I have a theory that baked oil residue on a subaru 2.2L dipstick is a sign that the oil has not been changed regularly and may have oil burning problems. I don't know if this is an accurate guage or not. All subies i've seen that I know are well cared for do not have baked oil on dipstick. Any thoughts?

I've nerver seen baked oil on a dipstick but I would also see that as a very very bad sign concerning the way the engine has been treated. I usually remove the oil filler cap and look inside the cap for thick black goo. That's also a sing the oil was'nt changed very often.

Well, I'm thinking that if the heat from the combustion chamber is getting into the oil pan...that would show up on the dipstick I think. Kind of like an exhaust leak into the oil. I'm thinking it would be a pretty good sign of bad rings>??

Yes, it would take bad rings to send so much heat down the oil pan... or maybe a brush fire under the pan

run away from the burn oil dip stick car!!!