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  1. #1
    Very Active Member Wildrice's Avatar
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    Default What R UR thoughts on painting the oil dipstick to make it easier to read oil level

    Rust-Oleum makes a High Heat paint spray that's good up to 1200 degrees .
    I doubt oil temp ever rises above 400 degrees unless a major problem appears.


    Would the oil act as a detergent & remove the dipstick High Heat paint?
    Darrell
    2015 F3's , two 12 volt power outlets Orange & Black

  2. #2
    Very Active Member Chupaca's Avatar
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    Default Don't know. ..!!

    But there are other options....some have drilled holes some have knotched the sides some have filed hash marks on them. Question is what color though that is not the issue. Its the shinnyness that keeps us from seeing the oil. Especially the newer cleaner oil which in such small amounts is transparent. Has to be a matte finish. Or use the paper method.
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  3. #3
    Very Active Member ofdave's Avatar
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    Default

    would not put paint on the dip stick, it would be gone in a week or so
    if your oil ever got to 400 you already have serious problems-more likely 275 would be a max and I doubt you'll see that on a water cooled engine as in our application
    the hash mark carving seems to be a good idea



    2017 F3, SM6-basic black, plain and simple

  4. #4
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    Default This really needs to be addressed

    In just one week I have read a thread or know of at least four oil leak issues from overfilled motors. My brand new over filled F3L blew oil out the dip stick the first time I hit 6,500 rpm. Very depressing to say the least. I feel the dip stick would be to fragile/ skinny to drill holes in and might beak off going through the curved elbow at the base.
    I think Can-Am needs a service bulletin and an upgrade solution. This is serious stuff as my oil went directly on my exhaust pipe and was seriously smoking when I pulled over. One truck stopped to offer help and asked if my bike was on fire.


    Quote Originally Posted by Wildrice View Post
    Rust-Oleum makes a High Heat paint spray that's good up to 1200 degrees .
    I doubt oil temp ever rises above 400 degrees unless a major problem appears.



    Would the oil act as a detergent & remove the dipstick High Heat paint?
    Darrell

  5. #5
    Very Active Member irvin48's Avatar
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    new aftermarket product for us sight impaired people. we have vendors here
    with the capability. just remains to be seen how many would sell. put an
    ips cap on it lamont?
    Last edited by irvin48; 08-25-2017 at 01:23 PM.
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  6. #6
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    Default

    Don't do it...
    Just place the dipstick on a clean piece of paper towel, and the oil level will be VERY easy ti see!
    Easy-Peasey!
    2010 RT A&C, RT-L, RT-L , Orbital Blue, Cognac, Jet Black

  7. #7
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    Default Tried the paper towle

    Thanks Bob, I tied the paper towel and got a consistent reading each time. Visually it looked higher than the paper read.
    Can we agree that after the bike has sat all night that the reading on the dip stick should reflect the actual oil level in the bike?



    Quote Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
    Don't do it...
    Just place the dipstick on a clean piece of paper towel, and the oil level will be VERY easy ti see!
    Easy-Peasey!

  8. #8
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    I think that we should all agree that the directions in the owner's manual must be followed exactly as written...
    2010 RT A&C, RT-L, RT-L , Orbital Blue, Cognac, Jet Black

  9. #9
    Very Active Member Lew L's Avatar
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    Thumbs up Owners Manual

    Quote Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
    I think that we should all agree that the directions in the owner's manual must be followed exactly as written...


    Owners manual well who needs it anyway

    Sometimes it is written in a confusing manner but we'll all figure it out. I wouldn't go against my car/truck owners manual or my guns,computer,phone,washing machine, ect. manuals. There is a reason for checking the oil the way they do.( semi- dry sump, evacuation pumps, oil holding tank, even oil expansion with temp.)

    I did file hash marks on the dip stick BUT I use a paper towel to get an easy reading of the oil level. ( Not that I've EVER had to add oil between oil changes)

    Good luck , Kaos
    Kaos----- Gone but not forgotten.

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  10. #10
    Very Active Member BigGuy66's Avatar
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    Default I'm really glad that I read on this site...

    ... about using a paper towel to check the oil level. Sure is easier than getting out a flashlight, or trying to feel the oil level, or just guessing... just pulled the stick and laid it on the towel with a little roll...good tip.

    Ryde, eat, sleep.... repeat

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  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by BigGuy66 View Post
    ... about using a paper towel to check the oil level. Sure is easier than getting out a flashlight, or trying to feel the oil level, or just guessing... just pulled the stick and laid it on the towel with a little roll...good tip.
    And you're going to need it anyway: for wiping the stick off!
    2010 RT A&C, RT-L, RT-L , Orbital Blue, Cognac, Jet Black

  12. #12
    Very Active Member Mazo EMS2's Avatar
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    Hmmm, I think where the stick is wet, that means there was oil to that level....maybe I'm crazy...LOL...I didn't realize this was even a problem..?
    2021 RT Limited

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  13. #13
    Very Active Member JayBros's Avatar
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    Default From BRPCare Informatioin

    Artillery lends dignity to what would
    otherwise be a vulgar brawl.
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  14. #14
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    Default That's the problem

    When I read the dip stick with my eyes and a good flashlight I was not at all certain just where it was reading. Same colored oil and stick?
    Then when I tried Bob's suggestion with the paper towel, I realized I was seeing the open eye reading wrong. Each time I tested with the paper towel the reading was the same. Each time I looked at the stick, I was not sure and was wrong if the paper towel was correct. I'm going with the paper towel as it seems consistent.


    Quote Originally Posted by Mazo EMS2 View Post
    Hmmm, I think where the stick is wet, that means there was oil to that level....maybe I'm crazy...LOL...I didn't realize this was even a problem..?

  15. #15
    Very Active Member JayBros's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dennis in Lodi View Post
    Can we agree that after the bike has sat all night that the reading on the dip stick should reflect the actual oil level in the bike?
    No, absolutely not. Once the scavange pumps have done their work and have gotten the oil pmped back into the tank -- where the dipstick is actually measuring the oil level -- when the engine is shut off some of the oil will begin to flow back into the dry sump. That's why BRP says to read the dipstick within two minutes of turning off the engine. Left to sit overnight and read the following morning, the dipstick will read low. If one interprets the level to be correct and tops off the oil one may be overfilling the engine. All one is reading in the morning in a cold engine is the amount of oil remaining in the tank, not in the entire engine.
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  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by Wildrice View Post
    Rust-Oleum makes a High Heat paint spray that's good up to 1200 degrees .
    I doubt oil temp ever rises above 400 degrees unless a major problem appears.



    Would the oil act as a detergent & remove the dipstick High Heat paint?
    Darrell
    My mechanic used black permanent marker on my bike and after 4,000 miles it hasn't come off.

  17. #17
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    Default Dip Stick

    I use a big snap tie, it is about 3/8" wide and I cut it to length and painted it flat black. When I check the oil I wipe it clean and get a good reading. Using it for three years.

  18. #18
    Very Active Member SteveLaoyster's Avatar
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    Default

    Has anyone used sandpaper or scotchbright to dull the finish on the dipstick? It's possible that it would help reading it but Bob is right. You are going to need a paper towel to wipe it off anyway.
    AKA Jud Smales, Four Year Spyder Ryder!
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  19. #19
    Very Active Member SteveLaoyster's Avatar
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    Anyone using colored shop towels to read the oil level? Might be easier to see also.

    AKA Jud Smales, Four Year Spyder Ryder!
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  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dennis in Lodi View Post
    Can we agree that after the bike has sat all night that the reading on the dip stick should reflect the actual oil level in the bike?
    Dennis, who overfilled your bike? If you are checking oil when the bike has sat overnight you will not get a correct reading and that will cause you yoniverfill it.

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  21. #21
    Active Member Samson's Avatar
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    Nope, use a paper towel, works great.

  22. #22
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    On an engine that is up to operating temperatures: Remove dipstick, wipe, dip in cold water, wipe, reinsert, remove and read. The oil will stick to the cold dipstick and it will be real easy to read. Works especially well when the oil is fresh and typically hard to read.

  23. #23
    SpyderLovers Ambassador Little Blue's Avatar
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    Default Oil dipstick reading

    All very good ways to check the engine oil level. Go by the manual and use a clean paper towel. Always had very good oil level checks. Merry Christmas to All Spyder Lovers/Riders. Little Blue
    2016 RT Limited , Orbital Blue

  24. #24
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    Black permanent marker on the dip stick I did it two oil changes ago and it never came off.

  25. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dennis in Lodi View Post
    When I read the dip stick with my eyes and a good flashlight I was not at all certain just where it was reading. Same colored oil and stick?
    Then when I tried Bob's suggestion with the paper towel, I realized I was seeing the open eye reading wrong. Each time I tested with the paper towel the reading was the same. Each time I looked at the stick, I was not sure and was wrong if the paper towel was correct. I'm going with the paper towel as it seems consistent.
    good answer. Now all is well. Ride Safe. Ride Often.

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