oil dipstick

[yaris9876]

this is about a 1999 Sienna Van. Somebody gave it to me. BUt my main car is a 2007 Yaris hatch. 560K original engine. I need info on this.
THe oil dipstick is so lame on the Sienna that you cant read any oil on it...???
I have never seen anything like this. Has anyone run into this on another Toyota??
I might have to drain the oil again just to check how much oil there is in there..

[dogsridewith]

Why do you think it isn't just real low on oil?

[tmontague]

If you've ruled out proper oil level then you should be able to get a good reading when the oil gets slightly dark.

I find right after oil changes it is much more difficult to read the oil level but after a week of driving it gets slightly darker and makes it easier to read. I fill the exact amount as in the users manual so I know it has the proper amount in it, then I typically too it up so it's at the full mark on the dipstick

[yaris9876]

this dipstick design is defective. Its known by Toyota. I put a Chevy stick down there and it shows plenty of oil.I just put in 5 quarts of Mobile one. Good oil pressure. I guess I need to find a plastic dipstick that goes deeper but not too deep. I cant believe Toyota signed off on this design. Its ridiculous.

[dogsridewith]

what are you saying? the end is broken off the correct Sienna dipstick? It doesn't matter what some random dipstick indicates. Lengths all vary depending on how far the top of the dipstick's hole is from the oil level.
I knew a guy who had a random dipstick in the engine because the handle broke off the original. When he wanted to check oil level, he went to a tool box in the trunk and got out a pliers and the original dipstick. Some mechanic who worked on his car wrote w/ Sharpie on the valve cover that the wrong dipstick was there...prolly added too much oil on a change or something.

Plastic dipstick in a 99 Toyota? They didn't learn in 8 years not to do that on an 07 Yaris?

[bronsin]

The wifes 05 Camry has a plastic tipped dipstick. Just waiting for it to break off!:cry: I think the one on my 01 ECHO was all plastic. :tongue: