Checking the oil - Confusion!!

[smithyl23]

Gents i'm a little confused....

I remember reading somewhere on PH that you should check the oil when the engine is fully warmed up and straight after switching the ignition off.

Is this correct or should it be checked when cold?

Cheers,

P.S.

[TurboTomato]

Handbook says once fully warmed up and immediately after turning off. Personally have not heard anything other than that on here - for the Speed Six at least, it may be different for the Rover and AJP V8s

[rev-erend]

smithyl23 said:

Gents i'm a little confused....

I remember reading somewhere on PH that you should check the oil when the engine is fully warmed up and straight after switching the ignition off.

Is this correct or should it be checked when cold?

Cheers,

P.S.

Correct for the T350 !

[yi8tvr]

DONT CHECK COLD.....

1/ get hot (running temp)
2/ park on level ground
3/ open bonnet
4/ wait 30 seconds (otherwise the oil will be all up the dip stick)
5/ check oil and put dip stick in again
6/ check again

Now you have a reading..

If in doubt do it all again.

Edited by yi8tvr on Friday 1st September 13:51

[targarama]

You do get to know where it should be when cold after a few warm checks. Do a check when warm as instructed, then come back 12 hours later and check again. Do this a few times. You will notice a common level for cold. On mine this is much higher than just after switching off warm. Logical really since the oil in the engine runs back to the dry sump after shutdown (hence why you need to be quick on a warm check).

Find out what cold level relates to the right amount of warm oil then you can check cold. Well thats what I do, but then mine doesn't seem to use enough oil to need topping up much between services.

Obviously still check warm once in a while, but what I'm trying to say is once you get to know the engine you'll know the cold level too.

[gary_de_tam]

trying check when warm !!! asbestos gloves required

[TurboTomato]

gary_de_tam said:

trying check when warm !!! asbestos gloves required

Have already burnt my forearm on the cylinder head

Love the way they put the dipstick on the same side as the exhaust manifolds, which tend to get ever so slightly hot lol