sequim Posted December 6, 2010 Share Posted December 6, 2010 Unable to read the dipstick when the engine is hot. Have to let oil settle overnight to get any degree of confidence in the reading. When hot there is no reading you can use, the oil is everywhere. Best I can describe is that it is 3 inches or so above the top oil hole (full). Can anyone enlighten me on this or is it symptomatic of another problem like venting. Friend feels it could be plugged cat creating excessive back pressure. Engine does use 1 qt per 600 miles. Minor leaks observed, but nothing to that degree. HELP!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted December 6, 2010 Share Posted December 6, 2010 Using that much might be because of a clogged PCV valve. Check that and clean/replace it. Check the PCV hoses for obstruction as well. How many miles on this thing? Some leaks tend to make oil puke out when driving but not when parked so no large puddles in the driveway. You have any blue smoke in the exhaust? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloom Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 I'm having a similar problem with my 2005 Forester, but it's the same overabundance of oil on the dipstick whether it's hot or cold. Did you ever figure out the problem with yours? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgambino Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Unable to read the dipstick when the engine is hot. Have to let oil settle overnight to get any degree of confidence in the reading. When hot there is no reading you can use, the oil is everywhere. Best I can describe is that it is 3 inches or so above the top oil hole (full). Can anyone enlighten me on this or is it symptomatic of another problem like venting. Friend feels it could be plugged cat creating excessive back pressure. Engine does use 1 qt per 600 miles. Minor leaks observed, but nothing to that degree. HELP!!! I have posted about this before...I have never seen a harder to read oil dipstick than these....I am driving a 96 and 98 outback wagon as well as a 2002 GT sedan...all have the same issue Best bet is to pull the stick and let the oil drain off the walls of the dipstick tube....THEN check it How long to wait? No clue> I have never waited that long I pull and retun stick as many times as it takes to clear the oil from the walls of the tube (wiping the stick each time of course) There's somthing odd about the design that is causing this... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forester2002s Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 There's somthing odd about the design that is causing this... I agree. And, since oil level is so important, one has to wonder why Subaru's engineers haven't fixed this problem years ago. It's not rocket science... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petersubaru Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 (edited) a bit of a pain at first, especially for my wife...the dip stick bends into the oil pan more then most other vehicles thus making it difficult to read ..this will happen when the oil is over filled, even "slightly" over filled...get the vehicle perfectly level in "all directions" and never add more oil then what it needs to get the oil level to the very top small hole on the dip stick...when cold, pull the dip stick and wipe off , insert again and quickly pull to check.."perfectly full and car level" will show the stick to have oil on one side of the dip stick up to the top hole, while the back side of the stick will be probably be more covered....and of course the "notch" on the dip stick is only used when the vehicle is hot.. if you don't have an eye for "level", look at how the fluid in your brake master cylinder is sitting in relation to the container or instead, place a small level on top of your brake mastercyl cap to determine...and remember, if it is "close" enough, then in this case, it is "good" enough..next, place level in glove box for future use(just kidding here) Edited January 27, 2011 by Petersubaru Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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