Dipstick Question

[Tiger Small Engine]

As for the dipstick... If it has a tube to go into, the stick needs to be wiped clean and checked a couple of time to verify level and do not screw it in if it is a threaded type. Don't overthink the situation.

I am not a fan of any plastic dipsticks because I have had to tear down many engines due to a broken one jamming up a compression release or getting particles caught up in the oil pump.

I wipe dipstick, check on level ground, and check dipstick more than one time. I realize that the dipstick is at a slight angle. Can’t see how that would affect reading the oil level that much on a dipstick on different sides.

 

[Forest#2]

Here's one from left field. Picked up a lightly used Toro Recycler with Smart Stow. Like it because I have limited garage space. However, original engine smoked because of a scored piston. Had a good Briggs Professional series engine that bolted right up to the deck & everything works as it should. However, the dipstick on the replacement engine angles a bit backwards which is no problem on a non-smart stow deck but causes a slow leak from the dipstick because the smart stow feature means the deck & engine is stored vertically. On the original engine the dipstick was designed to be straight up (no angle) so as to avoid leaking. Question is: why doesn't the o-ring on my replacement engine dipstick cap (pictured) seal completely? Is it supposed to vent somewhat? I thought the crankcase breather did that job. Maybe I need a new o-ring but the existing one looks fine, quite soft & no cracks or breaks.

Did you fail to post the picture you mention????

I noticed you are asking about a o ring in the dipstick CAP
Not the o ring on the tube going into the block

 

[JBtoro]

I think the Smart Stow setup is probably the bigger issue here than the O-ring itself. On a regular mower that dipstick only sees a little oil splash, but when it's stored upright you've got oil sitting against that angled tube all the time. Even a good O-ring may let a little seep through under those conditions.
The crankcase breather should still be handling the venting. If it were mine, I'd try running the oil level just a touch below full and maybe put a little silicone grease on the O-ring to see if it helps. You might also be able to swap in a straighter dipstick tube.
Hope this helps!

Your advice was the best & led me to buy a new o-ring. When I compared it to the existing one, it was noticeably smaller in circumference. So, even though existing ring looked good ... well. looks are often deceiving. Anyway, I installed the new one & no leaking after 2 days in stow position. Thus, I conclude that the dipstick or-ring does seal appropriately and that the one who relied on the old one is a dipstick (me). After all, this engine is about 12 years old & likely the existing o-ring was the original.

 

[JBtoro]

Did you fail to post the picture you mention????

I noticed you are asking about a o ring in the dipstick CAP
Not the o ring on the tube going into the block

Tried to post the picture; not sure why it didn't appear.