HOTT Oil Dipstick on the 5.0!!
7/24/10, 07:51 PM
#1
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HOTT Oil Dipstick on the 5.0!!
Didn't think it was such a big deal until driving a 2010 for a couple days last week, but the 2011 5.0 dipstick is a diabolical design.
In 2010 it's located on the side as well, but has a nice little extension raising the dipstickhandle to a nice height above the engine.
On the 2011, it's difficult if not impossible to remove the dipstick from a hot engine (in this weather it's the worst!!). The handle is as small as possible and located as close as possible to the head and exhaust header.
The strut tower brace makes access even more difficult! Seriously, you need asbestos gloves to check the oil on a hot day on a gas-station stop. How did they get everything else about this engine so well done, but overlooked this detail?!?
Aftermarket, please give us some alternatives!!
In 2010 it's located on the side as well, but has a nice little extension raising the dipstickhandle to a nice height above the engine.
On the 2011, it's difficult if not impossible to remove the dipstick from a hot engine (in this weather it's the worst!!). The handle is as small as possible and located as close as possible to the head and exhaust header.
The strut tower brace makes access even more difficult! Seriously, you need asbestos gloves to check the oil on a hot day on a gas-station stop. How did they get everything else about this engine so well done, but overlooked this detail?!?Aftermarket, please give us some alternatives!!
Last edited by Double-EDad; 7/24/10 at 07:52 PM.
7/24/10, 10:11 PM
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7/24/10, 10:17 PM
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Well, you COULD throw them in the trunk, but I agree its tedious. However, you're not getting a good oil level reading anyways if you check after its been running because so much oil has been pumped all over the engine. You dont need to check every time you get gas. Wait for the engine to cool down, and check it once every few weeks if you're paranoid.
7/24/10, 10:24 PM
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Yeah, ya gotta love the position of the strut tower brace over the dip stick. You need something that's offset to the side (towards the front or rear of the engine), or something. Even w/o the brace, it's hot trying to get that sucker out of there!
7/24/10, 10:41 PM
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I was spoiled by my 2006 Accord V6. I opened the hood (with one hand - no prop rod, it had gas struts), and there was the oil dipstick right out front, easily accesible. On top of that it was the nice steel rod design, not the flat blade (interestingly IIRC my 1997 Expedition 5.4 had the steel rod dipstick too!). As a bonus, this design meant no chance of oil dripping on the painted fender since it was going across the front.
I usually wait until I finish pumping gas to check the oil, which nowadays with the specified water-thin 5W-20 oil is PLENTY of time to wait for it to drain back to the pan, especially at full operating temp.
I usually wait until I finish pumping gas to check the oil, which nowadays with the specified water-thin 5W-20 oil is PLENTY of time to wait for it to drain back to the pan, especially at full operating temp.
7/24/10, 10:57 PM
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I was spoiled by my 2006 Accord V6. I opened the hood (with one hand - no prop rod, it had gas struts), and there was the oil dipstick right out front, easily accesible. On top of that it was the nice steel rod design, not the flat blade (interestingly IIRC my 1997 Expedition 5.4 had the steel rod dipstick too!). As a bonus, this design meant no chance of oil dripping on the painted fender since it was going across the front.
I usually wait until I finish pumping gas to check the oil, which nowadays with the specified water-thin 5W-20 oil is PLENTY of time to wait for it to drain back to the pan, especially at full operating temp.
I usually wait until I finish pumping gas to check the oil, which nowadays with the specified water-thin 5W-20 oil is PLENTY of time to wait for it to drain back to the pan, especially at full operating temp.
7/24/10, 11:22 PM
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OK, I found this photo caption and excellent article which explains the oil dipstick location & what drove it. With the short 2-year development timeline, they just didn't have time to refine it any further. I do agree this arrangement beats putting a dent in the exhaust header pipe:
http://www.mustang50magazine.com/tec.../photo_44.html
As for checking the oil level, I check about every time I fill up and also at random times in between in the garage. I realize I don't HAVE to do this, but this is a new car, and YOU NEVER KNOW. After a period of time, I may become more comfortable and trusting. In theory there should be no need to check oil level ever, I guess, what with the oil level sensor/alert.
http://www.mustang50magazine.com/tec.../photo_44.html
As for checking the oil level, I check about every time I fill up and also at random times in between in the garage. I realize I don't HAVE to do this, but this is a new car, and YOU NEVER KNOW. After a period of time, I may become more comfortable and trusting. In theory there should be no need to check oil level ever, I guess, what with the oil level sensor/alert.
7/25/10, 06:26 AM
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7/25/10, 06:56 AM
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If the car is not leaking or burning it, where would the oil go ??
Both ways of oil loss are obvious if you pay attention (see or smell), so I seldom check oil level on cars now.
If properly maintained and driven, even after 10k miles there typically is no noticeable loss of oil on most modern cars with V6 or V8 engines. This has been the case at least ways on all the new Ford & Mopar vehicles I've had since 1994.
Doug
Both ways of oil loss are obvious if you pay attention (see or smell), so I seldom check oil level on cars now.
If properly maintained and driven, even after 10k miles there typically is no noticeable loss of oil on most modern cars with V6 or V8 engines. This has been the case at least ways on all the new Ford & Mopar vehicles I've had since 1994.
Doug
7/25/10, 07:37 AM
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The 2011 GT dipstick is the second hotest of all my vehicles.
My '94 + '99 (These are virtually the same vehicle) Grand Wagoneer had the hotest dipstick. Way hotter than the GT.
My practice is to check at each fill-up.
On my '04 Cayenne Turbo it has both an electronic level and a dipstick. At each fill I would observe a very gradual decrease, until one day I wiped it clean, inserted it back and it reached the ADD mark.
When I started the engine the add oil light came on. Removing that small amount of oil from wiping the dipstick triggered the sensor.
When I observed that system respond the second time w/ identical results was the last time I checked the level on that vehicle.
My '94 + '99 (These are virtually the same vehicle) Grand Wagoneer had the hotest dipstick. Way hotter than the GT.
My practice is to check at each fill-up.
On my '04 Cayenne Turbo it has both an electronic level and a dipstick. At each fill I would observe a very gradual decrease, until one day I wiped it clean, inserted it back and it reached the ADD mark.
When I started the engine the add oil light came on. Removing that small amount of oil from wiping the dipstick triggered the sensor.
When I observed that system respond the second time w/ identical results was the last time I checked the level on that vehicle.
7/25/10, 07:09 PM
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you want to call BS on a ford design, why dont you call BS on not even giving a dipstick for the auto trans guys. Yeah we get the oil dipstick but by the ford manual we have to get under the car, by raising it evenly on all 4 corners and then stick our finger in a small hole and feel the level of the trans fluid.
7/25/10, 08:04 PM
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you want to call BS on a ford design, why dont you call BS on not even giving a dipstick for the auto trans guys. Yeah we get the oil dipstick but by the ford manual we have to get under the car, by raising it evenly on all 4 corners and then stick our finger in a small hole and feel the level of the trans fluid.
Apparently there are no worries b/c the experienced Ford guys have convinced me that the fluid levels never change.
7/25/10, 10:49 PM
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yeah my dealership said the fluid and filter should be good for well over 100,000 miles. Plus they say the drain bolt has a paint mark on it and if you take it off to check the fluid or try and mess with it in any way it would void my warranty on the trans if something happened.
. Plus they say the drain bolt has a paint mark on it and if you take it off to check the fluid or try and mess with it in any way it would void my warranty on the trans if something happened.
Last edited by RedDragon777; 7/25/10 at 10:51 PM.
7/25/10, 11:20 PM
#16
Is this thread for real? 
7/25/10, 11:31 PM
#17
GTR Member
Okay, are you ready?
Wait, wait for it...
Here it comes...
Check, the oil level you know, check it...
BEFORE YOU START THE CAR IN THE MORNING...
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Wait, wait for it...
Here it comes...
Check, the oil level you know, check it...
BEFORE YOU START THE CAR IN THE MORNING...
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Last edited by Ltngdrvr; 7/25/10 at 11:36 PM.
7/26/10, 09:24 AM
#18
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Don't rag on the guy too hard for checking his oil, I've had to add oil to mine already. 
And there were no visible signs of leaking or burning either, so go figure.
Between fill ups...maybe a little excessive, but it's his pride and joy! Give the dude a break.
And there were no visible signs of leaking or burning either, so go figure. Between fill ups...maybe a little excessive, but it's his pride and joy! Give the dude a break.
1/24/11, 01:35 PM
#19
you want to call BS on a ford design, why dont you call BS on not even giving a dipstick for the auto trans guys. Yeah we get the oil dipstick but by the ford manual we have to get under the car, by raising it evenly on all 4 corners and then stick our finger in a small hole and feel the level of the trans fluid.
You had to take the car to the dealer, where they could use a calibrated dipstick (?) and check it against the Trans. Temp with the Starscan tool!So on this car they just gave up completely. Wonderful. I think I'll get a guage installed that can at least show me the Trans. Temp's so I know if it starts running hot. I had the Aeroforce Interceptor guages in the Charger and they were great!
absolutely!