Dip stick

Interesting....I've drained my engine for hours, with dipstick out, oil cap off and filter removed - in other words, not a drop of oil left in it. Refilled, replaced filter and I have NEVER been able to get more than 5.5 qts back in mine without going WAY over the HIGH FILL line on the dip shit.

 

When my truck was new the oil registered above the fill mark by about 1/4 inch so I figure that's the correct level. However, I've been putting 5.5 quarts in which puts it at the full mark. It's better to be slightly low on oil than overfilling it. JMO.

 

I would go by the book. The 6.1qts is not just pulled out their ass, and their is no difference between one 2.7 and another that would cause a difference in oil levels (other than using a long filter which the factory specs do not pertain to). The dip stick is what it is, a bent metal rod that dips into the oil pan giving a general indication of oil level.

If you don't feel like buying 7qts to get that extra .1, 6qts will more then suffice. You also have to consider residual oil that is still inside of the engine. with that said, I fill her up with 6 qts and call it done. (w/ factory short filter)

 

I agree with everything you said. It's just frustrating, because I've owned over 20 vehicles including other Toyotas, and this is the only one where the dipstick reading doesn't match the fill requirements. My 1994 Corolla that my daughter drives registers perfect on the dipstick.

 

I guess Toyota can not be perfect at everything!
Puzzles me too, as many vehicles when filled with the proper amount of oil read perfectly on the high level mark...

 

This is kind of like the tootsie pop commerical.

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop? 1, 2, 3....
The world my never know.

I guess we should all call our local quikky lube and ask them. JK

 

Same here, manual says 6.1 including the filter. I bought

$16 K&N hp1002 K&N Premium Oil Filter: Protects your Engine: Compatible with Select FORD/LINCOLN/TOYOTA/VOLKSWAGEN Vehicle Models (See Product Description for Full List of Compatible Vehicles), HP-1002

K&N hp1002 & 6 qts of oil. Presoaked the filter with new oil b4 puttin it on & just poured the other 5.5 in the motor. Level is 1/4" or so above full dot on dipstick. Stick should match manual requirements - yet another small fail for manufacturing/design process. I will be saving a half a quart of last bottle next time.

 

With the price of oil, this is a MAJOR FAIL on the part of Toyota.

 

This may not apply to the year model taco n question but in my 96 manual, they confuse quarts with imperial quarts, and vice versus. They have them backward. So long as i go with the lesser amount of fluid capacity(a japanese imperial quart?) it works out fine...J

 

Wow, deep breath...in out in out.

 

Yes, 2.7 here, 6 qts including filter put it over the full mark on the stick. Gonna pretend I have the 6 doing oil changes from here on out, lol. Maybe I just have the v6 dipstick instead of the 4 cyl dipstick. I bet Toyota put the wrong stick on the wrong motor, lol.

 

Hi,

I'm another one that has never been able to put in more than 5.5 quarts. Usually more like 5.25.

Here's my take on the dip stick theory.

First, if the 2.7 is anything like other engines that I've taken apart there is going to be some oil that just doesn't drain out no matter how long you wait. There are usually small areas that retain oil and only can be drained by taking apart the engine. How much oil does this represent? Don't really know, but it has to be at least .1 to .25 of a quart.

Then there is the dip stick.

All that I've ever read says that over-filling is worse than under-filling. With this in mind, I go by the dipstick.

Logic is that if the dipstick is correct, but I put in enough oil to go over the high mark then I've over filled it. But if the dipstick is wrong and I use the high mark then I might be a little low. Low is better than high so I just use the marks on the dipstick. This combined with the fact that I'm putting in at least 5.25 quarts would mean that if the dipstick is wrong and there isn't any retained oil still in the block, that the engine is down about .75 (worst case) of a quart. No harm done.

My guess is that the dipstick is pretty close to correct and that the only time the engine takes the listed capacity is after a tear-down.

Bob

 

Bob, I go with you. I put a Fumoto valve on my truck so that if I do ever accidentally overfill it, I can drain some very easily.

 

Hi Pster!

Tell me about the Fumoto valve. Does it hang down at all? I don't usually off-road, but sometimes campground roads can be kind of rough.

Sounds like something I might want.

Bob

 

http://www.fumotousa.com/

I have the newer type with the extension to attach a drain tube to, it does not stick down very much, the regular valve even less so.

Phil

 

I can't remember the part number for what I have. There's a little tab on the other side that you flip to drain it. Oil comes straight out the bottom on mine.

 

Thanks Phil and Janster! Think I'll get one!

Bob

 

Make sure you get the right one. I e-mailed them just to make sure and they responded asap. Buy the 5/8" wire clamp to secure the valve lever - keeps it from accidentally being opened. I bought mine from these guys:

http://www.lubricationspecialist.co...x?fileid=105&gclid=COX0zYLylJsCFRKAxgodD3ZEtA

I think it is the F-103, or the F-103N with the drain hose nipple.

 

Hey Phil,

Just placed the order! Thanks for your help!