how far off is the oil dipstick after a lift???

[Jeffreynmandy]

I just got my cart back from being lifted. I bought it looking rough, but with a newly rebuilt engine. I trust the seller on that because he gave me the receipt, and also called the shop that rebuilt it to check.

I haven't noticed the oil light on, but when I checked the oil it was only showing some on the end of the dipstick. It was blackish but I could tell it wasn't old oil.


It kinda freaked me out, so I looked up how much oil it takes. I drained the oil and refilled it with 10w30 I had. Someone online said 44oz. That put me right to the full line.


Only 3/4 of a quart or a little more drained out. But now I also see that a lift will throw the dipstick off. If the engine is tilted back after a lift, how is all the oil able to drain out?

Could someone lead me in the right direction, I'm confused now that I know a lift can throw off the reading.

I also may have a bad oil light or sending unit. I've never seen it light up. I forgot to check while the oil was out.

[RED 92CC GAS]

since 6 in. lift, mine reads half way to low when it is full. Only time my oil lite comes on is when I drain oil.

[Jeffreynmandy]

Originally Posted by RED 92CC GAS

since 6 in. lift, mine reads half way to low when it is full. Only time my oil lite comes on is when I drain oil.

How much oil do you normally put in? If I'm at the full mark it may be over by half a quart.

I put 44oz in.


I'm finding various numbers when it comes to oil amount. I've seen 32oz to 44oz depending on if filter change is included.


I have a 97 ds with fe290 engine.

[lockman1]

Per the CC manual with the stock height...

32oz without changing the filter
38oz with a new filter

I have no clue where you found 44oz!

With a 6" lift your dipstick should read about 1/2 full with the correct amount of oil (confirming reds post)
so you may want to drain some to get oil to that level!

Can you leave the oil at the full mark with a lift? ... It's just not a good idea!
for starters... it may smoke at higher RPM's and eventually you'll have to rebuild the head!

.02

[Cruise Master]

Originally Posted by lockman1

Per the CC manual with the stock height...

32oz without changing the filter
38oz with a new filter

I have no clue where you found 44oz!

With a 6" lift your dipstick should read about 1/2 full with the correct amount of oil (confirming reds post)
so you may want to drain some to get oil to that level!

Can you leave the oil at the full mark with a lift? ... It's just not a good idea!
for starters... it may smoke at higher RPM's and eventually you'll have to rebuild the head!

.02

Educate me, because this makes no sense at all. How does a lift change a dipstick reading?

[lockman1]

The axle lowers, yet the snubber (without modifications) stays the same height,
which tilts the engine off level, which in turn... gives a false reading on the dipstick!

[Jeffreynmandy]

Originally Posted by lockman1

Per the CC manual with the stock height...

32oz without changing the filter
38oz with a new filter

I have no clue where you found 44oz!

With a 6" lift your dipstick should read about 1/2 full with the correct amount of oil (confirming reds post)
so you may want to drain some to get oil to that level!

Can you leave the oil at the full mark with a lift? ... It's just not a good idea!
for starters... it may smoke at higher RPM's and eventually you'll have to rebuild the head!

.02

Ok, thank you all for the help. Now I know. I did drive it maybe a mile with it right at the full mark, in the morning I'll drain it back into a clean container and refill with the correct amount.

Do you think it will be no harm done with only a mile of driving?


Also, do these engines consume oil? I'm new to gas carts. I thought it was odd that the oil was so low after a recent rebuild. I don't see any leaks. At least I know it wasn't as low as I thought it was, since the lift threw it off.

[lockman1]

Nah... you'll be fine!
Just keep an eye on the level... sometimes rebuilt engines use a bit of oil during break-in!
If it continues to use oil... it wasn't rebuilt correctly!

[Jeffreynmandy]

Originally Posted by lockman1

Nah... you'll be fine!
Just keep an eye on the level... sometimes rebuilt engines use a bit of oil during break-in!
If it continues to use oil... it wasn't rebuilt correctly!

Thank you, I'll keep an eye on it. I'm OCD so I'll probably check it more than enough for the first few months.

I hope they built it right, it was $800 for the rebuild and getting a few cables replaced.

[Cruise Master]

Originally Posted by lockman1

The axle lowers, yet the snubber (without modifications) stays the same height,
which tilts the engine off level, which in turn... gives a false reading on the dipstick!

Sounds simple when you put it like that.