Dipstick interpretation

[Bryan Cotton]

So, using Michael's technique I'm either just at full or a little below. I'm going to fly another half hour when the weather is good.

[Bryan Cotton]

So, using Michael's technique I'm either just at full or a little below. I'm going to fly another half hour when the weather is good.

Half an hour flight - much less oil on the belly. Seems like progress. I took the dipstick out of the hot engine to let the oil drain down and I'll check it tonight.

[Bryan Cotton]

Oil was a little below full. Probably matched the small oil spot on the floor. I'm getting there.

[Bryan Cotton]

I'm not keen on the stock Aerovee dipstick. So I bought a stock VW dipstick:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/172982182261

It works great! But only when the cowl is off. So I got to thinking if I could make an access hatch it would be awesome. I decided to modify the dipstick so I could minimize access requirements. First I made a shim to jam in the handle.

Then I welded it:

Cut the handle off:

Finally I welded an AN3 bolt to it. I ground the cad plate off, of course.

Next up: cowl access.

[Bryan Cotton]

So I put my cowl on the left side. I took a hole punch to a piece of blue tape, and put that over my dipstick sticky side up. Slid the dipstick out of the tube until it hit the cowl, then slid the tape up and stuck it on the inside of the cowl. Hole location defined!

The hole size is big enough to get the dipstick out. There is the stop that keeps the dipstick from going too far into the tube and that is the part that needs to clear.

I used a piece of baffle seal and just riveted it on one side. I'm thinking the air pressure should push it against the cowl. Or, we will get more airflow into the cowl.

Next up: dipstick extender.

[Bryan Cotton]

Here is my threaded aluminum dipstick extension:

[BRS]

Dress it up a bit by making a plug for the cowl-hole and fix the stick to that plug. Cut it short leaving just enough for a handle.

[Bryan Cotton]

Dress it up a bit by making a plug for the cowl-hole and fix the stick to that plug. Cut it short leaving just enough for a handle.

I had considered that, but the engine moves and the cowl doesn't. The extension only goes on to check the oil.

[Area 51%]

I also went with the stock VW dipstick for ease of reading. To get the stick in and out, I drilled a hole similar to Bryan's, but added a slot to it long and wide enough to allow passage of the completely stock stick.
Didn't think to add the flap to keep the air in.............Next time.

[Bryan Cotton]

I also went with the stock VW dipstick for ease of reading. To get the stick in and out, I drilled a hole similar to Bryan's, but added a slot to it long and wide enough to allow passage of the completely stock stick.
Didn't think to add the flap to keep the air in.............Next time.

I had considered that as well - and went with what I presented.

So when is next time scheduled for?