An oil dipstick is one of the most essential accessories to an engine. If you've lost your dipstick, or if you own an older engine (whether on your vehicle, lawnmower or other motorized item), and the oil dipstick is worn out, replace it promptly. Fortunately, creating your own custom oil dipstick is possible.
Scrub the first 6 to 2 inches of the wire rod using the steel wool. Use a side-to-side rather than up-and-down motion to make scuffs on the rod to help hold the oil for measuring.
Find the distance from the end of the rod of the "full" mark on the old dipstick using a tape measure. With the wire cutters, lightly crimp the new dipstick at the same point where the old dipstick is marked.
Make an "L" bend in the rod at the same total length as the old dipstick, using the pliers. This will ensure that you measure properly with the new dipstick, not pushing the rod in too far. Beyond the "L" bend, trim excess length as you please with the wire cutter.
Create your own "full" mark if you do not have the original dipstick. Find the bottom of the oil pan by inserting the rod into the proper tube in the engine until it stops. Do not force it beyond that point. Carefully mark the dipstick at the top of the tube, and make an "L" bend here with pliers to prevent over-insertion in the future. Trim excess length beyond the "L" bend as you please.
Add oil to the engine in small but consistent increments, measuring in between each time you add oil. When you notice the oil level increasing much faster between measurements, you have reached the top of the oil pan and should put the "full" mark just below this point.
