Oil

[funky]

So i went out to check my oil tonight and found that there was virtually nothing on the dipstick. My sagaris was serviced two weeks ago at the 1000 miles mark. Bar driving it home (350 miles) and some commuting (50 miles) it hasn't been used much. What i want to know is, is the dipstick measure always correct? Could the sagaris use all it's oil in just 400 miles as the oil surley would have been filled to the top at the service?

I took the reading when the engine was cold, i.e not started for 24 hours. Am i even doing it right Unfortunatly i havn't been told much about the under bonnet bits and pieces becuase the twice i have met the dealers has been after hours and no service guys have been around to fire my questions at Lastly what oil should i use? Hopefully my local mechanic can order it in for me!

[ibizarich]

I can answer one of your questions. You need to check you oil when the engine has warmed up, not when it's cold.
Even then I don't think you'd register practically nothing on the dipstick.

[funky]

Yea it's just i usually just check the oil when its cold on the lotus and of course there's always about half full. So it's just wierd that there's nothing visable when cold on the tvr's. Just wondering is this usual? Thanks

[david godfrey]

should be checked after getting engine up to temp then straight after turning engine off, on flat area, suggest you use a thick glove before grabbing the dipstick as it gets very hot.

from manual:
from 1000-6000 miles mobile super 15w40
from 6000 miles on mobile 1 0W40
total oil stated as 6 liters

there are other oils out there this is just from the manual, some maybe in the FAQ.
hope this helps.

Edited by david godfrey on Monday 19th February 22:23

Edited by david godfrey on Monday 19th February 22:23

[funky]

Great thanks david! I forgot bout the faq i always do! I found this in it:

• 0 to 6000 miles:
o Carlube Triple R 10W-40 Semi Synthetic (Factory recommended)
o Mobil Semi Synthetic 10W-40 (Common used alternative)

So hopefully they will have at least one of them around here. So is it usual when the car is cold not to see any oil on the dipstick?

[NCE 61]

funky said:

So is it usual when the car is cold not to see any oil on the dipstick?

Quiet common on the S6 cars as the oil tends to drain out of the tank when stationary.

[phoenix-pete]

No you should still see plenty even when cold.
Correct procedure is check after car is well warmed up,eg after a run not just warmed up on the drive, with engine still running remove inspection bonnet,turn off engine and quickly remove dipstick,wipe and re-insert without screwing in,check level.
As a quick check mine reads around 1/4" below max when stone cold and not running etc;
like you would check a normal car.
Usual procedure for dry sump cars in my experience was always check when hot with engine running, but TVR say turn off then check.
Also they hold 11 litres from empty and around 8 to refill when servicing.
They now recomend Shell 5w-40w synthetic now.(after 6000miles)
Any good quality semi synthetic will be fine in the 10w-40w range untill you have the next service, 6000miles or 12 months, then the full synthetic 5w-40w or similar.

Get some oil in there pronto!!

Pete.

[funky]

But after a service, only 400 miles and three weeks ago, how is it possible to be out of oil?

Edited by funky on Tuesday 20th February 00:33

[vyt]

funky said:

But after a service, only 400 miles and three weeks ago, how is it possible to be out of oil?

Edited by funky on Tuesday 20th February 00:33

'cos the engine is dry sumped. You are checking the oil in the tank. Sometimes the oil from the tank drains back into the engine when the car has been unused for a while. Normally my T350 registers just a little low when cold but once or twice there has been almost nothing visible on the dip stick when cold.

I have yet to need to top the oil up between services.

Edited by vyt on Tuesday 20th February 08:19

[lukesr]

When I check my Tamora cold it reads hardly anything, but when I check her when warm I get the right reading. I wouldn't worry about it until after you've check the oil when warm, if it's still low then start to worry.
In my early days i made the mistake putting a load of oil in because i took the reading when the car was cold. Then when i checked the level when the car was warm i had to spend ages sucking the excess oil out with a turkey baster

[funky]

Thanks all for such in depth posts! That's what i love about pistonheads so many people willing to help. I was abit worried about running her in case she was dry but i will so i can take the reading warm. Plus at least now i know i won't need a turkey baster !!!

[Daftlad]

funky said:

Thanks all for such in depth posts! That's what i love about pistonheads so many people willing to help. I was abit worried about running her in case she was dry but i will so i can take the reading warm. Plus at least now i know i won't need a turkey baster !!!

If you're concerened, I would sugest topping up cold until a trace of oil appears on the dipstick, then run, warm up properly and check.

No need to worry if it's slightly over after adding the oil, but a trace on the stick cold more or less gaurentess a reasonable amount of oil in to start with.

Please note:
Turkey basters are cheaper than engine re-builds, and can be had at a reasonable price at the moment due to a downturn in Turkey demand

[funky]

Well after all the good advice and my fears of starting her up again 'just in case' were put to one side, i gave her a run and warmed her up and now there istrace amounts. Just right i believe. I'll keep checking everytime i take her out for the next few days just to make 100% sure and i'll order carlube from ebay! Thanks as usual all, panic over!

[lukesr]

Best to check when the oil gets to 60 degrees or so, make sure you've got a glove on as it gets pretty toasty. When you check it at this temp it should be a little bit below the max. Make sure your not on a hill when you do this. That's what i do anyway. Happy driving

[funky]

Thanks luke!

I'm actually just trying to source where to buy oCarlube Triple R 10W-40 Semi Synthetic online but i can't seem to find anywhere. Anyone got any idea's? Ir if not even the Mobil Semi Synthetic 10W-40 will do

[alacol25]

When I was running in the T350 it did not use any oil up to the 1000 mile service. After that it's going to use fully synthetic so if you were really stuck it wouldn't do any harm to top up with fully synthetic given the amount your going to add in.

[Daftlad]

alacol25 said:

When I was running in the T350 it did not use any oil up to the 1000 mile service. After that it's going to use fully synthetic so if you were really stuck it wouldn't do any harm to top up with fully synthetic given the amount your going to add in.

"Pedanticmodeon" After the 1000 mile service it should live on semi-synthetic until the 6K service.

[steve11]

funky said:

Thanks luke!

I'm actually just trying to source where to buy oCarlube Triple R 10W-40 Semi Synthetic online but i can't seem to find anywhere. Anyone got any idea's? Ir if not even the Mobil Semi Synthetic 10W-40 will do

Would not worry to much about Carlube, they were sponsoring TVR at the time so were recommended, a lot of the Lotus/TVR dealers are now using Motul (sponsor Lotus) – Mobil, Castrol all good.