Oil dipstick strangeness

[hgeranium]

My dipstick when pulled, wiped, and pulled again always has this weird line of oil extending far past the actual oil level. Please excuse my crude drawings. I’m not with the Comanche until Sunday. 

Sometimes it’s more or less obvious than others but it’s still annoying to try to find where the actual level is, and I’m worried it may not be fully accurate. Also, the backside of the stick reads at a completely different level. About a quart lower than the side with lines. I worry that if I put in the dipstick the opposite direction, then that quart low reading will apply to the side I’d be reading and overfill it by a quart. 
 

Two questions:

1. How can I remedy the extraneous oil above the actual level reading? I’ve never had this issue with any of my other cars. Again, it’s not too bad at times but sometimes it’s near impossible to see where the oil level actually is. 

2. Should I be worried about the inconsistent reading between the front and the back? Or should I just always put in the dipstick right side up and don’t worry about the backside?

 

I want to make sure my readings are accurate because I’m dealing with some crankcase pressure issues and blow-by so it would be nice to have a more confident time trying to check the levels. Maybe the blow-by is what’s causing this?

 

Enjoy my 2nd drawing of the back that I no longer have a use for. 

[llhat]

there's a film of oil inside the dipstick tube in one of the curves on its way down to the crankcase....

 

only advice...  check it cold after sitting overnight,  even then unsure what will happen.

 

I don't think i would advise trying to stick something down the empty tube to try an clean the ID,  figure whatever used would wind up in the oil pan.

Can't remember just how difficult removal of the tube is... 

 

maybe someone else has some advice.

 

[pizzaman09]

I'm just here to appreciate your artistic capability and how perfectly your drawing describes the issue of reading a 4.0L dip stick.

[derf]

Pretty accurate drawing.

 

I will echo what was said above.  There is residual oil inside the tube from when you pull out the dipstick.  Check it first thing in the morning after it has been sitting for many hours.  You get less residue and most everything that will drain has drained back into the pan so you get a more accurate reading of just how much oil is in the engine.

[hgeranium]

6 hours ago, derf said:

I will echo what was said above.  There is residual oil inside the tube from when you pull out the dipstick.  Check it first thing in the morning after it has been sitting for many hours.  You get less residue and most everything that will drain has drained back into the pan so you get a more accurate reading of just how much oil is in the engine.

 

8 hours ago, llhat said:

there's a film of oil inside the dipstick tube in one of the curves on its way down to the crankcase....

 

only advice...  check it cold after sitting overnight,  even then unsure what will happen.

Thank you guys! Good to know this is a common thing with the weird wonky dipstick tube shape.

6 hours ago, derf said:

Pretty accurate drawing.

 

6 hours ago, pizzaman09 said:

I'm just here to appreciate your artistic capability and how perfectly your drawing describes the issue of reading a 4.0L dip stick.

I appreciate the glowing reviews on my drawing! It was all done with my finger on my phone lol.