[Vwdiesel] dipstick calibration

[Shawn Wright]

On 10 May 2005 at 23:44, jonathan hoehl <jjhoehl at hotmail.com> wrote:

> Hello,
> 
> I thought it was last week someone mentioned a dipstick that didn't read 
> right.  Well, if your dipstick's-off, how can you check the level of oil in your
> engine?
> 
> I don't think I can drop an oil pan full of oil without spilling any.

No need to drop the pan. Just carefully measure the oil as per spec for your engine 
at the next change. Run engine to circulate oil, then let stand for 10 minutes & check 
dipstick. Adjust full mark according to this level. 
 
> My oil buzzer often comes-on when slowing down from highway driving.  I 
> overfilled it with oil and it doesn't feel any different.

Buzzer is unlikely to be caused by oil starvation unless level is *really* low, or you're 
doing hard cornering - it is usually caused by low hot oil pressure, and having it drop 
just below the 1.4/1.8 bar threshold as the engine nears 2000 rpm. This is typical of 
worn bearings, or failing intermediate shaft bearings. You can confirm this by 
installing an oil pressure gauge. Oil starvation will show sudden drops in pressure, 
while worn bearings will just show low oil pressure when hot all the time. My old TD 
could make over 100psi could, but could barely managed 35psi hot at 3000rpm, and 
25psi at 2000rpm. Any hill climbing would set off the buzzer on deceleration. 
Intermediate shaft bearings were the cause.
Shawn Wright
http://zuiko.sls.bc.ca/~swright
'85 Jetta D 
'88 Westy 2.1L, soon to be 1.6TD 5 speed
 (see progress at http://members.shaw.ca/vwdiesels)
'82 Diesel Westy