checking oil level.

[RFC1]

Why do you have to check the engine oil level when the engine etc is up to full temp? Why cannot it be checked after running the engine for a short time then whipping out the dipstick after turning off ??

Meant to ask this for the last 2 years...

Sandy

[shep1001]

RFC1 said:

Why do you have to check the engine oil level when the engine etc is up to full temp? Why cannot it be checked after running the engine for a short time then whipping out the dipstick after turning off ??

Meant to ask this for the last 2 years...

Sandy

Dry sump engine on the S6.

[natben]

After I return from a drive I loosen the oil cap, grab a rag, turn of the engine,remove dipstick,clean,put it back in,check level,clean.
Make sure the car is on level ground, as long as the oil is warm I don,t think there is anything wrong with running the engine for a few minutes before checking.

[RFC1]

shep1001 said:

Dry sump engine on the S6.

I kow it is Shep, i was only wondering why it had to be roasting hot to check oil level.

Sandy

[billy no brakes]

As I understand it you have to check the oil when the engine had been running for a while because you are checking the oil in the catch tank and not at the bottom of the engine as you do on a normal engine, basically the oil is thrown into the catch tank and that shows how much oil is in the system, I suppose you could check it cold and it should show that there is little or no oil in the engine then check it when the engine is warm and it should show how much oil is in the system, I think that is how it works if not could someone explain

[threestacks]

I followed this procedure the other day after a run out in mine. Piping hot.

Took dip stick out wiped it, put it back in, pulled it out and mine showed the oil level was quite a bit over the MAX mark.

Is it over filled? and if so, how much oil should I take out, and whats the best way to do this without complete drainage?

Although oil looked nice and clean, I guess whoever serviced it last overfilled it by some way.

[alex_gray255]

Cribbed from GrahamV's site...

<<
Oil Level is best checked after stopping the engine when hot. Do not over fill when cold to maximum; this is likely to blow oil into the air box. Approx 1 litre between Max & Min, Oil type can vary but fully synthetic Shell or Carlube 5w-40 seems best all-round. I use 5w-40, which is great. This is my method of checking before taking the car out when COLD; with car on dead flat surface when the oil is just on the stick or just over the MIN this gives approx 3/4 of MAX. My way to check HOT level remove bonnet with rag ready switch off engine and dip. High level filling can force the oil out into the air box when trackdaying
>>

I use the cold method - more reliable. I've tried the hot method and did not get reliable results.

[anonymous-user]

I had a piece of doweling cut with marks in the correct places. Whip off the cap, whip in the dowelling, Robert is your mother's brother. Much easier to read than the dipstick.

[grumbledoak]

RFC1 said:

Why cannot it be checked after running the engine for a short time then whipping out the dipstick after turning off ??

You can, really. You don't actually need to know the level that accurately, not that the dipstick offers a well calibrated value of any sort. Over the MIN after a short run means there is 'enough'.

[RFC1]

grumbledoak said:

You can, really. You don't actually need to know the level that accurately, not that the dipstick offers a well calibrated value of any sort. Over the MIN after a short run means there is 'enough'.

Simple answer ,and along the lines of my own logical thinking. thank you.


Sandy