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Old Apr 19, 2009 | 04:24 PM
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Should the short stick method...

still be used on Job 2 09's to check the oil levels? Just wondering.
 
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Old Apr 20, 2009 | 07:47 AM
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I dont think they have changed the dipstick. Ford uses the dipstick as a guideline rather than an exact. On our trucks they want the oil level in that "range" but it isnt precise. Being over full is apparently OK to an extent as well since the short stick method is basically used to determine how overfull it is.

I just did the oil change on my wife's Taurus X this weekend and pulled the manual out to see the oil capacity. Right by the capacity was a picture of the dipstick so out of curiosity I wanted to see how it read compared to our trucks. Basically it said anywhere in the cross hatch area is fine. It said if the oil level is ANYWHERE in the cross hatch not to add oil. It also only called for 5.5 quarts which put the oil level on the bottom of the cross hatch. Another 1/2 quart put it in the middle. So does this mean Ford wants me to leave the oil a quart low?

Anyway, my point is that it appears Ford instructs us on ANY vehicle now to just be in the range, rather than on full. The short stick method IMO basically says its ok to be over full, just not too overfull.
 
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Old Apr 21, 2009 | 08:17 AM
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What I do not understand is how the truck comes from the factory with the oil reading in the center of the "range" and when the dealer did the change, NOW I have to use this short stick nonsense. Do they put LESS oil in at the factory? This makes NO sense to me... Its the same nonsense with the infamous "tick". Why don't they tick all the tiome and not only after the first oil change? The logic defies description
 
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Old Apr 21, 2009 | 11:33 AM
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The "short stick method" is just a way for them to document how overfull the oil might be. It is not a method one would be using unless the crankcase level is rising.


Also keep in mind that oil expands when it gets hot, thats one of the reasons there is an operating range.
 
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Old Apr 21, 2009 | 07:48 PM
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Angry

Originally Posted by origcharger
The "short stick method" is just a way for them to document how overfull the oil might be. It is not a method one would be using unless the crankcase level is rising.


Also keep in mind that oil expands when it gets hot, thats one of the reasons there is an operating range.
Mine came back from the dealer oil change "overfull", so I doubt it made oil. I agree that there is an operating range for a multitude of reasons, but I have never seen a dipstick that was out of operating range and considered normal. Many dipsticks even have a caution about DO NOT OVERFILL stamped right on them. I think Ford is pulling MY dipstick. Its hard to believe engineers would give answers like this. It truly boggles the mind! Even if the dipsticks were made incorrectly (which I doubt), TSB the stupid things and get the right ones made and distributed! Does anyone REALLY believe that an engineer worthy of the name would support this stupidity? Why am I so vehement? I HATE it when someone thinks I am even dumber than I really might be! Sorry for the rant...(Short stick their butt!)
 
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Old Apr 21, 2009 | 09:17 PM
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https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...3&postcount=32


Here is a link to a post with the bulletin regarding the short stick method and its purpose.
As you can see the correct oil level does not change, it just makes it easier to read how much overfull it is for diagnostic purposes.
 
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Old Apr 21, 2009 | 09:29 PM
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I just wish the designed the dipstick so you could actually read it.
 
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Old Apr 22, 2009 | 06:48 PM
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Originally Posted by caprang
I just wish the designed the dipstick so you could actually read it.
X2...X2 ...X2 ...X2 (that's I agree 16X)!!
 
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Old Apr 22, 2009 | 07:48 PM
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Originally Posted by yukondiesel
X2...X2 ...X2 ...X2 (that's I agree 16X)!!
I agree 17x!
 
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Old Apr 23, 2009 | 11:02 AM
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Who ever come up with the short stick rode the short bus!
 
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Old Apr 23, 2009 | 12:36 PM
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I just use the regular way of checking my oil level. If the dealer wants to use the short method to determine fuel in the crankcase, so be it. I use oil analysis for my results from Blackstone.

Ford cracks me up w/ thier problem solvings on the Super Duties.
 
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Old Apr 23, 2009 | 01:24 PM
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Maybe Ford should of designed a fancy specially graduated dipstick for diagnostics purposes and charged the dealers an arm and a leg for it?
I certainly don't understand the uproar about them spelling out a method to use the OEM dipstick for determining how much overfull the crankcase might be.
 
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Old Apr 23, 2009 | 06:55 PM
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Originally Posted by origcharger
Maybe Ford should of designed a fancy specially graduated dipstick for diagnostics purposes and charged the dealers an arm and a leg for it?
I certainly don't understand the uproar about them spelling out a method to use the OEM dipstick for determining how much overfull the crankcase might be.
??? Sorry I don't understand why my truck should come right from the dealer oil change and be overfull (according to the dipstick?)? What would I diagnose that as?
 
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Old Apr 23, 2009 | 09:02 PM
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Originally Posted by yukondiesel
??? Sorry I don't understand why my truck should come right from the dealer oil change and be overfull (according to the dipstick?)? What would I diagnose that as?
Assuming the dipstick is correct and you are parked on a level surface I would diagnose it as too much oil. If you are concerned thats its overfull maybe you should take it back.
Sadly some dealership "Quick Lane" personnel may not be anymore qualified than what you would find at a "Jiffy Lube".
 
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Old Apr 24, 2009 | 09:22 AM
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Originally Posted by origcharger
Assuming the dipstick is correct and you are parked on a level surface I would diagnose it as too much oil. If you are concerned thats its overfull maybe you should take it back.
Sadly some dealership "Quick Lane" personnel may not be anymore qualified than what you would find at a "Jiffy Lube".
You are right. The reason I had the dealer do it was to preserve the warranty and I expected that they knew what they were doing. If I had to guess, I would bet that they drained the oil without correctly draining the filter and then I got an exctra quart or two of old dirty oil back in the crankcase. Its due for another change that I will do and see what I get. If I had a lick of sense I would have checked it at the dealer. I STILL don't understand the short stick nonsense, but I am done here...Thanks and regards...joe
 
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