rider]

Re: RE: Re: How do you know the "True" oil level?

always check oil when boat is on water and not on trailer
if you check oil level on trailer try to get the boat as close as floating in water level

i have seen too many screw ups on this

Agreed, you will get the most accurate reading with the boat at rest while floating in the water. If that is not an option get the boat to sit as close to floating position as possible while on the trailer, then check the fluid levels.

[AirTool]

Re: RE: Re: How do you know the "True" oil level?

always check oil when boat is on water and not on trailer

Agreed, you will get the most accurate reading with the boat at rest while floating in the water.

I don't think it is a trailer vs floating issue. The op said:

I changed my oil the other day .....My issue is that everytime I pull the dipstick it reads as if there were hardly any oil in the system.

I don't think being on the trailer or not will cause the dipstick to read "as if there were harrdly any oil in the system."