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Engine Oil Dipstick Markings

Discussion in 'Carver Yacht' started by Money Pit, Jul 28, 2013.

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  1. Money Pit, Jul 28, 2013
    #1
    Money Pit

    Money Pit New Member

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    I recently purchased a 1992 Carver 33 aft cabin. I was checking the oil levels in my Volvo Penta engines and I noticed that the dipsticks had two scales, There were two fill marks and two add marks. Can someone let me know why there are two markings on the dipsticks.
  2. AMG, Jul 28, 2013
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    AMG

    AMG YF Moderator

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    I have not seen it on VP, but on cars. Hot and Cold engine.
  3. Capt Ralph, Jul 28, 2013
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    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Do both marks look factory or one set scratched on. Usually when installing an inclined engine the level vs the dip stick changes. The installing tech would make new marks on the dipstick or change the dip tube length. Sometimes new dips are available with no markings and the install tech makes the only marks.
    I installed some old Cats awhile ago. In the documentation, was the dip full hight per the operation angle of the engine. Man, did that make things easy.
  4. Money Pit, Jul 28, 2013
    #4
    Money Pit

    Money Pit New Member

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    The markings are original stamped marking. I nevr saw two sets of markings before
  5. Capt Ralph, Jul 28, 2013
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    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    How far apart are the full marks from each other?
  6. Money Pit, Jul 28, 2013
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    Money Pit

    Money Pit New Member

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    The Full markings are about and inch apart.
  7. NYCAP123, Jul 29, 2013
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    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    I'd wait for your next oil change and, with the boat sitting in the water, note where the level lies. You'll then know which mark is correct. I agree with AMG that it's probably hot and cold. I was surprised when we had the oil changed on the 892's I'm working with now and saw the level half way down to the add mark, because there were only one set of marks. So I'll be adding a cold fill mark to the sticks.
  8. Capt Ralph, Jul 29, 2013
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    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I'm not big on Volvo engines but my next silly question; Are the oil filters sideways, up-side down or remote?
    I can not imagine hot / cold full readings about an inch apart unless it includes oil in / out of the filters.
    On a 33 footer, I would guess gas, maybe Chevy V-8s. Hold 5 to 8 quarts of oil. Remote oil filters (full / empty) could be an explanation for this. Never seen it before but I'm just trying to reason out here.
    Small Volvo Ds with sideways mounted or remote filters could need two marks also.
    An example (crude) would be our DDC 12v71s. Dual sideways mounted oil filters (3+ qts each). Engine holds around 8 gallons of oil. In the morning the stick reads full. After shutting down the engine (for over an hour), the readings are on the bottom scratch, next morning full. All the oil in the heads, turbos, galleys, cooler, lining the block and what (unknown) oil drains from the filters, changes the dip reading about 1.5 inches.

    Check with your local rep. Then ask for correct capacity's. Next oil change, preform your experiment on cap vs dip.

    BTW, What scratch are you using? To much oil = foam and low pressure, too little also = low oil p. How's your pressure?
  9. Ju52, Jul 29, 2013
    #9
    Ju52

    Ju52 Senior Member

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    from cars ...

    the both marks can mean MIN and MAX.

    In an hot engine the oit is not complete back from filters etc... so a hot mark has no value for me.

    If the engine is cold / not running for the last hours, the oil should be between the marks.

    my 2 cents
  10. K1W1, Jul 29, 2013
    #10
    K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    It is not uncommon the have engine stopped cold oil and engine running hot oil on marine engine dip sticks.

    The highest set will be for cold and stopped and the others for running hot.

    Oh, for the luxury of having stamped marks in a metal dipstick, I hate those manufacturers who use a black plastic dipstick with a couple of bumps on it, they are sometime so shiny it is very hard to see where the oil level actually is.

    I have found with those that pulling it and laying it on a paper towel or rag in your hand will show where the level is every time.
  11. Capt J, Jul 29, 2013
    #11
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    On the Hatteras with DD's it isn't uncommon for the oil level to read as much as an inch difference if the boat is light on fuel and water, to full fuel and water the boat sits a lot differently.
  12. chuckb, Jul 29, 2013
    #12
    chuckb

    chuckb Senior Member

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    Lesson learned

    Probably not applicable in your case, but years ago I had a truck engine rebuilt, marinized, and put in a boat, and the dipstick was not adjusted for the new angle at which the engine laid at rest. Bottom line... not enough oil and she threw a rod right quick. A wonderful (in hind sight) learning experience from my youth. :rolleyes:

    Lesson learned: Always calibrate the oil level dipstick markings on a new install!
  13. Money Pit, Jul 29, 2013
    #13
    Money Pit

    Money Pit New Member

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    I appreciate the responses. I spoke to the mechanic that did the oil change before I took over the boat and he sail he put the required amount of oil in the engines and the level I saw on the dipstick should be scribed as the full mark. I will continue to monitor the levels.
  14. MBevins, Jul 29, 2013
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    MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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    Not to sound cynical here but do you know this person? Did you ask him specifically what quantity he put in the engine so you could confirm what the manufacturer's spec calls for. If I had a $ every time someone told me they 'put the required amount in' well you know where I'm going here,
    Do your homework and confirm your numbers.