Checking the oil with a dry sump system
Discussion
Whilst out for a blast the other day I noticed the oil pressure fluctuating from practically zero up to fine and dandy , seemingly even whilst on a steady throttle. Now obviously I suspect something to be up with the guage side of things , however I had beeter check the oil, so am I right in saying that it needs to be wormed up (run round the block) turned off and Immediately undo the pump lid thing to check the level? The car by the way is a SLR if that helps.....
It seems unlikely to be a shortage as there is some seeping out from the lid of the pump still . Not a great amount but enough to notice. All advice , as always , would be gratefully received.
It seems unlikely to be a shortage as there is some seeping out from the lid of the pump still . Not a great amount but enough to notice. All advice , as always , would be gratefully received.
Do you have the Caterham system ("conning tower" on the bell housing)? If so, I'm not going to be any help, but I don't think oil's meant to leak out of there. If it's overfilled, it should kick oil out into a catch tank...
Sender's are notoriously erratic at times. I believe they read by leaking to earth, and with a dodgy earth you can get erratic readings (ultimately the needle will flick all the way to max or stay off depending on failure). So might be worth cleaning up all the connections for the sender and ensuring it's earthing properly.
Sender's are notoriously erratic at times. I believe they read by leaking to earth, and with a dodgy earth you can get erratic readings (ultimately the needle will flick all the way to max or stay off depending on failure). So might be worth cleaning up all the connections for the sender and ensuring it's earthing properly.
Standard belt driven Caterham dry sump I assume ?? If so run the car hot and check the level through the top of the dry sump imediately after turning the engine off (like a few seconds (have the dipstick removed before you do this))
You have to turn the engine off as the oil return pipe pumps through while the engine is running. Leave the engine off for too long and the oil can (not always) drain out of the dry sump tank into the sump (level is measured in the tank))
You have to turn the engine off as the oil return pipe pumps through while the engine is running. Leave the engine off for too long and the oil can (not always) drain out of the dry sump tank into the sump (level is measured in the tank))
Well - I checked the oil and it seems fine - although I still reckon that there is room for error whilst running round turning it off, pulling out dip sticks etc . And the plastic end seems to repel oil so it all seems very random, and the oil doesnt seem to stick to the stick on all sides etc etc etc but it seems to be ok!
So its time to check the earth and connections ! So thanks for the help lads!
By the way - if it can chuck it out , what is the risk of over filling anyway ?
So its time to check the earth and connections ! So thanks for the help lads!
By the way - if it can chuck it out , what is the risk of over filling anyway ?
Apparently the VHPD engine with the SLR's uses around 1 litre per 1,000 miles and is to do with the forged pistons - maybe oil control rings? Certainly on a recent trip with the SLR, we used just over 2 litres in 2.5k miles in a week and this was exactly the same usage as reported by a couple of other SLR owners.
Stick some oil in and any surplus will indeed go into the catch tank.
HTH
T
Stick some oil in and any surplus will indeed go into the catch tank.
HTH
T
With the weight of numbers behind it I will indeed try that approach. It has done about 2000 miles since it was topped up professionally , so it sounds like thats the answer. I'll bung in a litre and see what happens !!!!
Whilst on the subject - is it gospel that you use the Caterham stuff in them or is that not necessary ?
Blimey - dont I have a lot of questions about oil. Must get out more....
Whilst on the subject - is it gospel that you use the Caterham stuff in them or is that not necessary ?
Blimey - dont I have a lot of questions about oil. Must get out more....
I use a seperate dipstick. Check hot and after the engine has been run. Using a new dipstick (bamboo cane works for me) the level should be 8-10" from the bottom of the tank (need to make sure it is the bottom, as can catch on things). Dipstick with the car is useless in my experience!
Go with both of those. I use dipstick made of wooden dowel. c10" (but different engines seem to differ in resting level) on stick. However, I also top-up and let it spit into catch tank. It does that more at high revs, so a thrashing will lower the level. In summary, I fill to 10" and expect it to spit out a cup full or so on the next run with prolonged revs. I feel it's at the right level then.
Oh yes, and they do drink it...
Oh yes, and they do drink it...
Edited by jimmyslr on Friday 17th August 22:19
Well I have put in about a litre , just got in from doing about a 200 mile blat - and it doesnt seem to have chucked much out at all so it must of needed it . However - I noticed the gauge was still doing its funky stuff , so maybe a slight problem there. I thought that thy didnt drink much, funny that , still it obviously need some - so many thanks for everyones help.
You know - 200 odd miles , in the murkey weather, all round the south, and I didnt see another Cat anywhere. Plus I bet nobody saw me ! But I bet you cant say this - I saw a new Europa on the road ! Must be about as rare as saying you saw a City Rover .......
You know - 200 odd miles , in the murkey weather, all round the south, and I didnt see another Cat anywhere. Plus I bet nobody saw me ! But I bet you cant say this - I saw a new Europa on the road ! Must be about as rare as saying you saw a City Rover .......
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