Date:         Thu, 21 Jul 2011 08:43:53 -0500
Reply-To:     mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: Strategy for low-mess oil drain.
Comments: To: Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <1311219045.18706.20.camel@TheJackUbuntuNetbook>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

---- Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> (Number 287 In A Continuing Series Of Knucklehead Questions)
>
> I used to change the oil in my aircooled every 1,500 miles. I got so I
> didn't make much of a mess. Unscrewed the drain plug, let it drop onto
> the screen on the used oil catcher, and sat back until the drool of oil
> tapered off to drips.
>
> So after hearing that my oil is likely to run cooler if the oil level is
> between the halfway mark and the "fill" mark on the dipstick (mine's
> halfway between the halfway mark and the "full" mark) I'd like to drain
> a bit of the oil.
>

concern about making messes aside, what about that dip stick?  Mine has only two marks, one indicating that the oil level is low and oil should be added, and one indicating that the oil level is full, do not fill above.  When folks have said halfway between, I have always taken that to mean halfway between those two marks.  But you are differentiating between two positions that sound like 1/4 above the fill mark toward the full mark, vs 3/4 way between the fill mark and the full mark.  Or do I misunderstand?  And since i do not use a lift, I always seem to spill oil, though it is much easier to avoid messes with the great clearance under the camper compared to a sedan.  But I can make a mess anywhere, any time. Thanks, mcneely