Capillary action in dipstick tube

[Atlgen]

Anyone notice this issue in their Genesis. If I let the car set in garage overnight and just pull the stick it will be 2" above full. However, if I pull it, wipe it clean, and re-insert (wait about 10 secs.) it will read about 1/8" above full mark.

Just curious if anyone else has noticed this.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

 

[Potty_Pants]

Oil from top of dip stick probably accumulating on bottom.

oil check procedure is to clean stick and check oil level.

ppp

 

[Atlgen]

Thanks Potty.

I've owned many cars and this is the only one that has exhibited this behavior. My theory is that the dipstick tube bottom is actually down below the surface level of the oil in the pan. I believe that over time this oil "wicks" up by capillary action thus leading to the misleading reading.

The tube should stop short of the oil level in the pan to avoid this problem.

Just my thoughts.

I was wondering if others have seen this.

 

[PMCErnie]

As I recall, you should always check the oil when it's warm, not cold. What is your warm oil level?

 

[PMCErnie]

As I recall, you should always check the oil when it's warm, not cold. What is your warm oil level? By the way, it's not unusual for oil to be overfilled when changed. I may be too lazy to change my own oil, but I never fail to check the level after it is changed for me.

 

[Atlgen]

I always do my own oil changes. But, checking it cold after it sits overnight actually gives the most accurate reading as the oil has had time to completely drain into the pan.

I've just had this capillary action dipstick issue and was wondering if others have noticed it in their Genesis'.

 

[Mark_888]

This is the first I have heard complaints from Genesis V8 owners about this, but V6 owners have had a very hard time getting an accurate oil level reading, and reconciling it with the published oil capacity. There are several threads about this.

You might try and remove the oil fill cap before pulling the dipstick and see if that makes a difference.

 

[imaphaetonguy]

I too tested my oil level with the vehicle cold.

The level was a half inch or more above the MAX dot mark on the dipstick.

Talked to my service rep, and he said there is a valve in the oil filter housing that opens when the vehicle is shut off (maybe when a vacuum is created?). The purpose of this is to drain any oil in the filter housing into the pan - so as to get "extra" oil available on start up - when it is needed most.

Don't know if I fully buy that explanation. I still seem to have oil above the MAX line when engine is hot. This from a dealership oil change.

 

[Mark_888]

I too tested my oil level with the vehicle cold.

The level was a half inch or more above the MAX dot mark on the dipstick.

Talked to my service rep, and he said there is a valve in the oil filter housing that opens when the vehicle is shut off (maybe when a vacuum is created?). The purpose of this is to drain any oil in the filter housing into the pan - so as to get "extra" oil available on start up - when it is needed most.

Don't know if I fully buy that explanation. I still seem to have oil above the MAX line when engine is hot. This from a dealership oil change.

If your dipstick is always high, I would just assume they overfilled it. Don't assume that just because a dealer did the oil change that they did it right. They may not have drained all the old oil out, or may have put too much in.

 

[lncaylor]

My 2012 4.6L Genesis shows to be at least 1/2" above the full mark when I checked it. I brought this to the attention of the Hyundai dealership that changed it. They said it was not a problem. The invoice shows they added 7 quarts which should be o.k.

I have always been concerned about overfilling much more of a problem than running somewhat low.

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