Stubborn C7 engine oil dip stick

Jcous · 06-29-2008, 08:04 AM

The dip stick in my C7 engine has a mind of it's own. When I remove it to check the oil level I have a devil of a time getting it back in. I have to twist, turn and push to get it back in. It seems like it get stuck on some part of the tube leading back to the oil pan. Anyone else have this problem and did you come up with a solution?

Jcous · 06-29-2008, 08:04 AM

The dip stick in my C7 engine has a mind of it's own. When I remove it to check the oil level I have a devil of a time getting it back in. I have to twist, turn and push to get it back in. It seems like it get stuck on some part of the tube leading back to the oil pan. Anyone else have this problem and did you come up with a solution?

smlranger · 06-29-2008, 09:08 AM

I've also placed your post in the Caterpillar engine forum.

AKBrick · 06-29-2008, 11:27 AM

Yup, I also have the same twisty/turny long journey down the dipstick tube. I'm not getting stuck on any portion of the tube but I do have to use two hands to get it down to the bottom. I deffinately have to clean the dipstick before putting it back. Not just to keep dirt out of the engine but to keep my hands clean too. It doesn't help when the dipstick is 4 feet long and twisted either. All I can say for the situation is, "patience my friend".

Happy trails,

AKBrick

skigramp · 06-29-2008, 04:29 PM

Jcous ...

I used to have extreme difficulty getting the dip stick back in ...

I now pay more attention to the "attitude" of the handle as I pull it out ... I find it goes back in easier if I try to match that "attitude" in reverse order ...

I have also gained confidence that my engine uses almost no oil (60,000 + miles) and check my oil much less frequently than I used to ... generally about every 1000 miles ...

As a side note, I came to the conclusion that my dipstick is probably one of those that are mismarked ... I used to lose about a quart of oil (from the slobber tube) every 2000 miles ... I now have the tech put in one quart less oil at oil changes ... the effect is that very little comes out of the slobber tube and onto my toad ... and there is only a drop or two on the ground when I am parked at a campsite ...

I have not added any oil between oil changes for the past 25,000 miles ...

I gleaned this information about my dipstick from two CAT seminars at GNR and a FMCA rally

Jestme13 · 06-29-2008, 05:35 PM

Skigramp, how much oil do you put in yer Cat at oil change time ?

skigramp · 06-29-2008, 05:58 PM

Jestme ...

I have it written down in my Winnebago manual ... it is in the storage shed ... about 5 miles away ... I won't be going there for about another 10 days .. I'll post it if my rememberer doesn't fail me ...

Chief · 06-30-2008, 04:57 AM

Same situation with our C7 and dipstick dipsy doo to reseat the dipstick. Appears to get hung up on the bottom of the tube itself where it enters the engine. A few pulls and pushes while adjusting the "attitude" of the handle seems to work.

I, like Skigramp use no oil between oil changes and it takes 18 1/2 to no more than 19 quarts for the oil and filter changes.

Teach · 06-30-2008, 09:14 AM

I have the same dipstick issue, just have to be patient and go thru some gyrations with the stick.

Also, when I bought the unit new in Florida I checked the oil and it was full. Drove home to MO and found it down a couple of quarts that had been unceremoniously deposited on my toad. Recalibrated the dipstick per Brett Wolfe's instructions at 19 quarts and have not used a quart or soiled the Jeep since.

AKBrick · 07-01-2008, 07:14 AM

So tell me, what is a slobber tube and where is it located? Is it the dipstick tube that slobbers if it is overfull?. I havn' had this problem before. Also I havn't had to add any oil since we bought it new in October of last year. We are bringing it in for an oil change and fuel filter change in August. So far we have approx. 7500 miles on it.

AKBrick

Teach · 07-01-2008, 08:36 AM

AKBrick, if your unit has one it is a black rubber tube, about 1 inch in diameter that vents the crankcase. On my MH it hangs down under the radiator exiting behind it. It is common to have a drop or two of oil drip off of it when parked.

CAT now has the Mist System that some MH's may have, thus they won't have a slobber tube.

skigramp · 07-03-2008, 01:24 PM

They use 20 quarts of oil in total for an oil change. That fills the new filter and the crankcase

Hall6589 · 07-25-2008, 07:46 AM

I have the same problem. The dipstick stops twice on the way down: First about 18" from the bottom and again about 6" from the bottom. I had to call my dealer the first time I checked the oil!
He said that all C-7's seem to have the problem and what USUALLY works is at the first stop twist the stick counter clockwise. At the second stop, about 6" out, pull the stick about 1" back out, then twist clockwise while pushing in. Works everytime for me.