Low oil, but full under cap?
 

Call me dumb but when I went to add oil to my 2.4 22re it looks like its full when I remove the cap? It is about 1/8 below the low line on the stick and looks to be 1/4 above the end of the stick. So am I crazy? I know I'm a noob but it seems like that's not normal right? Shouldn't I be seeing the cam or the valves under there and not the oil that is low in the engine? Please I feel sorta dumb but just need some input

What your seeing is the baffle under the valve cover. That's their to direct the oil splash to where its needed down on the cam and rockers. So it's not full persay, your just seeing the oil on the backside of the baffle.

oil level is always measured with the dip stick. so if you are low on the dip stick, your oil is in fact just that - low. only time this would really be an exception is if you had the wrong dip stick for some reason.

the reason why it may appear full when you open your oil fill cap and look inside, is because directly below the valve cover shell is a metal splash plate, which likely covered in oil and making you think that's where the level is at. you can always stick your finger inside too and you'll find this rigid plate.

see this pic:
http://home.comcast.net/~kcornelius/celica/engine2.JPG

[edit] forum ninjas are quick this morning :)

Are you doing it while the truck is running? That would cause the oil to be circulating and not in the oil pan which could cause it to show up low. Let the truck sit for 15 minutes after turning it off, then check it.

:facepalm:

I should stick to selling cars. Lol. That was too lame. Thanx for the info though

Something else to remember our engines will hold a small amt. of oil up top after shut down to lube the top end on start up unlike most NA engines where everything drains back to the pan right away... but I'd concur what you are seeing is mostly oil splash...

The vehicle not being given level will give an inaccurate reading on the dip stick as well. For. If the vehicle is parked on an icline (nose up) the oil will show less on the stick.

You need to add a quart. The full line/low line sometimes is represented by dots on a dipstick or by a hashed or textured section of the stick. This area always represents one quart of engine oil.

Fyi

Apologies for the spelling. On a phone and it's a pain to type.

Your dumb. But regardless everybody else pretty much has you covered, and don't worry we all start somewhere, nobody was born knowing the ins and outs of engines.