Oil level advice

[Liamalone]

Hi folks,

Having trouble reading my oil level, think it needs oil but want to be sure as I know there are problems with too much oil. Searched the forum but was unable to get what I wanted so here I am.

My clean dipstick is pictured below, I can see no MIN or MAX levels on it. There's just the flat bit at the end of the long flexible section. Where should my oil be sitting?
Clean dipstick.jpg

Below is a the dipstick after being dipped, it is just over the flat section. This was done cold just to get an idea.
Oily dipstick.jpg

I have the motor since mid Feb, got it serviced at that time and the oil was done. I've done about 3k since, threw in about half a litre a month ago as the car has to be using oil lol.

I'm unsure here so any help is appreciated, thanks

*edit* Vectra C Z19DT 120

[Big Dave]

Can't recall seeing that sort of dipstick before on a Vauxhall, but then again I've never owned a diesel. Is it the original one?

However, generally the flat bit is the indicator.

Usually indicates 1 litre between the min and max level.

I would guess that the lower of the flat area is the min, and the upper the max.

[Bigtee]

Your oil is full.

Thats the same as my 120 cdti 5w-30 fully synthetic oil the lower part to the top part is usually 1 litre.

[Liamalone]

I think it is the original dipstick, the top matches the oil cap on the engine anyways.

Full then? so the indicator is the bit at the end, not a great indicator.

So either the mechanic filled it good and proper at the service or after 3,000 miles it's not using much oil. Surely it should be using more than it seems to be, I've only put in half a litre since the service

Thanks

[Neve'o]

Bottom of the flat part is low, top part of the flat bit is full, it takes 1L to fill from bottom to top as said above.

I've owned my vec since end of Feb and haven't needed to put a drop of oil in it 5 months later.

[Liamalone]

Bottom of the flat part is low, top part of the flat bit is full, it takes 1L to fill from bottom to top as said above.

I've owned my vec since end of Feb and haven't needed to put a drop of oil in it 5 months later.

Cheers, that settles me a bit

[chewy71]

does the oil not need to be checked when the engine has been run up to temperature, turned off and left for 5 minutes and then checked?... I know mine does (150 CDTI)

This gives the accurate reading, if I check when the engine is cold, it appears the oil is low as a false reading

[Das]

Bottom of the flat part is low, top part of the flat bit is full, it takes 1L to fill from bottom to top as said above.

does the oil not need to be checked when the engine has been run up to temperature, turned off and left for 5 minutes and then checked?... I know mine does (150 CDTI)

This gives the accurate reading, if I check when the engine is cold, it appears the oil is low as a false reading

Thats the way it says to do it on the slam panel, but if it gives a low reading when cold and a correct reading when hot, where has the oil gone when its cold?

[chewy71]

Thats the way it says to do it on the slam panel, but if it gives a low reading when cold and a correct reading when hot, where has the oil gone when its cold?

I don't know,.. but the engineers at VX are far cleverer than me so I trust not my logic and follow their advice.

[Bigtee]

Due to the oil been thicker when cold as it gets warmer it thins out, so when you check it 5 mins later it's at the correct level.

However were not talking much and if a tad over the dipstick max limit it won't do damage it's only when 2-3 litres over it will.