Hitchcocks Forum

Buggerations and conundrum Electra X 2005 "HARRYtheENFIELD" When I check my engine oil level almost immediately after stopping the engine on the dip stick (which I have difficulty reading because the paint has been rubbed off!) The levels appear to be OK. If I leave it for several minuets the levels actually drop dramatically. Where am I going wrong? Can I repaint the dip stick, if so what paint. Or any suggestions on how to accurately check the engine oil level.
Many thanks Malc

You check the oil level within a minute or so of stopping the engine, that way the oil won't of had a chance to drain out of the tank and into the sump in other words wet sump. Mine is exactly the same. What paint? There is no paint on mine, never has been.

But it isn't supposed to wet-sump that fast! We need an expert to advise - I'm sure one will be along shortly.

Why not mark the levels with a three-cornered file or fine-tooth hacksaw? Then fill the grooves with a bright paint.
Can`t help with the other problem.

Some Electras have a habit of hiding the oil level never worked out why

Mmmm....could it be air bubbles in the oil?
Try laying the dipstick on a piece of tissue - shows the level clearly.

Do you just pull the dipstick and look at it? If so there would be oil all over it. You should pull it out, wipe it then re insert it.

I have a 2006 Electra X and the advice I was given on this forum (and in the owners hand book) is to run the engine for two minutes before checking the oil level. This ensures that any oil that has drained into the sump is returned to the reservoir (I think tank is a misleading word on this model). Let the engine stand for one minute to allow oil in the places it should be to drain back into the reservoir. Good practice says remove the stick, give it a wipe with a clean cloth, screw it back in place, remove it again and you should get an accurate reading. I can’t understand why you had painted marks on the stick, mine has a ‘hatched’ section so as long as the oil level is in the hatching you’re good to go. A piece of tissue is a very good idea to get an accurate reading. I just measured the critical lengths on my stick which I assume would be the same as yours (maybe a quick call to our hosts can confirm that?). From the underside of the flange to the top mark is 91mm and to the lower mark is 135mm, so these measurements include the stick and the threaded portion. Adam

Perfectly normal.
Worth checking the stick part is holding to the cap part - there is a thread. Mine worked loose once and I resorted to Loctite.

There’s clearly something wrong here. The only way for the oil to leave the oil tank is via the oil feed pump. Unless you have an acute case of wet-sumping – and if it was that bad you’d know it. The oil enters the oil tank from the timing chest, in theory there may be reason why the oil level in the oil tank rises but no reason why it should fall when the engine is not running. What makes this more odd is that you say the oil level drops dramatically after a short while with the bike not running. That is weird!