I think the trick is to drain the oil out of the crankcase in question.
Then pour 3.75 quarts back into the engine.
That should be about right (check your manual).
If all else fails you can use a coat-hanger with a couple of notches pinched
in it for getting the proper readings.

Stan Wilder
www.engineceramics.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "The Shaws" <mindthegap01@COMCAST.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, August 05, 2004 9:15 PM
Subject: Oil Dip stick level indicator

> I hope this is taken seriously, I just checked the oil in my 87 2.1L and
> there was no oil on the dipstick, yikes.. so I am looking at the dipstick
> and there is no real indicator of where the oil should be.
>
> The dipstick has a slight twist about an inch from the bottom and I
assumed
> that at the top of the twist was the full mark. So I put in a quart of oil
> and it shows up on the dipstick about an inch above the twist. Too much
oil
> is a bad thing but what to do?
>
> Yikes, so I look at my other engine and the dipstick is different and
comes
> in at an angle instead of almost straight down. No help there.
>
> So, do I drain the oil and add the recommended amount of oil and see where
> it comes to? I was hoping to hit the road bright and early in the am.
>
> Thanks,
>
> peter